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!

Go to settings>windows update
toggle off "get the latest updates as soon as they are available"
This stops the Previews, but once a preview goes into release it will be automatically downloaded (usually about 2 or 3 weeks after the preview MS releases it to the masses)
While it's working with no issues, I suggest you make a system image so your can recover if it gets broken again.

\EDIT" If it ever becomes necessary for whatever reason to pause updates for longer than the 5 weeks we are allowed in settings>windows updates (I hope it doesn't) our man Brink tells us how to pause them up to 20 years

Thanks. As previously mentioned, I checked the Windows Update settings and "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" setting is OFF on all computers. This is why I don't understand why it was delivered to all PCs in my house. I guess it's no longer a "preview" and is being released to the masses now? Odd, since they still refer to it on their site as a preview release.

KB5034848 is still a "preview," at least until tomorrow, when it will be released as a regular CU with a different KB number. Glad you got the two victimized machines back in running order. No idea why you got the supposedly entirely optional previews without choosing to get them.

I have "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" set to off as well, but I am still seeing preview updates. Is there a way to not see preview updates at all when I go to check for windows update?

When you want to NOT see a Preview, you can just click the X to hide it for that session. The next time you open WU, it will show up again, but again, just click the X.

Unfortunately, I'm not satisfied with that. I am currently poking around in Group Policy trying to figure out how to permanently stop preview updates from appearing (quality updates?) when I check for updates. I don't want to see anything other than final release updates. Screenshots of my settings are included, I did not touch the legacy or Manage updates offered from Windows Server Update Service sections.

The key setting from what I can tell for the behavior I'm after is Manage preview builds = disabled

I don't get why the preview builds are still showing up despite changing the group policies and rebooting. Any pointers would be much appreciated.

There is no GPO which blocks viewing of specific Update types, only rules to disable the auto-install of all updates, or from installing Preview Updates.

For what you want, you need a 3rd-party Windows Update tool to hide unwanted Updates. Unfortunately, most of them don't have a command line mode. You need something like a PowerShell script run as a daily scheduled task, which does a keyword search to block "Preview".

Stop opening Windows updates except for the second Tuesday of each month. Problem solved.

I tried writing a PS script, and it doesn't hide anything from Settings. Clicking the 'x' to dismiss a Preview Update from being seen isn't permanent either. It returns if you close and re-open Settings.

I have been asking myself the same. The usual answer you'll find suggests that you opt out of the Windows insider program. The preview updates discussed here have nothing to do with the Windows insider program at all.

We're talking about the notification in the Windows update section of the settings app, which appears to have been introduced with one of the recent updates:



It seems that Microsoft wants to push users to apply core Windows updates earlier, thus putting such info in their faces. I remember that those optional updates used to be hidden away under "Advanced options->Optional updates", and this is where you can still find e. g. the cumulative preview updates for .NET Framework.
That's the behavior I'd like to get back somehow.

bpw said:

thus putting such info in their faces.

Click to expand...

This is not just an 11 issue but has been that way for quite a while in 10 as well.

I just ignore them.