How to Block the Windows 11 24H2 Update: Protect Your System

Microsoft has begun enforcing the Windows 11 24H2 update on eligible PCs since January 2025. This rollout, combined with lingering bugs and reported performance issues, has left a sour taste for many users. If you’re hyper-cautious about your PC’s stability – especially for gaming or productivity – this guide explains how you can put the brakes on the 24H2 update and stick with your tried-and-true 23H2 or 22H2 builds. Buckle up as we dive into two effective methods, including using the Group Policy Editor or the third-party tool, InControl.

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Why You Might Want to Delay the Update​

Let’s be real, Windows updates have a reputation – they’re either a blessing that introduces shiny new features or a curse that sends your system spiraling into the abyss of blue screens and performance lag. The 24H2 build, which officially rolled out in October 2024, was followed by multiple reports of unresolved bugs, some tied to gaming performance degradation and system stability issues.
Fast forward to 2025, Microsoft is now enforcing this update through automatic means, leaving users little room to dodge the digital bulldozer. If you’re committed to staying on a stable build before diving headfirst into this buggy terrain, follow one of these blocking methods.

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Method 1: Use Group Policy to Block the Update​

Have you ever tried telling Microsoft “no” before? It gets tricky. But with the Group Policy Editor, you can set your PC to stick with a preferred Windows version like 23H2 or 22H2. Here’s how to sidestep the mandatory update like a Windows ninja:

Steps to Block 24H2 with Group Policy:​

• Open Group Policy Editor:
• Press Start, type gpedit, and hit Enter. Select the “Edit group policy” option.
• If you’re using Windows 11 Home, note that Group Policy Editor is not natively supported. However, you can enable it using an unofficial workaround – a quick Google search on enabling GPEdit for Windows Home should suffice.
• Navigate to Windows Update Settings:
• Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components.
• Scroll down to locate the Windows Update settings.
• From here, select Manage updates offered from Windows Update on the right-hand pane.
• Select the Target Feature Update Version:
• Double-click on “Select the target Feature Update version.”
• Check the Enabled radio button.
• In the first input field, type Windows 11. Below it, enter 23H2 or 22H2 depending on your current version.
• Apply the Changes:
• Click Apply and then OK.
• Open a Command Prompt with Administrator privilege (search for cmd, right-click, and select “Run as Administrator”).
• Type gpupdate /force and hit Enter. This ensures your policy changes take effect immediately.
• Confirm the Update Block:
  Your PC will now reject Microsoft’s 24H2 bouquet and stick to the requested version. You’re free from the auto-update menace, at least for this build.

Note: This method is only applicable if the Group Policy Editor is available; users of Windows Home might need to jump to the second method.

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Method 2: Use the InControl App for a Hassle-Free Block​

Why wrestle with policy editors or scary registry edits when there’s a lightweight app to handle everything for you? Enter InControl, a brilliant little utility crafted by Steve Gibson, celebrated among tech enthusiasts for his tools focusing on user privacy and control. The app aims to let users “freeze” their Windows version.

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Steps to Block 24H2 with InControl:​

• Download InControl:
• Look up “InControl by Steve Gibson” and download the app from his official site (GRC.com).
• Run and Configure:
• Open the app and simply click on the Take Control button. Voilà! The app modifies the necessary Registry values to lock your system to the current build.
• Disable the Lock When You’re Ready:
• When you decide to embrace the 24H2 update (hopefully when the bugs are squashed), launch InControl again and click Release Control. This restores your PC's update functionality to normal.

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Understanding What’s Happening Under the Hood​

Let’s break down how these two methods work:

• Group Policy Method: This approach taps into Microsoft’s built-in system for managing updates by specifying which version your device should stick to.
• Behind the scenes: The system enforces the specific TargetReleaseVersion registry keys, effectively ensuring you stay on the specified version.
• InControl Utility: This app is essentially automating the process that the Group Policy Editor achieves but wraps it in an easy-to-use interface.
• Under the hood: It edits registry keys like HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate, setting values that govern the target feature update.

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What if My PC is Already Updated to 24H2?​

Oops, the update snuck in while you weren’t looking? Fear not – Windows has rollback options to downgrade to an earlier build such as 23H2. However, this needs to be done quickly (within 10 days of the update, unless rollback retention settings were tweaked).
Steps to Roll Back:

• Go to Settings → System → Recovery.
• Under the “Recovery options” section, click on Go back. Follow the prompts to revert to the previous build.

Keep in mind that rolling back removes files and data specific to the newer build, so backups are essential.

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Should You Always Delay Updates?​

While procrastination might feel good, be aware that prolonged update delays could leave your system vulnerable to security risks. Although the InControl app blocks feature updates, it will allow critical security patches to come through. This ensures that your Windows system remains safe from active threats without forcing you to trade stability for unnecessary features.

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Final Thoughts: Stay InControl​

Whether you’re a gamer trying to avoid performance hiccups or a professional running mission-critical software without interruptions, knowing how to pause or block feature updates is critical. Windows might try to force updates, but with clever tools and native policies like those described above, you get to call the shots. Stick with these methods to ensure that your system remains in-control and bug-free!
Let us know if you have any questions regarding blocking feature updates or if you’ve faced any specific issues with the 24H2 build! Share your experiences below – after all, it’s your Windows, your rules.

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Source: Beebom https://beebom.com/how-to-block-windows-11-24h2-update/