Once once more it’s that point when a brand new Windows 10 characteristic replace is imminent — on this case, model 21H2, the Windows 10 November 2021 Update — and when it is advisable to determine whether or not or not you need to take part in its unpaid beta testing course of. Microsoft makes it simple so that you can decide into beta testing, however not as simple to decide out. Complicating issues considerably, in case your laptop meets the Windows 11 {hardware} necessities, you would possibly moreover see that OS as accessible for set up in Windows Update.My recommendation is to carry off putting in both launch in the meanwhile. Many of us Windows admins take into account it unwise to put in both a brand new characteristic launch or a brand new model for a number of months after it’s been launched. Time after time we’ve seen the primary few updates after every main launch stuffed with fixes for bugs and points triggered by the brand new launch.I all the time use the discharge of a brand new characteristic replace to be the signal that I would like to make sure that all of my essential computer systems are on the prior launch. I want to remain one launch behind, because it usually gives me with a secure system with full Microsoft assist, and I’m in a position to determine what points I’ll face. So I’m utilizing this time to make sure I’ve a duplicate of Windows 10 21H1, which was launched in May, saved on a flash drive or on a storage location on a tough drive.Based on the prior characteristic launch processes, for instance, I do know that on the workplace I might want to take care of repairing PDF printers that will likely be impacted by the characteristic replace. I exploit numerous software program merchandise from Intuit, and I’ve to make use of the PDF restore software to repair up my QuickBooks after the characteristic replace course of. I additionally verify that backup software program and different purposes that I’ve put in on my standalone computer systems and workstations are completely happy after the characteristic replace.This fall’s Windows 10 launch doesn’t embrace many new options, so there may be actually no rush to put in it. Conversely, Windows 11 gives a brand new interface and a spread of different new options, so there may be doubtlessly loads that might go flawed with it. I’d advocate ready at the least six months to improve to it.The excellent news is that neither model will likely be shoved onto your PC (as occurred within the early days of Windows 10); it’s important to particularly decide into acquiring them. In reality, you might not see Windows 10 21H2 in Windows Update as quickly as Microsoft declares its availability; the corporate pushes it out to numerous methods over time, with zero communication as to who will get it when.Similarly, though Windows 11 was launched in early October, it has not but been pushed to most PCs that meet its necessities. Microsoft expects the rollout to increase into early 2022.In this story I’ll stroll you thru the Windows Update course of, together with particular recommendation about what Windows model to be on and get there. I’ll additionally present you stop your laptop and the workstations below your management from being provided both Windows 10 21H2 or Windows 11 in any respect, thus making certain you aren’t by accident swept up in an undesirable improve.Step 1. What model are you working?The technique for blocking undesirable model upgrades varies tremendously relying on which model of Windows 10 you’re working. To discover out, click on Start > Settings (the gear icon) > System, and on the left facet on the backside, click on About.You’ll see one thing just like the screenshot under. Take notice of each the version (Pro, Home, Education, Enterprise) and the model. IDG
Checking the Windows 10 version and model. (Click picture to enlarge it.)
If your laptop is related to a community that has an replace server (akin to WSUS or SCCM or different third-party patching software like PDQ Deploy), you don’t have any management over your model — the community administrator or the guide employed by your agency will get to sweat this one out. But as an increasing number of of us are working from residence, we’re utilizing extra machines that aren’t managed by an updating system and as a substitute are simply connecting to Windows Update for patches.Step 2. If you’re on model 2004 or earlier, transfer to a later model ASAP.For Home, Pro, Education, and Enterprise clients, the final safety replace for Windows 10 model 2004 goes to be launched on December 14, 2021. That means beginning in January 2022, all editions of Windows 10 2004 will now not obtain safety updates.You should transfer on from 2004. As these releases attain finish of assist, you must begin seeing growing notifications that your machine is prepared for 21H1. At this level 21H1 has been examined properly sufficient that I like to recommend updating to that model right now.The greatest method is to obtain a duplicate of 21H1 from the Windows ISO web site. First again up every part, then comply with the steps within the Windows Update Assistant. You might alternatively go to Windows Update (Start > Settings > Update & Security) and click on Download and set up for model 21H1, however utilizing the Windows Update Assistant helps you to save a clear copy of the 21H1 ISO for future use.Whatever you do, transfer shortly: When the 21H2 replace is publicly launched in November, the Windows Update Assistant (in addition to Windows Update in your laptop) will start to supply up the 21H2 launch as a substitute of 21H1.Step 3. If you’re on model 21H1, don’t click on that hyperlink.Both Home and Pro customers working Windows 10 model 21H1 will ultimately see a Windows Update discover (Start > Settings > Update & Security) just like the one within the screenshot under, saying that 21H2 is able to be downloaded and put in. This PC doesn’t meet the {hardware} necessities to run Windows 11, but when it did, in some unspecified time in the future that OS would seem right here as an choice for downloading and putting in as properly. IDG
Don’t click on the “Download and install” hyperlink! (Click picture to enlarge it.)
If you need to keep away from putting in Windows 10 model 21H2 (or Windows 11), don’t click on the Download and set up hyperlink. And all the time keep in mind — you don’t need to click on Check for updates, as this may supply up optionally available .NET updates in your system that you just don’t need put in.Step 4. There is a greater method (for some) to keep away from 21H2 and Windows 11.For those that are snug with modifying the Windows registry (and have admin privileges to take action), there’s a extra sure-fire technique to defer 21H2 and Windows 11. Using a registry setting referred to as TargetFeatureRelease, you may be certain that you (or your customers) aren’t even provided 21H2. And so long as you’ve put in the September cumulative updates (or later), there’s a new setting to make sure that you’ll keep on Windows 10.Here’s the handbook course of:Before modifying the registry, you must all the time again up the registry and your laptop in case one thing goes flawed.
Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit within the Windows search field and clicking on Registry Editor.
Find the next registry key (i.e., the WindowsUpdate key): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate
Right-click the important thing; choose New after which DWORD from the fly-out menu.
Enter the identify TargetReleaseVersion.
Set the worth to 1 (one).
Right-click once more on the WindowsUpdate key; choose New > String worth.
Enter the identify ProductVersion.
Set the worth to the Windows model you need to make sure you keep on: on this case, Windows 10.
Right-click once more on the WindowsUpdate key; choose New > String worth.
Enter the identify TargetReleaseVersionInfo.
Set the worth to your required goal model: on this case, 21H1.
If the WindowsUpdate key is just not seen within the Registry Editor, use these few steps first.Open the Registry editor.
Find the next registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows
Right-click on the important thing, then choose New and Key.
Enter the identify of the important thing, WindowsUpdate.
Follow the steps above.
You can alternatively obtain a registry key from the AskWoody web site that automates this course of, preserving the model on 21H1. (Feel free to open up the .reg file in Notepad and think about it first earlier than putting in it.) If you will have Windows 10 Professional, Enterprise, or Education, you can too use Group Policy to set the TargetReleaseVersion.When you’re prepared to put in 21H2 down the road, you may return into the registry and alter the TargetReleaseVersionInfo worth to 21H2 or obtain the 21H2 registry key from AskWoody.Using these registry keys additionally ensures that your methods will keep on Windows 10 even when your computer systems meet the Windows 11 {hardware} necessities.If you need, you may go one step farther and take away the Windows Update interface fully out of your customers’ computer systems by way of Group Policy or registry keys. In the Group Policy User setting: Go to Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update and allow the setting Remove entry to make use of all Windows Update options. Alternatively, you may push registry key settings out to your workstations.Get prepared for 21H2 now.While we nonetheless don’t know precisely when Windows 10 21H2 will likely be launched, it’s prone to be very quickly. Take the time now to arrange your machine by making certain you will have a backup and setting in place deferrals for this upcoming characteristic launch.Moving ahead, maintain a watch out for any conflicts with 21H2 by checking together with your key software program distributors to make sure that there aren’t any uncomfortable side effects. If you aren’t utilizing Microsoft Defender, remember to verify in your antivirus vendor’s web site to make sure it helps 21H2. Only when your methods are suitable with 21H2 do you have to take into account transferring to it.As all the time, we comply with all issues patches on AskWoody.com.This article was initially printed in October 2017 and most lately up to date in October 2021.
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