Once again it’s that point whenever a new Windows 10 feature update is imminent – in cases like this, version 21H2, the Windows 10 November 2021 Update – so when you need to choose whether or not you intend to take part in its unpaid beta testing process. Microsoft allows you for you yourself to opt into beta testing, however, not as an easy task to opt out. Complicating matters somewhat, if your personal computer meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, you may additionally note that OS as designed for installation in Windows Update.

My advice would be to postpone installing either release for the moment. Most of us Windows admins contemplate it unwise to install the new feature release or perhaps a new version for a number of months after it’s been released. Time upon time we’ve seen the initial few updates after every major release filled with fixes for bugs and issues set off by the new release.

I always utilize the release of a fresh feature update to function as sign that I have to ensure that most of my main computers are on the prior release. I favor to remain one release behind, since it typically provides me with a well balanced system with full Microsoft support, and I’m in a position to identify what issues I might face. So I’m by using this time to ensure I’ve a copy of Windows 10 21H1, which was released in-may, saved on a flash drive or on a storage location on a difficult drive.

In line with the prior feature release processes, for instance, I know that in the office I will have to cope with repairing PDF printers that’ll be influenced by the feature update. I take advantage of various software products from Intuit, and I must utilize the PDF repair tool to repair up my QuickBooks following the feature update process. I also be sure backup software along with other applications that I’ve installed on my standalone computers and workstations are happy following the feature update.

This fall’s Windows 10 release doesn’t include many new features , so there’s really no rush to set up it. Conversely, Windows 11 supplies a new interface and a variety of other new features, so there’s potentially a lot which could fail with it. I’d recommend waiting at the very least half a year to upgrade to it.

Fortunately that neither version will undoubtedly be shoved on your PC (as happened in the first days of Windows 10); you must specifically opt into obtaining them. In fact, may very well not see Windows 10 21H2 in Windows Update when Microsoft announces its availability; the business pushes it out to various systems as time passes, with zero communication concerning who gets it when.

Similarly, although Windows 11 premiered in early October, it have not yet been pushed to many PCs that meet its requirements. Microsoft expects the rollout to increase into early 2022.

In this whole story I’ll walk you through the Windows Update process, including specific advice in what Windows version to be on and ways to get there. I’ll also demonstrate how to prevent your personal computer and the workstations under your control from on offer either Windows 10 21H2 or Windows 11 at all, thus ensuring you aren’t accidentally embroiled within an unwanted upgrade.

Step one 1. What version are you currently running?

The technique for blocking unwanted version upgrades varies based on which version of Windows 10 you’re running. To learn, click Start > Settings (the apparatus icon) > System, and on the left side in the bottom, click About .

You’ll see something similar to the screenshot below. Take note of both edition (Pro, Home, Education, Enterprise) and the version.

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Checking the Windows 10 version and edition. (Click image to enlarge it.)

If your personal computer is linked to a network which has an update server (such as  WSUS  or  SCCM or other third-party patching tool like PDQ Deploy ), you don’t have any control over your version – the network administrator or the consultant hired by your firm reaches sweat that one out. But as increasingly more of us will work from your home, we’re using more machines that aren’t controlled by an updating system and instead are simply connecting to Windows Update for patches.

Step two 2. If you’re on version 2004 or earlier, proceed to a later version ASAP.

For Home, Pro, Education, and Enterprise customers, the final security update for Windows 10 version 2004 is likely to be released on December 14, 2021 . Which means starting in January 2022, all editions of Windows 10 2004 won’t receive security updates.

You must move ahead from 2004. As these releases reach end of support, you need to start to see increasing notifications your machine is ready for 21H1. At this time 21H1 has been tested sufficiently that I would recommend updating compared to that version at the moment.

The best approach would be to download a copy of 21H1 from the Windows ISO site. Back up everything first, then follow the steps in the Windows Update Assistant . You can alternatively head to Windows Update ( Start > Settings > Update & Security ) and click Download and install for version 21H1, but utilizing the Windows Update Assistant enables you to save a clean copy of the 21H1 ISO for future use.

      Anything you do, move quickly:           Once the 21H2 update is publicly released in November, the Windows Update Assistant (in addition to Windows Update on your pc) will quickly supply the 21H2 release rather than 21H1.

 

Step three 3. If you’re on version 21H1, don’t click that link.

Both Home and Pro users running Windows 10 version 21H1 will eventually visit a Windows Update notice ( Start > Settings > Update & Security ) just like the one in the screenshot below, saying that 21H2 is preparing to be downloaded and installed. This PC doesn’t meet up with the hardware requirements to perform Windows 11, but if it did, sooner or later that OS seems here being an option for downloading and installing aswell.

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If you wish to avoid installing Windows 10 version 21H2 (or Windows 11), don’t click on the Download and install link. And remember – you don’t desire to click Look for updates , as this can supply optional .NET updates on your own system that you don’t want installed.

Step 4. There’s a better way (for a few) to stay from 21H2 and Windows 11.

For individuals who are more comfortable with editing the Windows registry (and also have admin privileges to take action), there’s a more sure-fire solution to defer 21H2 and Windows 11. Utilizing a registry setting called TargetFeatureRelease, it is possible to make sure that you (or your users) aren’t even offered 21H2. So when long as you’ve installed the September cumulative updates (or later), there’s a new setting to make sure that you’ll stick to Windows 10.Here’s the manual process:

editing the registry

1. 1. Before, you need to always back up the registry as well as your computer in the event something goes wrong.

1. 1. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Windows search box and simply clicking Registry Editor .

1. 1. Discover the following registry key (i.e., the WindowsUpdate key): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate

1. 1. Right-click the main element; select New and DWORD from the fly-out menu.

1. 1. Enter the name TargetReleaseVersion .

1. 1. Set the worthiness to 1 (one).

1. 1. Right-click again on the WindowsUpdate key; select New > String value .

1. 1. Enter the name ProductVersion .

1. 1. Set the worthiness to the Windows version you intend to ensure you stick to: in cases like this, Windows 10 .

1. 1. Right-click again on the WindowsUpdate key; select New > String value .

1. 1. Enter the name TargetReleaseVersionInfo .

1. 1. Set the worthiness to your desired target version: in cases like this, 21H1 .

If the WindowsUpdate key isn’t visible in the Registry Editor, use these few steps first.

1. 1. Open the Registry editor.

1. 1. Discover the following registry key:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows

1. 1. Right-click on the main element, then select New and Key .

1. 1. Enter the name of the main element, WindowsUpdate .

1. 1. Follow the steps above.

It is possible to alternatively download a registry key from the AskWoody website that automates this technique, keeping the version on 21H1. (Feel absolve to open up the .reg file in Notepad and notice first before installing it.) When you have Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education, you can even use Group Policy to create the TargetReleaseVersion.

When you’re prepared to install 21H2 down the road, you can return back in to the registry and change the TargetReleaseVersionInfo value to 21H2 or download the 21H2 registry key from AskWoody.

Using these registry keys also means that your systems will remain on Windows 10 even though your computers meet up with the Windows 11 hardware requirements.

If you want, it is possible to go one step farther and take away the Windows Update interface entirely from your own users’ computers via Group Policy or registry keys. In the Group Policy User setting: Head to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update and enable the setting Remove usage of use all Windows Update features . Alternatively, it is possible to push registry key settings out to your workstations.

Incomparable 21H2 now.

While we still don’t know exactly when Windows 10 21H2 will undoubtedly be released, it’s apt to be very soon. Make an effort now to get ready your machine by ensuring you’ve got a backup and setting set up deferrals because of this upcoming feature release.

Moving forward, look out for just about any conflicts with 21H2 by checking together with your key software vendors to make sure that there are no unwanted effects. If you’re not using Microsoft Defender, make sure to check up on your antivirus vendor’s website to make sure it supports 21H2. Only once you understand your systems are appropriate for 21H2 in the event you consider moving to it.

      As always, we follow everything patches                               on AskWoody.com                              .          

      This short article was originally published in October 2017 & most recently updated in October 2021.