Remove Telemetry and Windows 10 Related Updates from Windows 7

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by Skaendo, Aug 22, 2015.

  1. James Bond 007

    James Bond 007 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    #101 James Bond 007, Sep 13, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2015
  2. mysteriously

    mysteriously Guest

    Could you let us know if you added any updates to hide in latest post update, please? Post post's changelog or something. :confused:
     
  3. Skaendo

    Skaendo MDL Addicted

    Sep 23, 2014
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    #103 Skaendo, Sep 13, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2015
    (OP)
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  4. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

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    #104 Mr.X, Sep 13, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    I guess this is good for Win8.1 too, right?
     
  5. Skaendo

    Skaendo MDL Addicted

    Sep 23, 2014
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    #105 Skaendo, Sep 13, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2015
    (OP)

    If I add a new KB to the list you will see at the bottom of the first post something like this:

    Last edited by Skaendo; Today at 05:38. Reason: New KB added
     
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  6. James Bond 007

    James Bond 007 MDL Junior Member

    Nov 16, 2010
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    So the only reason to avoid KB3050265 and related updates is that you guys do not want the ability to download Windows 10 from Microsoft (which may then install without your knowledge). Correct?

    The specific Group Policy will only be available after KB3050265 or a related update has been installed.

    I have installed KB3065987 myself but avoid and hide the other updates (KB2952664 / KB3035583 etc.. These updates may be reenabled by Microsoft so need to be hidden again.) since I depend on Windows Update to download and install updates and I want to reduce its memory consumption and avoid other problems state in the KB3050625 document. I also set Windows Update to "Check for updates but let me to choose whether to download and install them". By also setting the Group Policy and other registry tweaks (DisableGWX etc.) hopefully I won't even see Windows 10 files on my family computers.
     
  7. Skaendo

    Skaendo MDL Addicted

    Sep 23, 2014
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    Basically. Maybe it's just paranoia or maybe it is being defiant. But yea, for me it has to do with I don't want anything even Windows 10 related on my Windows 7 PC.

    I honestly think that the list that I have compiled in the first post is the extreme end without going overboard. I have been thinking about adding the Skype KB just as an optional safe side one.
     
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  8. shtrumf

    shtrumf MDL Junior Member

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    I did it on my win8.1 and it did it's job(after i pasted the commands in CMD it started applying the changes,you will notice some messages saying successful command blah blah).
     
  9. Skaendo

    Skaendo MDL Addicted

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    There are some updates that are Windows 8.x related that are not listed here. Check abbodi1406's sig to see what Windows 10 Telemetry/Upgrade Compatible updates are that directly relate to Windows 8.x are. :)
     
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  10. woolie

    woolie MDL Novice

    Oct 15, 2014
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    Windows restore on win 7 still fails for me; do you use a disk image utility to backup before making changes ?
     
  11. affinityv

    affinityv MDL Novice

    Sep 20, 2015
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    #111 affinityv, Sep 21, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Scripts / process to uninstall updates and hide them for multiple Windows versions.

    I've done a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate and have created the following cmd file (NB: I've catered for other Windows versions as well, see the code) to create an uninstall batch file (to be ran as an elevated session, normal user is NOT admin):

    Code:
    @echo off
    
    if %1. == . goto usage
    
    set UNINSTALLX=uninstall-%1-updates.cmd
    set HIDEX=hide-%1-updates.ps
    set BADUPDATES=
    
    echo %1
    if %1 == win7     set BADUPDATES=971033 2952664 2977759 2990214 3021917 3022345 3035583 3050265 3065987 3068708 3075249 3080149
    if %1 == win81    set BADUPDATES=2976978 3022345 3035583 3044374 3050267 3068708 3075249 3075853 3080149
    if %1 == w2008r2  set BADUPDATES=3022345 3050265 3065987 3068708 3080149
    if %1 == w2012r2  set BADUPDATES=3022345 3068708 3075853 3080140
    if not defined BADUPDATES goto usage
    
    echo %BADUPDATES%
    if exist %UNINSTALLX% del %UNINSTALLX%
    if exist %HIDEX%      del %HIDEX%
    for %%n in (%BADUPDATES%) do (
    echo start /w wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:%%n /norestart                        >> %UNINSTALLX%
    echo Hide-WUUpdate -Confirm:$false -HideStatus:$true -KBArticleID KB%%n     >> %HIDEX%
    )
    goto end
    
    :usage
    echo Okay, you didn't give the right parameter... it needs to be win7, win81, w2008r2 or w2012r2
    
    :end
    echo.
    The cmd file also creates a ".ps" file that can be used with PowerShell -- you need at least PowerShell 3.0 installed and it requires a module to be imported, search for "PSWindowsUpdate" and you will be able to get the module and read the instructions on how to install it. Take the .ps file and copy and paste THE CONTENTS in to the PowerShell session once the PS session is set up.

    Setting up the PS session:
    Code:
    Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process unrestricted
    Import-Module PSWindowsUpdate
    
     
  12. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    PSWindowsUpdate works on PowerShell 2.0
     
  13. affinityv

    affinityv MDL Novice

    Sep 20, 2015
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    The website states that, I found that the newest PSWindowsUpdate, version 1.5.1.11 uses a function call that wasn't available in 2.0 and first become available in 3.0. Older PSWindowsUpdate may get by with 2.0 just fine, but not the current version.
     
  14. BigJon

    BigJon MDL Novice

    Feb 23, 2011
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    #114 BigJon, Sep 23, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Stop Windows7 spying for *the man*

    Thanks guys. You're all pretty awesome. :clap:

    I've put together a rough-&-ready summary script for my w7 machines, thought i'd share...

    Code:
    REM keeping win7 clean !!!! (change this file CleanWin7.txt extension to cmd and run)
    
    :: reg hacks -------------------------------------------
    REM disable downloaded w10 files
    reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx /f /v DisableGwx /t REG_DWORD /d 1
    REM disable upgrade requests
    reg add HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate /f /v DisableOSUpgrade /t REG_DWORD /d 1
    
    :: services ---------------------------------------------
    sc config DiagTrack start= disabled
    net stop DiagTrack
    
    :: scheduled tasks reporting to Redmond -----------
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\AitAgent" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Autochk\Proxy" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\Consolidator" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement ProgramKernelCeipTask\" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Customer Experience Improvement Program\UsbCeip" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\DiskDiagnostic\Microsoft-Windows-DiskDiagnosticDataCollector" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Maintenance\WinSAT" /DISABLE
    REM schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Autochk\Media Center\*all*" /DISABLE
    REM schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Setup\gwx\launchtrayprocess" /DISABLE
    REM schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Setup\gwx\refreshgwxconfig" /DISABLE
    REM schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Setup\gwx\refreshgwxconfigandcontent" /DISABLE
    REM schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Setup\gwx\refreshgwxcontent" /DISABLE
    schtasks /Change /TN "\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\QueueReporting" /DISABLE
    
    :: evil updates -----------------------------------------
    
    REM kb971033  License validation check
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:971033 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb2876229 Skype 
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2876229 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb2952664 Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2952664 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb2976978 Compatibility update for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2976978 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb2977759 - W10 Diagnostics Compatibility telemetry
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2977759 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb2990214 Update that enables you to upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2990214 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3012973 Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3012973 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3021917 Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3021917 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3022345 Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry (replace with KB3068708)
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3022345 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3035583 Update installs get windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3035583 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3044374 - W8,8.1 Nagware for W10
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3044374 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3050265 - Windows Update service updated to accept upgrade to W10
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3050265 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3065987 - update for Windows Update (v7 v2008)
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3065987 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3068707 - Customer experience telemetry points
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068707 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3068708 (replaces KB3022345) Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068708 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3075249 Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075249 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM kb3080149 Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry 
    start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3080149 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
    
    REM Remember to *hide* all these in Windows Update
     
  15. Skaendo

    Skaendo MDL Addicted

    Sep 23, 2014
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    I thought that there was another reg entry to add as well?
     
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  16. MysTikAL3

    MysTikAL3 MDL Senior Member

    Jul 15, 2013
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  17. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    And by removing (or not installing) all recent WU client updates (including KB3065987 or KB3075851), Windows 10 upgrade won't be available in the first place to be blocked :)

    the only downsize is that KB3065987/KB3075851 actually have a fix for WU search which consumes huge RAM resources
     
  18. MysTikAL3

    MysTikAL3 MDL Senior Member

    Jul 15, 2013
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    #118 MysTikAL3, Sep 28, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2015
    OK, so my next question is if these have a fix for WU search should they be removed or left installed?

    From what I've seen in other articles about it Group Policy only exists in Pro and Ultimate, so KB3065987 creates the Group Policy Object that doesn't exist in Windows 7 Home editions.
    So KB3065987 is only offered thru WU to that version?... and maybe to 7 Basic also?
    :confused:

    I'm just trying to find out from the experts here if KB3065987/KB3075851 (and KB3065988 for 8.1) should always be removed and hidden, or not?
    Is there any purpose or telemetry involved that they should be removed?
    :)
     
  19. MysTikAL3

    MysTikAL3 MDL Senior Member

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    #120 MysTikAL3, Sep 29, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015