Windows 7 Nagware Updates
You may have any number of reasons to not want to upgrade to Windows 10. Many have privacy concerns, but for me, my two main concerns are
- Forced automatic updates, which are already causing issues in Windows 10.
- Freemium notices in the basic software - which was already a thing in Windows 8.
I plan on moving to Linux for my PC desktop eventually, rather than upgrade past Windows 7 once it starts showing its age.
Updates to Remove and Hide
- KB2952664
- KB2990214 (You may not have this)
- KB3021917
- KB3022345 (You may not have this, it was replaced by KB3068708)
- KB3035583
- KB3068708
- KB3075249
- KB3080149
- KB3123862
These present the nag notice and send various metrics (including browsing) back to Microsoft because you can totally trust them with this.
Task Scheduler
Under Task Scheduler -> Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Application Experience, you may see up to three items that will run regularly.
- AitAgent
- Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser
- ProgramDataUpdater
There may be others if Microsoft tries to sneak more of this in. Disable them all.