Windows 10 Almost Got Me Too!

[tcon]

tcon, is there any sign (process, file) we could look for on our computers indicating the pending virus attack?

I looked at my task list, and I don't see anything unusual. GWX is there, but I have never heard it was a Trojan horse.

GWX is the process that is responsible for the tray notification. If you want to remove the threat of a forced upgrade to Win10, you need to uninstall KB3035583. Follow teh instructions I wrote here a few months ago: http://smith-wessonforum.com/138970865-post5.html

When the update uninstalls, it can take some time. Don't get impatient. Reboot when prompted, and this stage can take some time. I did one last night and it was over an hour configuring during shutdown and configuring while rebooting. One period it was a black screen for 15 minutes. But follow those instruction and that will get rid of the update. At the part after the uninstall where you are looking to hide KB3035583 so you aren't offered it again, also hide the one that actually has the name Windows 10 if that one is also in your queue list.

Questions, PM me.

 

[tcon]

That's the point, you don't know where they will draw the line when you buy the hardware. On hubby's MacBook, they drew the OS upgrade line at the very next CPU bump on the same model, which came out 3 months later, limiting him to Snow Leopard. I upgraded the RAM and installed an SSD, and he was very happy with it, but some programs are not written for Snow Leopard, hence the "obsolescence".
Saying " I wouldn't mind a good excuse to buy a new 27‑inch iMac with Retina 5K display and flash drive" means your exactly the customer with excess disposable income, that keeps Apple awash in cash. God bless you, and may it always be so.

Here's a warning in regard to Apple computers. Any hardware issues need to be taken care of by an "approved" service center even after the warranty expires. Make sure it is an approved service location by checking with Apple. Because if you have a problem with your $3000 laptop that does require Apple and they see that someone else has opened the display enclosure or the case, they will refuse to touch it.

 

[dave1918a2]

Windows downloaded on My computer yesterday WO My permission. I run windows 7 home. Took almost an hour to figure out how to get it out and another to restore 7. Next computer will be a MAC.

 

[alwslate]

I got a notification just a few minutes ago that Windows 10 would be
installed starting in about 15 minutes. There were links to postpone it
that I followed and got a button to cancel the upgrade which I hit. So
I am assuming that 10 will not be automatically installed without my
asking for it, correct? It had a note that said that it would only be
free until July something or other.

 

[dmar]

Auto download is definitely not cool, nice way to tick off your customer base Microsoft! That said, for those that downloaded M 10, how do you like it...?

 

[JcMack]

Auto download is definitely not cool, nice way to tick off your customer base Microsoft! That said, for those that downloaded M 10, how do you like it...?

I don't particularly like it, but I'm using it. I had an operating system that worked for me namely XP. About 6 years ago I got a free copy of WIN7 and eased into it as it wasn't a quantum leap from XP. I never bothered with WIN8 or 8.1. Beginning with WIN8, MS changed terminology calling programs "APPS" (applications) and moving stuff like control panel to new locations. You may has well download it and try it as while I expect MS will support WIN7 for quite some time, any new and shiny new stuff which would be nice to have will only be developed for WIN10. Keep in mind that everything is on the internet. Once you've downloaded WIN10 and can't figure something out just Google your question and you'll get the answer. As mentioned before MS wants an operating system that will work on PC'S, Tablets, and Cell phones seamlessly. For $50 can get an external USB hard drive and save your current hard drive to it. If there's any problems with WIN 10 you can use it to roll back to your old system.

 

[Raystown]

I also woke up to my comouter changed to Windows 10. They tryng to force this on us. After about 15 minutes I was able to change back to my previous Windows. Just goes to show how they are watching us 24/7. Hard to accept how they can take over our computer !!

 

[tcon]

If you are running a Windows 7 system, do not feel like you are missing out by taking the safe route and staying with what you have - especially if things are working as they should. Windows 10 will not be faster on your machine and Windows 7 will be supported with updates for at least another 4 years. Your 5 year old computer will be almost 10 years old by then and you can buy a new computer with an advanced processor running Windows 20.

One of the issues I took care of yesterday involved an expensive 4 year old laser printer/scanner/fax where the customer was getting a scanner communication error after his involuntary upgrade. He was livid. This customer works from home and scans and emails forms several times a day. He was looking down the barrel of needlessly replacing a $400 color laser printer where he had just bought extra toner.

After some systematic trial and error, I solved it by completely removing all software, drivers, registry entries associated with the printer, reinstalling the full software package, manually removing the 64-bit Win 7 scanner drivers and separately installing the 64-bit Vista drivers I discovered that worked which by the way was written for a different HP business-class laser printer.

More emails this morning from people needing help.

 

[JcMack]

I got a notification just a few minutes ago that Windows 10 would be
installed starting in about 15 minutes. There were links to postpone it
that I followed and got a button to cancel the upgrade which I hit. So
I am assuming that 10 will not be automatically installed without my
asking for it, correct? It had a note that said that it would only be
free until July something or other.

Take a look at this info

How to Stop Windows 7 or 8 from Downloading Windows 10 Automatically

 

[imashooter2]

I got tired of the Windows 10 nagware and downloaded GWX Control Panel to eliminate the issue. Worked perfectly on both a Windows 7 desktop and a Windows 8.1 Laptop.

Ultimate Outsider - Software Downloads

 

[JohnSW]

I forget the precise name of the setting, but I have long had Windows 7 Update configured so that I manually download and install updates. Nothing gets downloaded automatically, including any Windows 10 update attempt.

 

[tcon]

I forget the precise name of the setting, but I have long had Windows 7 Update configured so that I manually download and install updates. Nothing gets downloaded automatically, including any Windows 10 update attempt.

Same here. "Patch Tuesday" is given to the day of the month that MS typically releases their new updates. I always let updates wait for 2 weeks before installing them. The one you want to be on the look out for Win 10 and rt-click/hide is KB3035583

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

So my next computer will be a Mac. I don't care how much they cost.

Everyone has their own budget and priorities, so it is what it is for each person. But here's the way I look at it.

I bought my 27-Inch iMac about 7 years ago for $1500. Just for giggles I looked up how much on-line companies offer to buy outright. For my iMac $260. It still looks and operates wonderfully, but if I got rid of it today the net cost would be about $15/mo. And even if I just threw it in the garbage today it would be about $18/mo. Actually I'd give it to the kids... but anyway... Of course there are less expensive iMacs today like the 21.5-inch for $1,100 or if someone wants to use a monitor they already have then a MacMini for $500. What's a cheap Windows machine sell for, $250-300? So on balance the cost of an iMac compared to a Windows machine over the period might be as much as a Happy Meal every month or two.

I mean really.... there's more to enjoying a computer than squinting in front of a 12in monochrome CRT and typing DOS commands while the dial-up modem screeches.... then declaring frugality as the measure of happiness.

 

[StakeOut]

I got tired of the Windows 10 nagware and downloaded GWX Control Panel to eliminate the issue. Worked perfectly on both a Windows 7 desktop and a Windows 8.1 Laptop.

Ultimate Outsider - Software Downloads

Yep,this is the way I did it too.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Got me, now when I log into this Forum I get READ careen warning telling me Microsoft say I will lose my personal info if I continue !!!!

Liberals trying to scare us away from Gun Sites???!!!

 

[M294Ever]

Windows 10, by default, enables all kinds o fthings that you are not aware of, and trust me, would not want. Personal info all given freely to Microsoft, ( when you hit "yes" on the license agreement) starting with the keylogger that logs every key you hit. Suffer through this, if it makes you suffer, but watch. If yo do notudnerstand what he is saying sometimes, bare with him....it all leads somewhere.
Windows 10 is the reason I now type to you on the first apple product I ever owned.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kGMCfb2xw[/ame]

 

[NCW Ray]

Upgraded my Win7 to Win10 not too long after it came out and nary a problem. My wife has a laptop with Win 8.1 and I won't touch that piece of garbage, it ranks right up there with WinME!!

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

It downloaded while I was asleep. By the time I got to it, it was too late.

Windows 10 acted more like a virus or malware than an operating system to me. I attempted to back out of it using the tool Microsoft provided...the result was the blue screen of death and almost $250 worth of repairs to the damage it had done...and I wasn't the only person who experienced this. I am still in recovery mode as I wrote this.

 

[tcon]

It downloaded while I was asleep. By the time I got to it, it was too late.

Windows 10 acted more like a virus or malware than an operating system to me. I attempted to back out of it using the tool Microsoft provided...the result was the blue screen of death and almost $250 worth of repairs to the damage it had done...and I wasn't the only person who experienced this. I am still in recovery mode as I wrote this.

I'm still getting calls asking what to do. I'm telling people whose systems have started the upgrade to ride the wave and I'll pick up the pieces. $250???? I'm definitely not charging enough!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

It downloaded while I was asleep. By the time I got to it, it was too late.

Windows 10 acted more like a virus or malware than an operating system to me. I attempted to back out of it using the tool Microsoft provided...the result was the blue screen of death and almost $250 worth of repairs to the damage it had done...and I wasn't the only person who experienced this. I am still in recovery mode as I wrote this.

Same here, I have an older system and a lot of legacy software that took me years to make operate on Windows 7. The last thing I want is an upgrade, but they are not giving me a choice. All I can do to stop the Windows 10 Virus when it tries to download is shut off my computer and lose everything since my last save. Any have a solution to stop the automatic downloads?