Windows Updates and Upgrading: How can you pause or stop them?

You want to stop Windows Updates and Upgrades from being installed on your Windows 10 computer. This tutorial will teach you how to remain on Windows 10 and stop Windows updates if you’ve upgraded to Windows 11.

Windows upgrades and updates can bring new features and performance improvements, but they also have the potential to make it less user-friendly.

For example, Windows 11 has a completely different interface than Windows 10., This means that you may not be ready yet for an upgrade. Windows 11 users may wish to disable future updates to prevent them from affecting your workflow.

No matter what the reason may be, these are some steps you can take to stop or pause operating system upgrades and updates on your Windows PC.

Stop Windows 11 Upgrades and Remain with Windows 10

Microsoft doesn’t force you to upgrade Windows 10 from Windows 11. Windows Update will not force you to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 Stay on Windows 10 for now, Take these steps and you’ll be fine. Windows 10 Updates will be available to you. Once your computer is ready, Windows 11 can be downloaded.

However, you might be concerned that Microsoft will change its stance on the matter or that it may endanger your rights You accidentally upgraded to Windows 11. . You can use a few Registry Editor-based or Local Group Policy Editor workarounds in this case to keep on the current Windows 10 version.

Find Windows Current Windows 10 Version

Prior to you move forward, it is important that you identify Note down the version of Windows 10 you are using You’ll be able to use the data later. This is how you do it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to System > About Scroll to the bottom of this page Windows specifications section.
3. Check Version Take note of what you notice next to it, such as, 21H2.

Block Windows 11 Upgrade via Group Policy Editor

You can stop Windows 11 upgrades from being applied to your Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise Editions PCs by using the Local Group Policy editor.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open a Run box. Then, type gpedit.msc Use the press Enter.

2. You can navigate through these directories from the left navigation pane of the Local Group Policy Editor:

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business

3. Double-click the Select the target Feature Update version Policy setting is on the right-hand side of the window.

4. Click the radio button to the right Enabled.
5. Enter the version number of Windows 10 into the box Target Version for Feature Updates field.

6. Select Apply > OK.
7. Close the Local Group Policies Editor, and then restart your computer.

By using Registry Editor, Block Windows 11 Upgrade

To block Windows 11 upgrades, you can use the Registry Editor if Windows 10 Home Edition is installed.

1. Press Windows + R to open a Run box. Then, type regedit Use the press Enter.

2. The following path can be copied and pasted into Registry Editor’s address bar. Press the “Enter” button Enter: :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

3. Right-click the Windows Choose the folder in the top pane New > Key.

4. Please name the folder WindowsUpdate.

5. Right-click the WindowsUpdate Folder and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

6. Please name the value TargetReleaseVersion.

7. Double-click TargetReleaseVersion On the right side, click Enter 1 into the Value date Select the field OK.

8. Right-click the WindowsUpdate Select the folder and then select New > String Value.

9. Please name the string TargetReleaseVersionInfo.

10. Double-click the TargetReleaseVersionInfo string: Enter your Windows 10 version to the Value data Select the field OK.

11. Restart your computer and exit the Registry Editor window.

Installing Future Windows 10 Version Updates

Windows 10 installations will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 despite this. However, they will continue to get security updates and quality upgrades from Microsoft. You must do these things to ensure your Windows 10 installation doesn’t get major Windows 10 updates, or feature upgrades.

1. Check Microsoft Windows 10 Release Information Page For the most recent Windows 10 version.
2. Following the instructions, update the Local Group Policy editor version number (step 2) 5), or Registry Editor, (step 10).
3. Start your computer again and then run Windows Update.

There are several ways to stop or pause Windows 11 updates

These methods can be used to prevent future Windows 11 upgrades if you have already upgraded to Windows 11. We do not recommend keeping Windows Update off for longer periods of time as your computer will be unable to receive the latest security updates and bug fixes.

Pause Windows Updates via Settings App

Windows Update Settings allows you to temporarily pause any new Windows 11 update. This is the most secure and convenient way to pause new Windows 11 updates temporarily.

1. Open the Start menu Choose and Settings > Windows Update.
2. Under More options, Pause updates.
3. Select a time periodPause for 1–5 weeks— Click the drop-down menu.

Windows Update can be used to resume or install updates anytime you like. Just visit Windows Update, and click on the appropriate option Resume updates.

Setup Network to Serve as a Metered Connection

All Windows 11 updates will be paused when you set up Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections as metered networks. If you don’t want to use more bandwidth than the monthly allowance for a network, it might be worth considering.

1. Choose from Open Settings or select Network & internet.
2. Select Properties Under the network name.

3. Then, switch on the next button Metered connection.

Disable the Metered connection If you wish to permit Windows 11 updates across the network, select this option.

Disable Windows Updates via Services

A second way is to prevent Windows Update running in the background.

1. Type services.msc Press the Run button and place it in a box Enter.

2. Double-click Windows Update.

3. Set Startup type to disabled.

4. Select Apply, OK.
5. Reboot your computer.

Go back to Set if you wish to enable Windows Update again Startup type to Automatic.

Stop Automatic Updates through Local Group Policy Editor

You can disable automatic Windows 11 update via the Group Policy editor in Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise. However, manual updates can still be performed.

1. Type gpedit.msc Press the Run button and place it in a box Enter.

2. You can navigate through these directories from the left navigation pane of the Local Group Policy Editor:

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience

3. Double-click the Configure Automatic Updates Policy setting.

4. Select Enabled.
5. Click the link below to open the pull-down menu Configure automatic updating Choose and 2 – Notify for download and auto install option.

6. Select Apply, OK.
7. You can restart your computer.

You can enable automatic Windows update later by setting the Configure Automatic Updates Policy setting Not Configured.

Register Editor allows you to halt automatic Windows updates

This Registry Editor hack is for Windows 11 Home users. It will allow you to deactivate automatic Windows 11 Updates.

1. Type regedit Press the Run button and place it in a box Enter.

2. The following path can be copied and pasted into Registry Editor’s address bar. Press the “Enter” button Enter: :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows

3. Right-click the Windows Choose the folder in the top pane New > Key.

4. Name the key AU.

5. Right-click the AU Select and key New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

6. Name the key NoAutoUpdate.

7. Double-click on the newly created NoAutoUpdate Set the value by pressing the key in the right pane 1. OK To save your changes.

8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Windows 11 Restar.

Set the following to enable automatic Windows update later Configure Automatic Updates Policy setting Not Configured.

You Have Full Control over Windows Upgrades and Updates

Windows updates can be exciting and fun, but they also have the potential to cause problems or break other things. If you want to stay on Windows 10 and don’t wish to receive incremental Windows 11 updates, these are the best options. We don’t recommend putting off updates for too long as this could lead to multiple performance and security problems.