Last week my phone started ringing off the wall. Actually, it would be more accurate to say my phone was vibrating off my belt, but people generally are more comfortable using the old expression.
My point here is that once people become comfortable with something, be it a telephone bolted to the wall or the operating system on their computer, changing it causes friction, and this is something Microsoft should have considered before causing my phone to start ringing as it did.
What prompted several of my clients to call me was a product announcement Microsoft sneaked into the computers of people using Windows 7 through 8.1. These clients noticed a new Windows icon in their system trays that opened a dialog that introduces Windows 10 and determines if they are eligible for a free upgrade. This needlessly threw a number of people into panic because they were rightly alarmed that the announcement could have been some kind of trick or malware. I can assure everyone this announcement is legitimate even though Microsoft’s method is a little underhanded and really annoying.
Microsoft plans to release Windows 10 on July 29. This newest version of the world’s most popular Operating System looks to finally fix most of the screw-ups of Windows 8, and for that reason it is going to be a must-have upgrade for most users. Microsoft obviously believes this is true because it is offering Windows 10 as a free upgrade to qualifying owners of versions 7 and 8. Kudos to Microsoft for doing this.
Looking at your screen, if you have the “Get Windows 10” icon now, feel free to click on it. This opens a dialog that hypes the upcoming Windows upgrade and determines your eligibility to receive it for free. Of course the program will regale you with all the wonderful things Windows 10 can do. If you do not qualify for an upgrade to Windows 10 it looks like this icon intends to nag you until you finally give in and buy a new computer. If you find yourself in this situation, please continue reading.
Your computer received a “Recommended Windows Update” number KB3035583 in April 2015. A lot of IT professionals have a problem with the marketing department at Microsoft using a security update to tout a new product announcement. If you are one of the users who are ineligible for the upgrade or for your own reasons have chosen to forego or postpone moving to Windows 10, you obviously do not want to continue to be pestered with continuing reminders advertising the availability of Windows 10.
To remove this announcement, simply open the Control Panel and click on “Programs and Features.” In the left sidebar click on “View installed updates,” then scroll down to KB3035583 and uninstall it. That gets rid of Microsoft’s advertising icon, but it will return in a few days unless you also do this. After rebooting, return to the “Control Panel” and click on “Windows Update” and “Check for updates.” When the list of update appears, find KB3035583 and right-click on it then left click on “Hide update.” The program advertising Windows 10 will now not return.
Charles Miller is a freelance computer consultant with more than 20 years IT experience and a Texan with a lifetime love for Mexico. The opinions expressed are his own. He may be contacted through his web site at SMAguru.com.