how do i stop downloading and installing windows 11

Congratulations! I guess there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Please keep us updated on how Windows 11 works out for you.

YEA!

is there any chance that the start menu issue will be addressed, surely it cant be that hard to give users a choice. Until then I am unlikely to upgrade until I have absolutely no choice.,

You can try this and see if you get it to your liking. Sometimes, the new changes just take time to adapt to.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/customize-windows-11-start-menu

I answered you above with the only help I can give you.

To be clear: Windows 11 downloaded and is waiting for you to install? That is my situation I have been in. The only way is to go to your windows update area. Click on advanced options and pause it for 35 days. Make a note on your calendar to go do this same routine 2 days before your time is up. You do have to click first on 'check for updates' and then you can pause again.

Make sure you go into your permissions area of updates (I believe it is in the control panel settings for updates) and click the box that states that you much be asked first before INSTALLING the update. That way, when you go back to pause again and 'check for updates', a pop up box should come up asking you what time you want Windows 11 to install. That is the point where you pause for another 35 days.

Other people have stated you can go in and change your registry. It is mentioned several times in this thread, but for me I'm not doing that. I've read horror stories what has happened when you try to do that to stop Windows 11 from actually installing.

For right now, I just keep pausing it. It is so frustrating to have this forced on us. Out of curiosity, did you give the OK to download Windows 11 or did it just download itself?

PortlandMT and many others. There are so many posts here I may be repeating but I am in the same situation with Windows 11. I have it on pause and almost up to the first 35 day re-pause mark.

Today I came across this detailed information about how to do a clean boot for Windows 10 and others from Microsoft.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd 

I am not a techy but I usually can follow clear instructions as long as their screen shotture looks exactly like my screen.

Has anyone done this and did it get rid of Windows 11 as I expect? What was your experience?

Update on W 11 switch: Blurry text & black screen issues in browsers are back again when switching tabs but only if Edge & Chrome are open non-maximized (not full screen). The issue doesn't seem to be present in Firefox so I am making that my default browser. I will run the other 2 maximized when I need them. Just having my printer work again is making these adjustments worth while. Interestingly - my husband just bought a cheap laptop with W 11 pre-installed - no issues with the Edge or Chrome - same version as I have. Thanks for all your support