Lamar is worried that Windows 10 is going to automatically install. “When Windows 10 is released how can I stop it from installing automatically during Windows Updates? I want to wait as long as possible before installing 10.”
Windows 10 is expected to be delivered through Windows Update, which will make it super-easy to install and encourage more early adoption. Whether or not users will receive some type of notification to update hasn’t been announced. My guess is that they will and will need to approve the update.
I still wouldn’t worry. I’m sure Microsoft will give plenty of notice as to when the updates are available and you can just turn off automatic update and handpick which updates you want to install on your Windows PC.
I wouldn’t suggest putting off the installation of Windows 10 as long as possible. It’s actually a pretty nice system that should seem familiar to both users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.
~ Cynthia
Avery nice tip. Now I also know what to do.
I worry about not being able to have the Win 10 on disc. I am waiting till it comes out to reset my computer back to factory (having OS issues and Microsoft said only way to correct it) What if I have to reset again once Win 10 update is in.???
Two things to know before accepting the Windows 10 upgrade:
(1) You will not have the option of rolling back. Windows 10 sets updates to automatic and does not allow setting them back to anything else. You will never again be able to refuse an update, and you will never again be able to uninstall an update. This includes Microsoft Optional Driver updates, which overwrite (and often wreck) manufacturer OEM drivers.
(2) A Windows 10 “Reset” does not return your device to factory original (OEM) condition. It will only remove any apps you have installed, and maybe also your data (as opposed to a “Refresh”, which keeps your data, but wipes out your apps, and still keeps all MS updates in place). You can never, never do a true Reset To Factory Original Condition in Windows 10.
This is the official Microsoft description of how updating and Reset will work in Windows 10. Be aware of this when the upgrade is offered. Upgrading to Windows 10 is a one-way street.
All consumer and stand-alone versions of Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro will operate this way. Think very carefully before accepting the upgrade offer.
I have never seen such a bold unwanted push to sell something in my life! You are pushing into peoples privacy and we don’t even have the authority to delete the damn thing! Lot’s of people are going to hate you for getting into our private computers with your pushy sales adds and stressing us out because we are having one hell of a time trying to get rid of your windows 10 garbage! This reminds me of the DO NOT CALL LIST, Do we need to make congress form a DO NOT push your sales junk into our computers list?
Lisas, actually you can delete the icon, App. It’s not too difficult. We have an article coming out soon.
Even if it turns out to be a good product,, What you have done is you shoved it down our throats and that creates anger so the people that are angry will NEVER even want to take a look at you windows 10.
Upgrading to 10 is completely optional and free. We are writing a about it because we are receiving more questions about Windows 10 right now that anything else. The majority of people we ask plan to upgrade, so we’re answering their questions. Microsoft is most likely switching to a model like Apple, where you will see major, free upgrades to their operating systems every couple of years.
That’s a complete lie. I hated Windows 10 so much, I reverted back to Windows 7. Yet, it kept trying to force me to re-install Windows 10. When I stopped the update files in control panel, it kept trying to update to 10 after each reboot.
Now, on August 8, 2015, it is now totally forcing me to update to Windows 10. I’ve tried everything to stop this. But when I turn off my computer, it will start configuring and installing 10 back again.
You have NO choice!!!
Frank, I also reserved a Windows 10 upgrade on my work PC and when it popped up to tell me it was ready, I just closed it. I haven’t had any issues with it attempting to to install.
That’s a load of crock. I also installed Windows 10, went back to Windows 8, & now Microsoft keeps trying to shove their crappy 10 down my throat. I’m tired of it! I found out things about Windows 10 that I will absolutely NOT tolerate, & so I’m trying everything I can to keep it from re-installing. Forcing something like this down people’s throats is not going to give them any brownie points with us. All it’s going to do is piss people off, which it already has. I’m half-tempted to back up all my files & completely wiping my system just to get rid of it once & for all!
It is NOT optional. It loads no matter what I do. I have filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. This is BULLSHIT!!!
I have pulled out the internet cable from my windows 7 computer to stop them. Now if I have to check my email or search the net
I use my old laptop with XP.
F U Microsoft.
How is it “completely optional” to Windows 7 Home Edition users when the “free upgrade” is forced upon them? I personally use Windows 7 Pro. How do I avoid upgrading to Windows 10 until I choose to?
Simply don’t reserve an upgrade. It’s not mandatory. However, switching to Windows 10 will add at least 5 additional years of security support to Windows 7.
I agree the choice should have been ours to chose or not. I hate it too when it’s shuved into our faces. And, I don’t care if it’s free or not.
It’s the best reason ever to switch to Linux. It’s not as scary as you think, and it will do everything you actually need your computer to do.
So very true TehnoTarzan! If I can’t find a fix soon that stops the automatic installation, I am well on my way to trying Linux Mint!
If I understand you correctly this mean that although I have done a factory reset I will continue to have the Windows 10 install begin? It’s annoying to have to keep cancelling it.
Yes that’s what happened to me. After I reverted to Windows 7 it kept trying to install Windows 10. I did a factory reset and now it keeps trying to do the upgrade every morning, but the upgrade is failing for some reason, thank goodness! At least I can do other Windows updates now, but I’m still scared that one of these days its going to star all over again.
Time to start getting familiar with Linux, I guess!
I’m an IT professional, so I reserved Windows 10 so that I can take a look at it. HOWEVER, I want to create a dual-boot with it on my desktop. But now that it is available, it is giving me no choice but to install it. I can’t even get any more Windows 7 updates because this Windows 10 update is forcing itself in first. How do I stop it? What registry keys do I have to adjust in order to stop the Windows 10 update until I’m ready to get my machine setup the way I want it to be setup?
I know I can’t just back up my hard drive now because every time I boot into Windows 7, it will STILL force me to upgrade to Windows 10. How do I stop the automatic upgrade??????
Keith, Id suggest cancelling your reservation. Also, just because the files download, doesn’t mean you have to install them. You can also go into Windows – Software Distribution – Downloads and delete the files.
Cynthia: I think you missed his point. He reserved it, and now it’s to the point where it’s actually waiting to install. We have a computer at that place now and you can’t cancel your reservation – the upgrade is loaded and ready to go. It’s the point of no return. We backed up a computer right before upgrading, decided we didn’t like it, tried to use the backup (Acronis) to go back, but that “up”grade is blocking everything in Windows update – you can’t get past it and nobody know how to stop it at that point. It’s a gun to the head. Nightmare.
Don’t use the your system image to go back. In Windows 10 under restore, there’s a setting called “Go Back to Windows 7 or 8.” Just press that. It takes about 15 minutes to restore to your previous version of Windows. I did this a couple of times. It worked like a charm. You can also type, “Go back to…” in your search charm and it will come up with the option.
No Cynthia – what he’s talking about is after you uninstall the Win-X “update”, KB3035583, everytime you go to the Windows update site and select important security updates (I have 27 waiting), the update site always shows “Install Windows 10” as the first update. You have to install it first, before you get to the dl/install the Win-7 security updates. I always cancel the update download because I don’t want the Win 10 junk software on my Win-7 Pro machine.
How do I stop Windows 10 from continually try to install on Windows 7 and fail on Windows Update. Error 80240020. I have uninstalled kb3035583,kb2952664 and kb3021917 which has removed the Icon in the taskbar, but every time you check for updates it tries to install windows 10 home, but fails. I want nothing to do with Windows 10 and want to fix this problem.
thanks
Nat
I have already cancelled my reservation
Well, Microsoft has done it. Windows 10 was uploaded to my computer against my instructions, and then it started to install, also against my instructions. I managed to turn off my computer but the next time I turned it on I got a message indicating windows 10 was installing so I turned my computer off again. Please, Please tell me how to stop this monster before it kills my computer.
I am experiencing the same issues. I wanted to have the option of when to download/install Windows 10, but now it is trying to force me to do it every time I boot my computer. I cancel it, but now the other updates aren’t installing. This is frustrating, and is that much more motivation to switch over to another OS.
Go in and install the other updates individually. Once you made the reservation, they assumed you wanted the download.
That’s another lie. I unchecked each individual critical update to be installed, yet the first thing it does is begin to install windows 10.
Yes, I hate you Microsoft, stop forcing me to updgrade to 10, stop putting timelines to updates that will happen automatically if I don’t continually monitor my computer or shut it down completely each time I step away, stop making 5-10 different options to access the same menu or tool. This used to be pretty simple people, why make it so hard? I understand the need for security updates, but sneaking in an “optional” update for Win10 is something you’ve never done before, now I’m screwed because it started and apparently takes an act of Congress to stop Win10 from pestering me. That said, you are now acting like our misguided politicians who pile unrealated requests into a single bill. It is not a responsible act on your part to piggyback, make these upgrades simple, give me simple explanations and processes to accept or decline, and let me speak for myself. Stop F$%^-ing up my productivity on my home computer, you’re costing me money while I try to refuse this upgrade, I’m not ready yet, I like it the way it is !!!!!!!!
I am also having issues due to Microsoft Windows 10. I installed windows 10, then i needed alot of information from my computer urgently and after wasting days of setting up Windows 10 and having trouble finding how to get to the information i urgently needed (that used to be so easy to get to before), i done what Cynthia said… In Windows 10 under restore, there’s a setting called “Go Back to Windows 7 or 8. Well guess what… it DIDN’T WORK LIKE A CHARM FOR ME! I can no longer do updates for my Windows 7 due to Windows 10 taking preference over any other updates and starts installing it automatically even though i have my settings as LET ME CHOOSE WHAT UPDATE TO INSTALL! I have to cancel the installation all the time. Now, because i kept on unchecking the update box to Windows 10 from the “important” update category, it got moved down to the “optional” Category and automatically starts installing Windows 10….Unreal! I loved my Window 7 and was hesitant about installing Windows 10 but now my Windows 7 is NOT the same as it used to be and i have spent so many wasted hours trying to get it back the way it was but i’m starting to think it could have been designed that way so you end up going back to the f@#%ing Windows 10…just the way Microsoft wanted it!!!
I never chose the reservation but the machine switched to automatic updates and tried to install things on my computer. It tries to install and fails every day but it is still trying. They keep putting out patches to Windows 7 not putting adequate descriptions on them and making you think you have to check them. It is plain and simple bait and switch tactics to push this download. I don’t want it. I don’t want to lose the choice for updates in the future or to not be able to revert. I have uninstalled the GMX program which I assume is the reason it is failing to install but the icon shows up in the system tray and I get notices all the time. My husband is a self-built machine with the same operating system but he gets none of this hassle at all!
My Windows 7 machine has the same disease. I “reserved” Windows 10 as an option and then started reading about it, how it puts tiles all over your desktop, how it constantly sends so much information to Microsoft, how it is geared towards a uniform experience with Windows Mobile, which I do not have (virtually nobody has, like 2-3% of the mobile market), and now how it is being forced on me regardless of what I do. I paid for Windows 7 and Microsoft is destroying what I paid for. Isn’t that simply wrong, if not illegal? There has to be a way to stop this. How??????????!!!!! Luckily I just got a new Mac. I work for a very large IT company that has over 400k employees and Macs are rolling out faster than water. This OS destruction by Microsoft is the best thing that ever happened to Apple!
I paid for Windows 7. Microsoft is destroying what I paid for.
Cynthia, what do you recommend for those of us that have a pending install of Windows 10? Windows Update has already starting downloading Windows 10. I can click Stop Download but it just starts again the next time I run Check for Updates… Do I let the update go through and install Windows 10, then use the option to revert back to Windows 8.1? Seems like a lost of wasted time but deleted the SoftwareDistribution/Downloads folder didn’t work. The 2+ GB update just downloads again… :[
I’m not ready to upgrade my work computer yet, so I’ve just ignored the downloaded update. It’s asked if I wanted to install once or twice, but I just closed it and nothing happened.
Terry, see my next note. I was just where you are and did what comfortablewithword2003andbelow did on that discussion. It works. You need to take action because Microsoft assumes that when you said “reserve” you meant to say “install.” You cannot just ignore it because it becomes an automatic update.
This worked for me and should for you if you have not yet completely gone over to Windows 10. If you’re still on Windows 7 (or probably 8) do what comfortablewithword2003andbelow did here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/how-do-i-prevent-windows-10-from-installing/96e76921-cbea-4e7c-be97-8f7eeee73685?rtAction=1440594142742
It works. Definitively. Just follow the whole discussion.
I am horrified by the intentions for Windows 10 to violate my privacy systematically, snooping on and parsing messages, emails, browsing, searches….
I would have thought after the Snowden revelations of illegal state snooping on innocent people and the loss of $35billion Cloud revenue as a result, especially that Microsoft was strongly implicated in stealing its customers’ data and passing it to the NSA, that Microsoft might have trodden a little more carefully presently to avoid further commercial fallout from data rape of their customers.
I’ve being meaning to swap my business to Linux: I really feel I now have no choice.
My question is why are all Governments allow Microsoft or anyone for that matter to act this way.
Intruding onto one computer without specific permission or a court issued warrant should be class as an illegal entry onto private property and subject to criminal charges.
Then when one looks into law there are plenty protecting corporations from intrusion from us poor sods but hardly any to protect the common person from the corporations. Government for the people? Load of BS.
This is bs. I have windows 10 on another hard drive and I think it is a bunch of crap. Trying to force me to download an unwanted program is BS. I have had to install windows 10 three times because it is junk.
And on top of everything you do not tell how to avoid windows 10. Microsoft must be paying you to keep your mouth shut. This competer belongs to me and no jackass is going to tell me what to put on it. this includes Microsoft.
Tru that! It’s part of the One World Order.
Martin gets it. Thank you.
Lamar can downgrade from his current version of Windows to an earlier version (eg:ViSTA) that does not include a free upgrade to Windows 10. Then Microsoft will have to ask him to upgrade to 10 – and she can say “No”.
No doubt, it’s Windows NP, no privacy and you’re going to download and install it whether you like it or not. I only know of 2 fixes, look up Linux or Mac.
Good job moderator. Maybe you can relieve the world of severe verbal trauma with your censorship and find the answer to world peace someday.
Good Morning,
I had a problem with my computer and I have kept my warranty up on my Dell desk top. I called them and they fixed my problem. Now they are telling me because I have an old model I can not install windows 10. I want to know if I can up grade to windows 8.1. with out a problem and is it free like windows 10 ? I have windows 7 professional. Any help would be wonderful.
Who is Cynthia? Clearly a MS plant. Nowhere in this stream or elswhere have I found a way, after foolishly “reserving” 10, to stop it installing. The latest pop-up allows me to delay installation but I MUST select a date in the next few days – no other options, it will instal without my permission. Outrageous. After 20+ years with Microsoft, it has finally caused me to hate it just enough more than I loathe Apple for me to switch. Meanwhile, I’ll uninstall Windows Updates in Control Panel and disable Wi-fi. Microsoft – hear my small voice among the millions that DON’T want your hated Windows 10.
I wish I were an MS plant. Then hopefully, I wouldn’t have to pay for Office. I didn’t say in this tip that I could keep Windows from downloading to your updates, only put off the attempts to install. Remember that anyone’s advice on stopping the update info from getting onto your PC or installing is based on his or her own experiences. Microsoft isn’t telling.
“I wish I were an MS plant. Then hopefully, I wouldn’t have to pay for Office. I didn’t say in this tip that I could keep Windows from downloading to your updates, only put off the attempts to install. Remember that anyone’s advice on stopping the update info from getting onto your PC or installing is based on his or her own experiences. Microsoft isn’t telling.”
Let’s just say I believe everything you say, Cynthia. Which I don’t. Because you are full of bologna. Now, to translate it…
“I am a Microsoft plant. I admit that I don’t want to help you prevent installing Windows 10, but rather to make your futile little lives more and more miserable. Microsoft is paying me to promote it, whether it’s actually good or not. Suck on deez nuts.”
Victor, as I’ve said, Microsoft doesn’t pay me a penny. As I’ve said, I’m the one paying them for their services. Any implication otherwise is completely untrue. There’s also no need to paint nasty pictures.
why do I HAVE to have it??
Windows 10 installed itself on my computer without my authorization (good job, Microsoft) because I happened to be away from my computer when the nag came up. When it was finished, I found I could not use my scanner any more (great job, Microsoft) so I went back to Version 7 because I can’t afford to buy a bunch of new electronics just because Windows 10 doesn’t like my old equipment. Now I want to know how to keep the installation from happening a second. Tell me to “don’t worry, be happy” does zip for me.
It also installed on my computer after about 100 no, do not install. I hated it. it took me a few days to have time to undo it, then everything required my signing in or trying to redo passwords. Today after removing it, I get a message saying, when do you want to put windows 10 on your computer? There is not a NO on the thing. Every one I’ve spoken to who is an expert on this, says do not use windows 10. ( most of the people I know that work on computers say it’s junk) I sure wish I could afford an apple. I love their other products.
I am afraid of turning my computer off, because if I do windows 10 will install. I run pro tools music software, which has not yet finished testing and certifying that it will run properly on windows 10.
I DO NOT WANT WINDOWS 10 TO INSTALL UNTIL AVID SAYS IT IS OKAY TO INSTALL IT. It will turn my computer into a useless piece of garbage I cannot use at all.
Microsoft sucks more that a hoover vacuum to do something like this. The free upgrade from windows 8 is nice, but it has to be on my time, not theirs.
What a screwed up company. I should go back to Apple.
Microsoft is only doing what all governments have done for years and get away with it because they have the politicians bought and paid for. This rubbish tried to instal on my machine but luckily I saw it in time There are many sites with good info on how to get rid of the update, just search. When the time comes that I cannot use Win 7 Pro is when I buy a Mac – forsure.
How do you get rid of Windows 10 and reinstall Windows 7
1. To stop windows 10 installing, deinstall the update kb3035583. For details instructions, go to http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-stop-windows-10-upgrade-downloading-your-system
2. If windows 10 has installed you have 30 days to go back to your old installation (after that it is a complete reinstall from scratch). you can go back to your previous version of Windows by going to Settings > Update & security > Recovery and selecting either Go back to Windows 7 or Go back to Windows 8.1.
Hey, I got an idea, Cynthia: How about you give everybody REAL advice on how to prevent Windows 10 from installing?