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

2026-09-20T19:26:41.3866667+00:00

Hi Dan,

Next month is when the Public release of 26H2 is.

You will see this update under Windows Updates

when it comes out.
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T19:33:50.53+00:00

Thanks for all your help!
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:45:57.5766667+00:00

Dan,

Diagnostics being Off may be why

you are NOT seeing that Registry Key

anymore. It has to be On if you are in

an Insider Channel.
Was this answer helpful?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:56:52.8666667+00:00

I am not in an Insider Channel. I am on Beta Channel. Plus - I am on 25H2I - build 26200.9457

CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:59:30.5933333+00:00

Beta is an Insider Channel,

but the build you are on is a Release

build NOT Beta, Beta is build 26220

for 25H2 or 28020 for build 26H1.
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:30:53.55+00:00

No Dan, Incorrect.

It needs to be On now.

Your Insider page is telling you

that:

If it isn't On and you're on the Beta

Channel you won't be offered any Insider

Updates.
Was this answer helpful?
Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:38:54.15+00:00

But it reads the OPPOSITE and that it should be ON to STAY on insider previews. I do not want insider previews! So - it should be OFF - correct?

From google search:

AI Overview

To stop getting Insider Previews, you should turn Off the Send optional diagnostic data switch after you officially opt out in the Windows Insider settings
CrazyKats 19,925 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-20T18:20:13.9066667+00:00

Hi Dan,

This setting has to be ON:
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Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:25:40.6733333+00:00

I have it off and I had read it should be off. See attached

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T18:42:37.91+00:00

Everything I read says Optional Diagnostics should be OFF and not ON

Dan McDermott 155 Reputation points

2026-09-20T19:08:58.99+00:00

I am totally confused. Beta or other? Optional Diagnostics on or off? Shown Release Preview on or off? Etc. I need to know ALL the steps and settings on one page please.