Windows 10 as spyware

[Peter Lemkin]

To keep Windows from automatically updating, go to this place:

Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update > Change Settings

The option I like is "Search for updates but do not download and install them."

Works [to some extent] in Win 7 and 8/8.1 - does NOT work in Win 10! Also, many [not all] of the updates are spyware - see the url's I listed at the beginning. They must not be installed - ever - and if installed they MUST be removed or your system is their system! With Windows 10 - your system is their system and there is nothing you can do about it........you have actually unknowingly given your rights about this away when you hit 'yes' to the Win 10 EULA install button.

If Dawn already has Win 10 machine, yes. I thought she was getting a "free" upgrade to 10 from 7.

Dawn, are you running Win 10. Oh wait, she can't read this. ::headbang::

It is possible to DOWNGRADE from Windows 10 back to Windows 7 - but one would still have to look for the spyware 'updates' and remove any [described in the two url's near beginning of thread]. There are 'how-to's on the internet as to how to downgrade. Here is one: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/window...y-3633149/
However, I see some warnings that if you've had a Windows 10 upgrade for more than a month, it can not be easily downgraded. This is likely complex and depends on many factors. In the worst case, it is possible to make a copy of your disk, uninstall Win 10 in the original disk. Install Windows 7 and then migrate the contents [your own information, not the programs] from the copy to the new installation...but this will take a little work and skill....and suggest you have a computer savvy person help or do this for you so you don't loose all your information! Bottom line - if less than a month since upgrade: easy to go back to Win 7. If it was a new install of Win 10 or upgrade past one month old, it gets more difficult, but is still possible.