| WA8LMF Home Page | Resume | Updated 05 May 2016 |
Microsoft is currently engaged in an
unprecedented hard-sell campaign to push rapid adoption of Windows 10 by
existing users of Win 7 and 8. This includes a series of nagware popups
urging you to “Get Windows 10” being stealth installed on Window 7 and 8 devices
in the guise of bug fixes and security updates by Windows Update.
More recently,
Microsoft has actually been stealth-downloading gigabytes of
install files for Windows 10 onto Win7 and Win8 systems without warning or
permission. (This can completely fill up the remaining free space on low-end
Windows 8.1 tablets with 1 or 2 GB of flash memory, rendering them completely
unusable.) In a few instances, MS has actually launched the Win 10 install
without warning or permission.
Win 10 is the last discrete
version of Windows ever. Going forward, Windows 10 will be continually and
endlessly changing with silent FORCED updates done without your knowledge or
consent.
Unlike previous versions of Windows, where Window Update would present a
list of patches and let you pick and choose which ones to apply (and undo if
they caused problems), Win 10 just
silently forces changes into your system. This would be great --IF-- MS
didn't have such a horrible record of botched updates. In just the FIRST
week of Win 10 release, there have been three major screwups that have
bricked just-installed Win 10 installations. One driver update for certain
video chips locked machines into endless reboots, and one totally killed
many machines rendering them unable to boot at all.
This continual unannounced changing of Win 10 means you are dealing with an
unknown endlessly moving target. Just because programs and device
drivers worked today, there is no assurance they will work tomorrow, next
week or next month, due to the endless stealth updates.
This is going to be
especially significant with ham radio software because much of it hasn't changed
significantly since the XP era of the mid-to late 2000's. Sooner or later
some secret update will start breaking these elderly programs, with no
recourse to uninstall the offending patch (if you can even identify it).
Win 10 has escalated invasion of
privacy to an unprecedented level. Win 10 is far more "cloud-oriented" than
previous versions of Windows. As part of this, it's embedded "telemetry"
reports practically everything you do, every program you run, every file you
open back to the MS mother ship for analysis and marketing purposes. It
shares your WiFi passwords with friends on your contact list. It can (and
does) pop up ads in the middle of LOCALLY RUNNING programs. It attempts
to default file saves of local programs to Microsoft's cloud, rather than to
your own hard disk. It tries to thwart downloads of browsers other than Edge;i.e. that can run adblocker and popup-blocker plug-ins. It ignores
entries in the Windows HOSTS file aimed at blocking unwanted communications
to specific URLs. MS has taken it upon itself to scan your local files to
determine which of your BitTorrent downloads and installed programs are
"illegal".
For Win 7, 8 or 10, the “telemetry” modules “phone home” to these domains at
Microsoft:
vortex.data.microsoft.com
vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
choice.microsoft.com
choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
df.telemetry.microsoft.com
reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
telemetry.microsoft.com
watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
telemetry.appex.bing.net
telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
survey.watson.microsoft.com
watson.live.com
watson.microsoft.com
statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
compatexchange.cloudapp.net
cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
a-0001.a-msedge.net
statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
corp.sts.microsoft.com
statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
pre.footprintpredict.com
i1.services.social.microsoft.com
i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
feedback.windows.com
feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
feedback.search.microsoft.com
rad.msn.com
preview.msn.com
ad.doubleclick.net
ads.msn.com
ads1.msads.net
ads1.msn.com
a.ads1.msn.com
a.ads2.msn.com
adnexus.net
adnxs.com
az361816.vo.msecnd.net
az512334.vo.msecnd.net
(There may be others not yet uncovered)
List is from "Destroy Windows 10 Spying 1.6 Build 711" at
MajorGeeks.com <http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/destroy_windows_10_spying.html>
Many of these URLs are hard-coded in the communications modules. You can’t stop or
"black-hole" them with entries in the HOSTS file, or with firewalls running
on the same computer. Blocking them requires entries outside the PC in your
router’s block list.
<BGR
- Windows 10 is spying on almost everything you do – here’s how to opt out>
<BGR - Latest update reenables Windows 10’s spying features – here’s how to stop it>
MS is now attempting to
stealth-load the same telemetry "spyware" into Win 7 and Win 8 systems under
the guise of important "Customer Experience Improvement Program” (a.ka. CEIP) patches by Windows
Update. However, at least with Win7 and 8 you can see the list of proposed
downloads BEFORE they download, and uncheck them. Further, there are simple
third-party batch file tools that can scan and uninstall this unwanted
invasive crapware, including the "Get Windows 10" nagware popups campaign.)
Further, MS has started stealth-downloading the
ENTIRE Win 10 setup image (i.e. multi-gigabyte DVD image) into Win 7 & 8
systems, whether you asked for it or not, "just in case you decide to
upgrade". It's stealing gigabytes of your disk space and blowing through
wireless device data quotas.
See this article:
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/10/windows_10_forced_download/>
(This is a British computer and IT news site)
As of late Novmber 2015, Microsoft has been
further intensifying their effort to force Windows 10 upgrade
"nagware" into Windows 7 & 8 systems. They have been caught repeatedly using
Windows updates to cancel "Do not upgrade OS" flags in existing Win 7 and 8
systems (set by users using the tools below). See this 7 December 2015
article from Computer World:
"Microsoft
sets stage for massive Windows 10 upgrade strategy" .
Note also the three other stories about these forced upgrades linked in the
right-hand sidebar of this story.
As of January 2016, Microsoft is further ratcheting up
their efforts to push Windows 10 onto on Win 7 and Win 8 systems, by
reclassifying the Windows 10 install files from "optional" to "important" in
Windows Update . The significance of this is that "optional" updates are
defaulted to "NO" (i.e. you have to explicitly select them), while
"important" updates are defaulted to YES (i.e. you will get
them unless you explicitly cancel them).
If you have Windows Update on "automatic", the result is that 3-6 GB of
install files WILL BE DOWNLOADED, and the Windows 10 install/upgrade MAY BE
launched without warning.
Further, in another example of how Microsoft has completely lost their mind
in their desperate frenzy to force Windows 10 uptake, they have (as of early
January) embarked on a smear campaign against Windows 7. They
have begun a classic FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt)
strategy of the type IBM used to mount. An MS press release in early January
2016, implies that you will start having difficulty acquiring drivers for
new hardware, or be unable to install the latest games if you don't upgrade
to Win 10.
The trojan horse “patch” to Windows 7
and 8 that starts this assault is Windows Update
“KB3035583” a.k.a. “GWX” (Get Windows X a.k.a. Windows 10) .
The first sign you have been hit with this unwanted crapware is the appearance of a white Windows logo in the system tray in the lower-right corner of the Windows desktop on Windows 7 and 8 systems. An incessant series of popups urging you to update will follow.
If you have already been hit with the GWX nagware and possible installs of Win10-style “telemetry”, you can un-install them with the following .BAT (batch) file.
Open a blank document in Windows Notepad or similar editor. Copy/paste the following lines into it. Save the file as Zap-Win10-Updates.BAT or some such. Note the file extension “.BAT” rather than the default “.TXT” . After the save, locate this file in the Windows Explorer, RIGHT-click it and “Run As Administrator”. After a couple of UAC “Are you sure” prompts, a black “DOS Box” window will open. You will be repeatedly asked to “Hit any key to continue”. Just keep hitting <ENTER> until the black window closes; then reboot.
@ECHO off
ECHO .
ECHO This batch file removes several Windows 10-inspired
ECHO spyware a.k.a. "telemetry" components stealth-
ECHO installed into Windows 7 and 8 systems under the
ECHO guise of Windows security patches by Windows Update.
ECHO .
ECHO It also removes the "Upgrade to Windows 10 "nagware"
ECHO KB 3035583.
ECHO .
ECHO Hit SPACE to continue after each pause.
ECHO .
ECHO This batch file must be run with administator
ECHO privileges; i.e. right-click this file and
ECHO "Run As Administrator". Reboot system after final
ECHO uninstall runs and black command window closes.
ECHO .
ECHO Updated 5 May 2016 as per Windows Secrets of
ECHO 5 May 2-016
ECHO on
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:2952664 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:2976978 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:2977759 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:2990214 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3022345 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3035583 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3068708 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3075249 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3080149 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3044374 /norestart
pause
wusa /uninstall /kb:3150513 /norestart
pause
ECHO .
ECHO Last Uninstall, Reboot Now!
pause
After the uninstalls complete, look for the subdirectory (i.e. “folder”) called \$Windows.~BT located off the root of the same drive as Windows. You will need to have “Show Hidden Files” enabled in the Explorer to see it. If found, delete it and its contents. (This is the location where the stealth download of the entire Windows 10 installer is being placed, eating up gigabytes of your disk space.) This directory will contain a layout equivalent to a Windows 10 install DVD-ROM and will be somewhere between 3 and 6 GB.
You may encounter Windows protection issues that prevent you from deleting the directory and/or contents. If so, reboot to Windows Safe Mode, or boot from an external utilities CD using Win PE or @ActiveBootDiskl.
You can “immunize” Win 7 and 8 against these unwanted downloads and prevent the deleted files "coming back from the dead" with the next Windows Update.
Download the freeware "GWX
Control Panel" that allows you to remove existing nagware and block unwanted
Windows 10 downloads here:
<http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/>
Information about this tool and how to use it are here:
<http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/08/using-gwx-stopper-to-permanently-remove.html>
Note that this tool has undergone repeated updates and revisions every few weeks
as Microsoft has become ever more aggressive and evasive about their coercive
forced-upgrade tactics.
You can create your own registry entries:
Open Windows Notepad and
copy & paste the text below into the open window. Then save it with a name
ending in .REG such as
Stop-Windows-10-Nags-and-Forced-Updates.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
;Created by Vishal Gupta for AskVG.com
;Updated by WA8LMF 23 Nov 2015 as per Windows Secrets of 19 Nov 2015
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"DisableOSUpgrade"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GWX]
"DisableGWX"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_Local_Machine\software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade]
"ReservationsAllowed"=dword:00000000
These lines are Windows registry entries. Locate the saved file in the Windows File Explorer. Right-click it and choose “Merge” to read it into the Windows Registry. Then reboot the system to make it effective.
Or disable Windows Update entirely, and use the off-line AutoPatcher patching system for Win 7 and 8.1, available from <http://autopatcher.net> . AutoPatcher downloads the entire set of patches and updates for a given version of Windows, stores them locally on your hard disk or removable storage device. You can then update any number of PCs without an Internet connection. When run, Autopatcher presents a list of ALL patches issued for a given 32- or 64-bit version of Windows, indicates which ones are already installed, and lets you opt in or out of any that need to be installed.
After each month's "Patch Tuesday" release of new patches, AutoPatcher can update your local collection. The Autopatcher scripts pointedly leave out the "Get Windows 10" nagware and spyware installer "patches".
Finally, check Windows Task Scheduler and remove "DoScheduledTelemetryRun", "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" and "ProgramDataUpdater" if they exist.
Zap_Win10_Additions.bat A Windows batch file to remove the Windows-10-style privacy-invading "telemetry" modules being stealth-loaded into Window 7 and 8.x systems. Right-click this link and "Save As" to a location on your hard drive. Then locate the file, right-click it and choose "Run As Administrator". A black "Command Prompt" window a.k.a. "DOS box" will open. Hit <Enter> at each pause until command window closes.
GWX_Control-Panel Get Windows 10 nagware control panel ("X" = Roman 10) that disables and removes Windows 10 nagware and unwanted stealth-downloaded files. Download this file, then run it. This utility is ready-to-run -- no formal setup or install is required. Be sure to enable the "Monitor mode" in the lower-left corner of it's screen. This activates a resident monitor function similar to an anti-virus program to prevent Windows Update from trying again to install Windows 10 crapware. This is the download page for "GWX Control Panel": <http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/08/using-gwx-stopper-to-permanently-remove.html> .
Never10 Gibson
Research Corp's ready-to-run easy-to-use tool for blocking Windows
10 nagware and forced downloads/installs. Just download it, run it to "immunize" your Win 7 or 8 system against Windows 10
nagware, and then delete the program. No formal install is required. Note that this utility will not
remove existing Windows 10 nagware -- it only blocks attempted installs and
future downloads. You may still wish to install and run the far more
aggressive "GWX Control Panel" above, that can remove existing Get Windows 10
nagware and files.
Note that this tool will download an update for "Windows Update" from
Microsoft (Windows 7-KB3065987 or Windows 8.1- KB3065988). This is a newer version of Windows Update that
can be instructed to not download the Windows 10 stuff. There may be a lengthy
wait while this patch is downloaded and installed. (Even Microsoft's seemingly
infinite server capacity is being strained by the grotesque amount of data being
pushed out by the Windows 10 upgrade campaign.)
Stop-Windows-10-Nags-and-Forced-Updates.reg A Windows 7/8 registry addition that tell Windows Update that you don't want to upgrade to Windows 10. (This is a ready-to-run version of the registry entries discussed above.) Right-click this link and choose "Save As ..." to some location on your hard disk. Locate the file in Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose "Merge. Note that recent Windows Updates are actually attempting to reverse this setting. You need to install the resident mode of the GWX Control Panel above to ensure this stays set.
http://www.site2unblock.com/ Website containng a variety of tools to fight Windows 10 nagware, privacy violations and unwanted updates. Includes the freeware tools Win Updates Disabler, and Win10 Spy Disabler
Before-You-Install-Windows-10_Read-This.pdf A locally viewable and printable PDF version of this web page.
A bundle of all these files in a zip file can be downloaded from this website CLICK HERE .
Some of the information on this page came from:
<https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/not-just-windows-10-windows-7-8-tracking-162550762.html>
<https://bgr.com/2015/07/31/windows-10-upgrade-spying-how-to-opt-out/>
<BGR - Windows 10 is spying on almost everything you do – here’s how to opt out>
<BGR - Latest update reenables Windows 10’s spying features – here’s how to stop it>
<http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/10/windows_10_forced_download/>
<http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/remove_windows_nag_icon_to_upgrade_to_windows_10.html>
<http://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/28/microsoft-intensifies-data-collection-on-windows-7-and-8-systems/>
<<http://windowssecrets.com/newsletter/windows-10-gets-its-first-big-update/>
(Scroll down
to, or search for, “Blocking the upgrade by editing the Registry”.
<http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/12/16/microsoft-windows-10-free-upgrades-worse/>
<PCWorld - 'Get Windows 10' prompt adopts malware-like tactics to lure you into upgrading>
<New York Times - "Sticking With Windows 7">
<PCWorld - "You will upgrade to Windows 10: Inside Microsoft's strong-arm upgrade tactics">