If the Windows Update system placed a safeguard hold for Windows 11 23H2 (2023 Update) because of a compatibility issue with your computer software or hardware configuration, you can disable the block and continue with the upgrade process (even though it’s not recommended), and in this guide, you will learn how.
On every rollout of a new version, the operating system may still have some known issues that can negatively affect the experience. However, instead of halting the rollout, Microsoft usually places a block (officially known as “safeguard hold”) to temporarily prevent affected devices from getting the feature update. After the issue has been resolved by the company or external sources, the safeguard hold is removed to continue with the rollout.
If the upgrade option to Windows 11 2023 Update is missing from the Windows Update settings, you can disable the policy that prevents the upgrade through the Group Policy Editor or Registry. Typically, this process isn’t recommended because you may encounter problems during and after the upgrade, but you may choose to change this setting if it’s been some time and the new version isn’t downloaded automatically or you plan to test the feature update on a spare computer.
This guide will teach you the steps to disable the safeguard hold policy on Windows 11.
- Disable block from Group Policy to install Windows 11 23H2
- Disable block from Registry to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2
Disable block from Group Policy to install Windows 11 23H2
To disable the safeguard hold to upgrade Windows 11 23H2, use these steps:
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Open Start on Windows 11.
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Search for gpedit.msc, select the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
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Browse the following path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update
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Double-click the “Disable Safeguards for Feature Updates” policy.
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Select the Enabled option.
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Click the Apply button.
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Click the OK button.
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Restart your computer.
Once you complete the steps, the safeguard hold will no longer prevent the device from upgrading to the new version. However, it might take up to two days before the feature update becomes available on your computer.
The policy will reset after the upgrade, which means that you will have to configure it again if your device has the same problem during the next feature update rollout.
Disable block from Registry to install Windows 11 23H2
To bypass the safeguard hold to install Windows 11 23H2 from the Registry, use these steps:
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Open Start.
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Search for regedit, and select the top result to open the Registry.
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Browse the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows
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Right-click the “Windows” key, select the New submenu, and choose the Key option.
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Name the key WindowsUpdate and press enter.
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Right-click the “WindowsUpdate” key, select the New submenu, and choose the “DWORD (32-bit) Value” option.
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Name the key DisableWUfBSafeguards and press enter.
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Double-click the newly created key and set its value from 0 to 1.
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Click the OK button.
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Restart your computer.
After you complete the steps, the option to install Windows 11 23H2 will be available from the Windows Update settings when you are ready to upgrade.
This feature may only work for devices that meet the minimum requirements to run Windows 11. You will need to follow a different set of instructions to upgrade a computer with unsupported hardware.