Windows Update And Gwx

I don't even have this registry category:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

There are some folders in the Windows category, just not a WindowsUpdate folder. Could this be because I have updates set to "notify but allow me to choose which updates to download and install"? If otherwise any ideas why?

 

AltBo,
That's indeed strange. I have Windows Update disabled, and yet the registry entry is there.

 

Thanks Eldon...

Here is what I see:

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/AtlBo/Capture_zpsfu77ergh.jpg

No idea why it's not there. I do think some of the updates snuck through. Maybe it was removed when I removed them?

 

None of the three Win 7 systems here has it either, though yesterday mine did, and it contained a key that was for allowing or blocking OSUpgrade. That key was set to 0, block and in my mind it explained why that PC, unlike the others, was never offered GWX. I'm absolutely intrigued.

 

Earthling...

Is GWX Genuine Windows Experience? I see various places across the internet it's related to the Windows 10 download as in GWXUI.exe (the download/install client for Windows 10). I was fairly proactive when it came to disabling the updates, thanks in large part to your list (I had disabled some already on this PC).

I will check the other W7 PCs to see if the key category is there when I get a chance. All of them (4 total/3 my domain) have had all the same treatment when it comes to deleting/hiding the updates...

 

GWX is GetWindowsX (Ten) and is the MS preferred way of encouraging ppl to upgrade. It's the name of the 10 icon in the system tray.

 

AltBo,
I noticed you also don't have the GWX registry key. I do (even though Windows Update was disabled from the start) and the value is DisableGwx = 1.

 

Everything to do with Windows 10 free update (for systems that qualify) is initiated by Windows Updates - that includes GWX notification and the registry key that allows it to happen - but if a user has their WU set to 'notify me' only, and they don't actually install them - including all the preparatory updates to enable Win 10 - then they wont find any of them on their system.

 

This doesn't explain why I have the GWX registry key.

 

It can only appear from an installed windows update. It can't just magically appear. I imagine 99% of everyday users just let it through, but what happens after is a different matter if a user intervenes to interrupt the upgrade road map, which wont necessarily remove that key.

 

After I re-installed Windows 7, I disabled Windows Update prior to connecting to the Internet.

The only updates I do have installed (but not through Windows Update) are: Update for IE9 KB2454826, IE9, Microsoft Silverlight 4.1 & KB958488. I don't know what installed the latter.
Also, I don't have SP1.

 

Let me take a look at the other PCs here. Maybe I got to removal of the updates before MS got to me. Also, I haven't accepted updates for going on 6 months now. I don't want to say anyone else should, but I do this from time to time to see what will happen. I feel it's a mixed bag, because Microsoft does in some ways extend the usefulness of Windows with updates, but they also tend to attach that to things I don't like. So I wait to see how the OS can do and then I just read around to see how others are getting along with their updates and so on. Also, I try to stay heavily in tune with security (or at least as much as possible )...

Get back to you once I have a chance to take a look. One PC I tried to upgrade, and I suspect it will probably have the keys, but I reverted with an image. This was back before 10 was official...

 

OK...

4 Windows 7 PCs all Pro SP1, 1 32 the rest 64 bit. None of the PCs have the foldered key category "WindowsUpdate" in the mentioned path. Also, none of them have the GTW folder/category. One of the PCs only has 2 folders there under Microsoft\Policies. I probably haven't updated it in 8 months, I guess, and I rarely use the PC. The one I installed the Win 10 customer preview on doesn't have the key cat either. Using an image to restore from the preview I guess guaranteed that partly and that it hasn't been updated since...ummmm December of last year . Thought I had updated that one more recently. I haven't used it much either, because I removed the fan to clean it not realizing it was connected to the heat sink (one piece) and I broke the thermal paste. Put the heat sink back on, but it runs a little hot (60-70 with a browser open). Haven't had time to fix the issue, which will be an ordeal for me. Not keen on removing a processor.

Thing about MS updates is that I have seen their idea of security improvements, and they would consider blocking keyboards in an update a security improvement. They probably have discussed the issue. We know they removed gadgets and then blamed hackers. What are they doing that we don't know about?

If there is a downward spiral, it is in Windows updates. I am to the point now that I don't care where the spiral goes as for now I am working out how do deal with the mess that is here...

One of the PCs I will say is connected to AU and receiving them on time, and it doesn't have the folders. Probably I will break at some point and get back on track with updates, but I usually wait until I have "that feeling"...the "all zones safe from MS" one...

 

Well, it can't just appear can it, it must have got installed at some point. But if it isn't causing you any problem then maybe just forget about it.

 

Eldon or anyone else:

Any way someone could install on a VM and check to see if GWX is there? I don't have a VM installed, and I don't have an available key for W7, so I think I might be limited in options. Not sure what I would be able to accomplish on a keyless install, although I would be willing to test this. My disk is SP1.

Eldon, your situation is a real case study on MS practices, since you don't update. I mean the jury is out and all, but I'd love to see if the GWX key location is in a SP1 installation. I don't think so, because it's not on any of the PCs here, and I did use the install disk I have one time before to install W7 on the PC that has updates set to Automatic. I am completely perplexed...

How did that key location/key get onto your PC?

 

I seem to have a Win 7 Ult x86 VM with nothing more than Panda Cloud and Belarc. Can't even remember why I set it up but I'll update it and we'll see what happens GWXwise

 

Thanks for looking at that Earthling. I have been side tracked by the issue of programs that won't install in Win 10. Playing around with Comodo Internet Security for a little while. I will TimeFreeze it off before rebooting and then be back to normal...

 

It needs 48 updates but I see KB3055583 is among them so looking promising. I'm not going to do anything to inhibit progress towards 10 but I will backup this VM before allowing the updates to install.

 

I believe it's fully updated now, including KB3035583 and many of the other Win 7 related updates, but no GWX and no WindowsUpdate keys. I hope you can learn something from it AtlBo 'cos I can't.

 

Thanks again Earthling. I'm not learning eenything from that either.

I have read instances where MS sneaked the .iso onto a PC, so maybe it only happens if the iso is somewhere merged into some .cab or something...

 

I agree. But how did it install?

3 of the updates, update for IE9, IE9 & MS Silverlight were installed from a backup DVD. KB958488 is an update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, also installed from a backup DVD, from where I also installed v. 4.0.

And that got me thinking... Microsoft is so desperate for all PCs running Windows 7 SP1 or 8.1 to upgrade to 10, was GWX not bundled with the MS .NET Frameworks 4.5, 4.5.1, or 4.5.2? I will not be surprised...

 

No idea - every system is unique so you are talking needle in a haystack. But as I said if it is not causing an actual problem I wouldn't worry.
But you are right, MS are actually trying to force 7 and 8.1 users that qualify, to upgrade, and pushing users who don't want to upgrade into all kinds of confusion about how to stop it. Which is bad practice. But then MS has decades of experience at doing that!

 

Big Bad Bill?

No, It can't cause any problems.