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

[RejZoR]

This is absolute bullshit what Microsoft is doing. This is the SECOND time Windows update hosed my god damn tablet. On shutdown it just says "Updating Windows" and when it reboots, screen is just black. I can see backlight, but screen is blank entirely. No way recovering the damn thing than installing it clean. Ugh. This is the reason why I want god damn control over updates. When I'm confirming them myself and installing them when I decide, everything was fine. But here, this automatic nonsense always fucks something up because it conflicts with god knows what during the point of updating (I was installing driver seconds before that).

 

[RejZoR]

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.

This one is weird. I've downloaded from SourceForge and it seems to be the source code and not binaries...

 

[Raw]

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

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

https://cloud.mail.ru/public/3E95/kvd9WCbUq
^English downloads seem to be kept here for now

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:


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:

You are really awesome Mussels, and thanks so much!

 

[Frick]

Soooo does any of those tools actually disable the automatic reboot thing? Because a machine I was at just rebooted (with a 20 minute ahead warning) in the middle of a phone conference. I can't be having with that kind of thing.

EDIT:

I find this picture entertaining BTW:

 

[Mussels]

Soooo does any of those tools actually disable the automatic reboot thing? Because a machine I was at just rebooted (with a 20 minute ahead warning) in the middle of a phone conference. I can't be having with that kind of thing.

EDIT:

I find this picture entertaining BTW:

the WUMT tool lets you choose when it reboots, or stop it download updates entirely.

 

[lemonadesoda]

After having to uninstall W10AU because it screwed up my network/internet access and time/date, I am going on full lock-down. Thanks for all these tips. Will sub/watch.

 

[Drone]

bump

New version of Windows Update MiniTool

alternative link

 

[Mussels]

bump

New version of Windows Update MiniTool

alternative link

edited that into the OP, i checked like last week and hadnt been updates for months.

 

[Drone]

Hide Windows Updates or driver updates

Your Windows 10 PC gets the latest updates automatically. In rare cases, a driver or update might cause issues with your PC. To keep the update from reinstalling automatically, download this troubleshooter, it will let you hide the problematic updates.

 

[Mussels]

Hide Windows Updates or driver updates

Your Windows 10 PC gets the latest updates automatically. In rare cases, a driver or update might cause issues with your PC. To keep the update from reinstalling automatically, download this troubleshooter, it will let you hide the problematic updates.

the flaw to that tool is that it doesnt let you stop them in advance - only after they've been attempted at least once.

so in the example of a bad video card driver, you'd have to rollback the driver, reboot, run that tool and block it before it installs again (same for a regular update)

 

[lexluthermiester]

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

So you're saying you're a lazy user that wants to be spied on and have their personal data stolen? Good luck with that.

This post has been an interesting read. I feel it's missing a few key points. While these utilities are good and do what they're designed to, they really don't address a couple of important problems.

The biggest problem is the service known as "diagtrack" which is known to have a keystroke logger built into it and is always running when the service is running. This represents a serious problem to ongoing personal/professional security. To fix this problem on a more permanent basis, the service itself had to be deleted, not disabled as merely disabling a service can be[and has been] re-enabled by an update. However, deleted service are only rarely reinstalled[I have never seen it happen]. Let get to it.

First it is important to note that the use of Power Shell for this procedure is not recommended as Power Shell is not always configured to echo back program response data and you may not be able to see/confirm the command action returns. Using the Command Prompt will always show this unless you deliberately turn echo off. The quotes are meant to encapsulate the command to be entered, do not actually type the quotes in as you proceed.

Go to where ever your shortcut for the Command Prompt is[commonly in the start menu under "Windows System"] and right-click it and navigate to and click "Run as Administrator".

1. Type "sc query diagtrack" and press enter. If the response shows the "Stopped" status, skip to step 3. If it shows "Running" or "Paused" carry on to step 2.

2. Type "sc stop diagtrack" and press enter. This will stop the service. While a service can be deleted even if it's running, doing so can result in system instabilities which can be avoided by this step.

3. Type "sc delete diagtrack" and press enter. This deletes the service and prevents the inbuilt keystroke logging from running or being accessed.

4. Reboot your system. Logging off and back on is not enough as the "sc delete" command only sets the system to delete the service upon next reboot.

That's it. Unless Microsoft is hiding another keystroke logger somewhere else in the system[which wouldn't be at all surprising], they can no long record your keystrokes and capture usage data, such as watching how, when and where you use your device.

PS. While this procedure can be risky if you delete the wrong service, as long as you follow the directions you will not harm your system. Still, this is clearly a "use at your won risk" situation. Please keep that on mind before blaming me or anyone else for mucking up your device.

 

[cdawall]

So you're saying you're a lazy user that wants to be spied on and have their personal data stolen? Good luck with that.

This post has been an interesting read. I feel it's missing a few key points. While these utilities are good and do what they're designed to, they really don't address a couple of important problems.

The biggest problem is the service known as "diagtrack" which is known to have a keystroke logger built into it and is always running when the service is running. This represents a serious problem to ongoing personal/professional security. To fix this problem on a more permanent basis, the service itself had to be deleted, not disabled as merely disabling a service can be[and has been] re-enabled by an update. However, deleted service are only rarely reinstalled[I have never seen it happen]. Let get to it.

First it is important to note that the use of Power Shell for this procedure is not recommended as Power Shell is not always configured to echo back program response data and you may not be able to see/confirm the command action returns. The quotes are meant to encapsulate the command to be entered, do not actually type the quotes in as you proceed.

Go to where ever your shortcut for the Command Prompt is and right-click it and navigate to and click "Run as Administrator".

1. Type "sc query diagtrack" and press enter. If the response shows the "Stopped" status, skip to step 3. If it shows "Running" or "Paused" carry on to step 2.

2. Type "sc stop diagtrack" and press enter. This will stop the service. While a service can be deleted even if it's running, doing so can result in system instabilities which can be avoided by this step.

3. Type "sc delete diagtrack" and press enter. This deletes the service and prevents the inbuilt keystroke logging from running or being accessed.

4. Reboot your system. Logging off and back on is not enough as the "sc delete" command only sets the system to delete the service upon next reboot.

That's it. Unless Microsoft is hiding another keystroke logger somewhere else in the system[which wouldn't be at all surprising], they can no long record your keystrokes and capture usage data, such as watching how, when and where you use your device.

I love targeted ads. I have said this several times, who is against promotional financing on their car, coupons for food etc?

 

[lexluthermiester]

I love targeted ads. I have said this several times, who is against promotional financing on their car, coupons for food etc?

Perhaps my response to your joke was too subtle?

 

[cdawall]

Perhaps my response to your joke was too subtle?

Perhaps my response was equally too subtle. Although I did get a nice financing offer for a new truck that I will probably take Ford up on

 

[Ahhzz]

Anyone adding info on our new overlord's process "TruePlay"?

 

[jboydgolfer]

Hadnt noticed it. Do we need to have that gamebar thingy enabled to see this process?

*edit*
it might be, i cant find that entry

 

[lexluthermiester]

Anyone adding info on our new overlord's process "TruePlay"?

This perked my curiosity. For once, Microsoft isn't pulling any "funny business" with a new feature. It's their new anti-cheat API. It only works on games from the MS Store and can easily be disabled if undesired. Though if you do, you'll likely have problems in multiplayer with such games.

 

[Drone]

@Mussels cloud.mail.ru and yadisk links in your OP are dead. Here's alternative google drive link for wumt (version 20.12.2016)

 

[Mussels]

thanks, updating OP

 

[Gmr_Chick]

Thanks Mussels! Going to be making the switch to Win10 soon for my Ryzen build and have been kinda uneasy hearing about all the crap it keeps track of, and reading this helped to alleviate some of that unease.

 

[Mussels]

Thanks Mussels! Going to be making the switch to Win10 soon for my Ryzen build and have been kinda uneasy hearing about all the crap it keeps track of, and reading this helped to alleviate some of that unease.

to be honest its not as bad as people say, and its only gotten better over time. i've got a copy of a genuine ISO file with updates preinstalled, i'll PM you the link- save you a bunch of windows updates

 

[jboydgolfer]

there are several windows ISO's EDT's of current nature hosted here on TPU as well

in case it is of any help...you'll notice that in the OP of that link, it allows you to choose from several varying versions of windows, spanning several update progressions. you just need to pick the one you want.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/download-windows-10-th-rs.216164/post-3347149

 

[Mussels]

there are several windows ISO's EDT's of current nature hosted here on TPU as well

in case it is of any help...you'll notice that in the OP of that link, it allows you to choose from several varying versions of windows, spanning several update progressions. you just need to pick the one you want.

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/download-windows-10-th-rs.216164/post-3347149

the one i sent her is a compressed ISO from that thread, just saved her the effort of decrypting it herself

 

[jboydgolfer]

oh. nevermind then.

 

[Gmr_Chick]

Thank you Mussels, and you too, jboydgolfer for the help