Windows 10: Changed my mind...how to remove ALL of the downloaded Win 10 files?

Hi...
I accepted the invitation to "Reserve Win10" over a month ago, and it appears that Microsoft has been downloading the requisite files on my hard drive for installation and activation at a "later date," which is apparently now. A pop-up menu advises me now's the time...
However, ever since those files have been aboard the three computers in our house, we have had one application develop problems after another. The computer freezes, a music program with an expensive Steinberg DAW has become intermittent, and the Yamaha MOTIF synth attached to it by FireWire has become erratic.
Steinberg has already advised that many of its Cubase DAW's are NOT compatible with Win 10, and I strongly suspect that just having those files on my computer has impacted the use of my synth.
Consequently, I'd like to locate and delete ALL of the Win10 files Microsoft has downloaded on my computers, and I want to see if the application problems clear up. In any event, I now feel most strongly that I want to wait until 6 or 8 months pass and I learn from other folks what their experience with Win10 and some of the apps I have has been, and learn something I don't know now.
I am NOT being critical in any way, nor am I assessing blame for the spate of real problems we've experienced since those Win10 files have been downloaded by Microsoft in anticipation of my executing their installation and activation. I just want ALL of those files and their remnants gone, and I'd appreciate to know how to do this.
I find these forums chock full of of very knowledgeable folks, and I hope some technically astute good Samaritan might have the time to outline a series of steps, in numerical order that an old phardt like me can follow, and help me just clear the decks of all the Win10 files and let me get back to work without daily problems.
Grateful for whatever help may be forthcoming, and put me in your low priority list...I'm not looking for someone to drop important work or business to lend a hand. When ya have time is fine with me, and thank you very much
Bob

:)

 

how do i cancel /remove windows 10 after it has downloaded but not installed to my laptop

I downloaded win 10 upgrade to my laptop and I have changed my mind about installing it. how do I stop/ remove the update so I will not install it by mistake in the future

 

Remove Windows 10 and download later

Original title: changed mind after download but before install

Got invitation, did download, ready to install.

I've changed my mind. This PC will not outlast Win 7, no need to upgrade.

But, Win 10 insists that it wants to install.

Now what?

I tried a system restore to a month ago and uninstalled the 'update' that offers the upgrade - no joy.

How do I get Win 10 to not try and install?

(Win 7 Home Premium, I7, 8GB ram, lots of hdd space)

 

By all means, do not update Windows 10 if you are using your system for Pro Audio Recording! Basically you have to lock your system down, not even accepting OS updates. I run Pro Tools 6.4 LE and it must be on XP, with NO other apps installed unless they are plugins for PT or music related. That means, no iTunes, no Antivirus.

Look for all folders named "$Windows.*" in your Root Directory, delete them. you may need Unlocker Pro to do it, because the fodlers may be locked. You can get it from MajorGeeks, but be careful because the installer has the Babylon virus, if you do an advanced install, you can avoid installing the virus. Then delete the installer after you get it in. Once it's in, right click on whichever of the $Windows folders won't delete, and choose Unlocker, when Unlocker comes up, choose "Delete" from the lower left drop down, and then either "ok" or "kill all" if they have a locking handle to Explorer.exe

 

you will need to uninstall the windows 10 upgrade KB too. KB 3035583

 

I am blind in my right eye thanks to a botched cataract operation, so I my be in the wrong place to post a reply. But, I'd like to express sincere thanks for your answer...it will carry both me and Yamaha out of a blind alley and into the daylight. The Yamaha Tech Support person has been working with me for weeks, trying to correct the intermittent operation of my DAW and MOTIF synth...all since the Win10 downloads began. It go progressively worse, the OS is NOT installed, but the downloaded files have apparently impacted my music system.
Nice to hear the words of someone who actually KNOWS what they're talking about. Looks like I'll actually need a dedicated computer, OFF the Internet, for my music system...it may be costly, but that's the price for getting stability back. Thank you so much for the detailed and patient help, I really appreciate it.
Bob M.

 

More excellent assistance from those who KNOW! Thank you very much...I'm hoping to get the stability back in my system...and my life. Making music IS my life, not a helluva lot else left, so what you kind folks do may have greater impact than you'll ever know.
Bob M.

 

I can't give technical advice, because I'm sorta a newbie, but I did read somewhere (been all over the place looking for solutions to Windows 10 anomalies) that you only have a month from the time you download 10 to uninstall and roll back to whatever your previous version was. I am still trying to figure out how to solve my mostly minor issues before I take the step to roll back. I do think W10 is quite invasive. And don't totally understand Windows Edge versus Explorer, because they both seem to be running on my system taking up lots and lots of space.

 

Also have a look at this, http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8...p-your-pc.html

 

Does that apply to Windows 7 too? I don't have that in my Windows 8 system cos it is still 8, I do however get nag screens to install 8.1. Thanks!

 

http://www.sevenforums.com/news/3715...p-your-pc.html I'm a member of all three sister sites, same username on each.

 

yah I know, seen you there *Tongue

Thanks!

 

If you've been there done that, why am I pointing you to the tutorial? *Tongue *Wink

 

I'm not sure if cancelling the reservation does garbage collection, but this might be the first thing to do, then remove the icon *Wink

Cancel Free Upgrade to Windows 10 Reservation (TenForums.com)