How to block Windows 10 version 21H2 (and Windows 11) from installing

Windows 10 21H2 is a very minor update, and you may non desire to be a beta tester for Windows 11. Here's how to keep both of the new releases off your system for now.

Contributing Writer, Computerworld |

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Once more information technology'southward that time when a new Windows ten feature update is imminent — in this case, version 21H2, the Windows 10 November 2021 Update — and when you lot demand to make up one's mind whether or not y'all want to participate in its unpaid beta testing procedure. Microsoft makes it easy for you to opt into beta testing, but not equally easy to opt out. Complicating matters somewhat, if your computer meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, you might additionally see that Bone as bachelor for installation in Windows Update.

My communication is to concord off installing either release for the fourth dimension beingness. Many of u.s.a. Windows admins consider it unwise to install either a new feature release or a new version for several months after it's been released. Time later on fourth dimension nosotros've seen the first few updates after each major release full of fixes for bugs and issues triggered by the new release.

I ever use the release of a new characteristic update to be the sign that I need to ensure that all of my primary computers are on the prior release. I prefer to stay one release backside, equally information technology typically provides me with a stable arrangement with total Microsoft support, and I'grand able to identify what bug I may face. So I'm using this time to ensure I accept a copy of Windows x 21H1, which was released in May, saved on a flash drive or on a storage location on a difficult drive.

Based on the prior characteristic release processes, for example, I know that at the office I volition need to deal with repairing PDF printers that will exist impacted by the feature update. I utilize various software products from Intuit, and I accept to use the PDF repair tool to set up up my QuickBooks after the feature update process. I likewise check that fill-in software and other applications that I take installed on my standalone computers and workstations are happy later the feature update.

This autumn'southward Windows 10 release doesn't include many new features, so in that location is really no blitz to install it. Conversely, Windows xi offers a new interface and a range of other new features, so there is potentially a lot that could go wrong with information technology. I'd recommend waiting at least vi months to upgrade to information technology.

The good news is that neither version will be shoved onto your PC (as happened in the early days of Windows x); y'all have to specifically opt into obtaining them. In fact, y'all may not see Windows 10 21H2 in Windows Update as soon as Microsoft announces its availability; the visitor pushes it out to various systems over time, with zero communication every bit to who gets it when.

Similarly, although Windows 11 was released in early October, it has not yet been pushed to most PCs that meet its requirements. Microsoft expects the rollout to extend into early on 2022.

In this story I'll walk you through the Windows Update procedure, including specific advice about what Windows version to be on and how to become at that place. I'll as well evidence you how to prevent your computer and the workstations under your control from existence offered either Windows 10 21H2 or Windows 11 at all, thus ensuring you aren't accidentally swept up in an unwanted upgrade.

Step 1. What version are you running?

The method for blocking unwanted version upgrades varies greatly depending on which version of Windows 10 you're running. To find out, click Start > Settings (the gear icon) > System, and on the left side at the bottom, click Almost.

You'll see something like the screenshot below. Accept note of both the edition (Pro, Home, Education, Enterprise) and the version.

block win10 21h2 install check win10 version IDG

Checking the Windows x edition and version. (Click paradigm to enlarge it.)

If your figurer is connected to a network that has an update server (such equally WSUS or SCCM or other third-political party patching tool like PDQ Deploy), yous don't take any control over your version — the network ambassador or the consultant hired by your house gets to sweat this one out. Simply as more than and more of united states are working from domicile, nosotros're using more machines that aren't controlled past an updating system and instead are just connecting to Windows Update for patches.

Step ii. If y'all're on version 2004 or before, motion to a later on version ASAP.

For Home, Pro, Educational activity, and Enterprise customers, the final security update for Windows 10 version 2004 is going to be released on December xiv, 2021. That means starting in Jan 2022, all editions of Windows 10 2004 will no longer receive security updates.

You must move on from 2004. Every bit these releases reach cease of support, you should start seeing increasing notifications that your motorcar is prepare for 21H1. At this signal 21H1 has been tested well enough that I recommend updating to that version at this time.

The best approach is to download a copy of 21H1 from the Windows ISO site. First back up everything, and then follow the steps in the Windows Update Assistant. You could alternatively go to Windows Update (Start > Settings > Update & Security) and click Download and install for version 21H1, just using the Windows Update Banana lets you salve a clean copy of the 21H1 ISO for future utilise.

Whatever you do, movement quickly: When the 21H2 update is publicly released in November, the Windows Update Assistant (besides as Windows Update on your computer) will begin to offer upward the 21H2 release instead of 21H1.

Step 3. If y'all're on version 21H1, don't click that link.

Both Abode and Pro users running Windows ten version 21H1 will eventually run across a Windows Update notice (Outset > Settings > Update & Security) like the i in the screenshot below, saying that 21H2 is set to exist downloaded and installed. This PC doesn't come across the hardware requirements to run Windows 11, merely if it did, at some signal that OS would appear here every bit an selection for downloading and installing as well.

block win10 21h2 install ready IDG

Don't click the "Download and install" link! (Click epitome to overstate it.)

If you want to avoid installing Windows 10 version 21H2 (or Windows 11), don't click the Download and install link. And always recollect — you lot don't want to click Cheque for updates, every bit this volition offer up optional .NET updates on your arrangement that you don't want installed.

Footstep iv. There is a improve manner (for some) to stay away from 21H2 and Windows 11.

For those who are comfortable with editing the Windows registry (and have admin privileges to do so), there is a more than sure-burn way to defer 21H2 and Windows 11. Using a registry setting called TargetFeatureRelease, you can ensure that you (or your users) aren't even offered 21H2. And equally long as you've installed the September cumulative updates (or later), there is a new setting to ensure that you lot'll stay on Windows 10.Here's the transmission process:

  1. Before editing the registry, you should always back upwardly the registry and your figurer in case something goes wrong.
  2. Open up the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Windows search box and clicking on Registry Editor.
  3. Find the following registry central (i.e., the WindowsUpdate key): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
  4. Right-click the key; select New and then DWORD from the fly-out menu.
  5. Enter the name TargetReleaseVersion.
  6. Ready the value to one (i).
  7. Right-click again on the WindowsUpdate key; select New > String value.
  8. Enter the name ProductVersion.
  9. Set the value to the Windows version you want to ensure y'all stay on: in this case, Windows x.
  10. Right-click again on the WindowsUpdate key; select New > String value.
  11. Enter the name TargetReleaseVersionInfo.
  12. Gear up the value to your desired target version: in this case, 21H1.

If the WindowsUpdate fundamental is non visible in the Registry Editor, use these few steps first.

  1. Open the Registry editor.
  2. Observe the following registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
  3. Right-click on the key, then select New and Key.
  4. Enter the name of the key, WindowsUpdate.
  5. Follow the steps in a higher place.

You tin alternatively download a registry key from the AskWoody website that automates this process, keeping the version on 21H1. (Feel free to open up up the .reg file in Notepad and view it first before installing it.) If yous have Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education, you lot can also use Group Policy to set the TargetReleaseVersion.

When yous're ready to install 21H2 downward the line, you can become back into the registry and change the TargetReleaseVersionInfo value to 21H2 or download the 21H2 registry key from AskWoody.

Using these registry keys also ensures that your systems will stay on Windows 10 even if your computers come across the Windows xi hardware requirements.

If you want, you tin can get one footstep farther and remove the Windows Update interface entirely from your users' computers via Group Policy or registry keys. In the Group Policy User setting: Get to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update and enable the setting Remove access to apply all Windows Update features. Alternatively, yous can button registry central settings out to your workstations.

Get ready for 21H2 now.

While we yet don't know exactly when Windows 10 21H2 will be released, information technology's likely to exist very soon. Take the time at present to set up your machine by ensuring you have a backup and setting in place deferrals for this upcoming characteristic release.

Moving frontward, proceed an eye out for any conflicts with 21H2 past checking with your fundamental software vendors to ensure that there are no side furnishings. If yous are not using Microsoft Defender, be sure to check on your antivirus vendor's website to ensure it supports 21H2. Only when you lot know your systems are uniform with 21H2 should you lot consider moving to information technology.

As always, nosotros follow all things patches on AskWoody.com .

This article was originally published in Oct 2017 and most recently updated in October 2021.

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