Keep Windows 10 do not want Windows 11

Question

As a one time IT Director, I have used Windows since it first came on the market with great satisfaction and excitement. Upgrades have improved the product most of the time. I am the Executive Director of a charity. One of our PCs updated to Windows 11. It is a downgrade - not an upgrade in any way. We desire to stay Windows 10 even without future updates than to contend with Windows 11. It takes much more time to do what was previously considered easy. Once before a bad release of Windows was released. I believe it was Windows 8 and after horrible reviews, Microsoft reverted back to Windows 7. My hope is this will happen once again. Please make a way for us to easily remain on Windows 10.

Answer 1

Use the Windows Update settings to prevent automatic upgrades.

In Start Search type gpedit.msc and hit the Enter key.

Now locate:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

Find Windows 11 Upgrade > Set to "Disabled" or "Not Configured"

Alternatively:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update. Double-click on "Select the target feature update version".

Select Enabled.

Under Options, enter latest version for Windows 10.

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Q&A.

Based on the description, I understand your question is related to win 11 upgrade.

You can first disable automatic updates to prevent your system from upgrading to Windows 11.

Open the Settings app and navigate to "Update & Security".

Click on "Advanced options".

Under "Pause updates", select the maximum number of days to pause updates.

After that, configure the group policy or registry for the machines.

Open the Group Policy Editor. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business.

Double-click on "Select the target Feature Update version". Enable the policy and set the target version to version of Windows 10.

You can also use the Registry Editor to block the upgrade:

Open the Registry Editor, Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate.

Create a new DWORD value named TargetReleaseVersion and set it to 1.

Create a new String value named TargetReleaseVersionInfo and set it to 21H2 (or the win 10 version you want).

Have a nice day.

Best Regards,

Molly

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Answer 3

Win11 is, actually, very easy to use & navigate. Thinking about staying on Win10 is not smart nor the least bit recommended. I would be happy to help you learn & appreciate Win11. It is truly far better than Windows 10. And Win10 is ending its lifecycle very soon.

Cheers,
Drew