By now many of you are pulling hair out from Microsoft’s Windows 10 upgrade. So what’s really going on and can you stop it? Well you can, but not without a little fight.
In mid-March Microsoft changed Windows 10 from being an “optional” update to a “recommended” update. By default, most Windows Update Settings tell “recommended” updates to install automatically. Many users have experienced sitting down to their computer to find Windows 10 finalizing an installation without their consent. Even though users may not have been given the direct “consent” option, users with the default Windows Update Settings have already agreed to the Windows 10 Upgrade.
Let’s go over a few scenarios to help users revert back to a previous OS, e.g., Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1.
- If one is still running a prior Windows OS, 7, 8, 8.1, a great utility to help remove the Windows 10 Upgrade option is GWX Control Panel. This handy utility allows users to disable the Windows 10 Upgrade icon in the notification area and the Windows 10 Upgrade entirely. (If the computer started the Windows 10 download, one may also click the “Click to Delete Windows 10 Download Folders…” and “Click to Delete Windows 10 Programs…”)
- Let’s say the Windows 10 has already installed on your computer, If it’s been less than a month since you upgraded to Windows 10, you can go back to your previous version of Windows by going to Settings > Update & security > Recovery and selecting either Go back to Windows 7 or Go back to Windows 8.1. This won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove any apps you installed after the upgrade to Windows 10.
- Your last option might be your best option. Keep Windows 10 on your computer. That’s right! It’s a pretty decent Operating System, why not try it out? You’ll really enjoy the added speed and increased longevity of the newer OS. One thing that we run into quite often is people not liking “change” on their computer. Change is inevitable when it comes to most things in life and 100% when it comes to computers. Learning the new OS isn’t that difficult and you should be open minded when it comes to software anyway.
As always, make sure you READ what you’re doing. Make sure you have your personal Data backed up ALWAYS!