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

[ThrashZone]

Susan Bradley, Microsoft MVP

Windows 10 and the forced release | Small Business Susan

A Guy

Good one

 

[jelson]

I did have a scare last month when booted and suddenly realized it was downloading updates when no authority from myself.Panicked to be honest and switched it off. Booted again and again it started. ....

Oh wow! It really seems like Microsoft is trying to force everyone to upgrade to Windows 10, when not everyone wants to upgrade! I've heard that now people's computers are upgrading without their permission! Hopefully all of these updates will go away when Windows 10 won't be free anymore. Also when you say you did a recovery, do you mean from an image backup?! It sounded like it as you lost a few programs!

Been seeing more reports about this. Susan Bradley reported today that it happened to her -- she writes the "Patch Watch" column for the Windows Secrets website. [Note: many articles there, like the "Patch Watch" ones, require a paid subscription to be able to read the whole thing.]

She pointed out that most of the time, there's a very easy miss opt-out link on the Win10 upgrade dialog. But on one of her Win7 machines, "there was no option to cancel the upgrade; the installation process started without my explicit approval, and at this time I'm simply waiting for the system to reboot."

Looks like MS is getting sneaky (or just plain desperate) to make people upgrade to Windows 10 whether they want to or not.

EDIT: Heh... just saw that A Guy has posted the link to Bradley's blog where she calls out MS for being a huge bully. Coincidence that a few days later one of her systems is forced to upgrade to Win10...? :sarc:

 

[ThrashZone]

Hard to have sympathy for anyone looking at the gwx icon on the taskbar for about 12 months to not think win-10 is coming to them sooner or later

 

[Warrior]

Recovery as in System restore. Old faithful. Always do system restore point before adding anything new and not known etc. Serviced me well.

I do have backups on ext HD via W7 but l have always done cut and paste of my docs and used Mozbackup for settings etc. Had back up programs let me down.

shame Mozbackup isnt being undated for later Firefox. But it still worked for older settings on latest version when reinstalled. Meant got most of bookmarks etc.
And Recuva got me back emails - great program that one too.

 

[Brds7t7]

MS is basically breaking it's own guidelines with this recent GWX:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/windows/desktop/dn742499(v=vs.85).aspx

To quote: "The Close button on the title bar should have the same effect as the Cancel or Close button within the dialog box. Never give it the same effect as OK."

 

[alphaniner]

To their perverse minds, the "Download now, upgrade later" button is probably the equivalent of cancel button...

I was "comfortably numb" about this WRT my own machine, but now I have to prepare a repaired Win7 machine for deployment to a customer. My company only sold maybe a handful of Win7 machines, and only this one is still in service, so there is no policy in place for dealing with this.

 

[astroroxy10]

Recovery as in System restore. Old faithful. Always do system restore point before adding anything new and not known etc. Serviced me well.

I do have backups on ext HD via W7 but l have always done cut and paste of my docs and used Mozbackup for settings etc. Had back up programs let me down.

shame Mozbackup isnt being undated for later Firefox. But it still worked for older settings on latest version when reinstalled. Meant got most of bookmarks etc.
And Recuva got me back emails - great program that one too.

Ohh that's what you meant! Yep it's always a great idea to do that! I've created them and they have always worked well! It's strange how it deleted emails and things in programs, as it shouldn't affect your personal files. One time I did a System Restore recently and it deleted one of my programs. However when I reinstalled it, all of my settings were still there! Also this was in Windows 7, not in Windows 10!

 

[Warrior]

Recovery as in System restore. Old faithful. Always do system restore point before adding anything new and not known etc. Serviced me well.

I do have backups on ext HD via W7 but l have always done cut and paste of my docs and used Mozbackup for settings etc. Had back up programs let me down.

shame Mozbackup isnt being undated for later Firefox. But it still worked for older settings on latest version when reinstalled. Meant got most of bookmarks etc.
And Recuva got me back emails - great program that one too.

Ohh that's what you meant! Yep it's always a great idea to do that! I've created them and they have always worked well! It's strange how it deleted emails and things in programs, as it shouldn't affect your personal files. One time I did a System Restore recently and it deleted one of my programs. However when I reinstalled it, all of my settings were still there! Also this was in Windows 7, not in Windows 10!

I am sure it did - but I think that they had tried to download the W10 or part thereof via KB and that's is why lost emails etc as prior as you said - stayed with me.
I'm counting the weeks til end of free. Then maybe we who are adamant do not want to lose W 7 paid for and loved in exchange for W10 new gremlin inhabited and yet to be loved by all or even get past 2 years like so many M$ lemon OS's.

whatever - now my mouse died on me late last night - M$ 3000 to go with keyboard. Had same one for hubbies lap top so borrowed it - configured it - still keeps on going busy on me and hovering not able to land it etc and click - so out of control - seen that before somewhere but forgot the way to stop it. Any ideas welcome.

And since last re=install get a lot of browser etc not responding .............spooky reckon they left "gremlins" because I refused to quietly follow their command to accept W10 thereby giving them "my info and data" to sell off - must be going to or why give away millions of $ :devil:

 

[lehnerus2000]

Trying and Failing

W10 is still trying to install itself (and fortunately failing) on my main desktop despite:

• Blocking various updates
• Not having GWX on my PC

​

I'm starting to suspect that part of the reason for the W7 update problems is that the updater isn't looking for installed W7 updates, it's trying to find a way of sneaking past the PC's defences so that it can install W10.

 

[groze]

W10 is still trying to install itself (and fortunately failing) on my main desktop despite:

• Blocking various updates
• Not having GWX on my PC

I'm starting to suspect that part of the reason for the W7 update problems is that the updater isn't looking for installed W7 updates, it's trying to find a way of sneaking past the PC's defences so that it can install W10.

lehnerus2000,

I haven't had this issue-yet. Did you make sure that most of the updates below are not installed?


Here are my hidden updates in the picture below


KB969856 won’t install
KB971033 won’t install without removing another update, this is because of my system being a legit dell oemslp system

As add protection I use Never10 from grc as I have said before. I can't use windows 10 at all unless I want to stand the graphic driver blinking. I am hoping the Anniversary update fixes that, after trying an insider build, the blinking was even worse. I don't think Intel officially supports this driver but still provides a driver to Microsoft. I may be stuck with windows 7 sp1 & Linux mint 17.3 even when not supported any longer. I did find out opensuse tumbleweed 32 bit works but the screen is to bright.

 

[Brds7t7]

Not exactly a "U-turn" as the title states, but seems they have had a lot of backlash over the latest GWX and have added an additional dialog. And the Chinese aren't very happy with MS right now!

Microsoft U-turn on 'nasty trick' pop-up - BBC News

Chinese backlash over Windows 10 upgrade push - BBC News

 

[lehnerus2000]

Some Differences

W10 is still trying to install itself (and fortunately failing) on my main desktop despite:

• Blocking various updates
• Not having GWX on my PC

I'm starting to suspect that part of the reason for the W7 update problems is that the updater isn't looking for installed W7 updates, it's trying to find a way of sneaking past the PC's defences so that it can install W10.

lehnerus2000,

I haven't had this issue-yet. Did you make sure that most of the updates below are not installed?

This is the second time I've noticed this.
I must have installed something earlier this year that is triggering it.

My list is different from yours (I'm NOT saying I'm right and you're wrong).

I don't have KB2952664 & KB3035583 in my list.
They appear in my "Optional Updates" list.
I guess I don't have them installed as I can't find them listed in my "Installed Updates".

​

 

[groze]

lehnerus2000
Whether it is recommended or optional. I usually install most updates unless it is related to Windows 10 or telemetry or won't install. Skype update is a little strange, I did install it once. I installed that update, then when downloaded skype itself it updated again. That skype update is pointless at least for me if I want to use skype.

One thing you might want to try to install is Microsoft Virtual PC. I don't know for sure if it really helps or stops windows 10 from being installed but at least you get a prompt to remove it. I crashed the installation of 10 when I chose not to reboot.

 

[lehnerus2000]

One thing you might want to try to install is Microsoft Virtual PC. I don't know for sure if it really helps or stops windows 10 from being installed but at least you get a prompt to remove it. I crashed the installation of 10 when I chose not to reboot.

Luckily (for me) it tries to start the install procedure (i.e. it creates those 2 folders and some sub-folders) but it fails to download the W10 installer.

If I get some spare time, I'll look at the Event Viewer to see if there are any interesting events for that date.

 

[flashdrive]

Tookeri, thanks for the post. I used your instructions for removing those updates on my Windows 7 PC, but the KB2952664 one keeps coming back. Any suggestions?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
Let it collect digital dust in the Optional section as you have found it returns and it always will.
If it shows in the Important section then your windows updates settings are off
Go to the top right and click on Change settings and uncheck the box Give me recommended updates the same way as Important ones.

 

[Brds7t7]

My list updated to include June updates, I've tried to include as much info as possible.
HOPEFULLY this will be the last time I update this, as the end of the upgrade offer is near!!

Windows 7

Telemetry/Unnecessary:
KB2952664 - Compatibility update for Windows 7 SP1 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664
KB2977759 - Compatibility update for Windows 7 RTM (Without SP1) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977759
KB3021917 - Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021917
KB3022345 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3068708) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345
KB3035583 - "Get Windows 10" App (System Tray Nagware/Telemetry) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
KB3068708 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3080149) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
KB3075249 - Update that adds telemetry points to UAC in Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249
KB3080149 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (replaces previous 2 CEDT updates) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149
KB3123862 - Updated capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3123862
KB3150513 - May 2016 Compatibility Update for Windows https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3150513
KB3173040 - Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3173040

Windows Update Client:
KB2990214 - Update that enables you to upgrade from Win7 to Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214
KB3050265 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: June 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050265
KB3065987 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: July 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065987
KB3075851 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: August 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075851
KB3083324 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: September 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083324
KB3083710 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: October 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083710
KB3102810 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7 - High CPU/Long Scan Fix https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810
(Recommend installing KB3102810 if you have installed the previous Windows Update Client Updates)
KB3112343 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: December 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112343
KB3135445 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: February 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445
KB3138612 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: March 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612
KB3161608 - June 2016 Update Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (Includes Windows Update Client for Windows 7: June 2016) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161608

==================================================================

Windows 8/8.1

Telemetry/Unnecessary:
KB2976978 - Compatibility update for Windows 8/8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2976978
KB3022345 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3068708) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345
KB3035583 - "Get Windows 10" App (System Tray Nagware/Telemetry) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
KB3064683 - Windows 8.1 OOBE modifications to reserve Windows 10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3064683
KB3068708 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3080149) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
KB3072318 - Update for Windows 8.1 OOBE to upgrade to Windows 10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3072318
KB3075249 - Update that adds telemetry points to UAC in Windows 8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249
KB3080149 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (replaces previous 2 CEDT updates) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149
KB3123862 - Updated capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3123862
KB3173040 - Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3173040

Windows Update Client:
KB3044374 - Update that enables you to upgrade from Win8.1 to Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3044374
KB3050267 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: June 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050267
KB3065988 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: July 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065988
KB3075853 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: August 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075853
KB3083325 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: September 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083325
KB3083711 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: October 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083711
KB3102812 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1 - High CPU/Long Scan Fix https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102812
(Recommend installing KB3102812 if you have installed the previous Windows Update Client Updates)
KB3112336 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: December 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112336
KB3135449 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: February 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135449
KB3138615 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: March 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138615
KB3161606 - June 2016 Update Rollup for Windows 8.1 (Includes Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: June 2016) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161606

 

[lehnerus2000]

Thank Brds7t7

My list updated to include June updates, I've tried to include as much info as possible.
HOPEFULLY this will be the last time I update this, as the end of the upgrade offer is near!!
...

Thanks for the updated list.

 

[Helel]

My list updated to include June updates, I've tried to include as much info as possible.
HOPEFULLY this will be the last time I update this, as the end of the upgrade offer is near!!

Windows 7

Telemetry/Unnecessary:
KB2952664 - Compatibility update for Windows 7 SP1 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664
KB2977759 - Compatibility update for Windows 7 RTM (Without SP1) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2977759
KB3021917 - Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3021917
KB3022345 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3068708) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345
KB3035583 - "Get Windows 10" App (System Tray Nagware/Telemetry) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
KB3068708 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3080149) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
KB3075249 - Update that adds telemetry points to UAC in Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249
KB3080149 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (replaces previous 2 CEDT updates) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149
KB3123862 - Updated capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3123862
KB3150513 - May 2016 Compatibility Update for Windows https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3150513
KB3173040 - Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3173040

Windows Update Client:
KB2990214 - Update that enables you to upgrade from Win7 to Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214
KB3050265 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: June 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050265
KB3065987 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: July 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065987
KB3075851 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: August 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075851
KB3083324 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: September 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083324
KB3083710 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: October 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083710
KB3102810 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7 - High CPU/Long Scan Fix https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102810
(Recommend installing KB3102810 if you have installed the previous Windows Update Client Updates)
KB3112343 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: December 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112343
KB3135445 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: February 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135445
KB3138612 - Windows Update Client for Windows 7: March 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138612
KB3161608 - June 2016 Update Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (Includes Windows Update Client for Windows 7: June 2016) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161608

==================================================================

Windows 8/8.1

Telemetry/Unnecessary:
KB2976978 - Compatibility update for Windows 8/8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2976978
KB3022345 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3068708) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3022345
KB3035583 - "Get Windows 10" App (System Tray Nagware/Telemetry) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
KB3064683 - Windows 8.1 OOBE modifications to reserve Windows 10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3064683
KB3068708 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (superseded by KB3080149) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3068708
KB3072318 - Update for Windows 8.1 OOBE to upgrade to Windows 10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3072318
KB3075249 - Update that adds telemetry points to UAC in Windows 8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075249
KB3080149 - Update for customer experience diagnostic telemetry (replaces previous 2 CEDT updates) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080149
KB3123862 - Updated capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3123862
KB3173040 - Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3173040

Windows Update Client:
KB3044374 - Update that enables you to upgrade from Win8.1 to Win10 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3044374
KB3050267 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: June 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3050267
KB3065988 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: July 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065988
KB3075853 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: August 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3075853
KB3083325 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: September 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083325
KB3083711 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: October 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3083711
KB3102812 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1 - High CPU/Long Scan Fix https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3102812
(Recommend installing KB3102812 if you have installed the previous Windows Update Client Updates)
KB3112336 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: December 2015 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3112336
KB3135449 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: February 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3135449
KB3138615 - Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: March 2016 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3138615
KB3161606 - June 2016 Update Rollup for Windows 8.1 (Includes Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1: June 2016) https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161606

Hi!
I'm a bit confused...
I uninstalled all from "Telemetry/Unnecessar" & also KB2990214 from "Windows Update Client". But I kept everything else from "Windows Update Client" installed.
I did it correct? Or should I install KB2990214 back? Or should I uninstall everything else from "Windows Update Client" too?
Thanks!

P.S. Here's what I have "hidden" at the moment:

 

[Brds7t7]

Hi Helel,

If you want the WU client update installed, you only need the latest as they replace the earlier versions anyway. KB3138612 or the June update rollup will give you the latest.

Hope that helps?