How To Remove Windows 10 Upgrade from Windows Update

Thank you for your very prompt response, Canadian Tech. In the interim, the Windows 10 "upgrade" completed on my laptop. At the end, a screen appeared that said, "Welcome to Windows 10" and a "next" button was the only option from there, so I clicked it. A licensing agreement appeared with the option to accept or decline. I clicked "decline" and a new screen message informed me that it would restore Windows 7, which I accepted. Windows 7 is back, but it's like it downloaded new. I had to log in to my router again. Other than that, all my files and MS Office are still there, so perhaps I don't need to perform all the actions in your recommendation. I have taken steps to Never Accept Updates, and will follow your recommendations in that regard.

Thanks again.

This is a very old thread.  Here is today's answer....

Win10 back to Win7

Copy your data off first.  If you can not boot your system, remove the hard drive and put it into a USB external drive housing.  Connect to a working PC, copy the data off.

Always check to ensure the hard drive you are about to rebuild is actually sound from a hardware perspective.  Download and run your hard drive manufacturer’s drive testing software.

Read Woody Leonhard’s advice first, to see if you can complete the restoration without a re-install.   http://www.infoworld.com/article/3033806/microsoft-windows/how-to-roll-back-your-windows-10-upgrade.html

However, if you are unable to make the reversion back to Windows 7.  You should do a complete re-install.  The only absolutely sure way to have a perfectly clean system.  In the install process, it is called a “Custom” install.

You will need a Win7 install disk.  You will need a legal product code and the win7 disk must match the edition of the code and its bitness (32 or 64).  If you do not have the original Windows 7 install disk, borrow one from a friend.  If that disk has SP1 (Service Pack 1) on it, it will save you many hours.

BEFORE you start the re-install, download (32 or 64 bit versions) KB3083710,  KB3102810, and KB3161664 in advance, and store on a USB stick,  Note:  When you search for the  64 bit versions of these KB’s specify 64 bit.  The 32 bit versions do not say which version they are.

NEVER install anything but Windows Updates until your system is up to date.  Once you have the update list, install all of them together.  Installing updates in batches will not speed the process or make it better.

Boot your system to the Windows 7 install disk.  When it asks where to store the system, click Advanced.  Delete all partitions. Proceed with the install until you get your new desktop.

1. Change Windows Update setting to Never check for updates
2. BEFORE the newly installed system can go online for the first time, disconnectthe computer from the Internet.  This timing is critical.
3. Manually install KB3083710 and restart.
4. Manually install KB3102810 and restart.
5. Manually install KB3161664 and restart
6. Restore the Internet connection and launch Windows Update as normal.
7. After a few minutes, you should have plenty of updates to download and install.

After Windows 7, system drivers and all updates are installed and any stable applications like Microsoft Office are installed and updated, and before any data or dynamic applications are installed such as antivirus software, create a system image.  It will take 3 or 6 DVD ***+***Rs (not -Rs) and about an hour.  When you are done you will have a very nice bit of insurance.  Should you ever again need to re-build a corrupted system or replace a hard drive, you will have a precise duplicate of your system as it was at time you made this image.  You can restore that image to a hard drive in about 20 minutes.  Creation of System Image is found in your menu under Maintenance, Backup and Restore. 

Another great feature about using the image is that you do not need an install disk or a product key to do the re-install the next time.

I emphasize the need for PLUS R DVD blanks.  Do not use the more common MINUS R DVD blanks.

Prevent Windows 10

If you do not want Windows 10 and wish to prevent it from being installed on your computer, follow this exactly as laid out.

Once you have followed the procedure below, and set Windows update to NEVER, once a month, start Windows Update manually, check for updates.  When you get the list of “important” updates, right-click and choose hide on EVERY update in the Windows grouping that does not describe itself as Security.  Allow the Malicious software removal tool or any C++ updates.  Do not use ANY optional updates or place a checkmark in any unchecked updates.  Proceed to update.

You must adopt a protective stance to prevent your Windows 7 system from becoming something you do not want.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/3043656/microsoft-windows/first-aid-for-forced-windows-10-upgrades.html

Change the Windows Update Setting to Never check for updates.  Once a month, about 2 days after the 2nd Tuesday, they receive an email from me advising to manually start WU and then hide every update except for ones specifically labeled Security.  In other words, only security updates will be applied.  In all of 2015 and since, there was not a single update that  improved Windows 7.

Some may feel uncomfortable with the setting — NEVER.  Well you needn’t be.  Never means you are never giving Microsoft a chance to decide what you download and install.  It should NOT mean you will never update.  The difference is that now you take control and the responsibility of updating of Windows and Office.

Read Woody Leonhard (one of the most respected writers in the trade) 

http://www.infoworld.com/article/2983777/microsoft-windows/how-to-clean-the-windows-10-crapware-off-your-windows-7-or-81-pc.html?nsdr=true Woody calls the Windows 10 download “crapware.”  Woody’s advice is that if you have Windows 7, keep it, you are better off by far.

First download and run GWX Control panel.  http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/

It will allow you to prevent any future operating system upgrades and delete downloaded Win10 files, but it will not remove all of Microsoft’s spyware that is already installed on your computer.

The following process will remove those features which you do not need.

This process works, but it only works if you do all the steps and do them in order.

1. Take Windows Update off automatic — Never check for updates
2. Windows Update, Installed updates, WAIT a long time till you see the green bar complete its long trip to the right
3. Now, search for each of the listed updates, uninstall them.  You must wait until the list is re-created each time. You need to wait till you see the number at the bottom of the search window exceed a few hundred.
4. If there are others you want to uninstall, click Later
5. Then, clear the search box and after the list is again displayed (the number at the bottom again exceeds several hundred), enter another KB number.
6. Restart the PC.  It may take a long time to process this.

If you choose “check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them”, Microsoft will download “important” updates like KB3035583 to your computer.  It will be pre-checked — selected.  Unless you check Windows Update (WU) and discover this BEFORE you shut down, it will install it during the shut-down process.

List of updates that if already installed should be removed:

KB3035583

KB2952664

KB2977759

KB3021917

KB3075249

KB3080149

KB3083710

KB3083324

KB3090045

KB3112343

KB3123862

KB3022345

KB3068708

If you are using windows 7, and have not installed win10 and do not want it, here is a procedure that I have used many times and it works.

Hi Canadian Tech, will your "fix" work if the Windows 10 has already taken over my computer and upgraded itself?

Thanks in advance.

This did not work.  I want this notification to stop showing on my PC iit is frustrating how Windows (MICROSOFT) is forcing Obamacare on my pc.

Use GWX CONTROL Panel, search the Net for it!

Make sure you read the instructions carefully and use it.

Use it all the time and often

Make sure you use it after downloading Win Updates.

And read the instructions!!

Gerard

This did not work.  I want this notification to stop showing on my PC iit is frustrating how Windows (MICROSOFT) is forcing Obamacare on my pc.