[Guide] Disabling Windows 10 Automatic updates and "spyware"

[Mussels]

Edit: This thread is a bit old, so check the comments from other users for newer apps and methods to tweak modern versions of W10

For reference i do not think of the telemetrics in windows 10 as spyware, but i see it commonly called that. Regardless its annoying, so its in here as well

Taking control of windows updates has become much easier thanks to third party utilities, no more need registry hacks or hidden away settings - one program rules them all.
http://www.ghacks.net/2015/10/10/wi...is-a-third-party-client-for-updating-windows/

http://forum.ru-board.com/topic.cgi?forum=5&topic=48142#2
^Russian forum where the creator posts his changelogs (search for your language here, keep that .ini file near the .exe to change language)

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/64939-Windows-Update-MiniTool
^English discussion forum/thread/links

Link to latest 30/09/2016 release
Updated Link

Updated download link in Dec 2017:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwJH2CazcjsINFZFc1pVdk9mNHM/view

https://cloud.mail.ru/public/3E95/kvd9WCbUq
^English downloads seem to be kept here for now (not always up to date - see above threads)

Use this wonderful tool, change automatic windows updates in the bottom left to disabled. That's it, and you're now able to pick and choose what downloads you want to download, and you don't have to install them right
away.
These updates are genuine updates from microsoft, its merely changing the user interface. There is no risk of faulty or infected updates.

The next great and humorously titled program you need is O&O's "Shut Up10"
As their own page states:

O&O ShutUp10 is entirely free and does not have to be installed – it can be simply run directly and immediately on your PC. And it will not install or download retrospectively unwanted or unnecessary software, like so many other programs do these days!

This one's rather simple to use, although can be more confusing in practice. You simply toggle windows 10 features - including windows defender - on and off. Green means "safe" (off) red means "on" (windows default)

Changes are applied immediately, but may not take effect until a reboot. I recommend caution with this one, and not just blindly changing settings - disabling windows update here will stop the other tool from working, for example.

https://www.safer-networking.org/spybot-anti-beacon/
^Spybot AntiBeacon seems to be specialised towards cutting out unwanted external communication.

another method:

Another easy 'fix' that disables some shit and reduces some HDD and bandwidth stress:

win + r -> services.msc -> ok

You can disable these 3 services:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
dmwappushsvc

p.s. you can also try this:

win + r -> regedit -> ok

Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection

Create a new a 32-bit DWORD value named AllowTelemetry and set it to 0. Reboot for changes to take effect.

 

[SnakeDoctor]

Thanks for info will put it into use soon -Page booked marked

 

[GreiverBlade]

thanks mussels for the dedicated thread, useful, should get more attention by the time going

 

[VulkanBros]

thanks mussels for the dedicated thread, useful, should get more attention by the time going

Or we will bump it - nah this thread will get attention....just wait and see

 

[R-T-B]

Did someone say attention?

Thanks again mussels.

 

[SomeOne99h]

Thank you Mussels

 

[Ahhzz]

Thanks @Mussels

 

[RejZoR]

Cool, I'll translate this into Slovenian. Developer made it really easy with the config file.

 

[Moofachuka]

With these tools, I might consider upgrading my W7 to W10... Thanks for the tip though!

 

[NdMk2o1o]

Thanks just used the O&O one to switch off a load of shit I will never need, fairly straight forward as long as you know what each setting is for

 

[RejZoR]

Windows Update MiniTool mirror + Slovenian language file
https://rejzor.wordpress.com/2015/12/29/windows-update-minitool/

Thx to @Mussels I was so impressed by the tool I've decided to host a download mirror for program and English language file as well as translating it to my own (Slovenian) language.

 

[avatar_raq]

Thanks for the info. Subscribed for future reference.

 

[laszlo]

@Mussels for sure M$ won't thank you for spreading these infos...

 

[DarthBaggins]

This definitely would come in handy for those of us that use insider builds, alot of the time I really try to avoid updating the builds since some I've liked over others

 

[Ahhzz]

I think I'll be trying some of the steps here to take a little more aggressive stance. We've got a test box at the shop, and I think when I get some spare time, I'll load wireshark, and start digging. Interesting read, @Mussels .

https://hackmag.com/security/what-data-windows-10-sends-to-microsoft-and-how-to-make-it-stop/

 

[Mussels]

added spybot anti beacon, as it seems pretty simple and has options the other programs dont.

 

[hat]

That's a lot of shit to turn off. I wonder if there may be any improvement in system responsiveness or anything after disabling all that garbage.

 

[Drone]

Another easy 'fix' that disables some shit and reduces some HDD and bandwidth stress:

win + r -> services.msc -> ok

You can disable these 3 services:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
dmwappushsvc

p.s. you can also try this:

win + r -> regedit -> ok

Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection

Create a new a 32-bit DWORD value named AllowTelemetry and set it to 0. Reboot for changes to take effect.

 

[cdawall]

This is fancy, but alas the effort involved is more than I am willing to put in.

 

[Mussels]

Another easy 'fix' that disables some shit and reduces some HDD and bandwidth stress:

win + r -> services.msc -> ok

You can disable these 3 services:

Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
dmwappushsvc

p.s. you can also try this:

win + r -> regedit -> ok

Go to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollection

Create a new a 32-bit DWORD value named AllowTelemetry and set it to 0. Reboot for changes to take effect.

edited into first post. good info.

those are already disabled on mine via the other tools, but worth knowing how to do it directly.

 

[hat]

After using O&O ShutUp 10, I get in my Windows Update settings that "some settings are managed by your organization" and I can't change anything. I'd like to be able to check up on my things and change them myself. It's my own computer... I ain't at work in an office somewhere dammit.

 

[Mussels]

After using O&O ShutUp 10, I get in my Windows Update settings that "some settings are managed by your organization" and I can't change anything. I'd like to be able to check up on my things and change them myself. It's my own computer... I ain't at work in an office somewhere dammit.

thats why i use the third party windows update tool, as a replacement

 

[rtwjunkie]

thats why i use the third party windows update tool, as a replacement

I have to say, despite it looking like a dodgy download, that update tool works like a charm!!

 

[Caring1]

Bump
Just in case it's needed.

 

[Drone]

Another bump

Nice GUI for WIMGAPI called Dism++

Download

This open-source frontend is pretty effective, it even cleans better and faster than native /Cleanup-Image command. Also converts wim/esd to iso, offers lots of options and tweaks, and no worries it has English GUI.