GWX.EXE (Or, How To Remove the Windows 10 Upgrade Nag)
Savvy Users may have noticed a new process in their Task Manager, namely GWX.EXE. Which stands for “Get Windows X” (“X” meaning 10), and is responsible for that new “Windows Logo” icon in your Notification Tray (the right part of your Taskbar, with the clock). Which was pushed onto us by Microsoft’s Update process via the KB3035583 update
Now I know that some of you are eagerly awaiting June 29th to get the latest Windows version, but for those of you who, like me, never install version 1.0 of anything, or like me, rely on Windows Media Center (not included in Windows 10), and would prefer that the Microsoft nag and downloader package NOT be on their systems, simply Uninstall Windows Update KB3035583.
For those who don’t know how to do that, I have been busily preparing the How To tutorial.
But Scott Thurow beat me to it. So instead of me reinventing the wheel, I’ll just point you here: How to stop the Windows 10 Upgrade from downloading on your system
NOTE: You can always go back and get KB3035583 at a later date. (And I expect, since Microsoft is hellbent on getting the entire world using Windows 10, that they’ll push this same thing in future updates (and any other trick they can think of)).
Today’s quote: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” ~ Yogi Berra
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• About Tech Paul
I am a Retired computer & network technician. I used to think the machines were pretty cool. Now I don’t.
They’re anything but.
I regularly posted how-to’s and tricks & tips and general computing advice here starting in 2007. (Use the Search tool to find answers. But be aware, many are rather dated.) Sometimes I answered (your) specific questions in an article if I believed the answer was generally helpful to “everyone”. All the writing you see was my own, typos and all. There always is/was an implied “IMHO” in what you see here.
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Reblogged this on What's On My PC and commented:
From my experience, most people (the great majority) do not have a clue about Windows 10; that there is an icon lying in their system tray (waiting to be activated) that will allow them to upgrade to Windows 10; that if they do opt to upgrade what will be added (and what will be lost), etc… Ok — Get a chance check this article out if you want to stop the Windows 10 upgrade from downloading on your system.
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hi sir i have windows xp with 2gb ram and i have a cricket 2009 game when i start this game click on game icon the game not start and showing this error cannot start because another instance of this programm is already running but when i use this game on win8 os this game is start and work perfect please why this game not start on win xp.
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ajay,
XP is obsolete and unsupported (for over a year already). The only “help” I provide to XP is to tell the owner to Upgrade to newer; and help them transfer their files/settings to a new machine.
But as a rule, when you have a program that doesn’t work properly, one uninstalls > re-Installs it. If that doesn’t work, one goes onto the program’s User Forum.
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i have a 286 12mhz i want to run 10
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Sir or Ms,
Thank you for the lol.
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it just keeps coming back…several times a day
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robyn cobb,
If that’s true, my guess is you either inadvertently skipped a step in the article’s instructions (so first thing, go back and repeat the process; and be sure to “hide” KB3035583 after the reboot [How To Hide Windows Update]), or you may have a glitch in your Windows Update. In which case you might try the repair tool mentioned here, https://techpaul.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/windows-update-broken-fix-it/. (After running the Fixit, reboot and then uninstall the update as per the instructions again.)
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i will not update this [deleted] to win 10; i run a great deal of hardware and bought software that runs well under win 7 but wint run under win 10 ;somme of the hardware won’t even run under vista .and i ame not planning to upgrade the hardware ,milling machine ,plotter/scanner 2 meters wide paper ,a CNC lathe , microship programmer and so on .3so i would be happy to get rid of this [deleted] [deleted]
all program’s i run i have payd for and the do fine under win 7
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raf,
Why vent on me? The article tells you how to turn off the prompt..
And while Microsoft has declared it is their goal to get all computers in the world “upgraded” to Windows X, they cannot force (aka “push”) an install onto our machines.
If you’re really concerned that they might.. I suggest making a disk “image” backup of all your Win7 devices. (And/or disconnect them from the web..)
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I would also like to add an” Important Paying Attention Issue.” If your computer is set to ” Auto-Update……Guess what,?? Yes, You guessed it….It will continue to Update the NEXT-TIME You Log-In and: Here’s the Key,….You won’t even Know it until you check your ” Icon Box again…!! Shame on you ” MICROSOFT.” You can not and or should NOT-MAKE People get Windows 10 and or GWX.EXE…KB3035583.!!! ( Key: Is this a ” TRACKING-ISSUE.” ?? ) Don’t even Answer, I am not sure about the rest of the World,…..But I can Pay Attention…!!! How am I doing so Far.?? Then, your Update to Windows 10 simply ” Takes Over your Computer, Plus stops you from going back ” IN-TIME in order to correct mistakes you might of Made.” What Kind of shit is that…?? Key, Once again…..” TRACKING.” Is this Not still a Free Country.??? Not Sure Now.??
Mr. Basciano Sr. Oh,….” Set your Computer to Updates ” Only when they get your Permission.” Then, When it comes up again, and trust me it will……” Hide the Update.” I have Never seen anything like this….!!!!
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Thomas Basciano Sr.,
One of the “features” of Windows X is it does away with letting users turn off, or “tell me when updates are available but do not download” (options). Because, frankly, Microsoft doesn’t trust users to know what the right choices are (they’re taking that from observing users over the decades..) just as they don’t trust users with full Admin (as well they shouldn’t).
I hope you feel better having aired that but, for future reference, I seriously doubt anyone at Microsoft reads me.
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Thanks for your ” Input.” Frankly, I did NOT even Know about the ” Forced Update until I Logged on again,….Honestly, I had No Clue…!! Then, My Lights came on when in fact I went back into Windows-Update…..There is was again….I finally figured it out on my own, Sort-of-speak….However thanks to ” YOU.” I was able to Pay Attention….So, I must Honestly Thank-You for that and Yes,……I Really mean that…!!! I will be writing to ” Microsoft.” and of Course who else will Listen…!! That you can BANK-ON…!!! I Honestly Believe that based on the ” ISIS Issue, they are trying to Track-People,……No, I am clearly not into that shit…!!! But, I am also Not a Fool, and I am Not Paranoid at all. If Microsoft wants to ” Shut me down after I tell: it like it is. ” !!! So be it….!!!! They will also Know someone is really ” Paying Attention.” Yes, I Love that Line,….Its right on time….!!! “
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You may want to write to Google, too. They’re the best at “tracking”..
But every Internet ‘business’ does it.
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I am NOW Having a Problem with ” Checking for Updates.” I get The Red X and then Error Code 80244019, I went in and the system said it was Corrected,…..Yet, it still will not check for Updates. This is Now becoming a Drag and or Not Worth My Time anymore,…..I Guess I will simply shut my Computer Down Altogether….!! I know the Basic’s but I am not going to Keep Spending Hrs. on end with B.S. ” Stress Kills, and I can Not go there…!!! ” Not worth it..!!!! They Win,….I Loose,…..End of Story…!!! It’s Just a Shame. It is what it is…!!! Again, thanks for your Time. Best of Luck to you….!!!!
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The Microsoft tech support for Windows Update errors, and other security-related issues, is free. You might want to give them a call for help at 1(800) 642-7676. (I have a few “fix WU” articles posted here as well. Use my search widget.) A quick look at that error code (here, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/windows-update-error-80070422-80244019-or-8ddd0018) says that the most likely cause is a virus which has turned of the Update Service. So the first thing I’d do is visit Housecall, and run a scan (here, http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)
Take a deep breath. I’m rooting for you to get it resolved right snappy.
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I simply remove the permissions for any account to run the gwx.exe file. The update can stay, no hiding since nothing has permissions to run the stupid file. Also disable tasks. If something else pops up deny access on that until it finally stops. I do the same on the registry so group policies can’t make changes…oops :)
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Sir or Ms,
While I see the advantages of those tactics, I believe them to be for the quite savvy, and not something within the skill set of the Average Computer User (aka “for everyone”). And, since a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, I’ll decline making (or pointing to) a tutorial.
(The weakest link in the chain is Layer 8.)
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Layer 8 ..good one :D
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You should be a part of a contest for one of the greatest websites online.
I am going to recommend this site!
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Comes in through hotmail accounts too.
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Big Ned,
Um… how?
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