Forum Discussion
How to disable preview updates
I was one of the unfortunate ones who had more than one computer corrupted by KB5034848 update. It cost me an entire weekend reinstalling Windows (I tried everything else to go back, uninstall updates, repair Windows, etc.) and reconfiguring applications on two machines.
Now that the two systems are running stable versions again, I paused updates so they won't be corrupted in the meantime. However, my understanding is that KB5034848 was a Preview build (the MS catalog does still list it as "2024-02 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 23H2)." If this is indeed true, I can't determine why it was installed on any of my machines (and it was actually installed automatically on all 4 PCs in the house). I have checked the Windows Update settings and "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" setting is OFF on all computers. I also verified that my email address (the one used for my MS account used by all Windows installations) is NOT enrolled in the "Windows Insider Program".
So now my question is, why did my PC receive a "preview" update and how can I stop preview builds from being automatically installed in the future (aside from constantly re-pausing Windows Updates)?
Thanks!
4 Replies
same question here :
I'm sorry you're going through that and do feel for you as I have the same issue. I've reinstalled Windows 11 well over 15 times on my personal PC since December including a reformat of ssd's and reinstalling W11 using a usb media creation tool. USB seems to be the best way to ensure no registry rules are left behind.
But regardless, W11 optional preview updates continue to install for me as well plus I am not enrolled in Windows Insider Program and have auto updates turned off. Even after re-installing Windows 11, I'll boot up my pc a few days later and find that W11 has re-installed all optional preview updates. It's insane that we don't even have control over our own PC's and W11 pretty much ignores and does the opposite of what you tell it.
The only work around I've found is to keep updates paused. Problem is, once you unpause, W11 will eventually install the optional preview updates. I’m personally keeping updates paused permanently moving forward. I've been battling this since December. Good luck!
Only if Windows Insider settings are configured, then you receive preview build. Share us screenshot of Windows Insider page in Settings app for the affected system.
I'm not a member of the insider program and never have been (ditto my wife) but on both our PCs we regularly receive update previews. I'm not part of any organisation or group - how do I stop these unwanted previews?
(I do receive notifications & regular updates and I don't want mess with that process - just get rid of previews).
