Windows 11 24H2 Now Fully Available: Automatic Downloads Even If You Opt-Out

The Windows 11 version 24H2 update now appears for “download and install” automatically when users access Settings > Windows Update and click on Check for updates. This action occurs only if your device is not under a compatibility hold. Even without actively checking for updates, Windows 11 24H2 may start downloading shortly anyway.

Windows 11 24H2 prompt in settings — Windows 11 24H2 now available via Windows Update on supported PCs

As reported by Windows Latest, Microsoft has officially confirmed that Windows 11 24H2 is in the final stage of its rollout. Like previous updates, this is when the version is deemed “fully ready” and primed for automatic downloads.

Recent observations have shown that when checking updates through the Settings app, users might see Windows 11 24H2 begin to download automatically. However, this may vary based on individual device compatibility.

The Windows 11 2024 Update becomes immediately available for installation when users click Check for updates, but nothing will download until the user selects the Download and install button. Without this consent, no files will be fetched, even if they are available.

Additionally, Windows 11 periodically checks for updates in the background, and in some instances, you may find that version 24H2 starts downloading without your intervention.

For updates impacting devices running Home and Pro versions of Windows 11 (not managed by IT), Windows 11 24H2 will automatically update according to Microsoft’s documentation.

You will receive a notification once the upgrade has commenced downloading and is ready for installation. However, it’s important to note that Windows 11 does not present an option to cancel an upgrade that has already been initiated.

While Microsoft allows you to postpone the installation or choose the timing to restart, canceling the download is not an option. So what steps can you take if the Windows 11 version 24H2 update is downloading, causing issues, and you’d like to opt-out?

How to Cancel the Forced Installation of Windows 11 Version 24H2

If you find yourself in a predicament where you wish to cancel the update, here’s a step-by-step process to stop the installation using the Command Prompt:

Launch the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe in Windows Run or by searching “Command Prompt”in Windows Search.
To disable the Windows Update service, you’ll need to execute the following two commands: net stop wuauserv net stop bits
Pausing the updates allows access to the related Windows Update folders, enabling you to delete the crucial Software Distribution folder, which houses the files needed for version 24H2.
To delete this folder, enter the command: del /f /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*
However, to ensure that Windows 11 24H2 does not redeploy, you should utilize the wushowhide tool. This tool can be found on our Discord server within the attachments channel.
Run wushowhide.cab, follow the prompts, click Next, and choose the Hide updates option.
In the “Hide updates” section, select “Windows 11, 24H2 version” and proceed with Next.
Finally, after closing the tool, you should see that the Windows 11 24H2 installation process has been paused and canceled effectively.

Don’t forget to reactivate the Windows Update service by running net start wuauserv in the Command Prompt to ensure your system is still capable of processing updates that you want.

If you seek other methods for blocking the upgrade, be sure to review our comprehensive guide titled “How to block Windows 11 24H2 if it is already downloading.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I cancel the Windows 11 version 24H2 update once it’s downloading?

Unfortunately, once the Windows 11 version 24H2 update starts downloading, you cannot directly cancel it. However, you can pause the Windows Update service using the Command Prompt and delete the files to stop the process.

2. What is the wushowhide tool and how can it help me?

The wushowhide tool is used to block specific Windows updates from being downloaded and installed. After stopping the update process, you can use this tool to hide the 24H2 update to prevent it from reappearing in Windows Update.

3. What happens if I don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2?

If you prefer not to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2, you can follow the steps outlined in this guide to pause updates and utilize the wushowhide tool to effectively block the update from being installed on your device.

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