How to remove the 'Get Windows 10' app from your PC

[Brink]

PCs that Microsoft determines cannot run Windows 10 will not see the Get Windows 10 app before July 29, 2015. After July 29, 2015, Microsoft will enable the icon in the system tray. This is to help ensure that you can easily check your PC’s compatibility if you choose.

The Get Windows 10 (GWX) app helps you understand your Windows 10 upgrade options and device readiness, and gives you the opportunity to get a free copy of Windows 10.

See tutorials below:

• Get Windows 10 Icon - Remove from Taskbar in Windows 7 and 8.1 - Windows 10 Forums
• How to Enable or Disable Upgrade to Windows 10 in Windows Update for Windows 7 and 8.1

   Tip

• Check Get Windows 10 app Compatibility Report for Windows 10 in Window 7 and 8.1

 

[Boozad]

This needs stickying to the top of General, it'll save thousands of new threads!

 

[ThrashZone]

That's funny they called it the "Hamburger button" on the top left hee-hee

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you very much.

 

[HP Win7 User]

Is there a list of "Windows 10 prep" updates that I should be aware of? I want to know if they're on my computer already or will be coming so that I can block and/or uninstall them.

I don't want this Microsoft junkware getting into my machine.

 

[Brink]

Hello HP Win7 User,

The link for the tutorial in the first post will give you more details about this.

Basically, if you have the "Get Windows 10" app icon in your taskbar notification area, then you could reserve a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you like when it is available starting on July 29th 2015. You have until July 29th 2016 (1 year) to reserve.

 

[Urthboundmisfit]

Is there a list of "Windows 10 prep" updates that I should be aware of? I want to know if they're on my computer already or will be coming so that I can block and/or uninstall them.

I don't want this Microsoft junkware getting into my machine.

Yes...

KB2952664 Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7
KB2990214 Update that enables... upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows
KB3021917 Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements
KB3035583 Update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications...
KB3050265 Windows Update Client for Windows 7: June 2015

KB2952664 adds the "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" to Task Scheduler\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ which starts the process.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Beware KB2952664

I updated my PC yesterday and KB2952664 reinstalled itself.

My W7 "pretended" to be locked up, when I told it to uninstall KB2952664.
It just sat on the configuring updates screen doing nothing.
After 5 minutes I manually restarted my PC and it seems to be working properly (for now).

Update
Something broke (see this post).

 

[XxChrisxX]

Microsoft strikes again!

 

[z3r010]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

 

[Vipermk2]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

Because no one will actually buy something that looks like win 98

 

[z3r010]

It looks nothing like Windows 98!!!

 

[Brink]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

Because no one will actually buy something that looks like win 98

Perhaps you should try it before making a false statement like that.

Download Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO File - Windows 10 Forums

 

[Alejandro85]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

It's not a matter of giving "free stuff" or even in the quality of Win10, it doesn't matters. What matters is that Microsoft is purposely INFECTING computers with ADWARE though Windows update (a distribution channel that everyone believed was for other purposes). With this move, what MS made is putting themselves at the same level of those pesky installers that bundle "extras" unrelated to the original program.

Even if this update notification would be so important to merit inclussion in Windows update (which is not, of course) it must at the very least be clearly marked as such, instead of being disguised as a random improvement. So, sorry to disagree here, but that's clearly a strike against everyone who trust Microsoft software.

 

[Brink]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

It's not a matter of giving "free stuff" or even in the quality of Win10, it doesn't matters. What matters is that Microsoft is purposely INFECTING computers with ADWARE though Windows update (a distribution channel that everyone believed was for other purposes). With this move, what MS made is putting themselves at the same level of those pesky installers that bundle "extras" unrelated to the original program.

Even if this update notification would be so important to merit inclussion in Windows update (which is not, of course) it must at the very least be clearly marked as such, instead of being disguised as a random improvement. So, sorry to disagree here, but that's clearly a strike against everyone who trust Microsoft software.

I wouldn't consider letting you know about a free "optional" Windows operating system upgrade adware either. :sarc:

 

[z3r010]

Microsoft strikes again!

Yes, giving free stuff to the masses :sarc:

It's not a matter of giving "free stuff" or even in the quality of Win10, it doesn't matters. What matters is that Microsoft is purposely INFECTING computers with ADWARE though Windows update (a distribution channel that everyone believed was for other purposes). With this move, what MS made is putting themselves at the same level of those pesky installers that bundle "extras" unrelated to the original program.

Absolute nonsense.

 

[Alejandro85]

I wouldn't consider letting you know about a free "optional" Windows operating system upgrade adware either. :sarc:

They don't only let you know about new Windows versions. They install a piece of software into computers and put it to autorun, giving no clear way of removing it, all this without user knowledge or conscent.
How do you know that this injected program does "only" what you see and not something else?
If you look at the files in the GWX folder you'll see references to "telemetry" or something like that. I can be wrong about this, but has the user explictly given permission for usage metrics to be collected? Moreover, if that data is sent to Microsoft (I don't know if it's actually done, but it might) we would be talking about spyware too. Evidence suggest that.

On the other hand, awareness about Windows 10 could be achieved by other means, advertising on media, websites, Google ads, banners in Bing, though pre-infected computers from OEMs like former versions, there are many advertising options that decent companies can take, but they choose to put a PUP in Windows Update. Should the user explictly given the option and the knowledge of what will happen when they install the "update", then it would be an acceptable business practice.

 

[Alejandro85]

Absolute nonsense.

Care to explain why?

 

[Brink]

I wouldn't consider letting you know about a free "optional" Windows operating system upgrade adware either. :sarc:

They don't only let you know about new Windows versions. They install a piece of software into computers and put it to autorun, giving no clear way of removing it, all this without user knowledge or conscent.
How do you know that this injected program does "only" what you see and not something else?
If you look at the files in the GWX folder you'll see references to "telemetry" or something like that. I can be wrong about this, but has the user explictly given permission for usage metrics to be collected? Moreover, if that data is sent to Microsoft (I don't know if it's actually done, but it might) we would be talking about spyware too. Evidence suggest that.

On the other hand, awareness about Windows 10 could be achieved by other means, advertising on media, websites, Google ads, banners in Bing, though pre-infected computers from OEMs like former versions, there are many advertising options that decent companies can take, but they choose to put a PUP in Windows Update. Should the user explictly given the option and the knowledge of what will happen when they install the "update", then it would be an acceptable business practice.

Incorrect and paranoia.

The telemetry is only used to check for compatibility and if you reserve your free upgrade to Windows 10.

Like any Windows Update, you always have the option to uninstall it.

I would understand this paranoia if it advertised 3rd party products for sale, but it doesn't. It's only to check for compatibility, and offer you a free optional upgrade to Windows 10. That's all.

 

[marsmimar]

This is not a reply to any particular post in this thread and I'm not taking sides about how Microsoft chooses to inform users that Windows 10 will be available. Having said that, I went back to the Windows Update Services Privacy Statement. It states, in part:

Choice and control
Update Services are turned on if you choose one of the following settings: (a) install updates automatically; (b) download updates but let me choose whether to install them; or (c) check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them. The Windows Update service is turned on and set to "Install updates automatically" when you choose the express settings during Windows setup.

If you turn on the Update Services, regardless of which setting you have chosen, required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.

Source: Microsoft Windows Update

To repeat: ...required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.

I'm not a lawyer. Don't even play one on TV. But if Microsoft feels the need to notify users that Windows 10 will soon be available; and if they also feel that placing an icon in everyone's system tray is part of a "...required update to some components of the service..."; then so be it. Microsoft owns the ball, they own the playing field, and they make the rules for the game they own and developed.