Keep Windows 10 from Updating to Windows 11 (5 Ways)

Why stop and block Windows 11 update from installing on Windows 10?

Microsoft has released Windows 11 for some time, and although it says it won't force you to upgrade, recently it start to download and install Windows 11 automatically if your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. However, some users don't want to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 now. We summarize some possible reasons for this situation: 

Windows 11 does not have a core update: The main change in Windows 11 is aesthetics, and some new features, such as, Game Mode, Widgets, faster boot time, and android support. 

Windows 11 is not stable now: Since Windows 11 is a new operating system, just like other systems when they are newly released, it has potential bugs, problems, and security risks. Searching for Windows 11 bug report, you can a list of issues, whether it's know or resolved issues. For details, check Microsoft's official documents. 

Windows 11 requires higher system requirements: Up still now, the system requirements for Windows 11 is higher than any other systems, for example, Windows 11 requires 4GB RAM and 64GB disk space, which is double or more than WIndows 10 system requirements. This has the potential to in turn pull down computer performance.

No matter what is your cause, you can cancel Windows 11 upgrade and stay on Windows 10 with the methods in following. Usually, stopping or blocking Windows 11 will not cause data loss, but if you are worried about data loss due to human error. Please backup the system and data on the system partition. At the same time, it provides you a way to go back to Windows 10 if your computer is updating to Windows 11 automatically. 

Way 1: Stop Windows 11 update from installing on Windows 10 

If you just want to temporarily stop Windows 11 update, the easiest and quickest way is to use  Windows Settings. Using it you can pause Windows Update for 7 days or more. And it also works for stoping automatic update on Windows 11.

1. Go to Start > Settings > Update and Security, and then in the next window, select Windows Update from the left panel. 

2. Then, you will see Upgrade to Windows 11 is ready if your computer meets the system requirements for Windows 11. Click Stay on Windows 10 for now. Alternatively, scroll down to Pause updates for 7 days and select it. 

3. To pause Windows 11 update for more than 7 days, click Advanced options. Then, in the next window, scroll down to Pause updates and select a date from the drop-down menu. The temporary pause updates from being installed on this device for up to 35 days. 

Way 2: Turn off Windows Update Services on Windows 10 PC

Turning off the entire Windows update service is a way to block Windows 11 updates permanently in Windows 10. But this way also prevents security and cumulative updates patches from installing on your computer. Be sure you are know this potential issue and then continue if you are not mind. 

1. Press "Win+ R" to open the Run window, type services.msc in it and click OK to open the Services window.

2. Navigate to the "Windows Update" option, right-click it and select the "Stop" button.

3. Then, double-click the "Windows Update" option and set its "Startup Type" as "Disabled".

Doing so all the Windows Updates on Windows 10 will be canceled. If you want to resume it later, simply follow the steps above, start it and then set the startup type as Automatic. 

Way 3: Block Windows 11 Update from installing on Windows 10 using Registry Editor

If you only want to block the feature ask you to upgrade to Windows, you can use the new TargetReleaseVersion policy or registry setting since Windows 10 version 1803. It allows you to specify the target feature upgrade for Windows 10 you want to stay on or move to until it reaches the end of service.

The latest Windows 10 version is 21H2. But before starting, you need to check if your computer using it. Type "winver" in the Run window and click "OK" to confirm it. Then, you will see the current Windows version, it's 21H2.

1. Type regedit in the Run windows and hit OK to open Registry Editor.

2.  Navigate to the following path, right-click it > New > DWORD(32-bit) Value. Then, double-click the new registry settings, name it TargetReleaseVersion and set its value to 1. 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

3. Right-click the blank space, select New > String. Then, double-click it, name it Product Version and set its value dataa to Windows 10.

3. Create a new string by right-click the blanks space, select New > String.Then, double-click it, name it TargetReleaseVersionInfo and set its value data to 21H2.

4. Close the registry and restart your computer to make these changes take effect. 

Way 4: Remove Windows 11 Update in Windows 10 using Registry Editor

Except for TargetReleaseVersion policy or registry setting, you can also try NoAutoUpdate in the Registry Editor. 

1. Type regedit in the Run windows and hit OK to open Registry Editor. Then, navigate to the following path, right-click it > New > Key and name it AU.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

3. Select the new registry key AU, and on the right panel, right-click the blank space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Then, double-click it and set the Value name as NoAutoUpdate and value data from 0 to 1.

3. Go to Services and disable Windows Update as steps shown in Step 2. Afterward, restart you computer and make it take effect. 

Way 5: Disable Windows 11 update on Windows 10 via Local Group Policy Editor

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Run window and click OK to open the Group Policy Editor. Then, navigate to the following path, right-click it and choose Select the target feature update version setting. 

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

2. Double-click the Select the target feature update version setting, then select Enabled and click OK. 

3. Scroll down to the Options box, set Windows 10 as the Product Version and 21H2 as Target version of Feature updates. Then, click Apply > OK to save changes and close the dialog box

How to Reserve the Back Roads for Windows 10

Now you may already know how to keep Windows 10 from updating to Windows 11, but there is a possibility Microsoft will download and install Windows 11 for you automatically. To completely avoid this, it's suggested to create a system image in Windows 10, and then you can easily revert Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing data at any time.

 Here I will recommend the best free backup software-AOMEI Backupper Standard to backup system in Windows 10. And it's not only for emergency use but also focuses on long-term data protection. Thus, you can choose to backup it to avoid Windows 11 update or run it as a scheduled task with the following features:

AOMEI Backupper

Best Free Windows Backup Software

• Schedule Backup: It allows you to run backup task daily, weekly, monthly, or even hourly.
• Incremental Backup: It's the default backup method in this software, which only backup changed files since last backup, thereby saving much disk space and time.
• 3-2-1 backup strategy: It is capable of backing up Windows 10 to external hard drive, USB drive, network drive, NAS, cloud drive, etc. You can combine some of these storage devices to make up 3-2-1 backup strategy - 3 backup copies, 2 different locations, 1 offsite backup.
• First aid tool: If you are worried that your computer will fail, you can choose to create bootable media in advance. 

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Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

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PS: The free version only supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP. If you are a business user, please try AOMEI Backupper Server, which can work for Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 (including the R2 version) and the latest server 2022.

1. Launch AOMEI Backupper and click Backup, then choose System Backup

2. Since all the system startup required partition(s) are selected, you just need to choose the destination path and thenclick Start Backup to create a system image in Windows 10.

In daily use or for long-term data protection, you need to set more useful features:

• Options: You can enjoy some options, even without configuring it, such as, normal compression, automatic splitting, intelligent sector backup, etc. All of them help you save disk space as much as possible. And you can enjoy the encryption feature on the premium version. 

• Schedule Backup: Usually,  in the free version, you can use daily, weekly, monthly or hourly backup. In the premium version, you can also enjoy event trigger and USB plug in. The last one is recommended due to its simplification and flexibility - it will backup Windows 10 automatically when the USB drive is connected. 

• Backup Scheme: Once you enable schedule backup in a task, it will backup only changed files with incremental backup after full backup. Also, you can try differential backup and automatic backup cleanup in the premium verison. The latter one is to delete backup image automatically, which resolves the backup disk full issue completely. 

FAQ on keeping Windows 10 from updating to Windows 11

1. Will I lose anything on my computer if I upgrade to Windows 11?

Answer: Upgrading to Windows 11 carries minimal risk of data loss if precautions are taken. Back up important files, ensure system compatibility, update drivers, create a recovery drive, and research potential issues. Optionally, perform a clean install for a fresh start, but be aware it will erase all data.

2. Is it possible to block the Windows 11 upgrade notification on my Windows 10 device?

Answer: Yes, you can block the Windows 11 upgrade notification by modifying certain settings or using third-party tools. You can disable the Windows Update service temporarily, use Group Policy settings to suppress notifications or install third-party software designed to prevent Windows 11 upgrades.

3. Will Microsoft force Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11?

Answer: While Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to the latest version of Windows for security and performance reasons, they typically do not force upgrades. However, Windows 10 users should be aware of changes in Windows Update settings and review them periodically to prevent unintended upgrades.

4. Can I manually install updates on Windows 10 to avoid upgrading to Windows 11 accidentally?

Answer: Yes, you can manually install updates on Windows 10 to have more control over the upgrade process. By configuring Windows Update settings to notify you before downloading or installing updates, you can review each update individually and prevent the installation of Windows 11 upgrade files.

5. What should I do if my Windows 10 device starts downloading Windows 11 automatically

Answer: If your Windows 10 device begins downloading Windows 11 automatically, you can cancel the download and prevent the installation by pausing Windows Update or disconnecting from the internet temporarily. You can also use tools like the "Show or Hide Updates" troubleshooter to hide the Windows 11 upgrade. Additionally, review your Windows Update settings to ensure they align with your preferences.

Summary

This article provides you with 5 ways to keep Windows 10 from updating to Windows 11. And it is means you don't need to worry about the accidental update to Windows 11. But there is still a possibility Microsoft will do so. To avoid it completely, it's suggested to create a system image in Windows 10 just in case and then you can easily go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11. 

In addition, it is recommended to use AOMEI Backupper for continuous backup.  Thus, it will keep all the changes made later, not just data currently on the disk. On the other hand, you can restore Windows 10 to new hard drive in a disaster and minimize data loss due to changes you made after full backup.