Windows 10 Update Aggro

[MrMobodies]

I am battling the Windows 10 updates mechanism for my next workshop setup template.

Already set to disable updates from automatically installing in Group Policy but that does nothing.

Last week I was working on something and all of the sudden the screen went blank. Was it power failure? was the power button pressing against something under the desk? No it turned on with the screen that updates are installing. Can't tolerate that and I feel I have no control over my own stuff anymore if I let that nonsense go on. How dare they intrude and interfere like that with no warning. I was infuriated.

I thought I disabled quite a few culprits responsible for re enabling it and turning it back on but they are more others services such as usocore.exe rempl and waas medic. They seem permission protected and in task scheduler with no way to to gain ownership on this particular installation. When I removed some of the unwanted services in the hive and they are recreated on startup. I thought I couldn't delete and take ownership and it might have something to do with GPT partition even when accessing the drive elsewhere but I found I could take ownership and delete on an MBR copy. I am looking at a MBR installation from an image that I just cloned months ago and put the key in which worked.

For what I am going to use it for I just want to be left alone and want to install the updates I want manually.
If I need something I'd go to that catalogue to download it.

See pictures.

Just now when I moved the modules out and took ownership of the task scheduler keys I found I can delete stuff out.
I switched off the services to the apps (that I never use) and removed all the crap I know I am not going to need.

I have a disc image just incase there are problems in future.

No more "apps", silly insulting scaremongering alerts in a patronising terminology.
No more interruptions or harassment.
Just the way I want it like before where I can do what I want.

[wilfred]

If you want control then it's time to consider an alternative to Windows. There are endless threads here complaining about Windows. It is what it is because the majority of Windows users like my family just don't think about it.

[MrMobodies]

Yes, I know it will come to that.

I know there are endless complaints elsewhere and I had to do a lot more looking into it but I found a solution for now to the above problems.

There is a version of Windows, called Windows 10 LTSB, which as most of these garbage disabled by default. I had a quick play with it in a VM, and it is legit.

More info: https://www.howtogeek.com/273824/windows-10-without-the-cruft-windows-10-ltsb-explained/

That is something I am going to check out along with Linux Mint.

[wilfred]

I use and recommend Linux Mint XFCE. I have a C2D CPU and wanted a lightweight window manager. No other reason over the fancier options. It is as good as any a place to start. But I say this to all who approach Linux. The two reasons to choose Linux is to learn about it and as a lifestyle choice. It is just another OS. Ignore the religious zealots, and don't change because you hate Windows. Linux isn't perfect either.

I have a Linux PC under my fingers now and a Windows10 laptop next to it.

#linuxisalifestylechoice #LinuxMint

[joeqsmith]

I'm still blocking with a router.  It's been a good solution.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/windows-10-creators-update-1703/msg1321900/#msg1321900

[MrMobodies]

I suppose I could do that, which would have been so much more easier a couple of minutes of work, setup a block rule for that machine's IP to go with an alias (list), find out what it connects to for the Windows update and add them to that Alias.

[Stray Electron]

  I found that Java, Google and Adobe all check for updates even when you tell them not to. Google will install updates even when you expressly tell it not to.  My computer used to frequently and repeatedly lockup while checking for updates to a Java program that I never used and never wanted.  I had to hunt down the update programs and delete the files to stop them from running. In some cases Windows complained about the missing files so I had to create a dummy file with one null byte in it. Adding the update sites to the hosts file helps block that unwanted updates too.  But I've heard that win 10 ignores the Hosts file. I use an earlier version of Windows so I don't know. Despite what MS says, Windows users actually have very little control over what runs on their computers.

[MrMobodies]

I have sorted that long ago.

Adobe:
Kill adobe.arm.exe
Del C:\program files\common files\adobe\arm
Then search in registry "files\adobe\arm" to remove all keys pointing to that directory.
Remove from task scheduler.

Google:
I just go somewhere in appdata/local/google and remove software reporter along with the program files installation and GUpdate? service in registry and remove that from task scheduler.

Sometimes I get a little red symbol arrow over the colon menu that it is out of red and reinstall prompt by the side of it?

I do have Java installed and set it so it doesn't update or run when I don't want it to.

I won't have those things interfere with what I am trying to do and dominate me unless I decide I need it.

[MrMobodies]

Sorry to bump it.

Interesting to hear what others have to say.

I have had success on stopping Windows Updates from being installed in an untimely manner.

Go to group policy editor, and instead of disable Windows Update, choose to download Windows Updates, but not install them automatically.

I already did that:

Already set to disable updates from automatically installing in Group Policy but that does nothing.

Microsoft OWNS Windows, make no delusion.

Of course.
 

You don't respect it, it won't respect you. MSFT wants everyone to receive updates, so you have to receive it.

For the particular purpose I am going to use it for I can't have it shut down lets say when it is in the middle of disc imaging or anything like what happened that night. I am not going to use this template copy for going on the app store and playing games. Just for some specific tasks that I do daily.

You disable it for too long, it reenables itself.

I took care of that problem already.
Hasn't turned back on.

Instead of fighting it, you should let it do what MSFT wants,

No way. You might do but I certainly won't.

and ask it to give you a time buffer

On other installations maybe but not for the work I am doing it on.

This is how you do business with a dictator. Don't like it? Then don't use Windows. Again, MSFT owns it.

In my home in my possession I am the dictator.
If they don't like it they can come and sue me if they want.

It is not like I am pirating stuff or guilty of copyright infringement.

Consider the delay installation a marcy, and use it well, instead of pushing further.

I pushed it out of the way for now so I can work in peace.
They have already pushed it too far on those occasions that forced me to take action in the first place.

Any other stuff I don't care but not my work machines.

Anyway I can turn the PC Setting components back on and the Windows Updates if I wanted to or I can install them from the Microsoft Catalogue if there is something or a fix that I need.

[senso]

Why is everyone so hell bent on running pc's connected to the internet without updates?

Is it such a chore to reboot your computer once or twice a week?

I never had a problem with those so called random updates, never once has a computer rebooted on me for surprise updates.. On the other hand, I check at least once every 2 days if there are updates..

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

O Senso, calma Senhor, calma..

[MrMobodies]

Why is everyone so hell bent on running pc's connected to the internet without updates?

I don't know about everyone... but for me and this particular purpose I am hellbent on it staying put for my convenience so I can work without interruption. I want it to stay put as I can't have a loose cannon when I am doing stuff and may require it on all time.

Is it such a chore to reboot your computer once or twice a week? I never had a problem with those so called random updates, never once has a computer rebooted on me for surprise updates.. On the other hand, I check at least once every 2 days if there are updates..

That's nice but I don't have the time or I am not always willing put the time in and taking risks for when something breaks after an update and have to spend time undoing it and the interruptions it may cause. I already spend enough time trying to install and find out why certain updates won't install on customers things as some seem to panic over it.

The others that I may use for entertainment and general use I don't care what happens with the Windows update in fact I'll be observing for when things do go wrong so when customers bring their stuff in I might know what to look for if it is update related.

O Senso, calma Senhor, calma..

Yes you could say now I am satisfied and at peace because I know it is not going to do that again.

[Quarlo Klobrigney]

I have seen many a person who has lost all due Winblows 10 and their pushing of updates, where a disk take ownership and subsequent copying of, or off, of personal data was necessary. I will never use or recommend the product.

Firewalls are useful things.

I agree. I am the sole dictator and commander in my home. All devices with electricity or fuel in them, must comply or face execution of my choice and method.

[Ramsy]

I have seen many a person who has lost all due Winblows 10 and their pushing of updates

That's why I lost everything from Windows 10 PC.

[Electro Detective]

Who is the computing boss here? The PC owner paid up OS licensee, or MS beta testers trying to outdo/keep up with mountain fetish MAC beta testers ?

With options of Win 7, 8, 8.1 and or Linux to choose from, do yourself a favor and go with those. What software that matters ONLY runs on Win 10? 

FWIW there are 'Win 10 only' hardware workarounds for newer gear to run 7, 8, 8.1 etc
you just have to do a bit of research 


Let MS get "Win Does What It Wants"  sorted in-house, not in your house, 
and release Win 12 with an updater menu with options to Manually Update, Auto Nuisance Update, 

Ask First, or NOT AT ALL, with a 'NEVER Ask Again AGAIN'  tick box

[Halcyon]

If you want control then it's time to consider an alternative to Windows. There are endless threads here complaining about Windows. It is what it is because the majority of Windows users like my family just don't think about it.

This!

And this is professional advice I'm giving as a 20+ year "veteran" of Microsoft Windows. Short of disconnecting yourself from the Internet/Microsoft servers, there is no way that I'm aware of to completely to disable updates. This is why Windows 7 was the last version of Windows I'll use.

[Zucca]

One day I will switch but not today I have stuff to do.
it's five years I am repeating this in my head...

M$ is irritating me constantly, but unfortunately I have a lot of patience.

But one day I know it will happen:



I would consider FreeBSD too, I read good stuff on it.

[SiliconWizard]

As I said in another thread, we should not expect MS to change anything strategy-wise, probably at least for several years to come.

Looking at the stock market, MS has experienced almost exponential growth since the release of Windows 8. So shareholders definitely trust MS and its current CEO, meaning they can't change a thing.

I guess we unhappy customers are just a very small minority of users. Either that, or MS has found a business model that doesn't require customers' satisfaction. In the latter case, that may one day lead to a Nobel price or something.

[rstofer]

Yes, I know it will come to that.

I know there are endless complaints elsewhere and I had to do a lot more looking into it but I found a solution for now to the above problems.

That is something I am going to check out along with Linux Mint.

A few, very few, people have joined the Linux crowd that, at best, represents 2% of desktop users.  How come, after 25 years in the field, Linux is a bit player?

Well, it's because it is darn difficult to get set up, nothing you want is included with the distro, you spend more time at the command line than you ever imagined and, in the end, what do you have?  An OS that nobody else uses.  And if your hardware isn't supported by the built-in drivers (NVIDIA), life will get truly exciting.  In fact, you will get to recompile the drivers every time the kernel is upgraded.  Fun times!

In my office, I have 3 machines running Linux Mint, 2 machines running 2.11BSD (similar to 4.3 which is what FreeBSD, NetBSD and the others are built on.  I also have 4 machines with Win 10 and a left over All-In-One running Win 7.  And I use them all!

Without question, the Linux boxes are the most frustrating.

For whatever reason, I don't have problems with Windows Update.  It usually waits for me to approve the changes and, if the change is critical, it does it during off hours.  I suppose different users have different experiences.  Maybe they should change how Update schedules things.

[rstofer]

I would consider FreeBSD too, I read good stuff on it.

I just installed this last week to match up with my 2.11BSD boxes - what an ugly process!  Once I got it set up, I overwrote it with Mint.  If I absolutely must have *nix, Mint is the way to go.  I still wound up having to manually partition a 3TB drive and play around with /etc/fstab and fdisk but I eventually got it to work.

I really don't want to have to know how to partition disk drives.

For servers, OpenBSD is outstanding!

[rsjsouza]

In my experience, Linux for the common user is good enough for internet browsing - that is what I am planning to do to my wife's computer when January comes. Hopefully I don't get much flak.

As for mine, the major issue to migrate away from Windows is the video editing software and the occasional use of windows-only EDA packages. That and the multitude of incredibly useful tiny utilities I accumulated over the years on this platform. I foresee following joeqsmith's firewall footsteps in blocking spying and, just like the OP, inadvertent updates - to me the most irritating of all sins.

Regarding stock price and MSFT's practices, the vast majority of people don't give a damn for that. 

[james_s]

I was forced to use Win10 at work for a couple years and cursed it constantly. The lack of control is infuriating beyond belief and the hubris of the company and its apologists is arguably reaching Apple levels. Heck even the Mac I have at work has never interrupted what I'm doing to update. The behavior of a machine that does this is virtually indistinguishable from one that is infected.

Anyone saying that Linux is difficult to set up or doesn't come with anything has not tried recent consumer aimed dustros. I set up my computer illiterate mom with Ubuntu a couple years ago and it has been smooth sailing. Libre Office and a browser are the only software she needs and that was all set up by default.

The reason Linux has such a small user base on the desktop is that most people just buy a computer and use it with whatever comes installed on it. Also Windows has a HUGE legacy software library but with Microsoft doing their best to kill off legacy that will eliminate the primary reason for using Windows.

[rstofer]

In my experience, Linux for the common user is good enough for internet browsing - that is what I am planning to do to my wife's computer when January comes. Hopefully I don't get much flak.

Well, yes and no...  The default browser, when using the default search engine (whatever it is), is terrible.  None of the replies I expect come up anywhere near the top of the list.  It is absolutely useless.

I installed Chromium and use Google as my search engine.  Much better!

Try it out and see what you think. 

Mint is a very Windows friendly desktop.  Things tend to be where they are easily found, the task bar is easy to use but don't be surprised if you want to add a few 'extras'.  Adding printers under Mint is a lot easier than on other distros.  It will search your network and offer them up in a dialog.  Just point and click and Mint will find and install the drivers.  Very nice!

I have used Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu and a couple of other distros (memory is fading fast) and I like Mint the best.  You can try it with a Live CD but be prepared for GRIM load times.  It sometimes sounds like the drive will come apart.  There's a lot of searching going on!

[rstofer]

I was forced to use Win10 at work for a couple years and cursed it constantly. The lack of control is infuriating beyond belief and the hubris of the company and its apologists is arguably reaching Apple levels. Heck even the Mac I have at work has never interrupted what I'm doing to update. The behavior of a machine that does this is virtually indistinguishable from one that is infected.

I don't know what I'm doing right that others are doing wrong but this just isn't a problem I have experienced.  Yes, a dialog pops up saying there is something to install but it gives the option for now or later.  What it does overnight I simply don't care about but there's no guarantee that I'll leave it on overnight.  Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.

My Active Hours are set to 8:00 to 5:00 but that is wrong.  My active hours are 5:00 AM until midnight, give or take.

Make sure that the Advanced Option to "Restart as soon as possible..." switch is turned off.
The Advanced Option "Show a notification..." switch should be turned on.

[rsjsouza]

In my experience, Linux for the common user is good enough for internet browsing - that is what I am planning to do to my wife's computer when January comes. Hopefully I don't get much flak.

Well, yes and no...  The default browser, when using the default search engine (whatever it is), is terrible.  None of the replies I expect come up anywhere near the top of the list.  It is absolutely useless.

I installed Chromium and use Google as my search engine.  Much better!

Thanks for the inputs.

I am not sure which browser you refer, but Firefox comes standard on Ubuntu and its default search engine (Duck duck go, IIRC) is not bad. Bonus points for the absolute lack of tracking stats. However, as you mentioned it does not give the desired results as a regular Google or Bing would - this can be a problem for the regular user, although it is easily changeable.

As for distros, I have experience with several of them and Mint is quite good and much more lightweight than its cousin Ubuntu. (I even have a version running on my old Atom 520 netbook). Libreoffice also does a good job in editing the occasional reasonably simple MS office document. These two distros are strong contenders for my wife's notebook, but there's a chance she will want to migrate to Windows 8.1.

Personally I could navigate any distro without problem - I come from an era where Slackware was king. In my case, as my age progresses my patience regresses exponentially, especially with scripting and the occasional nonsensical configuration. Also, my past experiences with Wine were not good at all, but there is a strong change things changed. Again, if it takes way too much time to adjust and adapt every single existing application from Windows, I may leave a Windows 8.1 or 10 host just for these tasks.