How to Prevent Windows 11 Installation after Auto-Update: A Comprehensive Guide

If you accidentally kept the Windows 11 auto-update on, you might find yourself at risk of having Windows 11 installed on your current system. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to prevent this from happening. This guide will walk you through the steps you can take to effectively pause or block Windows 11 installation.

1. Pause Updates Temporarily

One of the simplest methods to prevent Windows 11 installation is to temporarily pause updates. This method provides a short-term solution that can buy you enough time to take more definitive actions.

Open the Settings app on your device.

Navigate to Update Security and then select Windows Update.

Click on the Pause updates for 7 days option to temporarily halt the update process.

You can repeat this process to extend the pause period as needed.

2. Change Update Settings to Prevent Windows 11

For more control over the updates, you can change the settings to hide the Windows 11 updates.

Open the Settings app.

Navigate to Update Security and then select Windows Update.

Click on the Advanced options link.

In the Optional updates section, select Hide updates related to Windows 11.

3. Use Group Policy Editor (Windows Pro and Enterprise)

If you have Windows Pro or Enterprise, you can use the Group Policy Editor to prevent the installation of Windows 11.

Press the Win R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type and press Enter.

Navigate to Computer Configuration Administrative Templates Windows Components Windows Update.

Find and double-click on Select the target Feature Update version.

Set it to Enabled and specify the version you want to keep, such as 10.0.19044 for Windows 10.

4. Use Registry Editor for Fine-Tuning

For those who are comfortable with the registry, you can also use the Registry Editor to prevent Windows 11 installation.

Press the Win R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type regedit and press Enter.

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate.

If the WindowsUpdate key does not exist, create it.

Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named TargetReleaseVersion and set it to 1.

Create another DWORD (32-bit) value named TargetReleaseVersionInfo and set it to your desired version, for example, 5.

5. Disable the Windows Update Service (As a Last Resort)

If all else fails, you can disable the Windows Update service as a last resort.

Press the Win R keys to open the Run dialog box.

Type and press Enter.

Find the Windows Update service in the list.

Right-click on Windows Update and select Properties.

Set the Startup type to Disabled and then click Stop to stop the service.

Important Note

When modifying system settings, especially the registry or group policies, it is crucial to exercise caution. Always make sure you have backups of your important data before making any changes.

By following these steps, you can effectively prevent Windows 11 from being installed on your computer. If you're unsure about any of the steps, it's always best to seek assistance from a professional or consult Microsoft's official support documentation.