How to Disable Windows 11 Upgrade Notifications: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dealing with Those Annoying Windows 11 Upgrade Alerts

Fed up with that constant nudge to upgrade to Windows 11? Yeah, it’s pretty frustrating. It feels like Microsoft’s gone a bit overboard with the upgrade prompts, always reminding you there’s a shiny new version while you’re just trying to enjoy your current setup. Here’s how to put a stop to those notifications without losing your temper.

Group Policy Editor — For the Lucky Few

If you’re running a more advanced version of Windows (like Pro or Enterprise), you can use the Group Policy Editor. To open it, press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. A window with all sorts of policy options will pop up. If you’re on Windows 10 or 11 Home, though, you’ll need to look elsewhere — namely, the registry — because this tool isn’t available on Home.

Registry Editor — The Alternative for Windows Home

If you’re on Windows 10 or 11 Home, don’t worry — you can disable notifications via the Registry Editor. Hit Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. 👍 A quick tip: back up your registry before making any changes! Go to File > Export and save a copy just in case.

Locating the Settings

In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for Business

If you’re editing the registry, look for:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Search for entries that control update settings, like TargetReleaseVersion or TargetReleaseVersionInfo. These are the keys you’ll want to tweak — they’re what stop the upgrade prompts from showing up.

Blocking the Upgrade

If you’re in the Group Policy Editor, double-click on “Select the target Feature Update version”. Set it to “Enabled,” then specify your preferred Target Version (for example, 21H1). This tells Windows to stick with your current version instead of pushing Windows 11 at you.

For registry editing, add or modify these values:

• TargetReleaseVersion: REG_DWORD set to 1
• TargetReleaseVersionInfo: REG_SZ with your current version (e.g., 21H1)

Apply and Restart

Click “Apply” and then “OK” in the Group Policy Editor. If you’re editing the registry, just save and close the editor. To get the changes to take effect, it’s best to restart your PC. Yeah, it’s a pain, but a quick reboot often does the trick to clear up these issues.

Pro Tips to Avoid Upgrade Stir

If you’re on Windows Home and find these registry tweaks a bit daunting, don’t stress — most of the same principles apply. Just head to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate and set TargetReleaseVersion and TargetReleaseVersionInfo as mentioned.

And always back up your registry before making changes. Here’s a handy command:

reg export "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" backup.reg

Frequently Asked Questions About Ditching Windows 11 Upgrade Alerts

Why do these upgrade prompts keep appearing?

Microsoft likes to remind users about updates to keep security tight and features fresh. It’s like they’re gently nudging everyone to hop onto the latest version.

Can I turn these notifications back on later?

Absolutely. Just reverse the changes — delete or revert those registry keys or group policy settings, and you’re good to go.

Is it safe to disable these notifications?

For the most part, yes. As long as you keep your system updated with security patches, it’s fine to stop the upgrade nags. Just don’t ignore other important updates.

What if I’m on Windows 10 or 11 Home?

No worries — you’ll just need to use the registry. Follow the same steps, and with a bit of care and backups, you’ll be set in no time.

Will changing these settings mess with other updates?

Not at all. This only stops the upgrade prompts. Your other updates will keep rolling in as usual.

Summary

• Open the Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor, depending on your version.
• Locate the relevant settings for update management.
• Set the values to hide or disable upgrade prompts.
• Apply your changes and reboot your PC.
• Enjoy a calmer, less intrusive Windows experience!

Getting rid of those pesky Windows 11 upgrade notices isn’t complicated — it’s more about a quick tweak here and there. As long as you stay on top of security updates, you can simply ignore the upgrade nag and get on with your day. Next time Windows tries to convince you to upgrade while you’re just relaxing, you’ll be ready for it. Hopefully, this saves someone a few hours of frustration — good luck!