How to Stop Windows 10 from Upgrading to Windows 11

There are various reasons for not wanting to upgrade your Windows 10 computer to Windows 11.

Whatever your reason, the following instructions are how to stop Windows 10 from upgrading to Windows 11.
One of the most legitimate reasons for not wanting to upgrade to Windows 11 is, not all software you use on your on your Windows 10 can be used on Windows 11. This is true for some versions of financial software.

Some computers cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. If your computer cannot be upgraded to Windows 11, you do not need to do anything; your computer will not upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft Windows 11

Setup Without a Microsoft Account

Bypass the Microsoft Account during initial setup

You may have heard Windows 11 requires using a Microsoft account to turn on your computer the first time.
This simply, is not true.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using either a Local account, or a Microsoft account to turn your computer on.
Not having to go through Microsoft if I forget my password is one benefit of using a Local account.
With a Local account, if I forget my password I can more easily reset my password (or use no password at all). Of course, that may or may not be as secure as allowing Microsoft to manage your password. But it is a personal choice.

As in Windows 10, you simply need to know "how to" bypass having a Microsoft account.

When you first start your new Windows 11 computer you will be ask to connect to the Internet.
It appears, this step verifies you have an authentic Windows 11 operating system, and does an initial check for updates.
Then you will be ask to restart your computer.
While restarting the computer, disconnect it from the internet.

The next time you start your computer you will be given the option of not connecting to the internet, and continue setting up your computer without a Microsoft account.

Once you have completed the setup you can now connect to the internet and your computer will work with a "local account", not one dependent on a Microsoft account.

If you have already setup your computer with a Microsoft account, you can still create a Local account and use that to log into your computer, and bypass using the Microsoft account.

Best Technical Security Practices

We think the security threats to our computers and other technical items are from outside, from the internet, but the greatest and most overlooked threat is from inside.

• Have a plan for "when" disasters occur. What if the computer breaks? What if there is a fire or natural disaster? What if....?
• Be suspicious of emails and downloads.
  If you think it is fake don't open it.
  If it looks suspicious don't open it.
  If it has attachments that are unexpected don't open it.
• Keep your computer, modem, and security software up-to-date.
• Yes, you've heard this one before: use secure passwords.
  • Passwords that contain words, names or sequential numbers or letters are not secure.
  • A good rule of thumb is to use at least eight characters including upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
  • Change passwords every six months to a year.
  • Use diffent passwords for different accounts, and do not reuse passwords.
  • Don't forget to set and change passwords on your internet routers.
• Use a VPN and encryption, especially on public wifi, to help secure your connections and information.
• Backup your data. I do not recommend constant syncronizing of files on a computer with a backup system.
• Stay regularly informed about security risks.
• Securly delete and wipe data from computers before recycling.