9

I occasionally get full screen ads about my computer being eligible for a Windows 11 upgrade, which looks something like this
enter image description here

Hardwarewise the computer probably is capable of running Windows 11. Apparently this ad cannot be disabled by a single click anymore (it just goes to another full page nag screen). I have drivers and other software running on this computer which might possibly get disrupted by an OS change (do not want to take any chance on that). I am worried that I might accidently click on something other than decline upgrade at some point.

Is there a way to permanently disable the full page nag screen for Windows 11 that appears when turning the computer on ?

I am running
Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 22H2
OS build 19045.3448
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19044.1000.0
with everything up to date.

user13267
  • 1,873

1 Answers1

5

There are a number of online tips to stop the nag screens. In my opinion, the safest is to add a Policies value so that Windows 10 updates (what's left of them, about a year, at this writing) can continue, but update to Windows 11 is blocked.

  • Press Windows, type rege and select Regedit.

  • Open to the following key, e.g., by pasting it into the Regedit navigation bar. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate.

    If the key WindowsUpdate does not exist in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows, create it.

  • Right-click the right pane and select New > ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value. Set its name to TargetReleaseVersion.

  • Double-click it and set its value to 1.

  • Right-click the right pane and select New > String Value. Set its name to ProductVersion.

  • Double-click it and set its value to Windows 10.

Caveat: Windows 10 EOL is Oct 14, 2025. Organizations can buy Extended Security Updates, but pricing and minimum quantity make this difficult for the individual. For reasons of security, consider testing and upgrading to Windows 11.

If hardware cannot accommodate Windows 11 requirements, consider testing another OS, such as Linux. Yes, you've gone to some effort to get that Windows 10 system working using specific drivers. The good new is you can test Linux from USB without having to install it, or install it inside Windows 10 in a virtual machine, or install it dual boot, so you can test it, add drivers, and create an OS that works for your use.

DrMoishe Pippik
  • 37,887