Tip: Disable Automatic Upgrade to Feature Updates in Windows 11
NOTE: Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 versions are reaching end of servicing on October 8, 2024. After end of servicing, Microsoft will automatically upgrade Windows 11 devices using 21H2 and 22H2 versions to the newer 23H2 and 24H2 feature updates. This article will help you in disabling the automatic installation of new feature updates in your Windows 11 device.
If you are using an older version of Windows 11 such as the original stock version 21H2 (first public release) or 22H2 (2022 Update) and you don’t want to upgrade to newer Windows 11 versions or feature updates such as 23H2 (2023 Update) or 24H2 (2024 Update), this article will help you in blocking and preventing automatic forced upgrades to feature updates in your Windows 11 device.
Microsoft releases one feature update for Windows 11 every year and these feature updates come with many new features, changes and improvements. Feature updates are considered as service packs for Windows 11 operating system. These feature updates are automatically downloaded and installed in user’s device via Windows Update tool.
Many times people want to keep a particular version of Windows 11 OS in their devices and don’t want to upgrade to newer version. It happens because Microsoft keeps removing or deprecating old features from the operating system and sometimes users require those deprecated features for their projects or works.
Similarly, sometimes people don’t like the new features or changes introduced in newer versions of Windows 11 and they want to stick with the older Windows 11 version containing the classic features.
The problem occurs when Microsoft initiates automatic feature updates roll out on Windows 11 devices which installs and upgrades to the latest feature update of Windows 11 automatically via Windows Update.
In such situation, users want to restrict or prevent their Windows 11 devices from automatically upgrading to these feature updates and want to keep using the older Windows 11 version.
By default, Microsoft doesn’t allow users to disable or block automatic updates in their devices but there are some Registry tweaks and group policies that can be implemented or applied to force Windows 11 to stick with the currently installed version and don’t upgrade to the newer version.
If you also want to disable the forced automatic upgrade to new feature updates in your Windows 11 device and want to keep using older Windows 11 version, following methods will help you:
Ultimate Registry Script to Block Automatic Feature Updates Installation in Windows 11
We have compiled a single all-in-one Registry script for our readers which will apply all available Registry methods to block and disable automatic installation of new feature updates in Windows 11 devices.
You just need to double-click and run the Registry script and it’ll automatically add the required Registry tweaks to your Windows 11 device. Once the Registry tweaks are applied, your Windows 11 device will NOT upgrade to any feature update automatically without your permission or knowledge.
Download the ZIP file from following link, extract it using 7-Zip or other file archive utilities and then run the extracted REG file:
It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it. Restart your computer to take effects and it’ll disable Windows 11 automatic upgrade to feature updates in your device.
NOTE: This Registry script adds following keys to the Registry to disable forced automatic upgrades in Windows 11 devices:
DWORD: AllowOSUpgrade
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade
DWORD: DisableOSUpgrade
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
DWORD: DisableOSUpgrade
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsStore
DWORD: UpgradeAvailable
Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\UpgradeNotification
PS: The ZIP file also contains an UNDO or Restore registry script to restore Windows 11 automatic upgrade feature. If you decide to enable installation of new feature updates in your Windows 11 device again in future, you can use the UNDO script.
Force Windows 11 to Stick with Older Version and Not Upgrade to Newer Versions
There is another method to force your Windows 11 device to stay on any particular version and not upgrade to any feature update automatically. This method requires manually applying group policy or Registry tweak on the device.
We have posted an exclusive tutorial to discuss the method in details for your convenience at following link:
[Tip] Force Windows 11 to Stay on Existing / Installed Feature Update Version
PS: Although the article was written for Windows 10 operating system but the method will also work in Windows 11 devices.
Just follow the steps mentioned in above article and you’ll be able to use any desired Windows 11 version forever in your device without any need to upgrade to newer feature updates.
Also Check:
Fixing Windows 10 Automatic Updates Installation Problem
Comments
NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead. Be the first one to start the discussion.