Windows 10 Upgrade? I don't need no stinking Windows 10 Upgrade! How To Get Rid Of That Annoying 'Upgrade To Windows 10' Popup.

Apparently, Microsoft thinks that Windows 10 is the greatest thing since the birth of the it's prodigal son, Bill Gates (or maybe the death of Steve Jobs...errrr...too soon?) If you're here, then like me, you're sick of those god awful popups that Microsoft insists on displaying every time you reboot your computer. You know the one's I'm talking about. They ask you to upgrade to Windows 10 and typically pop up in the bottom right hand corner of your screen. The vile pop up looks like this:

Obviously...the typical popup doesn't include Calvin offering Microsoft's PSA a golden shower (but it should have).  I've been using Windows 7 Ultimate for the past few years and love it. Couldn't be happier. All my schizzle is used to running cleanly and efficiently on Windows 7 Ultimate. So...no..I don't want to upgrade to Windows 10 - even if it's free - hell, even if you paid ME. Big brother (microsoft) recommends having your windows updates set to automatic. Well, congratulations, while it does keep your PC better protected, it also allows Microsoft to include totally worthless updates to your PC - just like our Windows 10 upgrade notification. Without further adieu, here's Hacky's guide to getting rid of the annoying 'upgrade to windows 10' popup! 

 Hacky's How To: Get Rid Of Upgrade To Windows 10 Popup

The specific update in question is: KB3035583 . Even after uninstalling this update, it will continue to reinstall itself time and time again - as if it were some skillfully designed malware. Microsoft loves burying the update in the 'important' windows update section. While Microsoft apparently believes the fate of the free world may rest on your decision on whether or not to upgrade to Windows 10, I can assure, it doesn't.

You have two options to get rid of these annoying ass popups. You can uninstall the update or you can turn windows against itself, and use windows firewall...mooooohahaha! Each technique is described below:

Option 1: Uninstall Windows Update KB3035583

FYI: I am using Windows 7, though the process for Windows 8 is probably very similar. 

1) Go to Start > All Programs > Windows Update
2) Click 'Installed Updates' (bottom right corner)

3) Upper right corner - use your search bar to save time, and type in KB3035583
4) Right click the update and click 'uninstall'

5) Restart your computer, and you should be pop up free. NOTE: Like I stated earlier - microsoft loves hiding this update with other 'important' updates, and it will auto install if you have your computer set to automatically download and install windows updates. If that's the case, you can also try option 2.

Option 2: Edit The Windows Registry To Disable The .exe File That Displays The Windows 10 Popup

That's right...time to make windows our bitch! If removing the update didn't work for you, you can update your windows registry to prevent an executable file named 'Gwx.exe' from firing every time your system starts up. Gwx.exe is the culprit that displays the popup to upgrade windows.

Note: Editing your registry can be extremely damaging to your computer, so only proceed if you are comfortable with editing your registry, and following these directions to the letter. Proceed at your own risk. (Working with your registry is pretty easy, just don't start f**king with a bunch of system settings you know nothing about and you should be fine)

1) Click The Start Menu, in the run or search bar type regedit.exe

2) Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx (Gwx may not exist, which means we need to create it)

3) Right click on the 'Windows' folder, and click New > Key - Type: "Gwx" without the quotation marks.

4) Open the Gwx folder
5) Right click in the blank white area of the screen (like around the (Default) folder), and click new > DWORD (32-bit) Value - Type: "DisableGwx", again without the quotation marks and hit Enter.

6) Give it a value of 1 (which basically sets it to true).

Congrats, we've officially made Microsoft our b*tch. This prevents the Gwx.exe file - which launches the popup from executing.

Enjoy, and hope this helps!

~Hacky