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Windows-10

Yesterday, we discussed how Microsoft at present downloads Windows 10 to local devices whether users have chosen to do and then or non. Here, we'll walk you lot through the process of reclaiming that space. The surest way to tell if you've been afflicted by the stealth download is to navigate to your C:\Windows directory. Once there, you'll want to configure Explorer to evidence hidden files and folders.

In Windows vii, you exercise this by clicking on "Tools," and then "Binder Options," and finally "Show Hidden Files and Folders," every bit shown below. In Windows viii/8.1, click on the View tab and so select the "Hidden items" bank check box.

FolderOptions

Once this is done, check your Windows directory for a directory named $WINDOWS.~BT. The icon may exist translucent, since the binder is normally hidden, so check carefully. Y'all can delete this folder if you wish, simply doing and then won't actually prevent Microsoft from downloading the setup program again. In one case the OS has decided that you're going to install Windows ten, it's downright pushy about having the data locally. The only solution, according to various sources, is to really remove a specific Windows Update: KB3035583.

KB3035583 is described by Microsoft as installing "the Get Windows 10 app, which helps users understand their Windows 10 upgrade options and device readiness." It can be uninstalled by navigating to Windows Update from inside the Control Console, choosing "Programs and Features," and so selecting the "View Installed Updates" selection. Remove this update and then delete the binder, and you'll reclaim your lost disk space.

KB 3035583 can then be blocked from installing over again by hiding the update from within the Windows Update setting in Command Panel.

An uncertain situation

There are facets to this state of affairs that aren't fully understood equally nevertheless. My own Windows Update history shows that I installed KB3035583 on the 26th of July, equally shown beneath.

KB3035583

Despite this, at that place's no sign that my system always downloaded Windows 10, and I have no record of failed W10 installations (another reported commonality) in my own Windows Update history. In some cases, this MS update clearly triggers a download process, but in others, it does not seem to practice so. I personally run Windows 7 Professional, but IE11 and Windows Update have both been incessantly nagging me to upgrade.

One potential reason for this is that I proceed Windows set to "Check for updates but allow me choose whether to download and install them." It's possible that this setting keeps Windows ten from downloading whether yous've installed KB 3035583 or not.

Why we embrace topics like this

Several readers have asked why we proceed to cover topics like this and implied that ET (or myself) have a bias against Windows 10. I won't deny that I disagree with Microsoft'due south new approach to privacy controls, patch disclosure, and software updates, merely that's not why we've continued covering these topics. Whether you concur or disagree that some of Microsoft'due south new policies are problematic, the fact is, they represent a marked change from the status quo.

A 6GB Os download isn't a big deal if you have a 500GB drive, but if you lot're running an older Windows installation on a 128-256GB SSD, that can current of air upwards being a significant chunk of space. More than to the point, notwithstanding, it'south something Microsoft hasn't previously done. The thinking, in this case, is obvious — by downloading Windows 10 behind-the-scenes, Microsoft guarantees a faster upgrade process for end users.

The problem, one time again, isn't that Microsoft is evil. The problem is that Microsoft either failed to consider the needs of its users or dismissed them as unimportant. Nosotros've already heard from people who went over their metered bandwidth for the month because of background Windows 10 downloads. I of our staff had an HTPC surprise-upgrade itself to Windows 10 while he was on vacation. These are issues that Microsoft could address with a simple checkbox request users if they'd like to download Windows 10 now so they can start the upgrade procedure immediately when they choose to do so.

Check out our ExtremeTech Explains series for more in-depth coverage.