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.

Stopping the Windows 10 Update

Microsoft has been pushing ever harder to get users to upgrade their Windows 7 or Windows 8 computers to the new Windows 10.  Most enterprise level environments have not yet made the move to Windows 10, which released last summer. Such an upgrade requires extensive testing needed to ensure it will work with legacy devices.

The IT Department has been testing Windows 10 since its release and find that it seems to work reasonably well with most of the software and hardware used by the firm.  That said, we have also found little reason to upgrade to 10.  Other than a new look, we have not found any feature of particular use to the firm that Windows 10 provides that Windows 7 does not.

By contrast, Windows 10 loses some functionality for some features,  notably its inability to play DVD videos.  I am also bothered by some of the privacy concerns in Windows 10. Add to that the user confusion of having to learn a new interface, we have not been in any hurry to standardize on 10.  Microsoft will continue to support Windows 7 until 2020.  At some point before then, the firm will begin deploying Windows 10 devices.  There is, however, no plan yet for when exactly such deployment will begin.

Even when we begin deploying Windows 10, it will likely only be on new computers.  Existing Windows 7 computers will likely stay Windows 7 computers for their usable life.  Upgrading can cause problems, such as hardware that is incompatible with Windows 10.  Since there is no practical benefit to the upgrade at this point, there is no reason not to continue using what works.

Many of you are getting annoying requests from Microsoft to upgrade.  I have created a registry edit that should kill these nuisances. You can download and run this registry edit on your Windows 7 computer if you like.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B82goF7NYtz1TzdBV0k3ZGZVWTA

In some cases, Microsoft has been more persistent in trying to get you to upgrade.  There is a freeware program called GWX Control Panel, which will help you to kill these reminders.  You can read more about the program at this link.  We have tested and used this program on several computers and find it helpful and safe.  Feel free to use it on either a work or home computer if you are tired of getting pop-ups on upgrading to Windows 10.