Stop Windows 10 Upgrade Popups

Microsoft has taken it upon themselves to invade our desktops with an annoyingly constant pop-up message badgering us to upgrade to Windows 10.  This may be a great path for most consumers to follow; however, businesses have myriad challenges to overcome before diving headlong into a new operating system.  I have decided that it is time to stop the madness that is Microsoft marketing and put an end to the upgrade onslaught.

Please follow the procedure below (on staff computers) to ebb the tide of Windows 10 popups.  Though this should restrain the majority of them, there may still be a few that appear, especially if the upgrade process was already initiated and/or an error has occurred.  In these circumstances, contact me directly for some elevated mojo.

1. Click on little white triangle in the notification area (on the left side of the system tray, which is usually in the lower right corner of your monitor, by the time/date).  If there is no triangle, follow these steps to make it appear:
   1. Right-click somewhere on the Taskbar (shaded bar across bottom of Desktop where open program names are shown) that does not have anything on it
   2. Select Properties
   3. Select Customize button (Notification area section in middle right of window)
   4. The window you want will open so continue with step 3 below; however...
   5. Uncheck the Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar checkbox in the left corner so you can pick and choose what you want in your notification area
   6. Select OK to close the window
2. Select the Customize link
3. Find GWX in the list on the left (usually towards the top)
4. In its drop-down box on the right, select Hide icon and notifications
5. Select OK (lower right) to close the window

Please share this goodness with your staff to encourage peace and harmony for all.  Public computers, however, require lots more effort as each machine must be thawed for the setting to be remembered.  If the popups become a hassle for you and your patrons, let me know and I will make the changes sometime when you are closed.
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John