Get Rid of Windows 10 Icon, Prevent Upgrade

Oubaas · 06-28-16, 10:17 AM

I thought that I'd post this info for those interested. I run a lot of older games, some of which will no longer work under Windows 10. So, staying with Windows 7 64-bit works best for me. I also don't like seeing that nagging, "Get Windows 10" icon in my system tray all the time. So here's a quick, easy way to get rid of the icon and prevent your machine from being upgraded without your asking for the upgrade.

You need to visit this link:

http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/

Download "GWX Control Panel" right at the top. I used the standalone version, but you can get an installer as well. Once you have it onboard, simply double-click the executable and read. It's pretty much self-explanatory. The program allows you to remover the tray icon, remove already downloaded Windows 10 upgrade files that might be taking up over 6 GB on your harddrive, it lets you remove non-critical Windows 10 upgrade settings that might be causing strange behavior on your machine, etcetera.

You can also change the default Windows Update behavior so that non-critical updates are not treated the same as critical updates. This helps to prevent sneaky Windows 10 additions.

Optionally, after running GWX Control Panel once, you might want to restart, open a command prompt with "Run As Adminstrator" and then run:

sfc /scannow

This will straighten out anything messed up that it finds, but you will then need to go back to GWX Control Panel and make sure everything Windows 10 related is removed.

Lastly, you can then enable real-time monitoring with GFX Control Panel and if there is an attempt to install anything Windows 10 related on your machine, you'll be notified immediately.

GWX Control Panel still works as of this writing. Some previous utilities that fixed the Windows 10 issues no longer work as Microsoft has recently changed a number of things about the whole Windows 10 upgrade process.

So if you want to stay with Windows 7 or 8, this will do it for you.

Cheers!

Oubaas

Rockin Robbins · 07-01-16, 08:46 AM

We've been on this for a year in the Everything you need to know about Windows 10 thread. Welcome to the party! Feel free to contribute over there too. The more the merrier!

I can confirm that on my test computer with upgrades totally enabled (not recommended practice) that GWX Control Panel has been enough to protect the system.

DragonRider · 07-01-16, 10:19 AM

Thanks for this helpful post I even went as far as trying it out.
It looks and works good and even removed that stupid icon.
But it still didn't find any files on my system (just lucky).
Might even use this system a little more now

DragonRider · 07-01-16, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

We've been on this for a year in the Everything you need to know about Windows 10 thread. Welcome to the party! Feel free to contribute over there too. The more the merrier!

I can confirm that on my test computer with upgrades totally enabled (not recommended practice) that GWX Control Panel has been enough to protect the system.

Wow thanks that is also worth knowing

06-28-16, 10:17 AM	#1
Oubaas Frogman Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 289 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 0	Get Rid of Windows 10 Icon, Prevent Upgrade I thought that I'd post this info for those interested. I run a lot of older games, some of which will no longer work under Windows 10. So, staying with Windows 7 64-bit works best for me. I also don't like seeing that nagging, "Get Windows 10" icon in my system tray all the time. So here's a quick, easy way to get rid of the icon and prevent your machine from being upgraded without your asking for the upgrade. You need to visit this link: http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/ Download "GWX Control Panel" right at the top. I used the standalone version, but you can get an installer as well. Once you have it onboard, simply double-click the executable and read. It's pretty much self-explanatory. The program allows you to remover the tray icon, remove already downloaded Windows 10 upgrade files that might be taking up over 6 GB on your harddrive, it lets you remove non-critical Windows 10 upgrade settings that might be causing strange behavior on your machine, etcetera. You can also change the default Windows Update behavior so that non-critical updates are not treated the same as critical updates. This helps to prevent sneaky Windows 10 additions. Optionally, after running GWX Control Panel once, you might want to restart, open a command prompt with "Run As Adminstrator" and then run: sfc /scannow This will straighten out anything messed up that it finds, but you will then need to go back to GWX Control Panel and make sure everything Windows 10 related is removed. Lastly, you can then enable real-time monitoring with GFX Control Panel and if there is an attempt to install anything Windows 10 related on your machine, you'll be notified immediately. GWX Control Panel still works as of this writing. Some previous utilities that fixed the Windows 10 issues no longer work as Microsoft has recently changed a number of things about the whole Windows 10 upgrade process. So if you want to stay with Windows 7 or 8, this will do it for you. Cheers! Oubaas

07-01-16, 08:46 AM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,899 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	We've been on this for a year in the Everything you need to know about Windows 10 thread. Welcome to the party! Feel free to contribute over there too. The more the merrier! I can confirm that on my test computer with upgrades totally enabled (not recommended practice) that GWX Control Panel has been enough to protect the system. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS Last edited by Rockin Robbins; 07-01-16 at 09:09 AM.

07-01-16, 10:19 AM	#3
DragonRider Predator of the sea Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: England Posts: 139 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Thanks for this helpful post I even went as far as trying it out. It looks and works good and even removed that stupid icon. But it still didn't find any files on my system (just lucky). Might even use this system a little more now __________________