Windows Update

Dan McDermott 155

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?

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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??
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 Volunteer Moderator

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 Release

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
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.
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T19:39:08.97+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.
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
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.
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?
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.
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T20:06:46.19+00:00

Thanks - you are a BIG help!
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?
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?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-21T12:56:44.5633333+00:00

CrazyKats •

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?
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
Alison A 5,315 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Admin

2026-09-22T19:07:29.0133333+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

SD - IA 180.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-18T15:03:14.3733333+00:00
I see, strange.

In the Windows search,

Type cmd, right-click it, and choose Run as Administrator.
```
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection" /v MaxTelemetryAllowed /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
```
Run this command, restart the PC and let me know if it is offered again - if it still does let me know.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-18T15:08:31.9+00:00

what does this do?

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-18T15:13:13.86+00:00

do i also copy the "reg add" or just the "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection" /v MaxTelemetryAllowed /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f"
SD - IA 180.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-17T13:02:12.9966667+00:00

Unenroll device is now off under my 24H2. Can I proceed using Installation Assistant to Download Windows 11 25H2?

Yes, absolutely. Now your PC will update after that and WIP would be unenrolled.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-17T14:54:52.6733333+00:00

did not work.

Downloaded a Defender secrity update but still wants to install insider preview so I put that on pause

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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-17T16:20:16.1533333+00:00

"About" says 25H2 was Installed build 26200.9457 on 17 Sept 17. But still wants to update Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26340.9482)Also, sometime back I deleted "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost"

I can no longer find this key in the registry

What is going on? No matter what I do. W11 still wants me to download the Insider Previews :( Windows Support says my only option is to do a clean install since build 26200.9457 (for 26H2) is also an Insider Preview. I prefer NOT to do a clean install! Also, Windows Support says waiting for 26H2 to come out will NOT work. Is all of this true.

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-17T16:21:30.2+00:00

Can't seem to cancel Insider Previews no matter what I try Just got "Windows 11 Insider Preview Feature Update (26340.9482)

for Windows 11 26H2 Build"

I now have W11 25H2 - KB5129195

Why am I still getting these Insider Previews?

I have KB5129195 IS (OS Builds 26200.9457 Out-of-band which is not an Insider Preview - is that correct? I don't want to get any more Windows 11 Insider Previews. Is that even possible w/o doing a clean install?
SD - IA 180.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-09-16T17:16:06.06+00:00

Hi,

25H2 will be offered 10 days after installing Windows 11 24H2. You can do it manually now:

Use the Installation Assistant to Download Windows 11

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2171764

Please select Unenroll device surely before updating if it is possible, not a necessity:
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:20:48.6666667+00:00

Unenroll device is now off under my 24H2. Can I proceed using Installation Assistant to Download Windows 11 25H2?

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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:10:47.6933333+00:00

not yet offered 25H2. still on 24H2
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-16T17:13:49.71+00:00

optional diagnostic data is off

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