Windows 11 downloaded but not installed. Is there any way I can prevent it from installing permanent

[wackadoo wabbit]

(That last word should be "permanently." I ran out of space.)

Anyway, I could have prevented the download from happening, apparently, but I never dreamt that MS would force it on me like this. (Yeah, I know. More fool me.)

Now Windows 11 has been downloaded onto my computer, but I've put off the restart for a while, to keep it from actually installing. Is there any way I can permanently stop it from installing?

Apparently, once it is installed, it looks as if I can choose to go back to Windows 10, but I'd rather just not install it at all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much in advance!

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Why would you?

Seems like the 11 version hasn't had any impact on my OS. Except it wants to make Edge my default browser....I made sure it isn't.

[wackadoo wabbit]

2. From everything I've read, Windows 11 is basically spyware

And I am adamently against spyware on my devices. I'm borderline fanatical about safe computing, so the last thing I want to do is install an OS that's collecting my data.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. oh well...it might be spying on me, but...

it will be be sadly disappointed. I do all my important stuff on a VPN so I don't really worry about MS.

[multigraincracker]

5. I do my important stuff in person.

My bank and insurance company are going nuts. They have to see my face in front of them when they send me an email. Old and retired with too much time on my hands.

[wackadoo wabbit]

6. A VPN isn't going to protect you

At boot-up, even before an internet connection was made, they found that Windows 11 was already busy sending information to Microsoft and third-party servers. [emphasis mine]

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/here-are-all-the-ways-windows-11-is-spying-on-you/

Please also note the "third-party servers" part of the above sentence. Windows 11 is severely compromising.

[bullimiami]

4. Creative writing. There is plenty of obnoxious unnecessary bloat already in a W10 install.

11 just seems to be continuing the cute and clever trend.

I’m not seeing anything much with it except it’s a fairly unnecessary change.
Just requires a little tidy up of the extras.