Surprise Insider update screwed my system

I opted out of the Insider program in February 2023. My last Insider update was in 19 Feb 2023. None of the subsequent updates had Insider on them and my current Win version is 22626..1778.

A couple of days ago I got an update Win 11 Insider Preview 23466.1001 and I didn't notice the 'Insider' tag. It updated with version 23466.1001. Then I saw what had happened so I installed an earlier backup. Straight away it started to reinstal the Insider ver. This time it failed with error 0xc1900101.

So, now I am stuck. I really don't want a new install, especially as my comp is happily working on ver 22621.1778.

A bit more background - MS says I am not an Insider but my comp says this device is set up to get Insider Preview builds as Dev.

I used Brink's registry entry tool to change the Insider settings but that didn't work - Dev is back in the Registry.

In summary, I have a perfectly good Win 11 setup messed up with a stuck pending failed Insider update I don't want.

Apart from re-installing from scratch, anyone got any ideas, please? I just want to remove the stuck pending update and stop getting any more!

Use Windows Update Troubleshooter.

• Right-click on Start button and pick Settings
• Go to System > Troubleshoot
• Click on Other Troubleshooters > Windows Update and click Run button.

Download Windows updates manually.

• Go to the official Microsoft update catalog;
• Enter a specific update code, for example, KB4481031
• Select the correct version and click Download
• Click on the link and Windows will update your computer

Resetting the Windows Update components can usually solve these types of issues.

The Windows Update Show/Hide troubleshooter still works, run that and hide the update.

Thanks for replies but I think the issue may be resolving itself. Hopefully!!

I have changed a Registry value for Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability from 1 to 0. This has stopped the Windows Update screen from thinking this comp is an Insider. The only Insider Programme option now is to join the Insider program. Whew.

I have also deleted all items in my C:\Windows\SoftwhereDistribution\Download folder.

Windows Update still lists the "Windows 11 Insider Preview 23466.1001" as being available but it is not really there as the Downloading stays at 0%.

So, there is still a ghost entry somewhere - would be nice to find it and give it the heave. The update trouble shooter didn't fix this.

Time will tell but it certainly is in a more comfortable state than it was yesterday.

Edit to add showhide utility doesn't see the insider preview update.

Cheers.