I Blocked the Windows 11 Update Permanently

Recently, my PC started trying to upgrade itself to Windows 11. My hardware supports it, but I’m not interested in switching OS right now. Windows decided otherwise.

Instead of fighting the update every week, I wanted a proper, permanent solution so I could stay on Windows 10 without babysitting the system.

Options for blocking the Windows 11 update

There are a few ways to deal with it:

1. Pause updates every 7 days. Annoying and not a real solution.
2. Disable updates in settings. Temporary.
3. Disable the Windows Update service. Breaks stuff and doesn’t always stick.
4. Use third-party tools. Works, but I didn’t want extra software.
5. Registry edits. Permanent, but messy and easy to break things.
6. Group Policy. Clean, built-in, permanent, and controllable.

Group Policy is the simplest long-term solution, so that’s what I used.

Stop the current update

Before blocking it permanently, stop the update that’s already running. You can do this either from Windows Update settings or by stopping the Windows Update service in services.msc.

This just prevents the upgrade while you set the policy.

Block Windows 11 using Group Policy

Step 1: Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Go to: Local Computer Policy → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Windows Update for Business

Step 3: Open “Select the target feature update version”

Step 4: Enable it and set the version to: 21H1 and Close Group Policy.

Step 5: Now Restart your PC and that’s it. Windows will now stay on Windows 10 and won’t upgrade to Windows 11.

Supported Windows 10 versions

Make sure you’re on a supported version of Windows 10. Microsoft still maintains some versions, and once support ends, security updates stop.

Full list here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client

Non-enterprise versions include Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations. Enterprise versions include Education, IoT Enterprise, and Enterprise multi-session.

If you’re on 22H2, you’re good for now.

This setup gives you full control without hacks, third-party tools, or constant update fighting. Windows stays on the version you choose, and you’re not forced into upgrades you don’t want.

If you want, I can also rewrite the title + description to match the simpler tone so the whole post feels consistent.