Windows 7 & 8 Users: How to prevent Microsoft tricking you into upgrading to Windows 10

Warning to Windows 7 & 8.1 Users:  Microsoft is now tricking users into automatic upgrades to Windows 10 - here the background and how to prevent the sneaky upgrade

 

Microsoft has angered many people by changing the code under the "X" in the Upgrade to Windows 10 popup in Windows 7 & 8 in order  to force the upgrade since many people don't want it.  Normally, people would press the upper right X in the box to close the request to upgrade box, but now pressing the X will initiate an upgrade process.

 

Articles appeared recently from tech sites that Windows changed the code so clicking the X would install it. 

 

Here is the PC World article. http://www.pcworld.com/article/3073457/windows/how-microsofts-nasty-new-windows-10-pop-up-tricks-you-into-upgrading.html

 

Here is another article from WND.com:  

http://www.wnd.com/2016/05/bill-gates-of-hell-windows-10-hijacks-computers/#IS0aLD23LEl5ZQGt.01

 

The best way to prevent the upgrade is to turn off the upgrade notice completely.  Visit GRC.com and get the free utility "Never10" here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3073457/windows/how-microsofts-nasty-new-windows-10-pop-up-tricks-you-into-upgrading.html 

 

It was written by a renowned computer security guru, Steve Gibson (who I personally know from the old days) to do nothing but turn off the upgrade Windows routine in Windows. You can always reverse it. So, just download it, run it and you won't get hit with the upgrade dialog box again.    I already did.   Gibson's utilities are very credible.   

 

It is possible that Microsoft could send later code to turn the upgrade box back on, and if so, just run the utility again or visit Gibson's website to see what improvements he has made to his utility. 

 

Vance Jochim

FiscalRangers.com