From the don’t force shit on me I don’t want and prevent me from saying NO department.
Forgive my off-topic rant, but this will be useful for others having this same problem. One of the things I hate about Microsoft recently is the idea that Windows 8, 8.1, and the upcoming Windows 10 is the greatest thing since sliced bread. If you own a Windows based tablet, or a Windows phone, it probably is (I own a Windows 8 based tablet, and I’m able to use it just fine, because Windows 8.1 is a touch based operating system).
But a problem occurs with Windows 8, 8.1, and the upcoming Windows 10 as a desktop operating system. IMHO, it’s mostly useless as a desktop OS and gets in the way of working as I am accustomed to. I use a mouse and keyboard, with a 27″ monitor, not a touchscreen. I use Windows 7 because it works, is stable, and defensible from malware.
Imagine my surprise after recently doing “Microsoft Update” and I get this icon in my system tray:
Clicking it gives you this advertisement:
OK, I can forgive them for offering this free upgrade, but what I CAN’T forgive Microsoft for is the inability to ever opt-out of being notified about this. Why?
- You can’t remove the icon from the system tray easily,
- You can’t make it go away after “reserving” a copy of Windows 10,
- Average users can’t get rid of the notification process that’s running in the background called “gwx.exe” easily. It saps CPU and memory resources just so it can keep reminding you about Windows 10 and calling home to find out if Windows 10 is available yet,
- This advertisement was a “stealth” upgrade. It is almost like a Trojan in my opinion.
Sorry Microsoft, this isn’t cool, and if I don’t want to bastardize my desktop experience with an operating system designed with a tablet/phone user touch interface, I shouldn’t have to put up with continual reminders. Since this has done nothing but piss me off, it’s marketing FAIL as far as I’m concerned.
This sticky nature of this upgrade notice is by design, the average user of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 that doesn’t have savvy skills won’t be able to make this go away, so I’m here to help with a simple solution:
Get rid of the Windows Update that creates the problem!
Here’s what it is, from Windows Update:
Update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1
This update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications when new updates are available to the user. It applies to a computer that is running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). Before you install this update, check out the Prerequisites section.
Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583
Note that they don’t really tell you what you’ll actually be getting, hence my opinion that it’s like a Trojan horse.
So, here’s how to get rid of the damned thing:
1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Installed Updates
2. Put KB3035583 into the search box in the upper right of the dialog as shown below, press ENTER to search for it
3. Click on the “update for Microsoft Windows (KB3035583)” to highlight it, then click “Uninstall” as show below.
4. Unfortunately, you’ll have to Restart your computer.
5. Enjoy a hassle free desktop experience from now on.
By the way if you already have Windows 8 or 8.1 and you hate the fact that you are running a tablet/phone touch based operating system on your desktop, and you wish it would run like Windows 7, I have a solution for that too:
Classic Shell™ is free software that improves your productivity, enhances the usability of Windows and empowers you to use the computer the way you like it. The main features are:
- Highly customizable start menu with multiple styles and skins
- Quick access to recent, frequently-used, or pinned programs
- Find programs, settings, files and documents
- Start button for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
- Toolbar and status bar for Windows Explorer
- Caption and status bar for Internet Explorer
Classic Shell has been in active development for 5 years and has over 25 million downloads.
Get it free here: http://classicshell.net/
In my opinion, Microsoft has erred greatly in trying to foist a tablet/phone touch based OS on desktop users. They should have allowed for some sort of retro experience in the GUI for people that want to use a desktop like they always have. Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 have speed and security enhancements, but they come at the cost of running a touch based OS on your desktop when you really don’t want a touch based OS on your existing machine.
Boneheads.
I use a mouse and keyboard, with a 17″ diagonal monitor, not a touchscreen. I use Windows 8.1 because it works, is stable, and defensible from malware.
I have installed the free IObit Start Menu and free AVG antivirus (some speed penalty).
I am eager to install Windows 10.
You don’t need AVG, Windows 8 comes with a free anti-virus program = Windows Defender.
Free AVG is incomplete and does not update. You need to purchase the full version of AVG to receive signature updates. Windows Defender is not an AV engine, it’s “spy/mal” ware!
Incorrect, Windows Defender in Windows 8 is a full AV program. It replaces Microsoft Security Essentials from Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.
https://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/windows8.aspx#antivirus
AVG free gets security updates just not every 2 hours as with the full version.
Last time I used the free version of AVG (OK, it was some time ago), there were no updates available. To receive updates, one needed to purchase a full copy. That’s certainly what i recall on the website at the time. I don’t know anything about Window$8 other than, agreeing with Anth*ny, is crap! I don’t use ANY M$ “security” engines on my system.
You not wanting to use them does not make them crap.
“Sorry Microsoft this isn’t kewl” ?!?
Wow, you’re just figuring this out? Ralph Nader explained this more than a decade ago. Say what you will about Nader, you still gotta listen to what the guy says and judge for yourself. Bill Gates is not a reasonable man on the subject of Bill Gates and Microsoft Inc. …. Plus he has this annoying laugh he injects into his conversation.
Exacty why does MS want everyone to upgrade to 10 if it’s free?
Because they learned from the fruit computer and android that the REAL money is from small payments per function (app store). Win10 has “app store” functionality built in on every level.
Now gone (from my desktop pc) too. Thanks for the help!
Thanks Anthony. Time to fling some funds.
Thanks, Anthony!
If you are annoyed by them promoting Win10 (interesting side joke…why was there no Windows 9? Because 7 8 9….seriously that’s geek humor for you, and the devs in Redmond thought that was very funny), wait until you get wind of what is next.
MS’s grand plan may be to go to “as a service”. They aren’t talking about it because they know nobody wants to “subscribe” to their operating system and make trickle payments for life. But based upon how this is being deployed and supported, you can see the writing on the wall. What your plan might include:
• Cloud storage – For thin machines (i.e. tablets and phones) that need to economize on storage, the world is going this way anyway. No need to lug your machine around to have your files. You can access your desktop from anywhere that has web connectivity.
• Media service – want to stream movies or music…this will be all part of your desktop experience
• Security – all the latest in anti-malware and anti-intrusion will be deployed constantly.
• And of course lifetime updates to your environment…no more “versions”, they simply keep coming out with updates, improvements, etc..
OS as a service. For a monthly fee, all this and more will be wrapped together. So no longer will you “buy” an operating system. You simply subscribe and the latest is given to you, along with whatever other “features” come with it.
So this is why they are “giving” it away to all users of Win 7 & 8. Read the fine print…it is “Free for a year”. What does that mean? How do you put a time limit on something I’ve installed on my machine? What if I don’t pay a year from now? Does it roll back to Win 7? What if my machine isn’t going to be constantly online?
It’s an interesting concept. It changes the dynamic between OEM hardware makers and MS. It changes the relationship with the “user” and MS. You no longer “own” your operating system…you’re renting it.
I’ll be playing the wait-and-see game. This is going to get interesting. ZDNet article on it:
http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-as-a-service-whats-threshold-got-to-do-with-it/#!
> You no longer “own” your operating system…you’re renting it.
You didn’t own the OS with DOS 6.22, Win95, Win98, WinXP, Win7, Win8 either. You purchased a license to run the OS. This license is non-transferable BTW. You actually can not legally donate an old computer and also leave the Microsoft Windows software on that computer. Software ownership was never on the Microsoft table, and the license can be revoked at any time by Microsoft.
> • Cloud storage
> • Media service
> • Security
> • And of course lifetime updates
Yes… and if you are running:
-Android these exist and are paid for through transfer of personal information.
-MacOSx these exist and are used to place you firmly in the Apple ‘walled-garden’ — loyalty is enforced.
-Ubuntu these mostly used to exist, but Ubuntu One is now gone…
-Whatever OS + personal rented server ==> best option for technically minded person with some free time.
However you slice it, payment is made for the services you listed. I don’t use Microsoft products, but if they offer a paid version and also *don’t* sell your personal information — I would then have to say that the MS version would be preferred to some other ‘free’ options.
“You actually can not legally donate an old computer and also leave the Microsoft Windows software on that computer”
Not true if it was purchased with Windows installed. The operating system installed on a machine by a MS licensed OEM builder is supposed to stay with the machine, (that why the license sticker is right on the box).
http://www.microsoft.com/OEM/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/transfer_oem_licenses.aspx
@ur momisugly The Original Mike M:
Some MS licenses may transfer with the computer under certain conditions. However, most MS licenses do not or did not transfer – it’s been a long time since I really cared, since I don’t use or need Microsoft software. There are many licenses, each applied in different ways at different levels within the product lifecycle and use. OEM does not mean distributor and distributor does not mean end-user. Also, the difference between transfer with a computer and transfer to a person is difficult to define. It’s likely that Microsoft could legally claimed an unauthorized transfer if – say – the amount of RAM in the OEM machine was changed after sale from the OEM to the distributor…
The point is: You, the Microsoft Customer, do *not* own the software. It is not *yours* to give away or to install on a friend’s machine or to disassemble or to do anything that violates the EULA. You purchased a non-warrantied, limited, and revocable – for any reason- license to run the software in a limited way on a limited number of machines for a limited amount of time. And Microsoft has been known to sue non-profits over donated computers with MS software on them… I’m not sure if any lawsuit ever succeeded, but I do remember reading about at least one case which may have been withdrawn due only to public outcry…
In general, it’s best to wipe all software off any computer you may want to get rid of… both for your own security/privacy reasons as well as to remove any possible liability on the donated party for incorrect licenses.
Microsoft is not your friend. They are in the business of making things as confusing as possible so as to get people to pay them in as many ways as possible with as little work as possible. But that’s America.
Also, I strongly repeat, -for anyone out there to which this applies- it is a very bad idea to continue using Windows XP.
–I don’t want a pickle, I just wanna ride on my motorcycle.
As for your gripe about “not owning the software you buy”, that’s true for intellectual property in general such as patents and copyrights. If you actually owned the software then you would be free to sell it. It’s only only fair that whoever writes software should be able to choose to remain the owner of it and choose to control how the software is used via a license agreement – whether you are some developer working out of your basement or a mega-billion dollar company.
(BTW, this comment was written on a 12 year old Toshiba laptop running Windows XP. )
@The Original Mike M:
(BTW, this comment was written on a *compromised by Russian script kiddies* 12 year old Toshiba laptop running Windows XP. )
There, I fixed that for you.
If you were using FOSS instead of Windows OS V.xyz — you would need to worry about the end of lifecycle. And, yes, you would – for all intents and purposes – own the software you are running. And you would be able to pay someone to fix, update, change, and redistribute the software, legally, if the provider of the software choose to no longer produce it or update it.
I prefer not to run an non-updateable, non-patchable OS, especially one that routinely hits my servers in armies of botnets even as the unsuspecting end-users of that OS has his/her every key stroke sent to at least three separate criminally controlled databases.
However, to each his/her own….
damn typos…
wouldn’t. wouldn’t!
%^#$^#$^
would not.
Oh when will I ever learn to proofread?
Your link is 9 months old. Try this:
http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/01/microsoft-wraps-its-windows-10-pitch-heres-what-you-need-to-know/#.63lyos:7j2c
I agree there is still a large population that doesn’t want to subscribe to software. I will never rent Photoshop in ‘the Cloud’. But my take on “free for a year” is that Win 7-8 users have one year to upgrade to Win10 for free, after which it costs about $119 for the home version and $199 for the pro version.
There’s probably government pressure to force security updates. Who knows how many botnets are waiting to be called on for denial-of-service attacks?
Here’s a short document that I’m sure will clear everything up for anyone interested in the easy to understand Microsoft license labyrinth:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/A/1/6A1647EE-3FC7-47F2-9AFE-470AD5E5D856/OEMSoftwareLicensingRulesandRestrictions.pdf
Microsoft: Get a new motherboard, purchase a new license.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-windows_install/after-a-motherboard-upgrade-xp-is-returning-a-xp/fd2161ba-cb64-4809-8d89-598c50472c49?auth=1
*Generally* a user can replace all components … except the motherboard…
Microsoft does not even commit to definitively saying that all components except the motherboard.
It’s all about dollars and cents — and not sense.
Great tip. Unfortunately, after rebooting, Windows Update will notify you (or at least it did me) that there is an important update that needs to be installed, “Update for Windows 7 (KB3035583)”. If you have automatic updates turned on it will probably re install it for you at some point. I wonder if there is a way to tell Windows Update that you don’t ever want this “update” on your Windows computer?
Before removing it, turn off automatic updates. Remove the offending update and reboot the computer. After you are logged back in, launch windows update and check for updates. Select the offending update, right click and select hide. Perform any other updates. After reboot, turn automatic updates back on.
See above for another option.
Is there a link to a listing of any program compatibility / driver issues reported by Win10 users that we should be aware of before we upgrade?
It is too early for that.
Had to manage an office full of WinXP machines for a few years, but otherwise I’ve been a Macintosh guy since 1988. Apple is rather sneakily working to merge OS X and iOS together, but so far OS X is still a good desktop OS, and has always been far more user-friendly than any version of Windows.
Unfortunately, my wife’s company uses online software that requires IE (not past IE9, either!), so she has to run Windows. I use Parallels virtual XP to access it, but I can’t burden her with another level; she has a Win7 Dell. So Anthony, I appreciate the tip about the update nag. I’ll write down the number and make sure Windows Update stops offering it (as I do with IE11).
/Mr Lynn
I haven’t read all the comments but in addition to what Anthony said, after uninstalling the update run Windows update again.
The Win10Trojan (KB3035583) will likely show up again in the list of available updates.
Right click on it and select the “Hide Update” option.
If you decide later you want it you can always select “Show Hidden Updates” later.
PS I run Windows 7 Pro
Just did a CTRL-ALT-DEL clicked the processes tab, and stopped gwx.exe process.
If I restart the computer I will have to stop it again, but I rarely do a restart.
Well, at least Microsoft-in-head is not automatically doing it to you, as they did with a big update about ten years ago. CIOs were probably phoning Bill Gates at home because it fouled up custom software due to small differences (and perhaps sloppy coding on both ends – “it takes two to tangle”). /sarc
We use Windows 8.1 x64 on our laptops and workstations.
Works just fine with a mouse and keyboard.
Thanks for the tip. You should also know that the update also created 4 file/path references in the registry which refer to autologger-diagttack-listener.etl.
I repaired them on mine.
theres actually 2 updates involved. one for the msg and 1 for prep work.
those on enterprise versions or joined to domain won’t see the msg.
Thanks for the tip!
FD
Anthony
I have been running Windows 10 in a VM for some weeks. It’s much more of a normal desktop OS that Windows 8 and 8.1 and should be seen as a half-way house between those and Windows 7. It’s certainly more intuitive to use that Windows 8 for us oldsters.
The more important (for your business) news is that Windows 10 server has gone even more Unix-like with a micro-kernel approach which means that there is no GUI or even PowerShell interface unless you add them (It is commanded remotely since you ask). This should make Windows 10 server more like Docker in terms of performance and reliability especially as it is focussed (rightly) as an OS on cloud environments rather than physical servers.
So yes, I will be upgrading to Windows 10 and so should you. And no, I’m not getting off your lawn!
Good and useful observations.
Thank you.
I have stock-piled this link for if/when the time comes Microsoft wants to screw up my computing.
I use WIndows .7
Ha ha, I was going to recommend to you Classic Shell, and there you are, you have it! My recommended site for downloading is https://ninite.com/ because it is a compendium of lots of useful Windows programs.
“…especially as it is focussed [sic] (rightly) as an OS on cloud environments rather than physical servers.”
5 TB hard drives are <$150. I fail to see any advantage to any cloud.
To lose 5TB of data on a single drive is a big risk. I lost 2TB once due to a head crash. The “cloud” and similar options removes that risk and you can access it anywhere any time.
I’d rather mirror/back up my own data than fool with the cloud. That’s why the low TB/$ makes backing up your own stuff a much more attractive option, imo, not least of all because you retain 100% control.
What if you lose your connection? The cloud must reside on physical servers somewhere too, and any and all hardware can fail for one reason or another.
It’s always important to have your important stuff in more than one place. Basic practice. Buy new drive, copy important stuff. Retain old stuff on old drive. I’ve never had an external drive fail, but it may happen, and I hope to be backed up if it does. But trust the cloud? Forgive me if I chuckle…ha ha ha.
I’ve already spent more time than I care to remember backing up data to floppies, bernouli boxes, Zip drives, tape drives, CDs, DVDs, and external hard drives…now I’ve got so much stuff that I sometimes spend hours trying to find something I thought I was pretty sure I knew where it should be, but it wasn’t.
The point is that compared to all those clunky old back-up systems I used in the past, copying from one external drive to another is a breeze, and while that’s running I can do something else.
I think our bernouli cartridges were a couple hundred bucks for 60 MB. Zip drives came along a little later. I actually paid $40 for the first cartridge I bought, and I don’t they were ever much cheaper than about half that for 100 MB, but they sure were a big improvement over floppies.
dyslexophobia:
low
TB/$$/TB,or high TB/$, or something like that.I can’t because the connection is way too slow out here in the country.
Wow, 5 TB?? I guess I don’t understand a lot of the complaints.
http://www.2spare.com/_media/imgs/articles/a155_a1g.jpg
And after formatting, the capacity was a lot less than that.
Yes because the drive has to cater for bad sectors when detected and the data moved to a good sector. This is to do with ECC. Consumer electronics like PVR’s etc, have drives that do not have ECC.
I’ll tell you. Cloud systems use multiple technique to make sure that data is never lost, including RAID 5,6 as well as RAID 10 (mirroring), SAN mirroring both within sites and across multiple sites using deduplicated stores.
So the answer is that yes you can get more capacity on a local drive but the risk of catastrophic loss is one or two magnitudes higher than a properly run cloud.
With 8.1 you don’t need classic shell it will boot straight into desktop and you can work as though it was windows 7. I also use a 27 inch monitor and you can use the tiles with a mouse no problem whatsoever in fact access to the system can be easier once you get used to it.
I use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop without any problems whatsoever the only issue I have is when I click to use the system just as it is going to sleep and the blessed thing just sits there so you just have to hit the mechanical start button on Dell workstations because their is no restart button.
If I upgrade, will it be impossible for me to re-install Win 7?
I don’t know about the final release version but with the Win10 preview I was able to roll back to the previous operating system Win8.1 without loss of files, settings or applications. I ended up re-installing Windows 8.1 anyway though after downloading the setup media from Microsoft and digging into my emails for the code I needed from the purchase of the upgrade from Windows 7.
Thanks for the reply, garymount
I still use XP and still get security updates from Microsoft, thanks to a line of Code inserted in the Registry that informs Microsoft that I am part of the US Military and need 5 more years of security support. I also have Kaspersky anti-Virus for XP working for me. As soon as Microsoft brings out a BETTER operating system, not just a new one, I will switch, but so far I have not seen one yet.
Can I get RSX-11M back?