Hi,
You have the Unenroll option selected
so you are good.
If you are already on 26H2, why would you
install 25H2?
Windows Update To 25H2
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Dan McDermott
150
Reputation points
I have W11 and Windows wants to update to 25H2 but I already have Windows 26H2 Installed
Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Other
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-12T16:37:49.4666667+00:00 The version of Windows 26H2 that I have Installed is "Windows 11 Pro Insider Preview" and not the full up version of 26H2. Before that, I had 25H2. Also, I can't seem to stop W11 from wanting to install "Windows 11 Pro Insider Previews" even though my W11 says I am unenrolled. Crazy loop I'm in so I paused for 1 week the request that wants me to update to 25H2. I hoping a 1 week delay is long enough.
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Abhishek U 170 Reputation points2026-09-12T16:42:26.9533333+00:00 You’re stuck in a loop because you’re on an Insider Preview build (26H2) while Windows Update still thinks you need the stable 25H2 release. Even though you unenrolled, cached update data keeps offering Insider packages. Pausing updates for a week just delays it — the real fix is to reset the update components (stop services, rename SoftwareDistribution and catroot2) and then hide the unwanted 25H2 update so it won’t reappear. That way, your system stays on 26H2 without nagging you to downgrade.
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8 answers
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-09-12T18:13:50.01+00:00 -
Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-12T18:08:15.9266667+00:00 I must be a dummy so I need more clarification. "Hi Dan,
If you have already clicked the Unenroll
option when the Public build is released
in Oct. you get the Public Release build
and you're done."
I now have the Unenroll option set.
After I install the "26H2" do I still need to check to see if I'm still un-enrolled. Will installing "26H2" reset my settings that I now have to be un-enrolled?
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-12T17:58:17.7533333+00:00 Hi Dan,
If you have already clicked the Unenroll
option when the Public build is released
in Oct. you get the Public Release build
and you're done.
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-12T18:12:21.61+00:00 Do I still need to check to see if I'm un-inrlloed or does installing 25H2 redo my setting?
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-12T17:19:30.73+00:00 is it safe to delete "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost"
there is a lot of stuff in there
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-12T17:21:57.15+00:00 Yes, it is safe. Delete the whole folder.
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-12T17:35:00.48+00:00 do you mean "delete the whole Key" shown below - I don't see a folder
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost"
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-12T17:38:40.1966667+00:00 This is the folder that needs to be deleted
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-13T14:53:32.1333333+00:00 I did this and now I am NOT on 26H2 or Insider Preview 25H2. Instead I am on Insider Preview 24H2 and Windows Update wants to install 24H2. What is going on? I am installing 24H2 as I write this but do not know yet what I will get.
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-13T19:13:07.2+00:00 When I delete the key "WindowsSelfHost" will it comes back by itself?
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-13T20:01:23.9666667+00:00 Yes, but if you deleted it once already
you shouldn't have to delete it again
unless you rejoined Insiders again.
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Dan McDermott 150 Reputation points
2026-09-14T12:02:42.3766667+00:00 I deleted the folder named "WindowsSelfHost. When I reopend the registry, that folder is stll there but looks empty. Is that normal?
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-14T12:43:15.5566667+00:00 Yes, you can now leave the folder alone.
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CrazyKats 19,415 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-12T17:18:44.4066667+00:00 Hi Dan,
Right click Start, click Run and type in
regedit, click OK. Follow this path to the
correct key
When you get to the Windows SelfHost key right click and Delete
Then close Regedit and Restart the PC.