How to stop Windows 10 forcing itself onto PCs – Microsoft’s guide

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I placed this here because it seems more relevant than the Win10 spot. But if the moderators disagree, please move. It is equally relevant in the Windows 8 spot as well tough it effects far more Win7 users (who are in greater numbers).

Confirmed: How to stop Windows 10 forcing itself onto PCs – your essential guide

by Iain Thomson
The Register
Jan. 8, 2016

…. Microsoft will start pushing out a Windows 10 upgrade as a recommended, virtually mandatory, update very soon …. It’s actually rather easy to turn off the Windows 10 upgrade function without losing vital regular software updates. Microsoft even has an official document explaining how to do it….

[*]Open the Registry Editor (search for regedit in the Start Menu and run it).
[*] Set DisableOSUpgrade to 1 in HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate
[*] Set ReservationsAllowed to 0 in HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateOSUpgrade

…. [url url="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/08/windows_10_upgrade_blocker/"]Read the full article at this link[/url] Article includes automated script links for those who are uncomfortable editing the registry and comments for corporate Windows users.

If you have used GWX Control Panel it has already made these two changes for you. I confirmed this.

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I think GWX Control Panel is safer….

agreed

I noticed the article did not mention backing up the registry first before making the changes.

true

I was more taken aback, but not surprised, by “Microsoft will start pushing out a Windows 10 upgrade as a recommended, virtually mandatory, update very soon”

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agreed

true

I was more taken aback, but not surprised, by “Microsoft will start pushing out a Windows 10 upgrade as a recommended, virtually mandatory, update very soon”

The statement “virtually mandatory” is nothing but click bait. In versions prior to 10, there are no mandatory updates, real or virtual. Period.

Of course, for those for which Windows is configured to automatically install updates, this can be a problem and it is a shame that Microsoft chooses to do so. I am sure it will create problems for many users.

Cautious users, however, will not have updates set to install automatically. Those will be safe, if they choose to uncheck the Windows upgrade update, which they should, if they want to avoid it.

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MS’s latest version: How to manage Windows 10 notification and upgrade options

Article ID: 3080351 – Last Review: 01/13/2016 22:30:00 – Revision: 4.0

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