Yesterday we reported you that Microsoft is auto-downloading Windows 10 installation files — between 3.5GB and 6GB — onto users' PCs even if they have not opted into the upgrade.
Microsoft plans to deploy Windows 10 on over 1 Billion devices worldwide, and this auto-downloading Windows 10 could be one of its many strategies to achieve its goal.
The company has dropped and saved a hidden $Windows.~BT folder on your PC's main drive (C drive), if you are running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
The bottom line is:
Many Windows users are on limited or metered Internet connections. As Microsoft is not only consuming storage space but also using user's Internet bandwidth for large unrequested files, as the Windows 10 installer downloads up to 6 gigabytes.
So, here are some methods that you can use to stop Microsoft from automatically downloading Windows 10 installation files.
Method 1
This method is applicable for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users and specifically targets the Windows 10 download files.
- Install KB3065987 (for Windows 7) or KB3065988 (for Windows 8.1) updates from Microsoft's official website, depending on the operating system you are using
- Now restart your computer and open up the registry editor (search Regedit)
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
- Right-click "Windows", and Select New, then Key and then Type "WindowsUpdate"
- Click on the newly created "WindowsUpdate" key and create a 32-bit DWORD called "DisableOSUpgrade" with a value of 1.
- Restart your computer. That's it.
Method 2
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users can simply choose to disable downloading of all Windows updates.
For this you need to follow some simple steps:
- Go to Windows Update
- Click on Change settings
- Select "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"
Once selected, Windows Update will notify you of updates, and you have to manually choose to install each and every update.
Method 3
The third method is only for Windows 8.1 users. Windows 8.1 has a setting for metered connections, but it only works for Wi‑Fi and mobile broadband networks, not for users connected with Ethernet cables.
- Click on the networks icon in the bottom right
- Right-click the connection you are using
- Choose "Set as metered connection"
The other way is to:
- Type "PC settings" into the Start Screen
- Select Network
- Select Connections
- Now choose the connection you want to change
- Turn on "Set as a metered connection" under Data usage
Either way, Windows Update will not download large updates over this connection anymore.
