Still getting "Windows 10 couldn't be installed" error

Hi Folks,

I use Windows 7. I am still getting the constant "Windows 10 couldn't be installed" error, from when Microsoft was trying to get people to upgrade for free, during that time period, years ago.

I have followed the instructions on many sites to try to have this stop, periodically, over the years. Most recently, I tried using the disk cleanup utility, which got rid of 19+GB of Windows Update files. I am assuming that this removed the Windows 10 upgrade (which was downloaded without my consent). But Windows update is still attempting to upgrade.

I have also gone to "Troubleshooting" in the Control Panel and clicked on "fix problems with windows update" several times, to no avail.

The only factor that I can think of that is unique in my case, is that once the free update was no longer available, but I was still being pestered to use my "free" upgrade, I once selected that I wanted to install the Windows 10 upgrade, but ultimately didn't upgrade (I was curious if it would still work, and considered trying it, but was 95% sure that I would roll back to Windows 7 again within 30 days). The upgrade failed since the Windows 10 upgrade was no longer available for free at that time.

To those who may be wondering... yes, I am aware that all Windows 7 support will end in 2019. I do not NOT wish to upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 10 is incompatible with some of the software that I am still using. (I am actually looking at getting a new machine in the near future, and switching over to a Linux based system, but will continue to use this machine when I still need it).

I hope that someone can help.

It's not clear what your asking win10 can still be installed free from win7 second how do you know software won't work what is the software?

"I am still getting the constant "Windows 10 couldn't be installed" error, from when Microsoft was trying to get people to upgrade for free, during that time period, years ago.

I have followed the instructions on many sites to try to have this stop"

---That is my goal above, in quotation marks. To rephrase it, I would like to have the constant attempts and failures at installing Windows 10 to stop.

I went on to describe the steps that I have tried, which have been unsuccessful.

Just out of curiosity, what happens if you download and run GWX Control Panel?


Ultimate Outsider - Software Downloads


The reason for my curiosity is because I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional 64bit and updated it with the Simplix update pack. Then I installed the .NET updates from Windows Update (which are not included in Simplix). I ignored all 'Optional' updates that were offered by WU.


After that, just for S&G's I then decided to run GWX Control Panel and the message it gave me was something like this (might not be the exact wording from memory):


"Although the GWX files are not present on this system, the Windows 10 upgrade is not being blocked".


I then ran Steve Gibsons's Never10 utility:


GRC | Never10


and it advised me that "Windows 10 Upgrade is ENABLED for this system!"


I then ran a script which I got from another forum which disables all the newly added telemetry, etc. from Windows 7 and ran GWX Control Panel and Never10 again and they advised me that the Windows 10 upgrade was now disabled.


So, I'm just wondering if there is something 'hidden' in the latest updates for Windows 7 that 're-activates' the Windows 10 upgrade process (a.k.a. GWX) prior to the end of updates for W7 in January?

CarlSD said:

Just out of curiosity, what happens if you download and run GWX Control Panel?


Ultimate Outsider - Software Downloads


The reason for my curiosity is because I recently did a clean install of Windows 7 Professional 64bit and updated it with the Simplix update pack. Then I installed the .NET updates from Windows Update (which are not included in Simplix). I ignored all 'Optional' updates that were offered by WU.


After that, just for S&G's I then decided to run GWX Control Panel and the message it gave me was something like this (might not be the exact wording from memory):


"Although the GWX files are not present on this system, the Windows 10 upgrade is not being blocked".


I then ran Steve Gibsons's Never10 utility:


GRC | Never10


and it advised me that "Windows 10 Upgrade is ENABLED for this system!"


I then ran a script which I got from another forum which disables all the newly added telemetry, etc. from Windows 7 and ran GWX Control Panel and Never10 again and they advised me that the Windows 10 upgrade was now disabled.


So, I'm just wondering if there is something 'hidden' in the latest updates for Windows 7 that 're-activates' the Windows 10 upgrade process (a.k.a. GWX) prior to the end of updates for W7 in January?

Thank you for educating me on the availability of "Never 10". I downloaded and ran it. It said that Windows 10 was on my system. I had it take it off. I don't know if this has been successful yet, but I will let you know if I am continuing to be pestered over the next few days. Sometimes, it takes a few days before it reattempts to install, so that will be the real test.

gvtbay said:

Thank you for educating me on the availability of "Never 10". I downloaded and ran it. It said that Windows 10 was on my system. I had it take it off. I don't know if this has been successful yet, but I will let you know if I am continuing to be pestered over the next few days. Sometimes, it takes a few days before it reattempts to install, so that will be the real test.

It has already tried to upgrade again. I will try the the GWX Control Panel some time in the next few days. In the meantime, any all alternate suggestions are welcome.

Hi

MS offered this update to remove the get windows 10 free direct upgrade.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3184143


Roy

torchwood said:

Hi

MS offered this update to remove the get windows 10 free direct upgrade.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3184143


Roy

Thanks! I downloaded it and tried to install it, and I was told that it is already installed.

This makes sense, because I remember spending hours trying so many different solutions in the past. Urgh.