Block update to Win 11 (from Win 10)

[Andrew B.]

Here is an article that claims to show up how to block update to Win 11. In fact, it might block Win 10 updates too. But is also shows how go let Win 10 updates through. But it takes a bit of work to accomplish this. Read here

[Andrew B.]

Here is a discussion at MS website

[terrie]

andrew: how to block update to Win 11

First...thanks for the links...I find howtogeek.com articles very useful and the article you linked to is interesting.



I'd been curious about the gpedit.msc "windows update for business section" but had not investigated it closely so this article is useful--albeit a bit dated at 11/6/21 with their ref to Windows 10 21H1--the current is 22H2...



For the 2 Windows 10/Pro (overlay, test) installs I've done (Dell and HP Envy laptops), I'm using StopUpdates10 setting both laptops to a "Hard Block"--I set their "Soft Block" option using a custom date to pause updates for all update types (feature and "quality"--yeah right...Microsoft "quality"!) before I set the "Hard Block" option which allows NO Windows Updates at all. At this point, I have absolutely no intention of ever allowing any updates to these Win10/Pro installs. I also have no use for nor interest in ever using Microsoft Defender Antivirus--I use MBAM Pro on both systems.



I need to read the howtogeek article more closely before deciding if I will use the approach they outline for the gpedit.msc option--this would be adding a belt to the suspender of StopUpdates10.




With respect to the regedit approach howtogeek outlined, I checked the HP Envy laptop and there is no “TargetReleaseVersionInfo” entry in the Registry (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Win dows\WindowsUpdate ) so I'd have to create it BUT!!! in that same section, there is a "DisableOSUpgrade" key with a value of "1" which I believe indicates that Windows11crapola is blocked. I have also deleted windows.old which contained the $Windows.~BT folder which often has hidden code to push upgrades.




Terrie

[woody649]

I had to do something similar "back then" to prevent Microsoft from "upgrading" me from Windows 7 to Windows 10 without my consent.

This time around I don't have to worry. I don't own anything that passes Microsoft's hardware check for Windows 11.

[Andrew B.]

Originally Posted by terrie

First...thanks for the links...I find howtogeek.com articles very useful and the article you linked to is interesting....

Thanks for the info on the registry and what you saw in the Envy. I forgot to mention that MS tried to force Win11 onto my computer. Right now it is paused until June 9. Or so it says. I used Advanced Options to pause it beyond May 30, which was the date it offered me. But I have to do something. I don't want Win 11 on my Win 10 computer, even though I have a new one sitting in the box with Win 11.

[terrie]

andrew: Thanks for the info on the registry and what you saw in the Envy.

You're most welcome...




>>But I have to do something. I don't want Win 11 on my Win 10 computer, even though I have a new one sitting in the box with Win 11.


If you are uncertain about the howtogeek approach, I'd suggested taking a look at StopUpdates10 and use their "Soft Block" approach which is basically like the Microsoft "pause updates", but it allows you a bit more flexibility in that you can choose which type of updates to pause (you can choose to pause each individually--"monthly", "feature", "stay on the current") and...you can set the pause date beyond what Microsoft allows.



From the StopUpdates10 page linked above:


StopUpdates10 has 2 modes:

1. Windows Updates 100% Bulleteproof Hard Block (with Double Protection).


2. Windows Updates Soft Block - Pause Updates until 11/18/2099 with ability update Windows Defender and Windows Store Apps.


Features:

1. Stops Windows updates

2. Stops forced upgrades

3. Stops annoying upgrade notifications

4. Restore updates with one-click

5. Pauses updates

6. Disables Windows 7-8 'End of support' and 'End of Service' notification



"How StopUpdates10 works?

1. StopUpdates10 creates the policy registry keys to block updates. It is for Windows 7-8. Microsoft ignores these policies in the latest Windows 10 versions.


2. StopUpdates10 blocks execution of several processes used for updating, related to Windows Upgrade Assistant, Windows as a Service Medic.


3. StopUpdates10 blocks Windows Update service using an own service: Updates Guard. Also, it blocks Windows Update Medic Service ("WaasMedicSvc"), because the 'Medic' service can restore updates.

4. StopUpdates10 is safe to use! StopUpdates10 does not delete files on your system, does not change permissions of Windows registry keys or files.





Terrie

[Andrew B.]

I can't figure out whether I posted this already. But here are several ways to block update. The first one is simple and direct (assuming Windows does not thwart this). You simply turn off updates in services.msc

https://www.easeus.com/backup-recove...ly-update.html

[Steve Rindsberg]

Originally Posted by Andrew B.

I can't figure out whether I posted this already. But here are several ways to block update. The first one is simple and direct (assuming Windows does not thwart this). You simply turn off updates in services.msc

https://www.easeus.com/backup-recove...ly-update.html

But as noted in the article, Windows is likely to re-enable the update service after some (indeterminate) time.

Because it Knows Better Than You.

I just used the GPEDIT.MSC trick to disable the update service. We Shall See. BTW, using GPEDIT is just a convenient, simpler and safer way to make registry changes.

[terrie]

andrew: You simply turn off updates in services.msc

That can be tricky because it's not just ONE setting. There are 3 options in Services (accessed via control panel > administrative tools > Services): "Update Orchestrator Service", "Windows Update" and "Windows Update Medic Service" some of which are not modifiable manually and, there is no guarantee that Microsoft won't reset the values--as Steve pointed out...



I don't trust Microsoft so that's why I chose to use "StopUpdates10"--there are other 3rd party options out there like the MiniTool but I liked how "StopUpates10" worked...




Terrie

[Andrew B.]

Terrie,

The day of reckoning is here. Windows won't let me postpone any further. So I'm going with your recommended tool. Did you set yours to do a soft block or a hard block.