[Wrinkly Pete]

Can someone, more knowledgeable than me, please advise me on the following:

 

My everyday laptop currently runs Windows 7, which I like, and which works great (for what I use it for) so I do NOT want to install Windows 10 on it.

So far, I had managed to "hide" any updates that were being "offered" by Microsoft, which would have pushed me into installing Windows 10.

 

Todays updates, if I want to install them, ALL carry the following messages (I've shown in RED) when I look them up in Microsoft's Support pages:

 

Important

All future security and nonsecurity updates for Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 require update 2919355 to be installed. We recommend that you install update 2919355 on your Windows RT 8.1-based, Windows 8.1-based, or Windows Server 2012 R2-based computer so that you receive future updates. 

 

If I then look up update 2919355 there is another note saying:

 

Important 

When you install this update (2919355) from Windows Update, updates 2932046, 2937592, 2938439, 2934018, and 2959977 are included in the installation. 

 

As far as I can make out, if I wish to install any more updates on this Windows 7 laptop I am being FORCED to install an update (which also installs a further FIVE updates). These updates will then gradually FORCE me to install Windows 10 - which I DO NOT WANT installed.

 

It seems like Microsoft are doing the equivalent of installing ransomware - to make customers give up Windows 7 for Windows 10. 

 

Have I interpreted this correctly?

 

Many thanks, in advance, for your views/advice.

[Advertisements]

All of those are fine. The ones you do not want are:

 

KB2952664
KB2976978
KB2977759
KB2990214
KB3012973
KB3021917
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB3044374
KB3050265
KB3068707
KB3068708
KB3075249
KB3080149

[SpywareDr]

All of those are fine. The ones you do not want are:

 

KB2952664
KB2976978
KB2977759
KB2990214
KB3012973
KB3021917
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB3044374
KB3050265
KB3068707
KB3068708
KB3075249
KB3080149

[Wrinkly Pete]

All of those are fine. The ones you do not want are:

 

KB2952664
KB2976978
KB2977759
KB2990214
KB3012973
KB3021917
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB3044374
KB3050265
KB3068707
KB3068708
KB3075249
KB3080149

 

Thank you for your reply SpywareDr.

 

I'll check those out. A couple of them ring a bell and I may have already hidden some.

I already hid ones that were listed on a website I came across, which related to Microsoft Windows 10 "reminders" and associated unwanted updates.

May I ask how you came up with your list?

[SpywareDr]

From information gathered at various websites and forums I frequent. FWIW here's the .bat file I use to remove Microsoft's privacy invasive Windows updates in Windows 7 and 8.x:

 

@echo off
rem - Removes Microsoft's privacy invasive Windows updates in Windows 7 and 8.x
rem - Invoke from elevated cmd prompt or "Run as administrator".
rem - Last update 20150828 1042 ET
cls
echo Attempting removal of Microsoft's 14 privacy invasive Windows updates. (For Windows 7, 8 and 8.1):
echo.
echo (01) Uninstalling KB2952664 - Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2952664 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (02) Uninstalling KB2976978 - Compatibility update for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2976978 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (03) Uninstalling KB2977759 - Windows 10 Diagnostics Compatibility Telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2977759 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (04) Uninstalling KB2990214 - Enables upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2990214 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (05) Uninstalling KB3012973 - Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3012973 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (06) Uninstalling KB3021917 - Windows 7 SP1 performance improvements ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3021917 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (07) Uninstalling KB3022345 - Telemetry [Replaced by KB3068708] ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3022345 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (08) Uninstalling KB3035583 - Installs the Get Windows 10 (GWX) app ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3035583 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (09) Uninstalling KB3044374 - Nagware for get Windows 10 in Windows 8 and 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3044374 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (10) Uninstalling KB3050265 - Update to Windwos Update Services for upgrading to Windows 10 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3050265 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (11) Uninstalling KB3068707 - Customer experience telemetry point (W7,8,8.1) ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068707 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (12) Uninstalling KB3068708 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068708 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (13) Uninstalling KB3075249 - Adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 7 and 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075249 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (14) Uninstalling KB3080149 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3080149 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo Process complete.
echo.
echo Please remember to REBOOT, and then hide the Following 14 KB updates in Windows update:
echo.
echo KB2952664
echo KB2976978
echo KB2977759
echo KB2990214
echo KB3012973
echo KB3021917
echo KB3022345
echo KB3035583
echo KB3044374
echo KB3050265
echo KB3068707
echo KB3068708
echo KB3075249
echo KB3080149
echo.
echo Press any key to exit ...
pause>nul
rem - EOF

Edited by SpywareDr, 11 November 2015 - 11:03 AM.

[Wrinkly Pete]

From information gathered at various websites and forums I frequent. FWIW here's the .bat file I use to remove Microsoft's privacy invasive Windows updates in Windows 7 and 8.x:

 

@echo off
rem - Removes Microsoft's privacy invasive Windows updates in Windows 7 and 8.x
rem - Invoke from elevated cmd prompt or "Run as administrator".
rem - Last update 20150828 1042 ET
cls
echo Attempting removal of Microsoft's 14 privacy invasive Windows updates. (For Windows 7, 8 and 8.1):
echo.
echo (01) Uninstalling KB2952664 - Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2952664 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (02) Uninstalling KB2976978 - Compatibility update for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2976978 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (03) Uninstalling KB2977759 - Windows 10 Diagnostics Compatibility Telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2977759 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (04) Uninstalling KB2990214 - Enables upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2990214 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (05) Uninstalling KB3012973 - Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3012973 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (06) Uninstalling KB3021917 - Windows 7 SP1 performance improvements ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3021917 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (07) Uninstalling KB3022345 - Telemetry [Replaced by KB3068708] ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3022345 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (08) Uninstalling KB3035583 - Installs the Get Windows 10 (GWX) app ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3035583 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (09) Uninstalling KB3044374 - Nagware for get Windows 10 in Windows 8 and 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3044374 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (10) Uninstalling KB3050265 - Update to Windwos Update Services for upgrading to Windows 10 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3050265 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (11) Uninstalling KB3068707 - Customer experience telemetry point (W7,8,8.1) ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068707 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (12) Uninstalling KB3068708 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068708 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (13) Uninstalling KB3075249 - Adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 7 and 8.1 ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075249 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo (14) Uninstalling KB3080149 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry ...
start /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3080149 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
echo.
echo Process complete.
echo.
echo Please remember to REBOOT, and then hide the Following 14 KB updates in Windows update:
echo.
echo KB2952664
echo KB2976978
echo KB2977759
echo KB2990214
echo KB3012973
echo KB3021917
echo KB3022345
echo KB3035583
echo KB3044374
echo KB3050265
echo KB3068707
echo KB3068708
echo KB3075249
echo KB3080149
echo.
echo Press any key to exit ...
pause>nul
rem - EOF

 

Whoa!

FAR TOO TECHNICAL for me I'm afraid!

I'm just an old man, a self-taught PC user and PC "Administrator" by default (as I live alone with nobody else to ask!).

I'm going to look and see whether I've already installed a couple of those you've given me. If I have, I'll try to uninstall them... if it will let me!

 

Ideally, I wanted to leave this laptop as Windows 7.

If necessary I'd sooner  buy a new laptop with Windows 10 already installed, rather than upgrade this one, as I've only ever updated PCs operating systems with new Service Packs. I've NEVER installed a whole operating system on one of my PCs.

Currently I have one PC that is XP (no longer supported, but still useable for my gaming), one laptop that is Vista and still working, but only just (VERY slow now) and the latop I'm using now that is Windows 7 SP1 and working well still.

[SpywareDr]

I'm also an old, self-taught computer 'nut'. Got started "BC", (before computers). Way back in the days of CP/M, before the IBM/PC hit the market.

 

The above batch file simpy removes Microsoft's unwanted 14 privacy invasive Windows updates one at a time. You could also run each command individually at a command prompt, but I got tired of doing that and stuck them in a .BATch file. It works for me.

[Wrinkly Pete]

I'm also an old, self-taught computer 'nut'. Got started "BC", (before computers). Way back in the days of CP/M, before the IBM/PC hit the market.

 

The above batch file simpy removes Microsoft's unwanted 14 privacy invasive Windows updates one at a time. You could also run each command individually at a command prompt, but I got tired of doing that and stuck them in a .BATch file. It works for me.

 

Well, we have one thing in common I'm a "nut" too !!!! 

My first "computer" was a a Sinclair Spectrum. 

I like using computers, but was never much good with the technical issues of HOW they worked. I just don't have any flare in that direction. I've tried, really hard, but I'm finding my age is against me now, and my mental capacities are "on the way out" now.

I was hoping this Windows 7 laptop would see me out, which is why I never upgraded to Windows 8. Also, I didn't like the "new" user interface with 8. It looked fine on a smart phone I suppose!

I haven't heard anything encouraging to inspire me to buy a Windows 10 laptop yet.

It's hard for me now, as I'm pretty much home bound and I TOTALLY rely upon my computer to bank, shop, communicate etc. I do worry what will happen when I can no longer keep up with it all. The advances in technology take place ever quicker and my brain is slowing up!!! I am totally "up to speed" with my security on the Internet though. I'm fanatical about that side of using a PC.

 

I take it that your bat. file thingy uses the Command Prompt? I've had very little use of that. Same as with using reg edit. I could do a LOT of damage using that too, believe me!

[SpywareDr]

Know what you mean. One of the (expensive) daily meds I've been taking for the last couple of years is for "age-related mental health issues".

 

Also know what you mean about Windows 8. AFAIC, big stupid buttons are for Kids and Monkeys.

 

I do have Windows 10, but it's on a single device that we rarely use. I would be willing to use the Enterprise version of 10 on a daily basis -if- I could get a copy. The other versions of 10 are way to intrusive though.

 

I am also a "nut" when it comes to protecting our (wife and I) PCs/devices. A multi-layered defense has been working for us for a number of years.

 

And yes, my ".bat file thingy" runs from an elevated command prompt. When you run it it simply removes any of the installed KBs you see listed there. When it's done, reboot and then get into Windows Update and "Hide" those particular updates so that your computer won't download and install them again.