KB3035583 Installing Windows 10 using Windows Update?

Question

Would you please tell me how to prevent the installation of KB3035583 in my computer and if it is already installed, how to remove it?  Also, are there other updates that we need to be concerned about that enable this behaviour?

KB3035583 now appears as an Important update in Windows Update and is checked which means it will be automatically installed if the user does not uncheck it.  If automatic update is set, it will install without intervention.

There are credible articles that say that Microsoft either has installed or will install changes to my computer that will enable Microsoft to use it as an advertising platform and then install Windows 10 without first obtaining an informed decision to do so.  I truly hope this is not true.

On behalf of my clients and their 162 Windows "consumer" computers, I must tell you that we do not grant Microsoft or any other vendor the right to do this.  When other Windows players do this, we regard it as malware and take great care to remove it.

Microsoft got to where it is today by selling Windows.  We have spent decades learning how to use Windows and billions of dollars buying Windows computers and Windows software.  We own these systems.  They are ours, not Microsoft's.

Windows Update has earned a huge trust.  We trust Microsoft to use Windows Update to keep our computers safe and secure.  When Patch Tuesday comes along we install all the updates that Microsoft says are "important." We assume those to be either plugging a security leak or fixing a software error.

We all hope Windows 10 will be something we will want.  We will carefully review and consult trusted advisors before we install Windows 10.  We have seen Windows 8 and rejected it.  Windows 8 is a bad product we did not choose.  

Automatically installing Windows 10 on our computers would be a severe abuse of a well-earned trust.  Changing our computers to enable them to become advertising platforms is also an abuse.

Answer 1

@ PA Bear MS MVP

FWIW:

With regard to the link you posted:

I, on Win 7, don't have KB2990214 installed. I hid it...

EDIT:... So, there is nothing to uninstall as suggested in the link.

another EDIT (12 hrs later):

My hidden KB2990214 made a mysterious disappearing act overnight...

Just gone...

Oh well...

Answer 2

I have just sent detailed instructions to my 96 clients (160 computers) on how to find and remove both KB3035583 and KB2990214 from their computers.  Then to "Check for Updates" and hide them.

For the record, these updates definitely are listed as Important and check marked.  Meaning that if they had not already been installed (most have), they will be installed if Automatic install of Windows Update is in force.  None of my clients are participating in the Windows 10 Insider program.  So this is hitting all Windows 7 machines.

Answer 3

I have just sent detailed instructions to my 96 clients (160 computers) on how to find and remove both KB3035583 and KB2990214 from their computers.  Then to "Check for Updates" and hide them.

Well, you may want to reconsider/recall those instructions. It turns out that KB2990214 now points to a legit KB article https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214 with the misleading [IMHO] title "Update that supports you to upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows."

In fact, KB2990214 merely upgrades Windows Update Agent from v7.6.7600.320 (dated 14 May-14) to v7.6.7601.18804 (dated 25 Mar-15). <EDIT> There will maycome a time when Windows Update will NOT work unless & until Windows Update Agent v7.6.7601.18804 is installed. Ditto if you want the free upgrade to Win10 via Windows Update when it's released. </EDIT>

That being said, I'd still recommend hiding KB3035583.