steven36 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Windows 10 testers who've complained about mandatory updates in Microsoft's new operating system might have a solution at hand. The tool, available as an optional download, lets you hide or block any update for Windows or a hardware driver.One of the most controversial decisions Microsoft made in its design of Windows 10 is a fundamental change to the way Windows Update works. Windows 10 Home offers no way to block security updates and new features. And even the Pro edition has only limited control over updates.That's sparked an outcry from Windows 10 testers (including my ZDNet colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughes) accustomed to years of being able to pick and choose from a menu of updates each month.I've heard isolated (but legitimate) complaints this week from Windows 10 testers complaining that an updated Nvidia driver was causing havoc with their systems. One such tweet, from a longtime Windows tester, even managed to catch Gabe Aul's attention.@GabeAul can you do me a favor? Tell the WU team to stop forcing @nvidia 's broken drivers down our throats, 353.54 is HORRIBLE.-- Chris123NT (@Chris123NT) July 24, 2015When Windows 10 arrives this week, Windows Update won't include that option, but Microsoft does have a well-hidden troubleshooter package, KB3073930, which allows you to hide or block Windows Updates and, crucially, driver updates.The package was digitally signed on June 15, and the accompanying Knowledge Base article is dated July 7, just a few weeks ago. The package is labeled for use with the Windows 10 Insider Preview, but based on its performance on the final (10240) preview build, it looks like it should work with the final release beginning July 29.Here's what the troubleshooter looks like when you download and run it: And here's the interface for hiding specific updates. If you've already determined that a Windows update or a driver delivered as part of a Windows Update package is causing problems, you need to uninstall the defective update or remove the problem driver. Then select its entry from this list.Clearly, one of Microsoft's goals in changing the behavior of Windows Update in Windows 10 was to drag customers, kicking and screaming if necessary, into the always-up-to-date world, in the process removing many of the most common vectors for malware, unpatched systems.I would imagine most people who are concerned about the possibility of a defective update will still grumble over this solution, which requires more intervention than current Windows Update options, which allow you to delay, block, and hide updates at will.But it's definitely a solution.By the way, if you find this utililty intriguing I recommend one additional Windows 10 tweak. By default, System Restore is turned off. If you re-enable this feature, Windows resumes the practice of automatically creating a restore point before installing each new batch of patches from Windows Update, making it easier to roll back an entire batch of updates while you investigate which one is troublesome.I'll have step-by-step instructions for that option later.Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ballistic Gelatin Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Finally, Microsoft -- to a very limited extent -- realizes that if you are going to own a "dog," you also need to have a pooper-scooper tool to pick up your dog's "shit."Nobody wants to step in your dog's shit anymore, Microsoft. Pay heed, or else people are quickly going to give Windows 10 a new name: Windows 666. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidnightDistortions Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 So it takes an hour to figure out what is causing your PC problems instead of taking i don't know no time at all to prevent Windows updating and taking 10 minutes to look online to ensure none of the updates will wreak havoc. Sometimes it's just easier to block all updates but at the same time making your PC vulnerable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudboy Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 By the way, if you find this utililty intriguing I recommend one additional Windows 10 tweak. By default, System Restore is turned off. If you re-enable this feature, Windows resumes the practice of automatically creating a restore point before installing each new batch of patches from Windows Update, making it easier to roll back an entire batch of updates while you investigate which one is troublesome.Terrible advice, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven36 Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 By the way, if you find this utililty intriguing I recommend one additional Windows 10 tweak. By default, System Restore is turned off. If you re-enable this feature, Windows resumes the practice of automatically creating a restore point before installing each new batch of patches from Windows Update, making it easier to roll back an entire batch of updates while you investigate which one is troublesome.Terrible advice, lol.If you get a bad update you can rollback and it will save you . I do restores on windows 8.1 sometimes its got me out of some jams . I have key for Time Machine but I only just use native restore. I dont trust those 3rd party programs every since rollback RX damaged my HHD on xp years ago.So it takes an hour to figure out what is causing your PC problems instead of taking i don't know no time at all to prevent Windows updating and taking 10 minutes to look online to ensure none of the updates will wreak havoc. Sometimes it's just easier to block all updates but at the same time making your PC vulnerable. It may take longer than that, Microsoft has been releasing a lot updates here lately with no real info at there site. I hope, they improve this though because Win 10 will go live soon. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banned Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Nobody wants to step in your dog's shit anymore, Microsoft."You will take this sh...., and like it!" (via a forced update system tray bug) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlston Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Way to go Microsoft... release a tool to undo something that breaks your PC. How, pray tell, do we use the tool to fix a PC that won't boot?A bit like releasing a tool to remove a bomb AFTER it's blown up your car. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banned Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 How, pray tell, do we use the tool to fix a PC that won't boot?Easy. Boot into safe mode by pressing.. Oh, wait... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy W Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 Has any fellow nsaners seen ot read this article about Windows 10 yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straycat19 Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 How, pray tell, do we use the tool to fix a PC that won't boot?Easy. Boot into safe mode by pressing.. Oh, wait...You can disable the GUI the same way as in Win 8 and use F8 at boot time.http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5245-startup-options-enable-disable-windows-8-a.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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