Desperately want to uninstall 24H2; it won't

MS WhippingBoy said:

including colorful conveyance of context and rationale in case it clarifies.

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nice alliteration too

Thank you for explaining. I didn't understand all of it so maybe it's something I don't use.

I have actually decided to install 24H2 on my main computer after all, after testing it on another one and sorting out some drivers. However I have done an image first, so if it aint cutting the mustard, then my 23H2 image is going straight back on.

antspants said:

I use WAU Manager to take over from Windows Update. It’s lightweight unobtrusive and simple to use.

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First, I am overwhelmed at the help you members provided. I mean that literally. My brain froze up from information overload and falling behind on other life tasks, but I am now back to this monster of STOPPING 11 24H2.

Danger time. I have "Paused" a couple of times (5 weeks each?) and now Windows Update tells me I can pause no more, and tomorrow is the end of the line.

My approach to prevent the GRRR forcing of the update tomorrow (15 Aug 2025) is this:
- Back up personal files - text files, bookmarks, the Firefox session file.
- Run InControl which I assume achieves the vital task, preventing 24H2.

Yet I thank you for the tantalizing suggestion of WAUMgr . I'd like to do that next. However I read this online:

"WUMT, WUMgr, and WAUMgr are all “fronts” (different GUIs) for Windows Update. They control Windows monthly and optional updates. All four methods to update use the same Windows Update Service to scan for updates and all four control the download/install of the updates. Using “Pause” in Settings\Windows Update stops the Windows Update Service for the length of the Pause, therefore NONE of the four methods work if Pause is in place. Since all four methods are basically the same regardless of GUI, you should use ONLY ONE to control updates.

InControl controls version (23H2 ->24H2) and Feature (Win10 -> Win11) updates. It does NOT control monthly/optional updates. If you “Release Control,” change settings, then “Take Control,” it allows the offering by Windows Update of the version/Feature you have set."
- Topic: WAU Manager — It’s your computer, you are in charge! @ AskWoody

So I'm wondering:
1. I'd like to run InControl now, and afterwards, WAUMgr.
Apparently InControl can be run in conjunction with others; it just "does its own thing" without compatibility issues. Yes?
2. I do like WAUMgr in lieu of the other 3 management routes.
3. But jeez, "Pause" prevents WAUMgr from working? Really? So do I just "wait until midnight" when the pause presumably "expires"(a few hours from now in my time zone), comfortable that InControl will prevent the big update, and THEN use WAUMgr?

I can't overstate my gratefulness to have soldiers to help me fight this horror that Microsoft inflicted. Such suffering ... MS should just make it OPTIONAL.

MS WhippingBoy said:

I can't overstate my gratefulness to have soldiers to help me fight this horror that Microsoft inflicted. Such suffering ... MS should just make it OPTIONAL.

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Well, while I see where you're coming from, note that Windows 11 consists about 50 million lines of code! Maintaining multiple versions indefinitely, not to mention keeping all the different versions up to date with security patches, would be a daunting task! There has to be a cutoff where they're no longer obligated to keep older versions up to date with all the security and feature patches.

You can disable automatic updates by using metered connection OR you can pause updates up to 20 years. Disable Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11

glasskuter said:

You can disable automatic updates by using metered connection OR you can pause updates up to 20 years. Disable Automatic Windows Updates in Windows 11

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I am so embarrassed to have not located that tutorial to begin with but am grateful you kindly alerted me.

Running this right after InControl. Muchos gracias!

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]<br>"FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays"=dword:00001c84

FYI the 6 key changes (or creation) by InControl are listed at

and FWIW none of the 6 are in HKLM\Software\Microsoft
I had wondered if both the "20 year" key in #46 above and InControl possibly hit the same keys. Now I see that they do not.

I let InControl make the 6, plus did the UX mod above.
Now, waiting until the stroke of midnight for Microsoft to NOT "help" me - (sarcasm withheld).

You contributors are doing God's work!

That FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays reg change is sweet, in that you get definitive demonstration that the change works! After setting the REG key (no reboot) now Settings "app" in Windows, Windows Update pause dropdown let me open it now, and even click on 1036 weeks! But what I LOVE is that I then got the confirmation atop: "Updates paused until 7/6/2045". I'm all tingly. In all of the discussions I just thought I'd be making system changes "behind the scenes" with arcane changes and just pray it worked. Seeing that 2045 with my own eyes - me love that long time.

The REG file shows name Shawn Brink. Find that guy and tell him he's due a reward.

Just like all of you pitching in. It's not lost on me that this is a painfully exhausting thread, and my ignorance led it even worse all over the place. I myself wouldn't even enjoy reading the whole monster. I sincerely thank those who patiently endured that, read the new replies, and did so just to help a fellow traveler. PM me if any of you ever find yourself in Texas, USA.

Our man Brink is the soul and backbone of this forum. If he was given a reward each time his instructions help someone, he'd be so rich he'd own his own island somewhere. His tutorials are known and touted all over the web. Even the Microsoft forum mentions his work regularly. Brink just quietly lurks around and works his butt off. If you haven't poked around in the tutorial section, I highly advise that you do so. There's all kinds of hidden gems there. The tutorial section is alphabetized and searchable.

We have a few fellow Texans that regularly show up here.

MS WhippingBoy said:

I am so embarrassed to have not located that tutorial to begin with but am grateful you kindly alerted me.

Running this right after InControl. Muchos gracias!

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings]<br>"FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays"=dword:00001c84

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I thought the objective was to control updates so you could let what is important through. If I had of known you wanted to disable updates, I could of given you that link in May.

Antspants (and more), you gave me and anyone who landed here awesome guidance on some critical aspects that I am weak on, and you did so clearly, straightforwardly and thoroughly. So many thoughts were expressed and you tackled several of them, quite valuably.

I did express liking the idea of replacing Windows Update with WAUMgr but per #43 above it might not matter, in that I sense that pausing means NO updates get through. That's fine. I don't want any updates, none, nada, ever, never, not if my life depended on it. If "pause" is a permanent fix as it appears to be, yay.

Everything following explains my rationale which might not interest readers who can scroll to the next topic, but it explains the logical premise. What Microsoft doesn't "get" (and maybe someone reading) is that small businesspeople - and I think there are millions - just want something to WORK. No updates. No new features. No matter how much Fear Campaign urging that my machine is not secure and won't be supported by Microsoft. I and so many small businesspeople don't CARE. Once we get something to work, we don't want to have anything change. "But it's good for you" "But you will be at risk" "But you won't get these great new features" "But how can we support you if you don't follow the plan" - nope, no. no! Leave me alone, and I'll never bother you, Mikey, like I never would in the first place, except to buy the next thing when I DO want something.

I just erased a long explanation detailing it, as I had an earlier career in software and rollouts; and while I know there are some amazingly conscientious developers, over 99% of updates have no benefit for me - but importantly, SOME portion of them backfire, just in the nature of things: incompatibility, feature loss, shortcut loss, bloat, you name it - some of those truly devastating. Think of updates like the "shot". What if I don't want or need it, and I happen to be one of the few percent that have grotesque gruesome adverse consequences, for something that had zero benefit to me? (I speak from painful experience, and crippling irrecoverable loss of functionality at times.) And I see though the "unsafe card" (which is a tactic, I'll just say that). And 24H2? Oh Man oh Man. Like the shot, it has DEFINITE damages and I don't care if the "benefits" are seven virgins for eternity.

Hope I didn't bore or bristle you Antspants or anyone, but to clarify: NO! I don't WANT updates! "Desperately" like the thread title! I don't have the Slightest interest in MS being able to support me! I don't even know their phone number. I've never contacted them ever (except to learn the hard way that UV and MS forums are taken zero percent seriously if read at all). But today it appears that it's mission accomplished. And I learned a LOT here in particular about good system practices. Happy ending this time, thanks to some great helpers, and thanks for putting up with it if you lasted this far!