Removing Windows 10 forced update from Windows Update

Greetings forum,

I joined recently because my Windows 7 laptop was displaying the message "Your upgrade to windows 10 is ready" message in the Windows Update tool. I have zero desire to upgrade to windows 10 for various reasons. This message was preventing me from using Windows Update to check for other updates.

This was the message I was receiving:


Similar threads:
Please help me get rid of the Windows 10 upgrade
Scared and Very Confused - Windows 10


I searched multiple threads and after some trial and error I was able to remove this message. It seems Microsoft has several KB updates that force this onto users. I wasn't getting the GWX.exe message, tray icon, or process in the process manager but the insidious message above. Here is what I did to remove the update, free up disk space from the Windows 10 installer, and regain control of my system.

1. Open up Windows Update and disable "Install updates Automatically" and switch it to " Download updates but ask me which ones to install." This will save our @$$es when they change the KB numbers again.
2. Click your start menu and search for "Add or Remove Programs". Click on the first result.
3. In the upper left hand corner of the window select "View Installed Updates"
4. There were 5 major KB updates that were forcing the upgrade on me. These are the ones that I removed.
KB3075851
KB2952664
KB3021917
KB3035583
KB3068708

5. Next, delete these folders in the root of your C drive. You might have to unhide your hidden files and folders. My machine for whatever reason was also refusing to allow me to delete the BT folder. I ended up having to use an app called "Unlocker" to force the file to be deleted. You might be able to delete this folder in Safemode.
$Windows.~BT
(and / if) $Windows.~WS

The ~WS folder was not present on my Windows 7 machine. I pulled this from another post. YMMV.

6. Restart your machine.

7. Open up the Windows Update tool. If successful it should have a big red X saying you need to check for updates to be safe. Voila you're all set.

8.Make sure that you check and hide the bad updates before installing or else you will end up back at square 1! Hide those annoying files and check every future update to ensure Microsoft didn't change a KB number to force this annoying update on you!

I hope this helps others. I will do my best to answer questions, however i'd have to be in person to really break down the problem.

Cheers

I have the same problem as you and I think that image is the screenshot from my thread about it. I have done all these steps but with no success. I have also reset my windows updates components and run the SFC scan, but with no success.

Any ideas how I can fix it before I reinstall windows?

You made sure the Windows 10 installer was completely deleted from the root of your C drive?


Last trick i'd try is resetting the Windows Update service.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058

I have deleted the $Windows.~BT folder and don't have the $Windows.~WS folder. I have tried resetting the Windows Update service but it fails to fix all the issues, the screenshot shows what happens.

I am confused as to why this would help? I have never had the shut down and install updates option in the start menu. Should I be enabling it or disabling as it is currently as not configured by default?

I just removed another update and Windows Update reverted back to saying it was ready to upgrade to Windows 10 and to do the 3GB download. I've now hidden all the Windows 10 related updates and will be sure to check any future ones.

Thanks for the help, Windows Update seems to be working again now.