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

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  1. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #91

    After reboot, I found the stupid GWX.exe STILL in SYSTray. So, searched C drive for GWX.exe -- found four instances -- they all turned up in

    C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-gwx_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18846_none_0e7fd87b6cf7aa00

    5-6 files, all beginning with GWX. Changed ownership to me-as-Admin. Up one level, a second folder exists.

    C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-gwx-task_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18846_none_b9cb3cc3db4bb7ee

    Changed ownership of the 2 files in that folder.

    Tried to delete folders -- Needed permission from "SYSTEM." {sigh}

    Back into folder, changed permissions on first file again -- downgraded both SYSTEM and TrustedInstaller (on the file) to having read permission and nothing else. (Didn't know if it would object to locking these users out entirely...) Was able to Remove from hard drive (i.e., not to recycle bin) that file. Will now try doing it with the rest of the files (in the two folders), then will delete the folders. Then search C again for GWX.* to see if it's there.

    Will reboot, and see if it still appears in SYSTray...
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,797
    Win 7 Ultimate, Win 8.1 Pro, Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon (All 64-Bit)
       #92

    Elenor said:
    After reboot, I found the stupid GWX.exe STILL in SYSTray. So, searched C drive for GWX.exe -- found four instances -- they all turned up in

    C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-gwx_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18846_none_0e7fd87b6cf7aa00

    5-6 files, all beginning with GWX. Changed ownership to me-as-Admin. Up one level, a second folder exists.

    C:\Windows\winsxs\amd64_microsoft-windows-gwx-task_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18846_none_b9cb3cc3db4bb7ee

    Changed ownership of the 2 files in that folder.

    Tried to delete folders -- Needed permission from "SYSTEM." {sigh}

    Back into folder, changed permissions on first file again -- downgraded both SYSTEM and TrustedInstaller (on the file) to having read permission and nothing else. (Didn't know if it would object to locking these users out entirely...) Was able to Remove from hard drive (i.e., not to recycle bin) that file. Will now try doing it with the rest of the files (in the two folders), then will delete the folders. Then search C again for GWX.* to see if it's there.

    Will reboot, and see if it still appears in SYSTray...
    You hadn't previously ran the Windows update cleanup in Disk Cleanup had you?

    Normally you shouldn't need to touch the winsxs folder. From what I understand, that just keeps backups of the old files when you install an update. I could be wrong though.
    But the exe shouldn't be running from that folder.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #93

    'kay, ran through all items that came up on a C: drive search for gwx. Several folders, a feqw files... Changed permissions on them all and removed from hard drive (Permanently deleted) them all. Still shows in SYSTray, but I haven't yet rebooted.
    El
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #94

    Brds7t7 said:
    You hadn't previously ran the Windows update cleanup in Disk Cleanup had you?
    Uh. No? I'll go look that up and see what it is and how to do it...


    Brds7t7 said:
    Normally you shouldn't need to touch the winsxs folder. From what I understand, that just keeps backups of the old files when you install an update. I could be wrong though.
    But the exe shouldn't be running from that folder.
    Hmmm, I tend to use the old Navy way: "get a bigger hammer"! I figure that if I removed EVERY remnant or instance of the eeeeevil thing I'm fighting (whack-a-program?), then it probably won't keep coming back... (And yes, it's true -- I do sometimes create a bigger problem than the one I'm fixing -- but thankfully, very rarely!)

    (And yes, that also means I HAVE occasionally gone item-by-item through the Registry, deleting every instance (key) of some bad program...) (Haven't killed a computer yet! Made one pretty sick once, but no deaths! )

    (Off to reboot. Again.)
    Last edited by Elenor; 06 Jun 2015 at 12:27.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1,797
    Win 7 Ultimate, Win 8.1 Pro, Linux Mint 19 Cinnamon (All 64-Bit)
       #95

    Elenor said:
    Brds7t7 said:
    You hadn't previously ran the Windows update cleanup in Disk Cleanup had you?
    Uh. No? I'll go look that up and see what it is and how to do it...


    Brds7t7 said:
    Normally you shouldn't need to touch the winsxs folder. From what I understand, that just keeps backups of the old files when you install an update. I could be wrong though.
    But the exe shouldn't be running from that folder.
    Hmmm, I tend to use the old Navy way: "get a bigger hammer"! I figure that if I removed EVERY remenant or instance of the eeeeevil thing I'm fighting (whack-a-program?), then it probably won't keep coming back... (And yes, it's true -- I do sometimes create a bigger problem than the one I'm fixing -- but thankfully, very rarely!)

    (And yes, that also means I HAVE occasionally gone item-by-item through the Registry, deleting every instance (key) of some bad program...) (Haven't killed a computer yet! Made one pretty sick once, but no deaths! )

    (Off to reboot. Again.)
    Well don't run the disk cleanup or you might make it even more stubborn to remove. I was hoping you hadn't.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #96

    Aw jiminy crickets!!

    These three returned! I rebooted, checked installed updates and :

    KB2952664 Deleted again! – not present – installed AGAIN! – Uninstalled again
    KB2990214 Not present – installed AGAIN! – Uninstalled again
    KB3035583 Not present – Deleted again – installed AGAIN! – Uninstalled again

    Still maybe doing it over and over will have some effect!?

    One last reboot -- if that doesn't do it, I'm doing the Reg sweep! (Can't find those "refresh" files on C: either...)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #97

    'kay, Did the Reg sweep -- removed some stuff. None of it seems to imply: "keep putting this back on this computer" -- but who knows?!

    Ah see? Messin' about with the can do weird stuff! No hidden Win updates, and "Most recent check" is never!

    Oh, haven't rebooted since I messed with the Reg -- best do that now.


    (Yes, I know, I'm describing in the minutest detail what I'm doing... *I* am always glad to see the steps soemnoe else has tried (cause sometimes all-y'all techie guys don't exactly speak English?!) -- so I'm putting it all down so someone else can see what I've done, step by step...)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 75
    Window 7 x64
       #98

    You could create a batch file and try this:


    Code:
    Echo off
    
    taskkill.exe /F /IM "gwx.exe"
    takeown /f "%windir%\System32\GWX" && icacls "%windir%\System32\GWX" /grant administrators:F
    ren "%windir%\System32\GWX\" "GWX_Old"
    
    exit
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #99

    After this last reboot, these two RE-appeared in the installed list:
    KB2952664
    KB3021917

    So, deleted the first one and rebooted as Windows asked.

    Well. The RegSweep and reboot (and removal of the one) DID remove all my "hidden" updates -- all of which were these Win 10 things. Re-hid them. Rebooted.

    Have now dele... uninstalled the second one, and will reboot, as Windows is asking.

    Fingers crossed!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12
    Win 7 Pro x64
       #100

    Magoo said:
    You could create a batch file and try this:


    Code:
    Echo off
    taskkill.exe /F /IM "gwx.exe"
    takeown /f "%windir%\System32\GWX" && icacls "%windir%\System32\GWX" /grant administrators:F
    ren "%windir%\System32\GWX\" "GWX_Old"
    exit

    Doesn't that just move any GWX files into GWX_Old? I did that first. No effect. (But thanks!)
      My Computer


 
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