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?

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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

CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:06:34.8833333+00:00

Hi Dan,

If your Insider page looks like

Sumit's image and Unenroll is ON,

then leave everything alone and you

will get 26H2 when it is offered next month.
Was this answer helpful?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:10:44.56+00:00

My Insider page DOES NOT look like

Sumit's image but my Unenroll is ON.

See my Insider page in attached

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CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:21:48.8266667+00:00

Yes, apologies. It was in the other

post but wasn't showing right away

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:27:35.3433333+00:00

So - Dianostics should be OFF - correct?

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:59:56.3866667+00:00

Why and what does that do?

Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T19:05:21.3333333+00:00

You are currently running a Release version of 25H2. You do not want to be in Beta. Turn on Diagnostics, set your Settings as shown above and then ensure you have Unenroll device set on.

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T19:17:59.88+00:00

OK, here is what I have:

My Experience = Release Preview

Advanced Options = W11 version 25H2

Show Release Preview is ON

Unenroll Device is ON

Send Optional Diagnostics is OFF

What more do I do to stop getting Insider Previews?

Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T19:21:19.89+00:00

Yes, perfect, just leave it alone and you should be opted out of Insider next month

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T19:23:51.1566667+00:00

How will I know? What happens next month?
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T17:23:42.84+00:00

Hi Dan,

That Registry Key will only reappear

after you have rebooted your PC.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T17:25:37.82+00:00

Have rebooted many times since I deleted it
Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T17:09:01.78+00:00

Hello Dan,

Delete the entire Self Host Key and STOP rejoining Insider. You will get 26H2 next month when it gets released as you are now on 25H2.
Was this answer helpful?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T17:14:30.7966667+00:00

I did this already and when I go to the registry, I don't see that folder anymore so I assume it is deleted. assume it is gone.

Johnny55 5,235 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T17:25:53.1833333+00:00

It will get rebuilt on a reboot and take you out of Insider. Your Insider page should look like this. Then you are out of Insider and please stop pressing Get Started.

CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T17:32:00.8666667+00:00

Dan,

You are not doing what you are advised to

do or you would see exactly what is shown

in Johnny's picture.

Use WIN+R, type winver and tell us exactly

which 25H2 build you are on now.

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T17:37:11.05+00:00

Rebooted again just to be sure. That key is not there - just like in my priviest screenshot

My Insider page looks like this attached which is not the same as what you showed me.

CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T17:43:37.3033333+00:00

What screen shot?
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-18T19:17:37.46+00:00

Hi Dan,

We had this discussion in your Insider

thread. If you deleted the Registry Key

and you wanted to Unenroll from Insiders

why did you choose Beta?

And a word of advice do NOT try to get

build 29671 because then you will have

to clean install. I'm curious if your PC is

Windows 11 compatible. Please run:

https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
Was this answer helpful?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-18T19:24:32.8733333+00:00

I know my PC is definitely Windows 11 compatible. Good advice on not getting build 29671 - I have it on pause on my W11 Updates

I put it on Beta because that was the only way I could toggle on to unenroll my device

CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-18T19:29:34.5666667+00:00

Pausing is not going to do any good

if you still have the Future option checked.

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-18T19:34:59.94+00:00

I have it on pause. I also have the Beta option checked. I also have the W11 25H2 as the version I want to flight from Insider Previews.

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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T17:39:59.49+00:00

see attached for W11 25H2 build 26200.9457