Banishing 'Get Windows 10' nagware isn't as easy as you think

InfoWorld ^ | Jan 8, 2016 | Woody Leonhard

[Utilizer]

If you're running Windows 7 or 8.1 on a computer that isn't attached to a domain, you're no doubt familiar with the "Get Windows 10" ads that try to convince you -- sometimes subtly, sometimes forcefully -- to install Windows 10. Microsoft's intrusive campaign has drawn much well-deserved ire among Windows customers. I think it represents a new low in Microsoft marketing -- right down there in the Scroogled end of the gene pool.

Back in August, Microsoft posted KB 3080351, a discussion of new Group Policy settings and two obscure registry entries -- DisableOSUpgrade and ReservationsAllowed -- that, taken together, are supposed to "prevent Windows 7, Windows 7 for Embedded Systems, Windows 8.1, and Windows Embedded 8.1 Pro clients from upgrading" to Windows 10.

[Texas Fossil]

I spend 99% of my computing time in Linux.

Started using Linux in 1994. Loved it from first. It has become incredibly powerful, and is still stable. Have run lots of OS's. I like the light GUIs like XFCE. Current install in Debian 8 with XFCE GUI options. Very fast.

[doorgunner69]

Personal Dell XPS 8700. Never had a single popup in all the time I have had it since it was shipped from Dell.

Can't tell you when I stopped allowing updates, assuming there is a way to check the dates.

Maybe I stopped communicating with the mothership before the nagging was instigated?

[TChad]

I use adblock plus and NoScript. I wonder that’s why.

It is more likely that you just never downloaded and installed update KB3035583.

[DaxtonBrown]

There is an easy way to get rid of the Windows 10 nag. Switch to Linux like I just did. It gets easier every year.

[TChad]

The batch file code posted by "Mister X" at the link below will also stop the Win 10 upgrade:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/bork-tuesday-any-problems-yet.370217/page-58

Before running that or making any other registry modifications, BACK UP THE REGISTRY:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/322756

[ChildOfThe60s]

It is more likely that you just never downloaded and installed update KB3035583.

The day I bought both my Win 7 machines I turned off ALL updates before I ever connected to the net. Five years ago. No problems what so ever since then.

Now the jerks at CorelDraw are another matter with their push ads. One in particular came every time I closed the program and couldn't be closed. It's a work program for me so it really angered me. Huge PITA to fix that one.

[TChad]

No problems what so ever since then.

If your computer is not infected, you have been lucky. Whatever you have been using for antivirus/Internet security has done a great job. I think it's the wrong way to do things, but it does work sometimes.

[packrat01]

Windoze is up to version 10? That’s gotta sux big time.

This ol’ box still running XP. Only problem I have, is that I have to upgrade FireFox every now and a while. Twas only a few months ago we ditched dial-up. (had to, really)

[arthurus]

I got rid of the W10 nag ads. The final straw is when MSFT began to download W10 unbidden and I shut the box off until I could get my son to fix the problem. He did. I have tried for two years to go to Linux but I guess it is not to be. I was unable to get any version to load on any of 4 boxes, two of them virgin. I finally got down a Ubuntu and the machine simply stopped working. Nothing comes on. I took the hard drive out and tried it in another machine and it spins merrily but reads out nothing. My son got it going again but it again died as soon as he was 900 miles away. The gods have decreed that I must stay with Windows. I am tenaciously hanging onto my W7, however and when that gets disabled I suppose I will be permanently offline.