# disable the "get windows 10" app

Category: Geeks r Us

## Post 1 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 20-Oct-2015 12:32:37

I think this deserves a new topic. If you are seeing the "Get windows 10" thing in your system tray, and you want it gone, here's a program that can disable it either until next reboot or pernimantly. GWX Control Panel. It also gives you the option to turn off the updates responsible for the windows 10 download, but doesn't delete the hidden folder which contains the download. That's something you'd have to do manually.
yes, you can re-enable these from the same program if you want to at a later date.
Here's the description from the website:
This is a free tool that can remove and disable the 'Get Windows 10' notification area icon on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Newer versions can also disable 'Upgrade to Windows 10' behavior in the Windows Update control panel.
the URL for the download is:
http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/
the name of the program is GWX Control Panel.
works wonderful with any screene reader!
Highly recommended!

## Post 2 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 30-Oct-2015 19:33:03

Just ran this. It works great. I actually sent the developer a PayPal donation in thanks for creating this, because that nagging to upgrade was really getting in my way. I wish I'd known about this in time to stop the folder from downloading on my machine. It's 3 gigs. JH, do you know how I can delete that and get my 3 gigs back? Thanks.

## Post 3 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 31-Oct-2015 0:45:27

We talked about that in another post.
John had an idea, but I'd do a search for Windows 10, or Microsoft.
You can also look under windows.
You go to the OS folder. Open that and you'll find programs. If you have a 64 bit machine, you have two program folders.
Look for it in there and delete it.
I forgot what OS you are running, so can't give you specific directions.
John will post too.

## Post 4 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 31-Oct-2015 1:14:10

wayne is incorrect in his instructions. this is how to remove the hidden folder.
first, make sure show hidden folders is checked in windows explorer or file explorer.
next, look for a folder called $WINDOWS.~BT in the route of your C: drive. delete it in fact do a ctrl+Delete which will delete it permanently, and not just move the contents to your recycle been.
.
Let me know if this works for you.
JH

## Post 5 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 31-Oct-2015 12:48:14

Sounds good. I've never had to go after it on the machines I use that haven't been upgraded.
I wasn't aware it was hid.

## Post 6 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 31-Oct-2015 15:06:28

Wayne, I'm running Windows 7. I knew the folder was hidden because of reading the GWX Control Panel user guide, so I did make sure it was set to show hidden files and folders. I just didn't know where to go looking for it. Thanks for the instructions, John. will go try it now.

## Post 7 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 31-Oct-2015 15:07:39

Your very welcome, Elisha.

## Post 8 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Tuesday, 03-Nov-2015 8:57:04

I just hid the icon.

## Post 9 by VioletBlue (Help me, I'm stuck to my chair!) on Tuesday, 03-Nov-2015 18:01:02

Thanks, JH, for letting everyone in on this useful little program! I've also passed it on to several friends.

## Post 10 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 03-Nov-2015 19:17:51

You are very welcome!
I'm gonna donate to this guy. he has his work cut out for him what with MS is doing next year.

## Post 11 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 03-Nov-2015 20:40:28

Oh boy, what are they going to be up tonext year?

## Post 12 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 03-Nov-2015 20:44:08

they're going to push windows 10 as a recommended update. however you will have to choose to opt in to get it. they really, really, really want people on windows 10.
they're too pushy.
On a somewhat related note, PC manufactures are only aloud to install Windows 7 on new PC's until Oct 31st of 2016. so if you want a brand new OEM with windows 7, act within th the b next year. after that stock will be depleted.

## Post 13 by loves animals (This site is so "educational") on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 0:07:07

Well that may be all in good to them but to us it may not be as easy as they think and the reason I say this is because I was using windows 7 and had to switch to 8 and I found the layout was different and I bet switching to 10, the layout may be entirely different again.

## Post 14 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 9:20:57

10 is sort of a mix between the two provided your computer is set up in the correct fashion.
You have the start and all just like 7 with your search box at the top of it.
Some things are moved around, but can be found under places.

## Post 15 by JH_Radio (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 10:30:36

or you could do like me. if you have tried Windows 10 and don't like it, go back. Are you on Windows 8 or 8.1 now and do you need help?
I'm considering trying Windows 10 say in March or april again.
If I don't like it, no big deal. Windows 7 will be supported thru January 2020. by 2020 when Windows 7 is no longer supported, Windows 10 will be a very mature operating system. Its early days yet. Please understand me. your apps and programs will work, but things have been moved around, and the new modern apps that are available for windows 10 are not yet workable with jaws. This will be a hell of a lot better by 2020, I hope!

## Post 16 by forereel (Just posting.) on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 11:56:23

True enough. You can always go back easy enough.
I like 10. I never used the apps much on 8.1 just programs, so I'm good.

## Post 17 by Shadow_Cat (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 21-Nov-2015 12:39:28

I already donated to the guy. Anyone who can make it harder for Microsoft to push their updates on me deserves a donation. Eventually I will go to Windows 10 of course, but like JH said, I may wait till it's a more mature OS.

## Post 18 by starfly (99956) on Friday, 01-Jan-2016 18:22:59

the only part of win10 that does not work is the area that has MS. edge views fore jaws users. NVDA users this is not true, MS. does work now in the latest update.
Dan Mathis

## Post 19 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 05-Jan-2016 12:53:06

I discovered today that I did indeed have an SMA for Jaws. I've updated to 17 and am now in the process of upgrading to Windows 10. Wish me luck. lol

## Post 20 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 05-Jan-2016 13:06:46

Luck. It's pretty easy.
If you have problems I suggest redoing it.
When you reinstall it, instead of selecting keep your apps and files, tell it to remove everything.
Before you do, save anything you want to another place, then let the program clean the computer completely.
Also, when you do this, you'll need to reinstall Jaws, so will either need the CD or some sighted help to do it.

## Post 21 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 05-Jan-2016 18:34:12

Oops, I didn't ever see that option. It's a good thing though because I didn't have any sighted assistance. Everything seems to be working well so far though.

## Post 22 by forereel (Just posting.) on Tuesday, 05-Jan-2016 22:19:29

By default it is set on the keep everything option, so if you didn't change it you were safe.
I only suggest wiping the machine clean if you have trouble. Otherwise, I'd not.
Cooness.
Success.

## Post 23 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 06-Jan-2016 9:36:49

Ah, I probably should have started Narrater sooner and I would have seen that.

## Post 24 by forereel (Just posting.) on Wednesday, 06-Jan-2016 10:51:14

No. It is actually in the choices after you download the program.
It talks all about what is will do, and tells you it will restart a few times.
There is when you have options of how you wish Windows to be installed.
After the computer restarts and comes back, Windows has been installed in the manner you chose, if you had.
All you are doing is accepting some terms and such if you've not chosen the option it should clear all.
You did perfectly fine however.
You chose the default options, and these are the best choices for upgrading.
You keep everything, you just refresh things, and install your New Windows.
You have it working, so you've done it right.
Remember, I only suggest a clean install if you have problems with the computer, or were having problems before you decided to upgrade.
Good job.