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How to Block Windows 11 Update in Windows 10

Microsoft has been aggressively pushing users with supported hardware to upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10. However, even if it’s free, many don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 for a variety of reasons, such as inconsistent UI, bloated features, software compatibility, and hardware compatibility issues. For example, I prefer to use Windows 10 on my home media PC for its snappier performance. If you also don’t want to upgrade, follow the methods shown below to block Windows 11 updates in Windows 10. Let’s get started.

Before You Begin

  • You need administrator rights to block Windows 11 update in Windows 10.
  • Windows 10’s end-of-servicing date for version 22H2 is 2025-10-14. After that date, you will not receive any updates, including security updates. For more info, visit this Microsoft page.
  • You need to know your current version of Windows 10. If you don’t know, press “Start key + R”, type “winver” and click “OK”. You can see your current version in the second line. For me, it’s 22H2.
  • Before making changes, create a system restore point.
Windows 10 version

Block Windows 11 Update in Windows 10 Using Group Policy

Important note: Group Policy Editor is only available to Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise editions. If you are using Windows 10 Home Edition, follow one of the other methods below.

Step 1: Launch the Group Policy Editor

First, press the “Start” button, search for “gpedit.msc” and click the “Open” button to launch the Group Policy Editor application.

open group policy editor in Windows 10

Step 2: Open the “Windows Update for Business” Folder In It

In the Group Policy window, go to the “Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Update” folder and open the “Windows Update for Business” folder.

Windows update for business policy folder

Step 3: Enable and Configure the “Select the target Feature Update version” Policy

Double-click on the “Select the target Feature Update version” policy.

open target feature update policy
  1. Select the Enabled radio option.
  2. Under the Options panel, type “Windows 10” in the first blank field and your current Windows 10 version in the “Target Version for Feature Updates” field. For me, the current version is “22H2”.

Important note: If you don’t know your current version, press “Start key + R”, type “winver” and click “OK”. You can see your current version in the second line.

Click the OK button to save changes to the policy.

 configure group policy to block Windows 11 update in Windows 10

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Finally, close the Group Policy Editor window and restart your computer. To restart, press the Start button, click the Power icon, and select the Restart option.

Once the system restarts, Windows 1o will no longer be updated to Windows 11. However, if you still receive all the updates for your version of Windows 10.

Block Windows 11 Update in Windows 10 Using Registry

Important Note: Back up the registry before making changes. The backup will help you restore the system if something goes wrong.

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor

First, press the “Start” button, search for “Registry Editor”, and click Open.

open registry editor in Windows 10

Step 2: Create “WindowsUpdate” Key

In the Registry Editor window, go to the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows” folder.

go to Windows registry folder

Right-click on the “Windows” folder and select “New” > “Key”.

create new key

Name the new key “WindowsUpdate”.

create Windowsupdate folder in registry

Step 3: Create “TargetReleaseVersion” & “TargetReleaseVersionInfo” Values

Right-click on the “WindowsUpdate” folder and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.

create new dword value

Name the new value “TargetReleaseVersion”.

name the dword value

Right-click on the “WindowsUpdate” folder again and select “New” > “String Value”.

create new string value

Name the new value “TargetReleaseVersionInfo”.

name the string value

Step 4: Configure the Values

Double-click the “TargetReleaseVersion” value.

name the dword value

Type “1” in the Value Data field and click “OK”.

type 1 in value data field and click ok

Double-click on the “TargetReleaseVersionInfo” value.

name the string value

Type “22H2” (or your current Windows 10 version) in the “Value Data” field and click “OK”.

type Windows 10 version in the value data field and click ok

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Close the Registry Editor window and restart your computer. To restart, press the Start button, click the Power icon, and select the Restart option.

Block Windows 11 Update in Windows 10 Using the InControl App

If you don’t want to modify system settings via Group Policy or Registry and looking for a much simpler way, you can use the free InControl app. Using it, you can lock in the current version and avoid updating to Windows 11 with one click. Here’s how.

Step 1: Download InControl

First, download InControl from its official website.

download incontrol app

Step 2: Run the InControl App

After downloading, find and double-click on the downloaded “.exe” file to run the application.

run incontrol app

Step 3: Set Your Current Version

The application automatically detects your current version and sets it. If you want you set it manually by editing the “Version” & “Release” fields.

target Windows 10 version

Step 4: Take Control

Click the “Take Control” button.

click take control

Step 5: Close the Application and Restart Your Computer

Close the InControl window and restart your computer. To restart, press the “Start” button, click the “Power” icon, and select the “Restart” option.

After restarting, Windows 10 will no longer upgrade to Windows 11. Your system will still get the security updates.

Wrapping Up — Disabling Windows 11 Update

As you can see, stopping Windows 10 from upgrading to Windows 11 is a pretty easy task thanks to the Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor. If you prefer a one-click solution, use the InControl app. The advantage of the app is that you can quickly “Release Control” whenever you are ready to update.

If you have any questions or need help, comment below. I will answer.

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