Tech: Stopping a Scheduled Windows 10 Update from Windows 7 or Windows 8

We all knew it would come to this... that with Microsoft's "free" offering of Windows 10 that there would be a catch... or several.  Well, the first show recently dropped as Microsoft began pushing an update that significantly changes the in which the upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8 is offered to folks.  If you have not seen a screen like this yet, it is coming to a Windows computer near you soon.  Instead of simply letting you know the upgrade is available, you see a dialog box similar to this one that simply asks you to schedule your upgrade.  Sometimes you can click a red X in the upper right hand corner, sometimes you can not!

And while Windows 10 is a fantastic upgrade, there are a number of reasons why users are nor ready to do it.  If you got this message, or if you have not yet -- do not fret.  No matter what step of this process you are in, there is a way out!

Follow these instructions, and Windows 10 won't be hassling you again (until the next scheme to force the update on you comes down the wire).  

1. First, locate that Systray Windows 10 icon (the systray is where the clock is).  Click on the upwards facing arrow.
2. Next click on Customize.
   
   
   
   
3. This will bring up a list of everything that runs in your Systray.  Find "GWX - Get Windows 10".  It will be set to "Show icon and notifications".  Click and select "Hide icon and notifications."
4. Next, Click Start and then Run -- or hold down the WindowsKey+R.
5. Type CONTROL to bring up the Control Panel.  Not settings in Windows 8, there is a difference!
6. In the Upper Right Hand Corner you should be able to search, in this box type PROGRAMS, select Add/Remove Programs from the list of results.
   
   
7. Next, click on the VIEW INSTALLED UPDATES link in the left pane.
   
   
   
   
8. You will be shown a list of all the updates that have been downloaded and installed.  Your list is likely to be quite long, but there is no need to parse through it with your eyeballs -- you can search.  Just like before, type in the following values one at a time in the upper right hand search box.  Once located, select them and click UNINSTALL. You are looking for KB2952664, KB2990214 and KB3035583.  You may have one of these, or all three.  No matter what -- if you do not want Windows 10 to schedule your update, you'll need to remove them.  Once removed, your computer will need to restart and do some reconfiguration of itself.  No problem, let it happen.
9. Once your system has come back up, you have a decision to make.  What we've done here is enough to stop the scheduled update, and prevent Windows from harassing you every day about it -- for now.  Microsoft may push down new updates that change this.  The only foolproof way to stop these updates from coming back is to *not update* your computer.  I do not recommend this... but if you choose to, you can turn off Automatic Updates in the Control Panel.

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Bruce holds a degree in Computer Science from Temple University, a Graduate Certificate in Biblical History from Liberty University and is working towards a Masters Degree in American History at American Public University.  He has worked in educational and technology for over 18 years, specializes in building infrastructures for schools that work to support the mission of technology in education in the classroom.  He also has served as a classroom teacher in Computer Science, History and English classes.  

Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel

Tech: Turn Off Windows 10 Auto Updates

Windows 10 is out and about.  It is easily the most stable, and best performing operating system since Windows 7.  I like to describe it like this... Windows 8 is to Windows Vista, as Windows 10 is to Windows 7.  Solid, reliable and fast -- given that you have newer hardware that you didn't buy from a big box outlet for $199...  Don't mistake the "free" operating system to mean it will run well on any old computer.  It will not.  And you should not expect it to.  Remember, Apple OS X 10.11 should not be running on your 2010 Macbook -- and Windows 10 should not be running on your 2012 laptop, either.  

But if you are smart enough to have invested in a good computer, or just bought one in the last 3 years then you are in luck.  Windows 10 will make you happy, as long as you are prepared for the update.  The downside?  Microsoft has decided, in its infinite wisdom, to push updates down in Windows 10.  This is not a new behavior, other operating systems do it -- but what is new is that you can't simply go into the Control Panel and change the settings... it is a little more complex than that.  

Now you have to alter the Windows Update service setting.  Now... you could do it this way before, too, but you did not have to. 

Control Panel > Administrative Tools, you can access Services. 

In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Update and turn off the process. To turn it off, right-click on the process, click on Properties and select Disabled. That will take care of Windows Updates not being installed on your machine. 

But since Windows is a Service moving forward, you have to keep your computer updated manually. To be able to install the next set of features or a newer build, you will require the earlier updates to be installed. That’s why if you use the above workaround, you will have to go to the Services and turn it on once in a while to download and update your copy of Windows. After you turn on the Windows Update service, when you open Windows Update in PC Settings, you will see a message that updates were not installed because computer was stopped. You will have to click on Retry so that all the available updates are downloaded and installed. This may take two or three “Check for Updates”. 

You will have to keep on clicking “Check for updates” until it says your computer is up to date. Then you can go back and turn off the Windows Update service until next time you feel you are free enough to spend time updating your copy of Windows 10. 

Another option is setting your network connection to ‘Metered’, can also stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading the Updates. You can do it as follows – 

Settings app > Network & Internet > WiFi > Advanced options. 

Move slider to On position for Set as metered connection. 

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Bruce holds a degree in Computer Science from Temple University, a Graduate Certificate in Biblical History from Liberty University and is working towards a Masters Degree in American History at American Public University.  He has worked in educational and technology for over 18 years, specializes in building infrastructures for schools that work to support the mission of technology in education in the classroom.  He also has served as a classroom teacher in Computer Science, History and English classes.  

Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel