Windows 10 Automatic Upgrade on Your Computer Again

UPDATE: Windows 10 upgrade is now available as a “Recommended Update” for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. If you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10, check out the steps given below to prevent your computer from automatically upgrading to Windows 10.

When Microsoft released Windows 10 operating system to public and announced the free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users, they released a special program called “Get Windows 10” which was created to help users in upgrading their computers to Windows 10 easily. It was a good initiative but for those people who didn’t want to upgrade to Windows 10, it was just an annoying icon sitting in Taskbar notification area.

To help people in removing that “Get Windows 10” app and its icon we posted an exclusive tutorial:

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How to Disable or Remove “Get Windows 10 Upgrade” App and Icon from Taskbar?

It helped those people who were not willing to upgrade to the new Windows 10 OS. But now another new thing is coming to force you to upgrade your computer to Windows 10.

Recently Microsoft announced that very soon they are going to release Windows 10 as an “Optional Update” for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users which means if you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 operating system, you’ll see Windows 10 an an optional update listed in available Windows updates in coming days. Since it’ll be an optional update, it’ll not be selected by default. Hence it’ll not be downloaded and installed until you manually select it. That’s OK.

But Microsoft also said that in the beginning of next year i.e. 2016, they’ll release Windows 10 as “Recommended Update” for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users which means the update may be selected by default and the full Windows 10 setup files (offline ISO file) may be automatically downloaded on your computer without your knowledge.

Why? Because by default Windows Update is set to “Install updates automatically” option which means Windows automatically downloads and installs new updates on your computer including recommended updates (based upon the settings). So when Windows 10 will be released as recommended update, it’ll be automatically downloaded on your computer which will consume a big amount of your valuable Internet connection and if you are using an Internet connection with data limit, you’ll be in big trouble.

Although Microsoft said that once Windows 10 is downloaded on your computer, it’ll prompt you to install it and you can accept or decline the installation but it’ll be a complete waste of your Internet connection bandwidth if you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10.

Now there are two cases:

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CASE 1: If you want to upgrade to Windows 10, you don’t need to worry about anything. When Microsoft will release Windows 10 update, just upgrade your computer to Windows 10. Simple.

CASE 2: But if you are satisfied with your existing operating system and don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you should definitely follow the steps given in this tutorial to stop the upcoming automatic and forced Windows 10 upgrade in your computer:

You just need to adjust Windows Update settings in your computer to prevent the automatic upgrade to Windows 10. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Open Control Panel and click on Windows Update icon. Alternatively, you can direct launch Windows Update using wuapp.exe command in RUN dialog box or Start search box.

2. Now click on “Change Settings” link present in left sidebar. It’ll open Windows Update settings page.

PS: You can directly launch Windows Update settings page by running following command in RUN dialog box:

explorer shell:::{36EEF7DB-88AD-4E81-AD49-0E313F0C35F8}\pageSettings

3. Now first disable “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” option. If you disable this checkbox, Windows 10 update will not be automatically downloaded on your computer.

Windows_Update_Shows_Notification_of_New_Updates.png

4. Now also change “Important updates” option to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them” from the drop-down box. This way, all future updates will not be downloaded automatically. Instead Windows will notify you that new updates are available and then you can select which updates you want to install. I always keep this option selected in all computers. In my opinion that’s the best and safest way to install Windows updates in any computer.

Now you’ll have full control over new Windows updates and you’ll be able to decide which updates you want to install in your computer. Now when Windows 10 update becomes available and if you don’t want to install it, either leave the update unchecked (deselected) or right-click on the update and select “Hide update” option and Windows will not notify you again about this update.

That’s it. These steps will make sure that no automatic Windows 10 upgrade is going to happen in your computer and will prevent your computer from downloading the huge Windows 10 update when it becomes available.

But I’ll advise you to upgrade your computer to Windows 10, I’m using it as my primary OS and its awesome, believe me…

Btw if your computer was already upgraded to Windows 10 and now you want to restore previous version of Windows, following tutorial will help you:

How to Restore Previous Windows Version After Upgrading to Windows 10?

Also Check:

Microsoft Offers a Way to Prevent Windows 10 Upgrade on Windows 7

[Tip] Disable Telemetry and Data Collection on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. this notification icon popped up on my windows 7 the other day. i’ve tried to get rid of it thru TASK SCHEDULER but it kept coming back each time i restarted my computer. i did find a way to stop it though, if anyone wants to get rid of the notification entirely (icon and all) there is a folder in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder called GWX. All i did was i ended the gwx process using task manager (closing the app and getting rid of the notification icon. if the icon doesnt disappear just hover over it) then i went and renamed the gwx application in the GWX folder to something else. i did not delete the folder. although it only has been a couple days the icon hasnt come back yet.

  2. maybe windows 10 is good,but i can’t use my PPPOE connection,in win 7 it’s working,in WinX not

  3. How do we tell Microsoft that we do not want their crummy Windows 10 and that we want to get rid of this mad upgrade scheme permanently?

    Scientists need to keep their computer the SAME for many years (often up to 20). The rules of data integrity say that NO changes to the computer may be made for the life of the project.

    The principle of ceteris parabus applies to any scientific project. All things other than the variables being studied in the project must be kept cinstant and unchanging.

    This includes:

    – Computer hardware
    – Operating system
    – Any software used in the project.
    – Any scientific hardware used in the project.

    If anything has to be changed, we have to go through a long drawn out process to prove that the changes did not affect the project data in any way.

    If this proof cannot be obtained, the project is ruined.

  4. its the update KB2952664. uninstall it. and if you see it again on the monthly updates just hide it

  5. I eventually install each new Windows version, after waiting a considerable time to let the bugs get worked out.

    VG: Do you now feel comfortable using Win 10 and recommending it for everyone?

    KRS

  6. Hello VG
    Will this upgrade be available on PCs which are connected to a Domain Controller Server? As I had past issues where PCs with Win 7 Pro connected to the DC never got the GWX icon at all…

  7. Hello VG,
    How to fix high memory consumption by file service “ntoskrnl” on Windows 10 after upgrading shown in Task Manager.

  8. Hi VG,
    I have already “Your update to Windows 10 is ready” on my Windows Update pane and waits just to the restart of the machine.
    How can I disable this?

  9. I did that already before. There was no more buzzing on the taskbar or elsewhere, but the upgrade simply downloaded within regular update sessions end february. Unfortunately I didnt switch the update settings to “let me choose..” before. Did that today, but too late – the required restart might install W10. The only way is to remove it. I guess it is not yet visible in Update history or Installed updates. Where to remove or disable?

  10. i upgraded to window 10 on January 13 2016. when i start using it i had so many problems like the pc start by itself in the middle of the night.the google chrome and internet explore does not work well. different icon appears on the page. URL address bar always get selected with black color. and now i am back to window 7. they have option available to go back to previous version for 30 days. i love window 10. it is so good . it is the combination of window 7 and window 8. but i think my hp does not support it. any suggestion guys . love to hear some suggestion

  11. ^^ If you want the best experience, dont upgrade but perform clean install of Windows 10. You can create dual boot between Windows 7 and Windows 10.

  12. Guys, you can alternatively upgrade to Windows 10 without using the GWX control panel by this method:
    Download the media creation tool that was provided also by Microsoft alongside with the “Get Windows 10” control panel
    Here is the link:
    microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
    After opening the app, you will choose which method do you want: It’s either Upgrade your PC now or create a installation media, I would prefer to upgrade directly because it saves more time than to create a ISO image 🙂
    Also if you want to delete it forever (not “that” forever), Go to Windows Update and search for the following update :KB3035583
    Now uninstall the update or go to the system files:
    The directory is : C:\Windows\System32\GWX
    or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\GWX (in 64-bit systems only)
    Now delete those files and voilá

    You will not see the GWX control panel

  13. Today I left the office for a couple hours and when I return “welcome to Windows 10!” Screen has taken over my computer. I have declined the install several times and keeps coming back to this screen. I’ve turned off the computer and it again comes back to this screen. It’s as if it won’t let me access my computer unless I install it which I don’t want. I can’t get into anything, Windows bar, desktop, CtrAlt Del, nothing works. Any advice how to get back to my normal computer would be appreciated.

  14. ^^ Can you post a photo of that screen for better understanding the issue? I have never seen any such Windows 10 upgrade prompt at startup without going to the Desktop and taskbar.

  15. To block a surprise “upgrade” to WIN10 the Professional way, on Win7 flavors which offer Group Policy, update KB3050265 adds a Group Policy setting which support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050265 states:

    “This update installs a new Group Policy object that enables you to block upgrades to the latest version of Windows through Windows Update.”

    It does not block every Win10-related telemetry or tracking update, so remain vigilant. I recommend never installing any optional updates without reading them. Better still to turn off auto-update, read them and make informed decisions.

  16. Thank you for this information. I updated from factory-installed 8.0 on a Dell to 8.1 and then could not download any photos or video from my LG phone for 2 years. Then I turned off updates completely after MS tried to install 10 in the most obnoxious pushy way. Ever since installing 8.1 programs did not work and my keyboard would produce different characters than I typed. Finally reverted back to 8 and was able to download all the data from my phone, what a relief! Then spent 2 days re-configuring everything and it was working great, until the 8.1 message popped up. Glad to find this guide and all the helpful comments. Thanks everyone!

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