INQUISITR.COM / Science & Tech

Windows 10 Makes It Harder For 7 And 8.1 Users To Opt Out Or Avoid Upgrades

By Jinger Jarrett
Published on: 13:30 PST, Oct 17, 2015

PC World reported that Microsoft is now making it harder for Windows 7 and 8.1 users to avoid upgrading to Windows 10. Several users have stated that they are no longer seeing the options in the Control Panel for installing the new updates. Instead they are receiving messages telling them that Windows 10 is now ready for upgrade and to restart their PCs to begin the installation.

Another user received a message with a countdown timer. The screen no longer gives the option of cancelling the upgrade completely, only the option to reschedule. Microsoft previously confirmed that Windows 10 was being automatically downloaded to Windows 7 and 8.1 machines and consumes about 6 GB of space. Microsoft released a statement to PC World saying the upgrade is only done with the user’s consent.

“The image you are showing is related to existing Windows 7 and 8 customers who have already opted in to the Windows 10 upgrade and this is the last step in the process. Recently we added the option to reschedule the Windows 10 upgrade based on customer feedback.”

As previously reported in Inquisitr, Windows 7 and 8.1 users had the option of turning off the upgrade as well as deleting any files that had been downloaded. The update to Windows 10 only took place if the user chose to install it. For those who chose not to accept the upgrade, it was possible to adjust the computer settings to prevent the update and stop the update from downloading again. Although Microsoft is pushing hard for users to upgrade to the new operating system, many Windows 7 and 8.1 users are satisfied with their operating systems and may not want to upgrade yet.

Infoworld said that it was still possible to disable the upgrade to Windows 10 and get rid of the nagware users were receiving to remind them to upgrade. For those looking for a solution to the nagware problem and to prevent the upgrade to Windows 10, Josh Mayfield offered the following solution: the GWX Control Panel.

The GWX Control Panel, if used early enough in the update cycle, will put an end to the upgrade for good. What it does is delete the icon in the taskbar, remove and hide any of the offending KB patches in Windows Updates in the control panel, and then changes the registry setting to let Windows 10 know not to perform anymore updates to the system.

To determine if Windows 7 or 8.1 is infected with the Windows 10 upgrade, it is necessary to check the Windows Update panel within the control panel. If the panel shows the normal updates and optional updates, then the system hasn’t been infected. It is only necessary to set the system to notify of new updates but not install those updates until the user has had time to view them and choose which updates to install.

If the upgrade to Windows 10 screen shows up, it is still possible to prevent the update. The way to avoid the update is to click the link that says to “Show All Updates.” This allows the user to choose which updates to install and avoid installing Windows 10. Unchecking the “Install Windows 10” on the menu will prevent the system from automatically updating to the new operating system.

Once the appropriate updates have been selected, and the Windows 10 update disabled, it is now possible to install only the updates the user wants. As a last resort, users may consider using the restore point and rolling back the system to a time prior to September 15. Since it may cause problems with the system, especially if the user has installed new software or drivers, consider this option if nothing else works.

[Photo Credit Public Domain]

Share this article: Windows 10 Makes It Harder For 7 And 8.1 Users To Opt Out Or Avoid Upgrades
microsoft
More from Inquisitr