Windows 10: Uninstall the Download Notifier from Windows 7 and 8.1

In a previous article, I talked about the Windows 10 Download Notifier for Windows 7 and 8.1.  This application runs in the notification area in the taskbar, and performs two main tasks:

• Allows you to reserve a copy of Windows 10.
• Checks your system for Windows 10 compatibility.

Here is some more information about it from Windows Update:

Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3035583)
Installation date: 5/24/2015 7:52 AM
Update type: Recommended
Description: Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3035583

If you want to uninstall this update, follow the instructions below:

Uninstalling Windows Update KB3035583.

•   From the Start menu or screen, in the search box type "Programs and Features" and select the control panel.
•   Find the update that you want to remove, and then click Uninstall.

To hide the update from future downloads in Windows Update.

•   From the Start menu or screen, in the search box type "wuapp.exe" and press the Enter key.
•   Press the "Check for update" link
•   Find update KB3035583, right-click it and select 'Hide update'

Windows 10: Performing a Clean Install of the OS after an Upgrade

If you take advantage of the free upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8.1. This offer will be available after July 29, 2015, and will only be good for one year after that date. 

Microsoft has recently announced that you will be able to perform a ‘clean install’ of the new OS after you upgrade on the same device at any time. This is good news for people who have a system that has a lot of clutter (i.e. unnecessary programs) or is infected with malware and they want a fresh copy of the OS.

For those not familiar with the concept of performing a 'clean install' of the operating system. This process involves formatting the storage device on the computer and installing a fresh copy of the OS. This helps to eliminate issues that can surface during this process. It's also an easy way to configure everything the way you like it.

Windows 10: Are you ready...

It seems like most people tried to bypass Windows 8 because the user interface was too dramatically different. Personally, I was a fan of the new interface, but I think I was in the minority.

One of the biggest complaints about Windows 8 was the missing Start menu on the desktop. Microsoft replaced it with a full-screen application menu. This new user interfaced worked really well for tablets.

Microsoft gave in, and brought back the Start menu in Windows 10.  Yes, they did skip Windows 9 for several different reasons (I am not going to discuss them in this article), and lots of rumors (for example '9' sounds like 'no' in German).

Windows 10 is a mash-up of Windows 7 + 8, with several new features and other enhancements.  Some of the new features include Cortana (an AI assistant), the new Microsoft Edge browser (which replaces the Internet Explorer), and a great deal more.

Microsoft is offering free upgrades to the new OS to current users (refer to the Microsoft site for the terms and conditions), and new users who are not qualified will have to buy a license.  The upgrade is supposed to be available July 29, 2015.

To check if you can upgrade, check the notification area in the lower right hand corner.  You will see a white Windows flag (see the graphic below)

 

 

Once you click on it, it will display the following window.

 

 

From here you can reserve your copy of Windows 10, and you can check for known incompatibilities. To check for incompatibilities, press the 'hamburger' menu in the upper right hand corner, then select option under 'getting the upgrade.' In my case it was 'your PC is ready.'

 

 

 

After that hopefully you will get a screen like the one below letting you know there are no hardware or software incompatibility issues.

 

 

 

 

Additional Windows 10 resources:

• System requirements
• Frequently asked questions