Hi Dan,
You need to toggle Show Release Preview under Advanced options and change from Beta to Release Preview as as shown below. This is RP version running 26H2
Windows Update
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Dan McDermott
155
Reputation points
I am on Insider Preview 24H2 and Windows Update wants to install 24H2. But the installation option is only avialable when I have "w11 get the latest updates" turned on. Is that normal?
Windows Insider program | Windows Insider preview | Install, activate, and Windows update
Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T12:09:09.6866667+00:00 I am on a desktop PC with AMD Processor. I am on W11 25H2 Pro. When 26H2 comes out I want to get it and I DO NOT want to get any more Insider Previews. However (today), for insider previews under advanced, I do not have the 26H2 option - I only have options for 26H1 or 25H2 (which I have now). What do I do? Do I pick 25H2? But picking 25H2 (which I now have) does not make sense to me. What do I do??
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-21T13:41:00.8766667+00:00 can't Unregister my account from the insider program to stop receiving emails and notifications
Answer recommended by moderator
Johnny55
5,235
Reputation points
Volunteer Moderator
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T19:31:47.3233333+00:00 I think I did all this. What do you mean I am running 26H2. Everything I see says I am on 25H2. W11 About says 25H2 and when I ran winver it says I am on W11 25H2 build 26200.9457
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Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-20T19:35:46.5966667+00:00 You would have to have Diagnostics on to run 26H2. Just leave things as they are.
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2026-09-20T19:39:08.97+00:00 Dan, do not worry about 26H2 now.
You are on the 25H2 build that will
get you 26H2 when it is officially
released next month.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T19:43:41.2566667+00:00 Not sure what you are telling me to do. Right now, Optional Diagnostics is OFF
Are you saying to turn Optional Diagnostics ON when 26H2 comes out? Or should I have it ON now?
Also, why does Optional Diagnostics need to be ON to run 26H2? I don't have it on now with W11 25H2 build 26200.9457
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Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-20T19:50:45.26+00:00 As CK mentioned, do not worry about 26H2, your Settings right now are correct to leave Insider when the next Release officially comes out. It will show up in Windows Update.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T20:01:44.4566667+00:00 Thanks. I am a planner, so what are my next steps when 26H2 comes out? Can I install it or do I need to first do something else?
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-20T20:03:41.96+00:00 Just get the update from Windows
Update when it comes out and you'll
be good to go. No need to do anything.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T22:41:12.0633333+00:00 I do have paused updates on until 25 Oct 26. Is that an issue?
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-20T23:11:38.7433333+00:00 CrazyKats • what is the answer to all this?
You said "Hi Dan, Yes, pausing updates til then could be an issue because the new build will likely start rolling out on Patch Tues.10/13."
Should I un-pause it now?
The reason I paused it was I did not want to get any more Insider Preview that are required to install
When I un-pause it, Windows Update states that "Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26340.9502)" is available to install - which I have avoided to do - this the reason I had Paused Updates turned on. Would it be a good or bad idea to keep Paused Updates turned on until we get closer to 13 Oct 26? With my settings as they are - will this "Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26340.9502)" self-install or do I have the option of not installing it? A self-install is my fear if I turn off Paused Updates. Can u answer this please?
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-21T12:56:44.5633333+00:00 Both winser and about say I have - W11 25H2 build 26200.9457. Is this an Insider Preview? I do not have a Insider Preview watermark showing. Can u answer this please?
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points
2026-09-22T17:45:52.8433333+00:00 Under w11 updates, what is "show release preview w11"? and should it be on or off if I do not want Insider Previews
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Alison A 5,315 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Admin2026-09-22T19:07:29.0133333+00:00 Hi @Dan McDermott ,
This thread appears to have run its course, as an official response to your original question has been provided and several community members have also kindly volunteered their time to assist.
At this point, the discussion has expanded considerably beyond the original question and has become difficult to follow, so we'll be locking the thread.
If you have a new or separate question, you're welcome to create a new thread. However, please note that new threads created to continue the same discussion may be locked as duplicates of this one.
Thank you for your understanding.
24 additional answers
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-22T17:51:52.16+00:00 Dan,
You are still on the Release Preview
Insider Channel until the public release
in Oct. then you will be unenrolled.
Until then Release Preview updates
are normal. Turn it On, get the updates
and please stop worrying.
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-21T15:40:26.46+00:00 Hi Dan,
The build you are on is a Release Preview
build and does not have a watermark.
Please stop worrying and just wait til the
October update.
To stop receiving e mails on this forum you
have to go under your profile.
Click your avatar in the upper right corner,
click Profile, click Settings and scroll downto E mail Preferences and turn Off the things
you don't want.
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-21T01:28:12.2633333+00:00 Hi Dan,
Step by step to remove a pending update:
Open File Explorer, click My PC, click Windows (C)
Double click the Windows folder.
Scroll down to the SoftwareDistribution folder.
Double click that and find the Download folder.
Right click that folder and Delete it.
Close open windows and restart your PC.
The 26340 pending update should be gone.
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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-09-20T23:02:43.0166667+00:00 Hi Dan,
Yes, pausing updates til then
could be an issue because the new
build will likely start rolling out on
Patch Tues.10/13.