http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/prevent-windows-10/
Microsoft has turned a decades-long respected process — Windows Update — into a malware distribution system. It is for all intents and purposes forcing innocent and content Windows 7 computer users into “upgrading” to its new Windows 10 version. It promises
to allow return to Windows 7 within 30 days. That return process is flawed and leaves your computer virtually unusable and requires re-installation of Windows 7. For some owners without a re-usable Microsoft product key or a factory restore partition on
their computers, it results in a useless thing that used to be a computer.
Windows 10 is a completely new and very different Windows.
Nothing like anything you have used before.
- It is primarily an advertising/sales vehicle.
- By adopting Windows 10, you sacrifice any privacy — essentially, anything on your computer is Microsoft’s and its partner’s to use as they see fit.
- Windows Update becomes non-optional. You, as owner of your system no longer have control over what happens to your computer. Microsoft will re-make Windows (on your computer) into what serves its purposes without asking your permission or opinion.
- Windows 10 as a system is still full of un-fulfilled promises and bugs. Many of your programs will not run on Windows 10. In fact, the “upgrade” process removes some.
So, if you like Windows 7, and most do very much so, I advise you to reject Windows 10 for the foreseeable future. Be advised that Microsoft has committed to support Windows 7 until at least January, 2020. Most of your current computers will last that
long.
You must adopt a protective stance to prevent your Windows 7 system from becoming something you do not want.
I have advised my clients to change the Windows Update Setting to Never check for updates. Once a month, about a week after the 2nd Tuesday, they will get an email from me advising to manually start WU and then to reject (right-click,
hide) specific updates KB3035583, KB2952664, KB2977759, KB3021917, KB3075249, KB3080149, KB3083710, KB3083324, KB3022345, KB3090045 and KB3068708. This list may change over time. In fact, the December, 1015 update brought a new one:
KB3112343
Some may scoff at this idea. Well they are incorrect. Never means you are never giving Microsoft a chance to decide what you download and install. It does NOT mean you will never update. The difference is that now you take control and the responsibility
of updating of Windows and Office.
Some may believe that Microsoft would not do such a stupid thing. You must 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.
If you see the Windows flag on the bottom right of your screen, chances are pretty high, your computer already has the Win10 file. Even if you do not, it may be on your computer shortly anyway. Here are instructions on how to rid yourself of it:
First download and run GWX Control panel. A free app:
http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/
http://www.infoworld.com/article/2979572/microsoft-windows/gwx-stopper-an-easy-way-to-permanently-delete-get-windows-10-nagware-in-windows-7-and-81.html
It will allow you to prevent any future operating system upgrades and delete downloaded Win10 files, but it will
not remove any of Microsoft’s installed or attempts to install spyware.
This process works, but it only works if you do all the steps and do them in order.
- Take Windows Update off automatic — Never check for updates
- Windows Update, Installed updates, WAIT a long time till you see the green bar complete its long trip to the right
- Now, search for each of the listed updates, uninstall them. You must wait until the list is re-created each time.
- If there are others you want to uninstall, click Later
- Then, clear the search box and after a brief wait, enter another KB number.
- Restart the PC
If you choose “check for updates, but let me choose whether to download and install them”, Microsoft will download an “important” update 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. Hiding accomplishes nothing.
This is more than annoying. It goes way beyond that. It is underhanded, dishonest and just plain wrong for Microsoft to do this. There is no offer to accept or refuse. There is no informed consent. There is not even an idea of what it is your getting
and what the result is if you change your mind.
