Windows 10: How do I prevent the Win 10 upgrade?

If you download and install the Security Updates, you shouldn't. If you don't install them you will leave a vulnerability, but may be OK anyway. MS can remove that registry key with any update, any time it wants to. I would just check often and make sure.

 

I would hazard a guess that if you notice the $Windows.~BT Folder appear, you need to check the key again. You shouldn't get it with the update disabled.

 

The more underhandedness MS is exercising, the more determining hackers are to find a way to circumvent the "forced upgrade".
There will be a new hack/tweak to stop that.

 

If I had it, where would it be?

And to be perfectly clear, it will actually be "Dollar sign" Windows "period" "tilde" BT?

And if I find it, what is it and should I delete it?

 

Where is $Windows.~BT Folder :

First you need to "unhide" it.
File Explorer options > View tab at top > dot the " Show hidden files, folders and drives" > OK when done.





Then you will find it at your main drive, C :
Yes, you can delete it since you have no desire to upgrade anyway.

 

Last night, my Windows Updates setting was still automatic. It downloaded, but didn't install, KB3035583. There is a folder under c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download that was created last night, with the same time stamp as when Windows Update reports checking for updates. There are 15 files in it, quite a few of which have BK3035583 in their name. If I delete this, will the KB3035583 update go away? Will it mess anything up to delete it?

 

.............Last night, my Windows Updates setting was still automatic. It downloaded, but didn't install, KB3035583..................

Sure it did not install ?
Want to double check Programs & Features > View Installed updates ..................

 

Thanks. I already was set to show hidden objects. And, for now, there's no $Windows.~BT directly under my C:\ root.

 

Yup. did exactly that. Not installed. Yet...

 

I didn't see it mentioned yet, but I would at least take an image of the system, upgrade to 10 to get the digital entitlement, and then roll back to your image. Then, in time, when you go to 10, you won't have to buy a license.

 

..................... If I delete this, will the KB3035583 update go away? Will it mess anything up to delete it? ........................

I don't think you could mess anything up by deleting that folder.
However, I will leave it to members with higher knowledge of Win 10 to answer that.

 

It is because the OP vehemently declares in post #1 that......................
I want to absolutely, positively prevent the Win 10 upgrade on my Win 7 machine.

 

Budward,

Just to inform you that your thread has been moved to Windows Updates and Activation by the moderator.

 

Well, I took a plunge and learned for myself. I was going to shut the computer down tonight, anyway. And, a little while ago, on my way to Control Panel, I found that Windows was ready to do an update. So, I moved the subdirectory with KB3035583 to another location and shut it down now. It went through the motions of an update with no error messages, so I expected it had reinstalled 3035583. After the reboot, I searched the installed updates and it couldn't find 3035583. Then, I looked at the update history and it showed that the update had failed. So, it appears that I have successfully prevented reinstallation of 3035583 after removing it. No issues so far.

"Vehemently" might be a bit strong language. But I am persistent and determined.

 

There are actually about six keys associated with the Windows 10 push, including the same in associated KB's that have been issued to get around the key change.

You can run both OS's at the same time, with 10 being the Insider version. But eventually your 7 install is going to be upgraded, whether you like it or not.