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General discussion

Forced to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10

Mar 7, 2016 11:03AM PST

Hi all,

I am being forced to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 by Windows! Please see the screen shot.

http://i.imgur.com/jBOTwkI.png

I didn't accept to upgrade. I do not want to upgrade. I did not click anything to upgrade. I am happy with Windows 7.

After looking at the screen shot, you will see Windows is only giving me the options of:
1. Start Upgrade Now
2. Schedule upgrade for an exact date and time (it states "the scheduled time can not be changed after this")

So, basically this is a forced upgrade!

I tried to "task manager close" this update window but it just reappears moments after. I don't see any other options other then "update it now or update it later at a specific time (which can not be changed).

Last night Windows automatically just started upgrading to Window 10. It didn't ask me if I wanted to. I didn't click on anything to upgrade. Nothing. In fact I stepped away from the computer but saw the upgrading in progress screen. It just tarted an automatic upgrade. After about 20 - 30 minutes when it upgraded, tried Windows 10 and don't like it. My video card acts weird on it. My screen flashes even after its fully installed and rebooted. I like my widgets that show my GPU, CPU, RAM and HD usage in real time so I know what's going on with my PC. Widgets are not allowed in Windows 10. I know a lot of the commands and locations for things in Windows 7 and I don't want to have them again. I have a feeling that more of my hardware is going to have an issue with Windows 10. After all these problems, I actually did a system restore to get Win 7 back last night. Now, today (less the 24 hours after the automatic upgrade) its forcing me to upgrade again by only giving me two options (both of which are to upgrade).

I may upgrade to Win 10 in a few years, but I don't want to be forced to do so now. Microsoft has been offering Windows 10 for free for a while now. If I had wanted it, I would have gotten it. I have seen the little window pop up saying "upgrade now for a limited time" almost daily. I see the advertisements on MSN's homepage to "upgrade now". Shouldn't it be my choice not forced if I want to upgrade? They are only giving me two options, both of which is to upgrade right now or in a few days. No option to "not upgrade" or "leave me alone"

I am frustrated about this. Any suggestions? The window to update is up right now as we speak.

Thanks

Note: This post was edit by the Forum Admin to include the referring screenshot by OP

Post was last edited on March 11, 2016 1:53 PM PST

Discussion is locked

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bend in a strong wind do not fight it
Mar 19, 2016 3:25AM PDT

Try to state in the forced installation window a future date for upgrade like 1 November 2030. By then your computer hardware will surely be dead anyhow. In addition if this date is accepted by the software I presume that it will guarantee that you will never get invitations to upgrade to Win10 again.
I wish you luck.

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Window 7 rules
Mar 19, 2016 4:01AM PDT

I upgraded my little HP mini and my main Lap top to windows 10 all was fine for a while until I tried using a couple of programs I only use rarely (OpCom a diagnostic tool used for my car). This would not work then I discovered that I needed to upgrade as was not compatible to windows 10. Purchased new software and interface only to discover that the free bee Windows 10 is not a clean download and OpCom will still not work. So now have brought a second-hand laptop to run my OpCom on windows 7. I was so impressed with the new Laptop (ThinkPad T510 i7 8GB RAM with docking station) that have made that my main Laptop and relegated my HP i5 Pavilion to the general family hack PC.

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best solution...
Mar 19, 2016 5:24AM PDT

All you reallly have to know are 3 words: GWX Control Panel. Problem solved. It's by far the easiest and most effective way to keep the "Get Windows 10" nonsense at bay.

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BS
Mar 19, 2016 5:43AM PDT

BS. There is no way it will even upgrade without you saying yes to the EULA.

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Use GWX Control Panel
Mar 19, 2016 5:44AM PDT

Go to http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads
Download and install GWX Control Panel
On the bottom half of the program, mouse over each option to see what it does, double click the option to engage. The results to Windows 10 and forced install are shown in the top half of the program. Easier than pie!

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Exactly- use GWX Control Panel
Mar 19, 2016 6:52AM PDT

You can delete the W10 download, prevent operating system changes, and eliminate the nagging in the future - all in a few minutes.

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GWX Fixes the problem
Mar 19, 2016 7:24AM PDT

I too encountered the forced upgrade. I decided to go ahead and use Win 10. After 4 aborted failures, I realized I had a problem -- stuck in the "Forced Upgrade loop" with no hope of getting out. Once the upgrade aborted and reverted back to Win 7 Pro, I searched for a solution. GWX Control Panel is the least painless. (I did try several manual solutions). Once I understood that the upgrade is part of the patches I knew what I was looking for. But, there are several points and places to correct. Using GWX Control Panel takes about 2 minutes - including reading the instructions. Problem solved.
No more endless loop, no more pesky upgrade notice.

No, Windows 10 was not a good experience for me.

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I don't understand...
Mar 19, 2016 5:51AM PDT

I ask, "Why are you so afraid of Windows 10?"

Windows 10 is the best performing OS I've ever had through the entire history of Windows. Now I do admit that I am running Windows 10 Professional. But that should not make a whole lot of difference in general, but professional version has greater software compatibility options.

If you are worried about relearning an OS, that was my original thought about my own computers but rapidly let go of that because "Windows is Windows" everything is still there but getting to them is more intuitive in Windows 10.

If it's widgets you are worried about Windows 10 has all of the accessibility for that info in the Task Manager, just pin it to the Start Menu. It appears you are worried about performance, but all the widgets just slow things down. I personally hated them and disabled them in my previous version of Windows 7. I like a clean system and you can setup Windows 10 to be a clean system on install. But, first things first...

Take time to back up your data, maybe even do a factory restore on Windows 7 first to clean things up a bit. Download and make a Windows 10 DVD for setup and take control of it yourself. You will have an option to remove all the bloatware that came with your 7...

Relax and enjoy what Microsoft is giving you, be grateful!

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Advertising all over games!
Mar 19, 2016 11:03AM PDT

If you cannot play solitaire without Microsoft trying to sell you something, you realize it is not Free at all. The ads take up screen space and diminish the purity of the games. Win 10 is not free, it is an adware based program.

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There are no ads on the game play board
Mar 19, 2016 12:49PM PDT

The ads are on the interface that you use to select a game. Yes, it is annoying, but it is certainly not as bad as you are implying. I am annoyed with Microsoft for trying to make my Solitaire into something it was never intended to be, but I can still opt out of their nonsense and just play my game without interference.

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I don't understand...
Mar 20, 2016 6:32PM PDT

Uncle Buck:
I heard the same about W8. The problem with that OS was the Metro screen apps didn't play well with hipps enabled on your antivirus/firewall. Disable and your good. W8.1 fixed that. W10 was a bad OS to start. I'm an insider preview tester and I ran 4 previews in a virtual complete clone of the C:\ from W8.1 host machine. Ran both the host and the virtual at full task (multiple windows and beaucoup tabs open) with now issues. My ram usage was at 35% and HDD was at 42%.
When I tried to update that machine to W10 it killed my ability to access the net. I only had one browser able to access the net. The first update destabilized my system to the point that it took my system 8.5 hrs to fully boot. Then every time I tried to open a program, it would black screen and reboot the desktop; another 2 hr wait. I couldn't access the drive by any means. I finally convince Ms to give me an 8.1 license and iso to install on a new HDD.
I have a friend who lost $4000 worth of graphics cards because of a bad update for Nvidia graphics cards. Some I talked to only had to physically remove the re install their card(s) and then manually load the drivers. Others had the same issue my game tester friend had: fried cards.
W10 Home doesn't give you any control of your system and MS doesn't care what the updates do to your system and peripherals. You can't push out updates or decline them. W10 Pro gives you the ability to push out updates for as much as 30 days, after that too bad so sad. W10 Enterprise is the only version that allows you total control of your updates. Got $500?
You can't turn off anything that gives you privacy issues/concerns. And the biggest issue I have is that MS will without warning turn off/disable or out right remove any program or hardware on your system that they don't like. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Sorry, I am an IT specialist. I have yumi and hirens and nirsoft programs in folders for making access tools for my clients that happen to get locked out, bombed or otherwise have need of extreme help whether their fault or through some A%$^&hats doing. W10 doesn't like those programs/software. W10 was a bait and switch and I personally take umbrage at the tactics MS is taking. If you want W10 then buy a W10 device. The free upgrade doesn't like to be installed over another OS and should be backed up to a disk or drive. Make sure that the W7/W8 license is transferred to W10 then wipe/reformat the drive and start clean from the backup.
I personally won't make the change because of the bait and switch, as well as the Big Government/Brother attitude of Microsoft. I think I will follow some my friends, and some clients and go Linux when I Have To Change.
Good luck.

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You're right; you don't understand...
Mar 23, 2016 12:13AM PDT

That there's a number of legitimate reasons to not want a forced upgrade. I'm glad you are not aware of or personally don't care about those reasons. You can use Windows 10; no one is stopping you. The point is, no one should be forcing you either.

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I take it you haven't read wx tos
Mar 23, 2016 8:52AM PDT

In regards to what they can and can't Don with basically every bit of data on a wx machine, they claim to have rights to it all for whatever they want. They say so clearly and ambiguously in the terms and conditions. Furthermore, they force updates, regardless of whether or not you have a bandwidth cap and from what I've read, they force backups of your data to their cloud services to be used and shared as they see fit.

No thanks. I'll stick with wvii

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I see Microsoft's side completely on this one
Mar 19, 2016 6:25AM PDT

I wonder if Toyota showed up and wanted your 97 Camry, but was offering you a brand new one at no cost? Would people be just as annoyed? I do understand the fear and dislike of change, but the fact is that Windows 10 is a superior OS. Like or dislike the interface, it is faster and more stable than any before it.

Microsoft has decided to push out the upgrade in order to get as many computers on the same operating system as possible. There are definitely advantages in terms of software development and support in dealing with one operating system.

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Yes, just like Henry Ford had said ...
Mar 19, 2016 7:20AM PDT

... "Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black!"

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If Dodge showed up and
Mar 19, 2016 9:40AM PDT

...wanted to take my historic Dodge 77 Power Wagon 440ci (7.2L) and replace it with their updated Dodge Dart 1.4L, yeah, I'd be pissed off too!

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Suggestion for forced Win 10 upgrade
Mar 19, 2016 7:33AM PDT

This may be too obvious to work, but if you're being offered an option to do the upgrade at a specified future date, have you tried inputting a date that's like 5 or 10 years into the future?

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Going back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 from Windows 10
Mar 19, 2016 8:14AM PDT

If it's within a month of upgrading, Microsoft allows the use of 'recovery': http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/going-back-to-windows-7-or-windows-81
In more detail: http://www.howtogeek.com/220723/how-to-uninstall-windows-10-and-downgrade-to-windows-7-or-8.1/

After that, you may want to remove Windows updates that will continue to 'press the issue to upgrade to Windows 10'.

How to remove Windows 10 upgrade updates in Windows 7 and 8
http://www.ghacks.net/2015/04/17/how-to-remove-windows-10-upgrade-updates-in-windows-7-and-8/

What is the “Get Windows 10” Tray Item and How Do You Remove It?
OR Remove the Get Windows 10 icon from the icon tray http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/578100/remove-the-get-windows-10-icon-from-the-icon-tray/

Get Rid of That Annoying Windows 10 Upgrade Notification
http://www.groovypost.com/howto/remove-annoying-windows-10-upgrade-notification/

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Call Microsoft
Mar 19, 2016 9:04AM PDT

I called Microsoft. They were able to remote desktop into my computer and uninstall the forced upgrade. However, be advised that:
[A] I have windows 7 Pro. Pro users pay a little extra and these extras include business focused features. I don't know if Microsoft will give you the same service they gave me. It's worth a try.
Business reason for not upgrading: I bought my computer for work and I have work focused software on my computer that did not run well on a Windows 10 laptop.

Will Microsoft give you the same service as a "Home User," I have no idea. You can certainly try. I went first to my employer's Office 365 account and the tech person there told me it was a Windows issue. She directed me to talk to the Windows team. From there, I don't remember if I she gave me a number or if I had to go to support.microsoft.com. Either way, I had to sift through the phone system.

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Not really a response but...
Mar 19, 2016 9:24AM PDT

... why avoid the upgrade? It's been great for me and my office.

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SUE 'EM
Mar 19, 2016 9:39AM PDT

I think the only way we are going to get Microsoft to refrain from this massive unwanted campaign is to launch a class action suite against them.
Maybe if they are preoccupied with legal matters they will forget about harassing small people who just want to be left alone to get on with their lives. Also, we might get a few bucks out of it.

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Forced to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10
Mar 19, 2016 10:38AM PDT
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heres another page on the no win 10 subject
Mar 19, 2016 11:03AM PDT
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remove
Mar 19, 2016 12:24PM PDT

from windows update removed KB3035583 which is the dreaded W10 harassment file. This may help

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Easy solution to unwanted Windows 10 updates / notifications
Mar 19, 2016 12:24PM PDT

Try this link, the instructions are clear and complete. and until Microsoft comes up with work-arounds, or more insidious tricks; it seem to tale care of all the Windows 10 unwanted upgrade / pop-up notifications'

LINK : http://download.cnet.com/blog/download-blog/stop-or-roll-back-a-windows-10-update/

You can revert back to Windows 7 or 8.1 ( as long as the upgrade is less than 30 days old ) , stop automatic updates by changing your " Windows Update " settings in Control Panel according to their simple recommendations, and prevent anymore annoying notifications by getting ( free ) a third-party tool called GWX Control Panel . The link is provided and is clean.

It is IMPORTANT to use the " clear update cache " function as is recommended in the instructions.

I have used the link and recommendations. I found it easy, safe, and so far, until Microsoft changes it's methods EFFECTIVE.

Personally, I would really like to know what Microsoft's motivations are for applying such strong pressure on users to make this upgrade ? I can't ever recall Bill Gates giving software away for free , seems highly suspicious to me ???

Hope this solves your Windows 10 issues as easily and completely as it did mine.

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Auto Upgrade to Windows 10 not planned
Mar 19, 2016 12:55PM PDT

I have a Sony Vaio Laptop (an older model) with Windows 8.1 I had not planned on upgrading because the Sony website gave only bad news for my model Vaio. I was backing up my computer and left the room - when I returned Window 10 was almost finished downloading. There was nothing I could do to stop it. What I can say is all the fears I had about the touch screen not working or the speaker not operating, etc. etc. did not happen. I'm actually very pleased with Windows 10. My computer desktop remains the same as it did under Windows 8.1 and all my programs work as before. I've always used the old Netscape for mail and worried about upgrading and loosing mail....no problem it works just as always. Thumbs up for Windows 10. Happy

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wat i did 4 our Win7 cmptrs !:o)
Mar 19, 2016 1:43PM PDT

this comment is from a retired dinosaur cmptr prgmmr & long-time Windows user ( Win3.1 anyone ?:o)
Luckily we have automatic updates turned off on our household's Win7 cmptrs ... just the same we were being offered\threatened Win10 . Solved the issue by stopping\not accepting some updates & uninstalling some others .

stop or uninstall these Windows updates ( listed in ascending order)

KB3022345 MSpyware ?
KB3035583 Win10 Upgrade ( took 3 'uninstalls' ?:o)
KB3068708 MSpyware ?
KB3075249 MSpyware ?
KB3080149 MSpyware ?
KB3139929 Win10 Upgrade
KB3146449 Win10 Upgrade

Suggestion 4 a RegEdit fix i dint find ...

Subkey: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
DWORD value: DisableOSUpgrade = 1

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saving my favorites from 7 to 10
Mar 19, 2016 4:05PM PDT

I have a TON of favorites on my roommates computer, and he's switching to 10 at midnight. There's no email server so instead I have saved the favorites as a document to the library and bookmarked it to the desktop. Is this all I need to do to prevent the loss of hundreds of recipes, music files etc? please assure me I'm ok. thanx, sharon

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It should not be necessary
Mar 19, 2016 4:33PM PDT

... but it's not a bad precaution to take. I would check out a better way to do this if I still had Windows 7, but I've already switched. Your favorites should still be there after the upgrade.

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(NT) thank u
Mar 19, 2016 7:16PM PDT