Unenrollment not working. What do I do?

Question

Unenrollment not working. What do I do?

Jay Gourley 21

My Windows 11 PC has been "queued for unenrollment" for weeks now, but Windows Update keeps installing Release Preview updates.

Release Preview was the channel I briefly enrolled in a few months ago. I unenrolled from shortly thereafter. Today, Windows Update installed Version 25H2 Build 26200.7015 that was just released yesterday on the Windows Insider Release Preview channel. I believe this is the third new Insider release I've received since unenrolling from Windows Insider. Throughout this time, the device setting for Windows Insider has consistently showed "Queued for unenrollment."

I've wasted too much time on useless bots like the one on this hub site, Copilot and others. I hope someone here can offer some accurate insight.

8 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Pauli O 14,525 Volunteer Moderator

You can get out of getting previews by deleting WindowsSelfHost key from registry.

Open regedit and delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost key and restart to get your device out of getting previews.

Jay Gourley 21 Reputation points

2025-10-22T17:38:41.98+00:00

Thanks, Pauli O. I removed the key. Settings no longer shows queued for unenrollment. It now appears as I would expect were I never enrolled. As expected, I still have the preview build. Will the next general release replace that build? Even if it has a lower build number? What should I expect to happen and when, now that the key is gone, and settings no longer says I'm queued for unenrollment?
Pauli O 14,525 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-22T18:06:13.43+00:00

Just wait for next Cumulative Update (or it's preview) which will be released for public version and you are up to date.
Jay Gourley 21 Reputation points

2025-10-22T20:57:12.3+00:00

Thanks again, Pauli O. I'm not sure how to interpret that. Do you mean when the next cumulative update is rolled out or when my system updates. My question was meant to ask if my system would replace the build now installed with one of a lower build number. I may be wrong, but I assume the next cumulative update will have a lower build number than the preview build now installed.

Answer 2

CrazyKats 11,975 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Jay,

You are up to date with the latest release.

You don't need to/won't go to a lower build

with the next update. Build 26200 is the newest.

Jay Gourley 21 Reputation points

2025-10-22T21:22:39.5633333+00:00

Thanks, CrazyKats.

Now I'm really confused.

You say Windows Update won't go to a lower build number. But in the context of general release builds, that seems to contradict what you said about me being up to date.

According to the revision website (https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/windows/release-health/resolved-issues-windows-11-25h2), the most current build in general release is OS Build 26100.6899. I believe my currently installed build 26200.7015 is a Preview Channel build not yet in general release. Though I'm confused enough at the moment to be unsure. That installed build has a higher number than the general release build on the website and possibly a higher build number than the 26200 in your post.

So I still don't know what happens when, or even if I have or soon will have a general release OS.

I believe an earlier Preview Channel release may have corrupted the SMBIOS in my Surface Pro 9. So it's important for me know when I'm free of the Windows Insider program. As my original post explained, the unenrollment has not appeared to work. I'm hopeful that Pauli O's suggestion about removing the registry key will lead to a resolution, but I'm still looking for a way to track that and confirm that my systems will not suffer any damage from a Windows Insider build.
CrazyKats 11,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-22T21:33:08.4266667+00:00

Build 26200 has gotten released to the Public.

You are fine with the build you're on.

If you were on 26100 it would get 26200.
Jay Gourley 21 Reputation points

2025-10-22T22:08:55.5133333+00:00
Thanks again, CrazyKats. I don't think I've made the question clear. There are three parts:

Am I correct that the build now installed in my Windows 11 ver 25H2 computer (build 26200.7015) is an Insider build and not in general release build?

Assuming the answer is yes to the first question and in light of having removed the WindowsSelfHost registry key, will my computer update to a general release build (meaning not Insider build) at the next cumulative update if that update has a build number less than 26200.7015?

Given that the unenrollment sequence did not work prior to removing the registry key and given that the key is now removed and assuming my computer does accept a cumulative update in the future, how will I know if that update is an Insider build or a general release build?

There may still be ambiguity in my questions. If so, please describe it. I will try again.

Answer 3

CrazyKats 11,975 Volunteer Moderator

Hi,

#1. Build 26200.7015 was released to

Release Preview and Release.

#3. Generally when an update goes out

to Release Preview (Insider) it also goes

to Release (General Public).

Answer 4

Jay Gourley 21

I got another preview update today. I think this is the third since I unenrolled from the preview build. At least in my case, the unenrollment documentation is incorrect. I've wasted too much time on this. I'll have to learn to live with perpetual preview builds that occasionally may force me to send my Surface to Microsoft for repair if it's still in warranty the next time. I wish there were a better way to warn others.

DAVID V 10 Reputation points

2025-10-29T20:39:50.9366667+00:00

Preview updates are normal when you have "Get the Latest Updates" selected. They don't have anything to do with Insider. They are advanced releases of the normal Tuesday Patch Day updates. Nothing to be concerned about.

Answer 5

CrazyKats 11,975 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Jay,

If you go to Windows Update, Windows

Insider Program is there a mark in any

of the Insider Channels?

If there isn't then you are not getting a

Preview update. There are times that an

update goes to Release Preview and Release

at the same time. If Release Preview is still

selected, then you need to delete that Registry

key again and not choose anything.

Jay Gourley 21 Reputation points

2025-10-29T13:25:11.7633333+00:00

Thanks, CrazyKats.

There is no indication in my Windows Update Insider settings that I am enrolled in the insider program. The list of insider channels you refer to is gone. It disappeared when I removed the WindowsSelfHost register key explained in this thread in the comments with Pauli O. My account is not connected to the Insider program. Yet today build 26200.7019 replaced build 26200.7015. I think this is the fourth insider update since I unenrolled. It is at least the third. It is the first since I removed the register key.

I don't blame you for not believing me. I believe if you could access my computer, you would quickly see Microsoft's documentation on unenrollment does not deserve unshakable faith.

There does not seem to be an answer. All frontline support could do would be to repeat what the documentation says, the same thing you are accurately reporting.
Pauli O 14,525 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-29T13:58:34.4+00:00

Yet today build 26200.7019 replaced build 26200.7015.

This update is released for insiders in Release Preview ring and optional for all users in 24H2 and 25H2. It will be installed if you have turn on this option in update settings.

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Unenrollment not working. What do I do?

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