Major screwup, inadvertently updated to insider, can I get back?


Jabiru

Jabiru

Well-known member
Member
Local time
2:41 PM
Posts
86
Location
Maryland USA
OS
Host: Windows 11 Pro 24H2
Hi all,

My system did an update last night and somehow it dropped a Windows 11 Insider preview 27863.1000 (rs_prerelease) replacing my existing Win 11 baseline. I had sucessfully loaded a Win 11 Insider on a Hyper VM yesterday and tried to activate it (it wouldn't), so I'm assuming somehow my system got confused and updated my main host system to Insider.

I thought maybe I could just restore from my latest restore point and be back where I was, but apparently this "update" completely replaced everything since there are no restore points and I cannot uninstall the Insider version.

So, what are my options?

Thanks,

Jabiru
 
Windows Build/Version
Was running 24H2 (OS Build 26100.4061)

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Host: Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom User Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
    Motherboard
    Minisforum BD795i SE
    Memory
    2X 16GB DDR5-5200MTs (32GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Pro WX5100 Workstation
    Sound Card
    Integrated AMD High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2X LG 32UN880-A
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2X NVMe 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    Corsair SF450
    Case
    Fractal Design Terra
    Cooling
    Noctua FS-A12
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Internet Speed
    800Mb
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    2x Seagate 2TB external USB HDD, 1x 5TB external USB WD Passport HDD, 1x externql USB WD SATA 1TB Green SATA SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 R3U5
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 4700U @ 2GHz-->4.2GHz Boost
    Motherboard
    RO Kona_RN
    Memory
    16GB LPD DDR4X
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon (Renoir) Vega
    Sound Card
    ATI/AMD Renoir/Van Gough/Cezanne/Rembrandt HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS LCD Integrated Chi Mei CMN14D4
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Hynix 512GB NVMe (PCIe 4.0)
    PSU
    Ext 19v
    Case
    Integrated Magnesium
    Cooling
    Therm internal fan
    Keyboard
    Integrated
    Mouse
    Jellycomb
    Internet Speed
    800MB
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    External USB-C 1Gb Ethernet connection
Ok, great news, I got back to my old baseline by using Recovery. Then I foud out what happened. I went to do another update and when I saw the update list the only selection was the Insider version. Anyone know how to stop that from dropping when updates are listed/requested?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Host: Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom User Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
    Motherboard
    Minisforum BD795i SE
    Memory
    2X 16GB DDR5-5200MTs (32GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Pro WX5100 Workstation
    Sound Card
    Integrated AMD High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2X LG 32UN880-A
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2X NVMe 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    Corsair SF450
    Case
    Fractal Design Terra
    Cooling
    Noctua FS-A12
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Internet Speed
    800Mb
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    2x Seagate 2TB external USB HDD, 1x 5TB external USB WD Passport HDD, 1x externql USB WD SATA 1TB Green SATA SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 R3U5
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 4700U @ 2GHz-->4.2GHz Boost
    Motherboard
    RO Kona_RN
    Memory
    16GB LPD DDR4X
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon (Renoir) Vega
    Sound Card
    ATI/AMD Renoir/Van Gough/Cezanne/Rembrandt HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS LCD Integrated Chi Mei CMN14D4
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Hynix 512GB NVMe (PCIe 4.0)
    PSU
    Ext 19v
    Case
    Integrated Magnesium
    Cooling
    Therm internal fan
    Keyboard
    Integrated
    Mouse
    Jellycomb
    Internet Speed
    800MB
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    External USB-C 1Gb Ethernet connection
Jabiru said:
Ok, great news, I got back to my old baseline by using Recovery. Then I foud out what happened. I went to do another update and when I saw the update list the only selection was the Insider version. Anyone know how to stop that from dropping when updates are listed/requested?
Click to expand...
Depends on how you enrolled as an Insider.

If you joined the Insider programme with your MS account, then go to 'Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Programme' and unenroll your PC.

www.elevenforum.com

Stop Getting Insider Preview Builds on Windows 11 PC

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off stop getting Insider preview builds of Windows 11 on your Windows 11 PC. Flighting is the process of running Windows Insider Preview Builds on your device. When you run these early versions of Windows and give Microsoft feedback, you can help...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

I'm not an Insider, I used the OfflineInsiderEnroll script from GitHub to enrol my VMs. Running the script again would give me the option to stop getting Insider builds.

1748095489430.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven below to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package. Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
Ok, I did all that, but my system was about to reinstall Insider when I hurriedly "Paused Updates". If I enable Updates again will it try to reinstall it?

What I don't understand is that in order to even install Insider you need to have "optional diagnostics" turned on and I didn't have that turned on (and still don't), so how did that happen?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Host: Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom User Build
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
    Motherboard
    Minisforum BD795i SE
    Memory
    2X 16GB DDR5-5200MTs (32GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon Pro WX5100 Workstation
    Sound Card
    Integrated AMD High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2X LG 32UN880-A
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160
    Hard Drives
    2X NVMe 1TB SSDs
    PSU
    Corsair SF450
    Case
    Fractal Design Terra
    Cooling
    Noctua FS-A12
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Mouse
    Logitech K270 KB/Mouse Combo
    Internet Speed
    800Mb
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    2x Seagate 2TB external USB HDD, 1x 5TB external USB WD Passport HDD, 1x externql USB WD SATA 1TB Green SATA SSD
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Swift 3 SF314-42 R3U5
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 4700U @ 2GHz-->4.2GHz Boost
    Motherboard
    RO Kona_RN
    Memory
    16GB LPD DDR4X
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon (Renoir) Vega
    Sound Card
    ATI/AMD Renoir/Van Gough/Cezanne/Rembrandt HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS LCD Integrated Chi Mei CMN14D4
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Hynix 512GB NVMe (PCIe 4.0)
    PSU
    Ext 19v
    Case
    Integrated Magnesium
    Cooling
    Therm internal fan
    Keyboard
    Integrated
    Mouse
    Jellycomb
    Internet Speed
    800MB
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes, MS Defender
    Other Info
    External USB-C 1Gb Ethernet connection
When I was in the Win10 Insider Preview program there were 2 warnings I paid attention to, one was NOT to use it on a production or only computer and the other was that if leaving the program the computer would require a fresh/clean install of the RTM version. Pretty much a situation that the IP license would expire if no longer installed and that license didn't transfer to the RTM.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Hello @Jabiru, :alien:

Since this was done last night, you can check using the tutorial below to see if you may be able to go back to the previous version of Windows to undo this.

www.elevenforum.com

Go Back to Previous Version of Windows in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to go back to the previous Windows from Windows 11 without losing your documents, photos, and other personal files. Windows 11 gives you the ability to uninstall and go back (roll back) to a previous version of Windows. When you upgrade to Windows 11 from...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Jabiru said:
Ok, I did all that, but my system was about to reinstall Insider when I hurriedly "Paused Updates". If I enable Updates again will it try to reinstall it?
Click to expand...
Maybe, maybe not. When you un-pause updates Windows Update performs a fresh check for updates. If you have successfully left Insiders it should only find the release channel updates this time.

Jabiru said:
What I don't understand is that in order to even install Insider you need to have "optional diagnostics" turned on and I didn't have that turned on (and still don't), so how did that happen?
Click to expand...
You need optional diagnostics to be on in order to join Insiders with your MS account, once enrolled with the offlineenroll script I still get Insider updates with it turned off.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven below to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package. Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
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