Never10: Easily Control Automatic and Unwanted Windows 7 & 8.1 Upgrading to Windows 10

[Michael McAllister]

Prominent IT developer and security expert Steve Gibson has created an incredibly simple and easy-to-use free utility deemed Never10.

 

Version 1.3 now available!

 

     

 

     

 

 

 

Quote

The name “Never 10” is a bit of an overstatement, since this utility may also be used to easily re-enable Windows operating system automatic upgrading. But the primary reason for using this is to disable Windows' pestering insistence upon upgrading Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10.

 

Many users of Windows 7 and 8.1 are happy with their current version of Windows, and have no wish to upgrade to Windows 10. There are many reasons for this, but among them is the fact that Windows 10 has become controversial due to Microsoft's evolution of their Windows operating system platform into a service which, among other things, aggressively monitors and reports on its users activities. This alone makes many users uncomfortable enough to cause them to choose to wait. In line with this, a few months into 2016, Windows 10 started displaying unsolicited advertisements on its users' desktops. Others dislike the changes Microsoft made by merging their failed “tiled” smartphone user-interface into the Windows UI. And, finally, some object to being force-fed whatever Microsoft wants and simply wish to choose for themselves.

 

In July of 2015, responding to the significant user backlash, Microsoft added features to its Windows Update facility which allow it to be configured, on a machine-by-machine basis, to not forcibly upgrade qualifying Windows 7 and 8.1 operating systems to Windows 10. However, Microsoft did not make this configuration simple. It requires the use of the group policy editor (which is not present in some qualifying systems) and/or the system registry. In other words, they created some deep internal configuration options but chose not to provide a simple user-interface to give their users the choice. “Never10” provides that choice.

Technical info here.

Edited April 9, 2016 by Michael McAllister

[You_are_a_cunt]

Yay, more useless software that staggers progress! WOOO

[FPSwithaWacomTablet]

I think Windows using bash is more progress than Windows 10... 

[Michael McAllister]

6 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

Yay, more useless software that staggers progress! WOOO

Microsoft should not be forcing people to upgrade.  Asking is one thing, but making the upgrade a recommended update so that novice users unknowingly install Windows 10 is ridiculous.  The upgrade should be optional.

[AnnoyedShelf]

Yeah cool, too bad it looks like total malware.  Wouldn't trust that on my system at all.

[You_are_a_cunt]

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080351

 

This exists, y'kno.

[El Diablo]

i got a better way to stop updates,,hold up brb il tell u guys how to do it

[FPSwithaWacomTablet]

1 minute ago, Michael McAllister said:

Microsoft should not be forcing people to upgrade.  Asking is one thing, but making the upgrade a recommended update so that novice users unknowingly install Windows 10 is ridiculous.  The upgrade should be optional.

I'll play devil's advocate here...

 

People who use previous versions of Windows expect the same level of support and performance as the latest version because consumerism. Microsoft wants to focus its efforts on one OS, not multiple OSes, cuz business reasons and QC. MS is trying to avoid the rabbit hole to hell by forcing people to upgrade.

 

Whether its something you believe in is up to you. I'd like Windows to heavily upgrade it's CMD (like make it similar to bash) as some of the tools I use don't necessarily use the GUI and is very hard to setup and run.

[El Diablo]

You can control Windows 10 updates thru Group Policy...I did this and it works great:
Enable or Dis-able Windows 10 Updates

You can control when or if to download or install.

You also can completely turn off Windows updates thru 'Services'

[Michael McAllister]

Just now, AnnoyedShelf said:

Yeah cool, too bad it looks like total malware.  Wouldn't trust that on my system at all.

As I mentioned in the OP, there is a technical write-up that explains exactly what it does.  This is not software from some random person.  Steve has long-standing expertise in programming.

[El Diablo]

Just now, Michael McAllister said:

As I mentioned in the OP, there is a technical write-up that explains exactly what it does.  This is not software from some random person.  Steve has long-standing expertise in programming.

we duno him though

 

my way is better because u do it yourself and takes like 30seconds

[Hunter259]

18 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

Yay, more useless software that staggers progress! WOOO

Every desktop I've have has had a complete heart attack from windows 10. It's a step backwards thats forced upon millions of people.

[Michael McAllister]

1 minute ago, El Diablo said:

You can control Windows 10 updates thru Group Policy...I did this and it works great:
Enable or Dis-able Windows 10 Updates

You can control when or if to download or install.

You also can completely turn off Windows updates thru 'Services'

Did you read the technical section?  This utility, which does not install anything, essentially does that exact thing.  This just makes it a one-click solution.

[AnnoyedShelf]

3 minutes ago, Michael McAllister said:

As I mentioned in the OP, there is a technical write-up that explains exactly what it does.  This is not software from some random person.  Steve has long-standing expertise in programming.

That's fine, but again, looks like shit.  Thanks for clarifying that it's not malware though.

[Trik'Stari]

It's easy to do this on your own. Just delete the updates that include the "GWX.exe", and then delete the updates that bring the "telemetry" (spying) bullshit to Windows 7. Then go deeper and make sure their other telemetry crap is turned off. I can't remember what it's called, but there is one, buried in the windows 7 boot registry that you can and should turn off.

 

Oh, and of course, disable automatic updates. Which you should be doing anyways.

[Michael McAllister]

1 minute ago, AnnoyedShelf said:

That's fine, but again, looks like shit.  Thanks for clarifying that it's not malware though.

Why does it need to look fancy?  It's one button press and restarting for the changes to take effect.  If you don't trust it, that's fine.  I'm just saying that I would trust this over any other anti-Windows 10 solution out there because I know it's from someone with expertise in the field that cares about user choice just as much as I do.

[AnnoyedShelf]

1 minute ago, Michael McAllister said:

Why does it need to look fancy?  It's one button press and restarting for the changes to take effect.  If you don't trust it, that's fine.  I'm just saying that I would trust this over any other anti-Windows 10 solution out there because I know it's from someone with expertise in the field that cares about user choice just as much as I do.

It doesn't need to look fancy.  I just prefer when devs use the default window borders instead of adding their own.  It's a personal preference.  You don't have to agree with me.  I'm pretty OCD about my computer.

[Michael McAllister]

2 minutes ago, Trik'Stari said:

It's easy to do this on your own. Just delete the updates that include the "GWX.exe", and then delete the updates that bring the "telemetry" (spying) bullshit to Windows 7. Then go deeper and make sure their other telemetry crap is turned off. I can't remember what it's called, but there is one, buried in the windows 7 boot registry that you can and should turn off.

 

Oh, and of course, disable automatic updates. Which you should be doing anyways.

It's not easy for novice users.  Also, not everybody wants to spend time researching which registry keys to change.  It's weird that there seems to be so much animosity for this tool created by someone with decades of experience.

[Trik'Stari]

1 minute ago, Michael McAllister said:

It's not easy for novice users.  Also, not everybody wants to spend time researching which registry keys to change.  It's weird that there seems to be so much animosity for this tool created by someone with decades of experience.

All true. And I bear no animosity for this tool. I'll probably use it on my moms PC to get rid of M$'s cancer. Since I just reformated it.

[Michael McAllister]

OP updated with video.

[El Diablo]

31 minutes ago, Michael McAllister said:

Did you read the technical section?  This utility, which does not install anything, essentially does that exact thing.  This just makes it a one-click solution.

yea but then if wont but from the it

[El Diablo]

exactly  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

see

 

he cant reply to what i said

 

everyone do what i said insted

[Michael McAllister]

2 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

yea but then if wont but from the it

 

1 minute ago, El Diablo said:

exactly  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

see

 

he cant reply to what i said

 

everyone do what i said insted

I don't know what you're asking.  Please clarify.

[Trik'Stari]

6 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

yea but then if wont but from the it

Is this even english, or are you typing with your face?

[christianled59]

3 minutes ago, Michael McAllister said:

 

I don't know what you're asking.  Please clarify.

but how why then it when. Do you not understand the concept of them how me it can't when?

 

/s