How to remove Windows 10 upgrade updates in Windows 7 and 8

[Hedied4me]

Hedied4me:

In Windows Update window click to go into details of which updates will be installed and unselect Windows 10, but you will have to unselect each time you update. So for a better solution, you can uninstall Windows 10 updates (see the list of updates mentioned in this thread) or add the following 2 keys to the registry (values are case sensitive):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
new DWORD 32-bit value
DisableOSUpgrade = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx
new DWORD 32-bit value
DisableGwx = 1

Thank you kindly for your response. The weird thing is I have kb:3035583 and kb:2952664 and Windows 10 updates hidden so they will not install. Even if I just try to select one update to install like Windows Malicious Software Removal tool I still get stuck with "getting setup files". I have the second registry key added (Disable Gwx), would you mind helping me with the first one. I ask because I do not see HKLM/SOFTWARE in the registry editor. All my options are hkeys. Again thank you for your help.

 

[GokAy]

Yes, HKLM is HKEY Local Machine. Rest is same as written. I have a proper .reg file at another place so couldn't link and had to find these from the net. I see the format was different for the two. Sorry to confuse you.

Edit: May need to restart PC

 

[Hedied4me]

Yes, HKLM is HKEY Local Machine. Rest is same as written. I have a proper .reg file at another place so couldn't link and had to find these from the net. I see the format was different for the two. Sorry to confuse you.

Edit: May need to restart PC

Again thank you for your response. Apparently I already have that one set as well. Still same problem. Ill go through and check to make sure that list of kb updates a few posts back are not installed. Other than that Im at a loss at what else I can do. Several times Ive reset windows update using all methods listed here http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91738-windows-update-reset.html and made sure im using the current windows update agent available. If anybody else has any other suggestions Id very much appreciate it.

I simply cannot understand why Microsoft is doing this especially after all the lawsuits they've had over shoving software down our throats (ms office & internet explorer). /rant

 

[hazel123]

Crikey! You mean you are getting Windows 10 updates while running Windows 7? So have we got to be careful of Windows updates currently then? My machine isn't 100% since upgrading to Windows 10 then going back to Windows 7 - think I might have to reinstall from a system image. It's not too bad but slow to load with all icons blanked out for a minute or two on boot up.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Hedied4me:

In Windows Update window click to go into details of which updates will be installed and unselect Windows 10, but you will have to unselect each time you update. So for a better solution, you can uninstall Windows 10 updates (see the list of updates mentioned in this thread) or add the following 2 keys to the registry (values are case sensitive):

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
new DWORD 32-bit value
DisableOSUpgrade = 1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx
new DWORD 32-bit value
DisableGwx = 1

If the values are case sensitive, then where is an authoritative source for the values? This blog uses DisableGWX.

And then there are these:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade]
"AllowOSUpgrade"=dword:00000000
"ReservationsAllowed"=dword:00000000[COLOR=#333333][FONT=Segoe UI][/FONT][/COLOR]

 

[GokAy]

UNI: I found this on another page (couldn't find it here at friend's place) but here is a MS page about the reg keys:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080351

I couldn't find anything about the case sensitivity, it was my understanding that registry keys would be case sensitive. I guess that is not the case always?

 

[Hedied4me]

My current list. And keep your eyes open, MS is always throwing us the same Windows 10 updates, 2 duplicates came out in the last 2 weeks.


Updates not to Install

KB2876229 SKYPE, If you want Skype then install it.
KB2923545 RDP
KB2970228
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917
KB3068708 Telemetry
KB2592687
KB2660075
KB2506928
KB2952664 x2
KB3050265
KB2726535
KB2994023
KB3022345 Replaced by KB3068708 Telemetry

KB3022345 Caused false sfc result
KB2545698 (IE9)
KB3065987
KB3077715
KB3078667
KB3080149 Telemetry
KB3075249 Telemetry
KB2999226

Thank you so much for this list. I had several of these installed:

kb:2923545
kb:2970228
kb:2952687
kb:2660075
kb:2506928
kb:3050265
kb:2726535
kb:2545698
kb:3065987

I uninstalled them, rebooted and ran windows update. And now I can update again. It seems we need to be vigilant about not installing these specific updates listed by AddRAM. Perhaps we can make a sticky somewhere of these and any future ones added, just to have an updated list. For now my problem is solved but Im fairly certain the fight is not over yet. Again thank you AddRAM, please let us know in this thread if you find more.

EDIT: Also thank you as well GokAy
EDIT2: Funny thing is almost every optional update I had except for 3 of them were those listed by AddRAM. Makes you wonder if any of their security updates are really necessary.

 

[Hedied4me]

Well apparently there is one or more missing from that list because Im getting "getting setup files" and downloading Windows 10 again after updating. Here are the updates I installed:

KB3069114
KB3086255
KB3075226
KB3084135
KB3071756
KB3087918
KB3080079
KB3060716
KB3083710
KB3076949
KB3076895
KB3087038
KB2758857
KB3078601
KB3046017
KB3092627
KB3083992
KB3079757
KB3087039
KB3083324

I hope me posting this isnt considered spamming the thread. Im just trying to help others and myself in the process. Thanks

 

[Brds7t7]

Well apparently there is one or more missing from that list because Im getting "getting setup files" and downloading Windows 10 again after updating. Here are the updates I installed:

KB3069114
KB3086255
KB3075226
KB3084135
KB3071756
KB3087918
KB3080079
KB3060716
KB3083710
KB3076949
KB3076895
KB3087038
KB2758857
KB3078601
KB3046017
KB3092627
KB3083992
KB3079757
KB3087039
KB3083324

I hope me posting this isnt considered spamming the thread. Im just trying to help others and myself in the process. Thanks

The main ones you need to avoid are KB2990214 and all subsequent Windows update client updates. Those are the updates that download and install 10 through WU. And of course KB3035583 which is the annoying Get Windows 10 app.

 

[MeOnMine]

Its early morning Monday 12 Oct and I have had a repeat attack KB2952664 Compatibility Update.
Also one I had not seen before but is now Hidden KB3083710 Windows Update Client for Windows 7 : October 2015.

Both were Optional and may have been there a day of two, I don't know.

 

[Brds7t7]

There are many versions of KB2952664, I have two in my list but it's up to about v16 now. I also have 2 KB3035583 in the list now.
And expect the windows update client updates to be a monthly occurance now. Presumably as they try and improve on all the failures that have occurred upgrading to 10 through WU.
The Media Creation Tool is the preferred option anyway.

 

[michael diemer]

Has anybody tried using system restore to get rid of the updates? Take it back to before the damnable GWX installed itself, beginning the madness we now do battle with?

 

[Brds7t7]

Has anybody tried using system restore to get rid of the updates? Take it back to before the damnable GWX installed itself, beginning the madness we now do battle with?

From what I've seen, that one is a pain to get rid of. I've never installed it on my main machine as I've always had it hidden. But I've seen some people say it's been a difficult one to get rid of. Best thing to do is keep regular System Images. I tend to roll back using those instead of System Restore these days. I create one before any major WU updates get installed. I keep the last 3 months worth of System images (and one for doing a clean install which I haven't needed yet).

 

[Hedied4me]

The main ones you need to avoid are KB2990214 and all subsequent Windows update client updates. Those are the updates that download and install 10 through WU. And of course KB3035583 which is the annoying Get Windows 10 app.

When you say all subsequent Windows update client updates, do you mean all numbers higher than 2990214? Otherwise Im not sure I understand.

It ended up being KB3083710, which I uninstalled. However I wont know for sure until another update comes through because I have no more updates right now; which I need an update to see if I get "getting update files" and downloading Windows 10 while trying any update.

EDIT: Brds7t7, can you only create system images to an alternate hard drive or dvdrw? I only ask because it would not allow me to select my main ssd. Will it take more space than a single layer dvdrw; I only have a 250gb ssd.

 

[Brds7t7]

The main ones you need to avoid are KB2990214 and all subsequent Windows update client updates. Those are the updates that download and install 10 through WU. And of course KB3035583 which is the annoying Get Windows 10 app.

When you say all subsequent Windows update client updates, do you mean all numbers higher than 2990214? Otherwise Im not sure I understand.

It ended up being KB3083710, which I uninstalled. However I wont know for sure until another update comes through because I have no more updates right now; which I need an update to see if I get "getting update files" and downloading Windows 10 while trying any update.

EDIT: Brds7t7, can you only create system images to a alternate hard drive or dvdrw? I only ask because it would not allow me to select my main ssd.

KB3083710 is the latest one. Sorry couldn't remember the number as I'm not at my pc. That one replaces all the previous monthly WU client updates. There will be one every month so keep a look out and if it says Windows update client either hide it or use the Group Policy/Reg entry to stop the upgrade to 10.

It's always better to create a system image on an external drive. If you create it on the same drive as your windows install and the drive dies then you're screwed.
The only option you'll have then is clean install.
It depends on your install and how big you have shadow copy storage set on the backup partition. The larger you set it, the more images it will keep before it starts to delete them.

Edit: Forgot to mention you can always use a 3rd party tool like Macrium Reflect Free. Also does a fantastic job of imaging. And the newer version now has differential images too which is handy if you don't have a lot of space for many full backups.

 

[Hedied4me]

The main ones you need to avoid are KB2990214 and all subsequent Windows update client updates. Those are the updates that download and install 10 through WU. And of course KB3035583 which is the annoying Get Windows 10 app.

When you say all subsequent Windows update client updates, do you mean all numbers higher than 2990214? Otherwise Im not sure I understand.

It ended up being KB3083710, which I uninstalled. However I wont know for sure until another update comes through because I have no more updates right now; which I need an update to see if I get "getting update files" and downloading Windows 10 while trying any update.

EDIT: Brds7t7, can you only create system images to a alternate hard drive or dvdrw? I only ask because it would not allow me to select my main ssd.

KB3083710 is the latest one. Sorry couldn't remember the number as I'm not at my pc. That one replaces all the previous monthly WU client updates. There will be one every month so keep a look out and if it says Windows update client either hide it or use the Group Policy/Reg entry to stop the upgrade to 10.

It's always better to create a system image on an external drive. If you create it on the same drive as your windows install and the drive dies then you're screwed.
The only option you'll have then is clean install.
It depends on your install and how big you have shadow copy storage set on the backup partition. The larger you set it, the more images it will keep before it starts to delete them.

Edit: Forgot to mention you can always use a 3rd party tool like Macrium Reflect Free. Also does a fantastic job of imaging. And the newer version now has differential images too which is handy if you don't have a lot of space for many full backups.

Sorry if this is OT. Just one last quick question. I downloaded Macrium Reflect Free. Am I right in understanding that I only need to select the option to "Create an image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows". Again thank you for your help

 

[Brds7t7]

When you say all subsequent Windows update client updates, do you mean all numbers higher than 2990214? Otherwise Im not sure I understand.

It ended up being KB3083710, which I uninstalled. However I wont know for sure until another update comes through because I have no more updates right now; which I need an update to see if I get "getting update files" and downloading Windows 10 while trying any update.

EDIT: Brds7t7, can you only create system images to a alternate hard drive or dvdrw? I only ask because it would not allow me to select my main ssd.

KB3083710 is the latest one. Sorry couldn't remember the number as I'm not at my pc. That one replaces all the previous monthly WU client updates. There will be one every month so keep a look out and if it says Windows update client either hide it or use the Group Policy/Reg entry to stop the upgrade to 10.

It's always better to create a system image on an external drive. If you create it on the same drive as your windows install and the drive dies then you're screwed.
The only option you'll have then is clean install.
It depends on your install and how big you have shadow copy storage set on the backup partition. The larger you set it, the more images it will keep before it starts to delete them.

Edit: Forgot to mention you can always use a 3rd party tool like Macrium Reflect Free. Also does a fantastic job of imaging. And the newer version now has differential images too which is handy if you don't have a lot of space for many full backups.

Sorry if this is OT. Just one last quick question. I downloaded Macrium Reflect Free. Am I right in understand that I only need to select the option to "Create and image of the partition(s) required to backup and restore Windows". Again thank you for your help

Yes, that's all you need really. I like to have my data on a separate partition from Windows. That way you can keep your images smaller and makes backup/restore a lot quicker.
I then use normal folder to folder copy on the data partition.

 

[A Guy]

Wolfgang has a tutorial you may want to look through

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

A Guy

 

[kufr]

I found this thread really useful to check and remove most of the patches related to windows 10 upgrade/nagware

Updates to hide to prevent Windows 10 Upgrade / Disable Telemetry - AnandTech Forums

 

[Brds7t7]

I found this thread really useful to check and remove most of the patches related to windows 10 upgrade/nagware

Updates to hide to prevent Windows 10 Upgrade / Disable Telemetry - AnandTech Forums

That list seems a little OTT if you ask me. They're referencing updates which have nothing to do with Windows 10.
One example is the update which fixes a memory leak in DWM. This clearly has nothing to do with Windows 10.
Some articles seem a little extreme to me. The next thing we'll get is articles telling people not to install Security Updates, which is a bad idea.