windows-installation-files

Microsoft really wants Windows users to upgrade to Windows 10. They want this so badly to get rid of the bad taste of Windows 8 that they’re downloading and even sharing your Windows installation file with other users. Even after you turn off sharing your installation files, you may still find that Windows re-download the installations down the line.

We’ll show you how to stop Windows 10 from downloading installation files in the background and keep the valuable space these file take up on your OS.

Stopping Windows 10 From Downloading in the Background

Thanks to Ghacks, we have some simple steps to stop Windows 10 from downloading in the background.

It’s good for PC users to follow these steps to save HD space, data caps with your ISP and especially if you have no intention of installing Windows 10 in the future or at all.

In Windows 7 and 8, the basic steps are the same to stopping Windows 10 from downloading.

To start, open up “Programs and features” either via search or through the Control Panel.

view-installed-updates

Click on “View installed updates” in the left-hand pane of the Control Panel.

installed-updates

In Windows 7, you’re looking for the following updates:

  • 3035583
  • 2952664
  • 3021917

In Windows 8, you’re looking for the following updates:

  • 3035583
  • 2976978

Right-click on each update for your operating system and uninstall each update.

uninstall-updates

Once you’ve uninstalled each update in your given OS, restart your PC.

Now, you’ll need to block the updates so you don’t accidentally start the Windows 10 download process again.

Head to Windows Update and click “Check for updates.”

You’ll see Windows wants you to reinstall this updates again. Right-click on each update and click “Hide update.”

This’ll stop Microsoft from downloading Windows 10 to your PC in the future. If you want to install Windows 10 at a later date, you’ll need to unhide each of the above updates through the same process to start the download.

Why is Microsoft Doing This Without Your Knowledge?

Technically, when you install Windows updates, even automatic ones, you’re agreeing to what they do to your system according to the Windows EULA. This has been the case for a decade.

The issue here is that this isn’t how Windows OS installs have worked in the past and so it’s catching users off guard. For those who have switched to SSDs, with limited HD space, they can find valuable space taken over by useless Windows 10 installation files they have no intention of installing.

Microsoft wants users to get away from outdated operating systems, upgrade to Windows as a service, and take advantage of the rapid release and automatic update style Windows 10 introduces. But it’s not for everyone and Microsoft doesn’t quite get that, yet.

Conclusion

Microsoft has made some errors when how they approach issues like this with consumers. To find out that Windows 10, a large installation, has been downloaded without you realizing it can cause some alarm. However, the steps above should correct it for the time being.

Microsoft should respect a user’s decision on what OS they want to use and not go behind their backs to trick them into upgrading like this.