Windows 10 installed without permission - now my laptop has problems

Reading online it seems I'm not the only one who has had Windows 10 pushed without permission.

I also see references to accepting a Windows 10 EULA - which I categorically did not, nor was I prompted. 

So where does this leave me now?

Hi Bella,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

Sorry for the inconvenience. I understand it’s really frustrating, as it has already installed Windows 10, would you like to keep it or get back to the older version?

I suggest you to perform Automatic Repair once again using Windows 10 installation media. Drivers, conflicts with other programs, malware, and memory can all cause startup problems. Automatic repair can detect and fix problems that prevent your PC from starting.

If you don’t have an installation media. I request you to download and create an installation media of Windows 10 from the below link.

Download Windows 10

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Refer to the steps below to perform an Automatic Repair:

• Insert the installation USB media and boot Windows Technical Preview from it.
• In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’, ‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.
• Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.
• Select ‘Automatic Repair’ and select the operating system.
• You will then see a blue screen and an option to choose. Choose the option Troubleshoot and select advanced options.
• You may choose Automatic Repair from Advanced boot option.
• Follow the instructions.

Hope it helps.

Hi SujataMoktan 

I too have had Windows 10 installed without asking on Tuesday 19 April.. Now I can't use my printer, Dropbox isn't updating and Kaspersky stopped working and everything is super slow as I live in a rural area and have satellite internet with limited uploads. I also hate the Windows 10 interface. So I decided to go back to Windows 7. I followed instructions Selct Update and Security, select Recovery. When I do I get the window Getting things ready - This won't take long.  Well it has   I'm still on is screen after 2 hours. I've tried it every night this week too and gave up after 3 hours. What do I do please. I have turned of Sleep mode etc. I've checked that Windows.old file is there. Please help Microsoft engineer.  What do I do and how long should I wait for the next window (asking me why I want to go back! Imagine what my reply will be after so long!!!!!)

By the way, I have a newly upgraded laptop with lots of memory and heaps of disc space. 

Regards Chris 

Hi 

just to update you on how long the Getting things ready this won't take long window has been displayed.  It's now been 20 hours!  What do I do, I can't get past this window.  I really need someone from Microsoft to help me. I'm a teacher and I can't do my work.  

Hi Chris,

Thanks you for posting your reply and update.

Apologies for the delayed response.

• Did you try performing a Startup Repair?

In case you haven’t performed a Startup Repair, create a Windows 10 installation media and perform it on the device and check if it helps to resolve the issue. This is an alternate way to boot the device and run recovery tools when something goes wrong with the Operating system.

Steps:-

1. Insert the installation USB drive and boot Windows 10 from it.
    If you don't have one, you can Create an installation Media.

2. In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’, ‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.

3. Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.

4. Click on ‘Advanced options’ and select ‘Startup Repair’ and select the operating system.

If Startup repair doesn’t help try performing a System Restore using the same steps and select System Restore under Advanced Options.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

I also have had this happen to me just the other day. And for the record I have been in IT for over 30 years and I know for a fact that I did not ask for my laptop to be upgraded. As far as I am concerned this action by Microsoft should be considered criminal and at the very least I am considering sending Microsoft a large bill for my time and loss of productivity while dealing with their intentional and willful destruction of my personal property. I did manage to stop the process twice by removing power from my laptop while it was still in the copying files process. So far this has kept the upgrade process in check by automatically reverting to the existing 8.1 on restart. I am not sure at this point what other damage or corruption may have taken place but, what I am more concerned with is that since it has already attempted to force the upgrade twice it will make another attempt at any time in the future. Both times it started the upgrade when I was away from my laptop and it was sitting idle. I personally believe this is a class action lawsuit in it's infancy. Sign Me Up!!

I have worked in IT for 20 yrs, I want Microsoft to pay to have my laptop restored back to windows 7, they had no right to change anything on my laptop much less the Operating System then have the nerve to tell me to go fix it.  Wonder if the news media needs to get wind of Microsoft such LACK of respect for their customers.  You would think that since the US has been supporting you for years, that you would want our business, not our law suits....

We are volunteers here and not MS, but are in the midst of elevating this now to developers via our MVP Communication channels and beginning to get some traction.   Please know that we are advocating for you using all the influence we have as honorees by the company. 

Now, as to your unwanted Upgrade.  I will give you steps to try to roll back or at least boot into Windows 10: 

Follow whichever method will work here for How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 or 10 .  Note that Method 1 will sometimes work pressing Ctrl+Alt-Del to access Power icon in corner, then press Shift + click Restart. 

But without access to the OS you may need to Create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC to boot using the BIOS Boot Menu Key, choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, then on second screen choose Repair Your Computer.

From the Troubleshoot options first try (in this order) automated Startup Repair,  Go Back to Old OS, or if those fail try getting into Startup Settings to access Safe Mode to try to stabilize the failed Upgrade with Windows 10 Install Integrity Checklist. 

If you'll report back as you go I will assist until you either get back to the old OS or have an optimal Windows 10 install.  You can then make the decision if you want to continue with 10 or use the Advanced Recovery option in Settings to Go back to old OS.  This is a less stable option than using an image to go back because it is a reverse Upgrade and thus subject to the pitfalls of the inferior in-place Upgrade install. 

Once back in the old OS what is working always to keep out Windows 10 is How to use GWX Control Panel to Permanently Remove 'Get Windows 10' enabling all the restrictions except turning off Automatic Updates which is a security risk and doesn't affect 10 being totally shut out. 

Finally, while we get a complaint here every few minutes for nine months about the Upgrade, there isn't a single complaint by those who've done the vastly superior Clean Install Windows 10 Upgrade which can be activated with the old OS Product Key.