Sunday, September 13, 2015

Preventing Windows 10 Upgrades from Windows Update with GWX Control Panel

After releasing GWX Control Panel last month, I learned of an even more troubling threat to Windows 7 and 8 users than Microsoft's annoying Get Windows 10 notification app: Numerous people reported that their Windows Update control panels had been hijacked by the Windows 10 upgrade. And more recently, other users reported finding complete Windows 10 installation folders on their hard drives, even though they hadn't opted in to upgrading to the new operating system. When the anger that led me to write the original GWX Control Panel welled up again I realized it was time for some updates...

UPDATES AND DOCUMENTATION

You can download the latest version of GWX Control Panel from my downloads page, and you can read the complete user guide for a detailed description of all features.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

I've also put together two short video tutorials. Here's the original video, which covers version 1.1 of the program:



And here's the next tutorial that only covers the new features that debuted in versions 1.2 and 1.3. This discusses how you can return the Windows Update control panel back to its regular behavior if it gets hijacked by Windows 10, and also explains how you can use GWX Control Panel to keep track of the hidden Windows 10 download folder.



11 comments:

etty said...

Can,t thank you enough for this amazing piece of software. Has worked perfectly and no more problems with updates (so far!!)
You're a little star :)x

Ultimate Outsider said...

@etty - Great to hear. Thank you!

Todd said...

> @Todd - The first time you click Disable Operating System Upgrades it does always ask if you would like to restart. (Basically any time that clicking the button changes your settings from what they were when you first opened it will trigger the restart notification.) It's just a Yes/No dialog box, and if you click No, it will not restart Windows.

Love the utility!

This did show up the second time I ran the app. I was in native mode, not Go To Assist. Apparently something was in the buffer and thought I had clicked Okay the first time through as it instantly rebooted without even showing the reboot dialog. It could have been fumble fingers, but I don't think so. I distinctly remember clicking the Disable button and boom, I was rebooting.

This would only be an issue when I am logged in remotely (Go To Assist) as I would have to called the customer back and ask them to log me back in. And I do plan to use this utility a lot with Go To Assist.

Maybe you could look into a way to clear the buffer and/or prevent an accidental double click skip (mouse button bounce) before displaying the prompt?

Many thanks,-T

Ultimate Outsider said...

@Todd - Oh, here's your comment! I left a response to you on the original announcement page. I added a new feature that should help you avoid this situation. The /norestart command line switch. See the updated documentation for details.

all4free said...

Hi Ultimate Outsider.
I have a small problem with the latest version. The program does everything it is supposed to do with one exception. When I change the windows update from "Install updates automatically", to either "never check....." or to "Check for updates but let me......." I keep on seeing the icon(Monitor) flashing and somehow the program is being over-ridden and the updates revert back to ,"Install updates automatically." Please help me as this setting causes problems for me when I do downloads over night as the updates install and close the PC down. When I wake up and check my PC , I have to start my other downloads all over again.

Ultimate Outsider said...

@Graham - Please send me your "Save Diagnostic Info" report. (There are instructions on how to do this at the user guide.)

It sounds like some other process is resetting your Windows Update settings, but I'd like to see if any errors are reported in the logs.

all4free said...

Hi Ultimate Outsider.
First of all, many thanks for your very prompt reply to my comment. I have been away and was only able to check your blog today.
OK. the program is still not permanently preventing auto updating of my windows 7 Ultimate PC. Please forgive my ignorance in the matter of where to go to find the "Save Diagnostics Info' report. I can't find it. I have read through the "User Guide" section rather hurriedly hoping to find the said guide highlighted but for some reason I just keep missing it. Can you please give me more specific directions as to the subheading or something that will help me.
Other than the small problem as described above and in my previous post, the program is working like a charm.Thank you for your brilliant answer (GWX Control Panel) to the widows 10 challenge. Blessings.

all4free said...

Hi Ultimate Outsider.

HOLD IT PAL.!!!! I have found the "save Diagnostics Info" report. It will be on its way as soon as I have posted this item. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused on my part. Bye for now. Also forgive any spelling mistakes as I am a one finger typist that can misspell words at times.Blessings.

Suzanne said...

Thank you for making W10 go away.. down loaded your ,What ever it is, the other day...waited for the 17th was was MS day to load W10 again .. it did not happen... Thanks it was easy for this granny to follow your steps.. a small donation will be headed your way...

Ultimate Outsider said...

@Suzanne - Thank you!

Unknown said...

Thank you Ultimate Outsider for your promt reply, appreciated very much!!!
p.s...you should charge $1 per download... just a suggestion ; )