Need to stop this Windows update!

Morph000 · Nov 4, 2025

I need to stop this KB5067036 preview. Don't want it!!
Tried the Group policy OOBE tweak - changing it to to "2" for notify before downloading updates. Doesn't work. Deprecated now?
Checked the Windows \WinsXs folder for pending XML's. None.
Set wifi to metered connection. Well, that stopped the other 2 downloads anyway!
Want to ditch JUST this KB, not wipe the entire update history, so don't suggest that.

Anyone?

echo2446 · Nov 5, 2025

Did you try:

Pause the update for a week/whatever; this seems to stop the download/install.
Turn off "Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available"; this should prevent automatic downloading of preview updates.
Resume the update to get the options for the other twos?

garlin · Nov 5, 2025

Morph000 said:
Tried the Group policy OOBE tweak - changing it to to "2" for notify before downloading updates. Doesn't work. Deprecated now?

That GPO only prevents Quality (Monthly) Updates during OOBE. It doesn't affect Preview Updates installed by normal WU processes after OOBE.
Enable or Disable Get Latest Updates as soon as available in Windows 11

Honestly, I don't think the OOBE GPO officially rolled... It's available as an InTune policy.

FreeBooter · Nov 5, 2025

In this video, i will demonstrate how to use Update Manager for Windows (WuMgr) app to install selective updates, hide them so they won’t be installed, or remove any previously installed Windows update easily.

To obtain the portable version, open the WuMgr GitHub page and click on the latest version available on the right side of the page.

https://github.com/DavidXanatos/wumgr

To install the app version of Update Manager for Windows on your PC, open the page for WuMgr in Microsoft Store and click Get.

Update Manager for Windows - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store

This tool allows computer administrators to fully control the process and the timing of installing updates to their system using the Windows Update Agent API. The tool is also capable of performing an offline search for updates using an update catalog. No more unwanted forced reboots or long...

apps.microsoft.com

Morph000 · Nov 8, 2025

Pause the update for a week/whatever; this seems to stop the download/install.

Turn off "Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available"; this should prevent automatic downloading of preview updates.

Resume the update to get the options for the other twos?

1. Yes - paused to stop it downloading! Unpause and it resumes...
2. Greyed out - I tweaked the registry to lock it to 24H2 for now...
3. Resume just resumes all...

OK, I installed PS 7 and Intel updates now as they're small in comparison.
Group policy update tweak undone as useless.
Paused updates. Now failed/retry, better than nothing.
David Xanatos update manager showed PS and Intel pending updates but not preview KB...
Ok, anyone know how to delete this?

Ghot · Nov 8, 2025

@Morph000

KB5067036 is for 24H2 AND 25H2
So you can install it on 24H2.

KB5067036 Windows 11 Cumulative Update Preview build 26100.7019 (24H2) and 26200.7019 (25H2) - Oct. 28

UPDATE 11/11: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/kb5068861-windows-11-cumulative-update-build-26100-7171-24h2-and-26200-7171-25h2-nov-11.41909/ Microsoft Support: This non-security update for Windows 11, version 24H2 (KB5067036), improves functionality, performance, and reliability. To learn more...

www.elevenforum.com

The easiest way to protect yourself from possibly iffy updates, is to use backup software.
Make a backup before installing the update. If it causes problems just restore from your backup.

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...

www.elevenforum.com

garlin · Nov 8, 2025

Run as Administrator:

Code:

net stop wuauserv
net stop bits
net stop cryptsvc
ren %windir%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren %windir%\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
net start wuauserv
net start bits
net start cryptsvc

Morph000 · Nov 8, 2025

It is generally safe to delete the contents of the Software Distribution folder once all files required by it have been used for installing Windows Update. Even if you delete files otherwise, they will be automatically downloaded. If you were to delete the folder itself, it would be automatically re-created, and the required WU components would be downloaded automatically.

However, this data store also contains your Windows Update History files. If you delete them you will lose your Update history. Moreover, the next time you run Windows Update, it will result in a longer detection time.

What I -->don't<-- want to do!

garlin · Nov 8, 2025

Well then you're stuck with your pending update. There's no known method to clear a specific update out of WU's queue. It's all or nothing.

All of the WU blocking tools only work on the updates metadata, to prevent KB's from being tagged as eligible. But once WU starts the download process, it's too late for them to do anything useful.

Morph000 · Nov 8, 2025

Well...I could roll back to a recent Reflect image. That's overkill at this stage, but may come down to doing that.
W11 has serious functionality flaws, W7 was so nice.

pietcorus2 · Nov 9, 2025

Morph000 said:
Well...I could roll back to a recent Reflect image. That's overkill at this stage, but may come down to doing that.
W11 has serious functionality flaws, W7 was so nice.

10 and 11 (24H2) also............ :wink:

TairikuOkami · Nov 9, 2025

Morph000 said:
What I -->don't<-- want to do!

I have recently done that and history stayed, there was also no problem upgrading afterwards.

Brink · Nov 9, 2025

Hello @Morph000,

You can see if resetting Windows Update below may stop it. You'll have to set any configured group policies for Windows Update again afterwards though.

Reset Windows Update in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to completely reset Windows Update components and policies to default in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and installing the latest updates, drivers, and hotfixes released by Microsoft. Sometimes you...

www.elevenforum.com

neves · Nov 9, 2025

Simplest solution: use PowerShell to install updates - until the next Stable release (not Preview - like above Update), since that will replace the Preview Update. Use the following commands - select/copy only the content of the inline code text (on the right is the description of each command):

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Force

Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate -Force * Installs the PSWindowsUpdate module from the PowerShell Gallery or another configured repository.

Import-Module PSWindowsUpdate * Loads the PSWindowsUpdate module into the current PowerShell session, making its cmdlets available.

Get-WindowsUpdate * List available updates, usually with more detailed information - allowing advanced operations for installing or hiding updates.

Install-WindowsUpdate * Install Windows Updates

Add-WUServiceManager -MicrosoftUpdate * Enables Updates for other Microsoft products (like - Office)

Get-WindowsUpdate -KBArticleID"KB1234567" -Install * Install only selected/specific Updates - replace "KB1234567" with the Update Code - specific to the update you want to install.

Morph000 · Nov 12, 2025

Yes, I did see that KB blocking approach. It can be done via the registry very easily.
I'm waiting for the final release KB and see if it deletes the preview one...

Morph000 · Nov 12, 2025

OK, today's update check showed a few more, but KB5067036 preview is now gone from pending.
However it shows in history as failed.
Microsludge update catalog only shows the preview version so I guess I'll have to wait until the final one is released.

Morph000 · Nov 17, 2025

OK, I bit the bullet (grudgingly) and renamed SystemDistribution and CatRoot2, rebooted, and the stuck/failed updates resolved, and updates installed!
The KB5067036 preview is gone too!
However, there IS an issue when trying to change Catroot2 in that the Cryptographic service keeps restarting even if you disabled it via Net stop, a little known issue.
So I did it from Task manager, carefully timing my renaming Catroot2 with stopping Crypto. Interestingly too if you look at what 's locking Catroot2 it's Svchost.
Now, Get the latest updates was still greyed out despite my reverting 24H2 lock... ok got that sorted now too via policy, and put the 25H2 block back.

No wonder there are so many crazy pc techs and ex-techs out there.

Need to stop this Windows update!

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