Blocking Windows 10, Again

I know I have written on this topic before, but Microsoft has once again gotten more aggressive in forcing people to upgrade.  If you are using Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, Microsoft is trying to force you to permit an upgrade to Windows 10.

Last week, Microsoft began a new trick.  For some time, you may have been receiving pop up messages asking if you want to upgrade now or later (no option for never).  If you pick later, Microsoft scheduled a time and just upgraded without further input.  Many people had been using the X to close the Window without selecting either option.  Last week, Microsoft changed the menu so that closing with the X would result in the same thing as selecting "later."  I.e. Microsoft would upgrade you to 10 at some future time without asking anything further.

Blocking Upgrade Attempts

Some of our work computers are on a domain.  In those cases, you should not be getting pop ups about an upgrade.  Others are not on a domain.  If you are getting messages about upgrading to Windows 10 on your computer, you can run GWX Control Panel.  This program will allow you to disable all requests to upgrade to 10.

You can call the help desk for assistance if you need it.  The process only takes a few minutes.

You may also use this program on any home computer that you do not want to upgrade.  It will simply block any of Microsoft's "reminders" to upgrade your computer and will not allow the computer to upgrade on its own.  If you decide you want to upgrade at some later time, you can use the program to re-enable the prompts.

Rolling Back an Upgrade

If your computer has upgraded to 10 against your will, you have the ability to take it back.  Simply say "no" to the license agreement the first time your computer starts.  This will force Windows to go back to the earlier version.  Once rolled back, run the GWX Control Panel to prevent future upgrade attempts.

If you have upgraded to 10 against your will and have already signed in, you can still roll back for up to 30 days.  Click on the Start menu, select "settings" then "update and security" then "recovery".  Click the button to roll back to your earlier version and then wait for it to complete.  This may take quite a while.

After 30 days, Windows deletes the old backup files and you cannot go back.  At that point, you would need to use your old installation CDs that came with the computer to restore your computer to factory default settings.  This wipes out all programs or documents that have been added since you first purchased the computer.

Future Plans for Windows 10

The firm has no intention of moving to Windows 10 anytime soon.  Windows 10 does not really offer any new features we need.  Any upgrade carries the risk of some incompatibility with existing hardware or software.  Further, Windows 10 seems to have a great many privacy issues that we are still evaluating.

We may end up purchasing new computers with Windows 10 pre-installed in 2017, as Windows 7 may become unavailable at that time.

If you want to upgrade a home computer to Windows 10, it does seem to work with most of the firm's systems.  Microsoft says its free upgrade is ending in July.  After that time, you will have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10.  Keep in mind that the IT department cannot help you with any home computer problems that may arise as a result of an upgrade.

Hold off on Windows 10 upgrades for now.

Windows 10 officially released on July 29.

Some of you may be receiving invitations from Microsoft to "upgrade now" right on your computer.  Microsoft forced through these invitations as a Windows update.  I want to reiterate that you should not upgrade your computer to Windows 10.  There are a number of reasons for this:

• The upgrade may fail and leave you with an unusable computer.  I have read several reports of this happening to others.
• After a successful upgrade, you  may find some of your programs do not work properly
• You may also find that some older hardware, such as printers, or other devices may not work properly.
• Windows 10 has a very different interface from Windows XP or 7.  You may find it difficult to figure out how to do basic things or find your programs.  The Help Desk is not ready to help with any such problems yet.
• At present, there is almost nothing of significance that can be done with Windows 10 that cannot already be done on Windows 7.  The reverse of that is not true.  There are a number things Windows 7 can do that Windows 10 cannot.

You may recall my concerns about upgrading in an earlier post that I published back in March.

We will begin testing shortly to see how compatible this new version is with our existing hardware and software.  Over time, I expect the firm will make the move to Windows 10.  I just do not want to rush the issue.

If you are using Windows 7 at work, you may receive pop up ads from Microsoft encouraging you to accept a free upgrade to Windows 10.  PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS.  Although I have heard good things about it in many reviews, I need time to test that it works with our systems before we upgrade.  We have a whole year to take advantage of the free upgrade if we wish, and there is no easy way to go back if you upgrade and find that things do not work.

If I find there are problems, or that things are good, I will let you know my findings in this blog.  If we get to the point where I think an upgrade is safe, you can upgrade at that point.  Of course, if you are happy with the way things are working on your computer now, there is no need to upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10.  Microsoft will continue to support Windows 7 until 2020.  We will continue to support it as well.

If you have Windows XP still, your computer is not eligible for a free upgrade.  However, we are trying to retire XP where we can.  If you would like a new computer with Windows 7, let us know.  We are probably working our way around to you, but if anyone wants to be at the front of the line, just let us know at the help desk.  If you want to move from XP to 10, we are not ready to deploy 10 yet.  Hopefully, we will be ready some time this fall, unless we find any serious problems during testing.

If you buy a new Windows 10 computer or upgrade a home computer, keep in mind that you are on the cutting edge.  We cannot provide help with any Windows 10 specific issues yet.  There are typically numerous problems in the first six months of any OS release.

I recommend patience.  Let others deal with the bugs and upgrade once they are resolved.  Also, unless there is a good reason, you are usually better off buying a new computer with Windows 10 pre-installed rather than upgrading an existing computer designed for an earlier version  Upgrading typically comes with complications that are not worth it.