Since last October, Windows 11 is already a reality for all compatible computers, being able to update for free from Windows 10. Although Microsoft announced that it will not force its users to update, the truth is that it does its little ” traps” to take advantage of any pending update to install it on our computer almost without us noticing. In case we are not convinced to move to the new operating system, we have the opportunity to force the block to the new version of Windows in different ways.
In general, and unless we are very close to the end of support for a version of Windows, the operating system should not be updated without our consent. If we go to the Windows Update section, we will find the update to Windows 11 available if our computer meets the established requirements.
Unless we owe the download and install button, the new version should not download. But as it is better to be safe than sorry, in case we are not interested in the new Microsoft operating system, we can avoid downloading it even by mistake, we have several ways to forcefully block it.
Why not upgrade to Windows 11 yet
There are not a few users who have decided not to update their computer to Windows for the time being. And it is that, as it happens with each new operating system when it is launched, this one is not exempt from errors , problems and security risks. This, together with the fact that its improvements seem to be aimed more at an aesthetic point than a functional one, makes us prefer to stay as we are.
Not in vain, Windows 10 has been with us for more than five years, so a large part of its errors and problems have been solved over time. Also keep in mind that Microsoft has offered support until 2025 , so we can still continue to use it without fear for the next three years.
Along with all this, it is worth mentioning the high hardware requirements that Windows 11 requires, needing twice the RAM and disk space for its operation than its predecessor. Despite new features such as Widgets, game mode and Android compatibility, they may not be attractive enough to bet on the change.
Steps to stop auto update
While Microsoft promises that Windows 11 will not be forcibly updated on our Windows 10 computer, who knows if this will change in the future, so we can forcefully block it. For this we can use the Windows Update section, the Registry Editor or the Group Policy Editor.
Temporarily block Windows Update
The easiest way to temporarily block the Windows 11 update is to delay the download and installation from Windows Update. To do this, we access the Settings menu by pressing the keyboard shortcut “Windows + I”. Later we click on “Update and security” at the bottom and Windows Update in the left side menu. Here we find the option to “Pause updates for 7 days” , so that they are blocked during this period.
Likewise, it is possible to configure this value by clicking on the “Advanced options” section. This will open a new window where we must locate the “Pause updates” section. Here we can configure it so that the update stops up to 35 days. Later it will be necessary to obtain the new updates before being able to pause it again.
Use the Policy Editor
Another way to block Windows 11 from downloading is through the Policy Editor. This tool is only available for the Pro, Enterprise and Education versions of Windows 10, so if we use the Home version we will not be able to use it.
To open the Editor, we press the keyboard shortcut “Windows + R”, which will launch the Run command. Here we write gpedit.smc and press Enter or the OK button. Later we navigate to the following address:
Configuración de equipo / Plantillas administrativas / Componentes de Windows / Windows Update / Administrar las actualizaciones ofrecidas en Windows Update
Once here, we double-click on the “Select target feature update version” entry.
In the new window we select “Enabled” which will activate the “Options at the bottom” section. Here we set Windows 10 for the first option and 21H2 for the second.
Finally we click “Apply” to save the changes and “OK” to close the dialog box. We close the editor and restart the system for the changes to take effect.
Disable Windows Update service
It is also possible to block the Windows 11 update by disabling the entire Windows Update service. But keep in mind that it will also prevent the system from performing feature and security updates.
To run it, press the key combination “Windows + R” and launch the Run command. Here we write services.msc and press Enter.
Next, in the list of services we double click on “Windows Update” .
This will cause a new popup to open with its properties. Here in the “General” tab, we go to “Service Status” and click on the “Stop” button. Now, in the drop-down menu of “Startup type” we select “Disabled” and click on the Apply button to save the changes.
This will stop all updates, including Windows 11. Whenever we want to activate them again, we just have to perform the same steps and select “Automatic” or “Manual” and click Apply.
From Registry Editor
Finally, we can choose to use the Registry Editor to block the upgrade to Windows 11. To do this, we use the keyboard shortcut “Windows + R” to launch the Run command. Later, we write regedit and press Enter or the OK button to start it.
Before modifying anything, we will make a backup, as a preventive measure. To do this, click on “File” and “Export”. We then specify All in the export range, give it a name, select the .reg format, and click Save.
Next, we navigate to the following route:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Policies / Microsoft / Windows / WindowsUpdate
Once here, we must locate the TargetReleaseVersion registry value. If it doesn’t exist, we create it. To do this, we right-click on a blank space and select “New” and “DWORD (32-bit) Value” and give it that name. Later we double click on it and give it the value “1” .
Next we look for the value called TargetReleaseVersionInfo . If this does not exist, we create it by right-clicking on a blank space and selecting “New” and “String Value”. Then we double click on it and indicate the version in which we want to stay, such as 21H2.
All that remains is to restart the PC and from now on Windows 10 is configured to always stay in version 21H2 and we avoid receiving new versions of the operating system by mistake. When we want to update, it will only be necessary to delete the two entries created and look for the update in the Windows Update section.
How to block the following versions
If we have decided that we are going to continue using Windows 10 for a long period of time and we do not like to constantly update the computer with numerous patches, we also have the possibility to avoid updating to later versions . This is something that can be useful if we only care about, say, big updates, so if we already have the 21H2 update, we can block it and tell the OS that we want to stay on it.
To do this, simply access the Windows 10 Registry Editor and navigate again to the address:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Policies / Microsoft / Windows / WindowsUpdate
This time we must create a new value that we will call ProductVersion and edit it so that it has a value of “Windows 10”. Likewise, we must have created the value TargetReleaseVersionInfo with the value information “21H2”.
All that remains is to close the Editor and restart for the changes to be applied correctly. In this way, Windows 10 will stay in version 21H2 and update until we vary it later.