GWX

10-Years Ago Today: Microsoft Surface and Windows 8

Friday, October 26, 2012 Microsoft Corporation 454,46 +2,87 +0,64% released The Surface RT, their first computer running the also introduced this day Windows 8. Windows 8 was a radical change to the look, feel and use of Windows. This was great for mobile users, but hated by many desktop users. Windows 8 represented the most dramatic transformation of the Windows interface since Windows 95. While that operating system introduced the Start menu, Windows 8 removed that iconic menu in favor of a Start screen filled with “live tiles” that functioned well on touchscreen computers like the purpose-built Microsoft Surface, but frustrated desktop…

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What Happen to ‘9’?

Is ‘9’ suddenly an unlucky number in the tech world? Microsoft released Windows 10 after Windows 8/8.1. Apple recently released the iPhone 8 and announced the forthcoming iPhone X. In the past couple days, has come word of Samsung announcing the successor of the Galaxy S8, the Galaxy X Folding Phone. Apple and Samsung both are skipping version ‘9’ of their flagship phones. So, what gives? Well, we have Microsoft to thank (or blame) for skipping 9. It was Microsoft that two years ago, started with releasing Windows 10. They even were the first one to represent ‘10’ with the…

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Microsoft is Sorry (sort of) About Windows 10 (Forced) Upgrade Tatics

Microsoft has admitted and apologized about ‘crossing the line’ with changing the behavior of the ‘Red X’ on the Windows 10 upgrade screen. However, they were well aware of what they were doing and the repercussions it could cause. Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela: “We know we want people to be running Windows 10 from a security perspective etc, but finding that right balance where you’re not stepping over the line of being too aggressive is something we tried and for a lot of the year I think we got it right, but there was one particular moment in particular where,…

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The Windows 10 Free Upgrade Period Is Over (for now).

That’s right it is over! The ‘free upgrade’ period to Windows 10 also known as GWX (Get Windows 10) based on the name of the files Microsoft secretly downloaded onto users machines in hopes that they would unwilling install Windows 10. Clicking on the Get Windows 10 icon in the taskbar tray now brings up this “too bad, so sad” message: However, while the Get Windows 10 notifications have ended, Microsoft MSFT 454,46 +2,87 +0,64% is going to take their time in getting the GWX crapware application off users machines. There is a slight chance Microsoft may reintroduce the offer this fall (one reason why…

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Microsoft Has Ended Windows 8 Support

On January 13th, 2016, Microsoft Unfortunately, we could not get stock quote msft this time. officially ended support for Windows 8 and you better upgrade to Windows 10 while you still can for free. Okay, you may be asking since Windows 7 came out before Windows 8 and it is supported until January 2020 why would Microsoft end support for Windows 8 now? Well, Microsoft is referring to the original Windows 8.0 (though never branded as such). Okay, so I have Windows 8.1 I am good then? Maybe, maybe not…Microsoft’s FAQ: “Windows 8.1 falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows 8,…

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The Return of KB3035583

Yes, the evil (Get Windows 10 aka GWX) KB3035583 update somehow installed itself this morning on my main Windows 8.1 machine. I was doing some housekeeping on my school Windows 7 laptop as I am between semesters right now. Thought it would be a good time to remove some unneeded programs (Oracle Virtual Box and Microsoft Project Professional) that I am not going to use and update Flash,  Java, Thunderbird and Firefox. While I was running Malware Bytes on the laptop I started checking for updates on my main machine. I did look at the updates that were available I was…

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Take Ownership Registry Script

This registry script works for Windows Vista and newer and adds a ‘Take ownership’ (Administrator) option to the context (right-click) menu in Windows (File) Explorer. Very useful for removing crap Microsoft has sneaked onto your computer such as the Get Windows 10 (aka GWX) propaganda as well as Windows 10 itself. You can run this script on files and/or folders which will give the Administrator ownership privileges to be able to delete said files and/or folders. Installation is simple, download and open the zip file then run the Take Ownership – Install.reg file. You will be presented with a couple prompts accept…

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Microsoft Wants You To Have Windows 10 (even if you don’t)!

Okay, this is getting out-of-hand. All the Get Windows 10 propaganda (App in Windows 8.1, System Tray Icon and in Windows 10) that Microsoft MSFT 454,46 +2,87 +0,64% is bombarding Windows 7 and 8.1 users is bad enough. However, even if you declined the upgrade to Windows 10 and in some cases even if you removed the Windows 10 upgrade offer KB3035583, Windows 10 may already be on your computer…just waiting for you to (accidentally) install it. Yes, you read that right! Microsoft has taken it upon itself for those users in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 who are running Windows Updates…

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Remove ‘Get Windows 10’ (GWX)

Most people who were running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 before Windows 10 was released this past July who didn’t want it removed (and also hid) KB3035583 from their Windows Updates. But, what about people who bought a new Windows 8.1 computer or reinstalled Windows 7/8.1 AFTER Windows 10 was released? I ran into this scenario last week after a couple family members purchased new Windows 8.1 PCs (yes, you can still get Windows 8.1 PC’s) and the machines download and installed KB3035583. I thought this would be a simple fix, remove and hide KB3035583 and all would be well. As it turns…

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