Here's the text of my question, posted on Microsoft's site.
Hello & thank you for any assistance.
This is convoluted, so please stay with me:
I have Windows 7 & downloaded but did not install Windows 10. I had second thoughts about installing it, so I attempted to uninstall the "Get Windows 10" update (KB3035583). I tried to uninstall it a few times, but the "gold download shield" would reappear in the Startup menu & the update would install again.
However, at some point I must have been successful in uninstalling the update, because a search did not find the file in "Installed Updates." The "Get Windows 10" icon and notification also disappeared.
Then, foolishly, I attempted to delete the $Windows-BT folder which contained at least some of the Windows 10 download. I believe some of folders from that "root" folder were deleted, but also received an error message saying $Windows-BT could not be entirely deleted without administrator permission. I have no idea what that is.
I then changed my update settings from automatic download of important & recommended updates to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them." I stopped receiving any updates, at least those informing me that an update is being installed & warning not to turn the computer off. (Update history does show that two updates were successfully installed over the past few days, though there was no obvious indication this was the case.)
I changed settings back to automatic updates and restarted the computer a few times, but nothing installed & the "gold update shield" has not reappeared.
At this point, when I open Windows Update, there is a message informing that "Your upgrade to Windows 10 is ready." I have not clicked it.
****** When I manually check for updates, I receive an error message saying Windows can't search for updates, because the computer needs to be restarted in order for a previous installation to be completed. I have restarted several times, but nothing installs.
So, it looks like I'm caught in a loop. I can't search for and install important security updates because my computer/Windows 7 requires the installation of an update that isn't there, or no longer exists. *******
I'm obviously not a technical person, and again, I realize this problem is complex. I would greatly appreciate any information or assistance.
Thank you for your time and patience,
mmantho