Once more, with nagging: New Windows update will ‘notify’ users to install Windows 10

[psyko666]

Microsoft has released an optional update that “enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications when new updates are available to the user”. We discovered the update is actually a downloader for Windows 10 which will notify the user that Microsoft’s upcoming operating system can be downloaded.

(Dutch version of Windows 8.1 – Windows 10 downloaden (download Windows 10) clear visible as file description)

Windows Update KB3035583 doesn’t reveal much about itself, only that it adds additional capabilities to Windows Update and applies to computers running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1. The update is offered as a recommended update since March 28th and because it’s a recommended update users have to manually put a checkmark next to the update in order to receive it.

Once the update is downloaded it adds a folder to System32 called “GWX” which contains 9 files and a folder called “Download”. One of the four .EXE files reveals what the update really is, the description of GWXUXWorker.EXE states, “Download Windows 10″. This explains the X in the name, the X is the Roman number 10.

The folder also contains “config.xml” which contains some URLs that at the moment of writing didn’t work. The config file mentions “OnlineAdURL” that points to https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=526874and Telemetry BaseURL pointing to http://g.bing.com/GWX/.

The section “Phases” describes how the downloader should behave when the Windows 10 release date nears. Initially, during phase “None”, all features are disabled, then during phase “AnticipationUX” advertising banners will be shown, presumably on a homescreen tile and additionally a tray icon will appear.

The next phase is called “Reservation” which according to the config file will show the advertisement tile, the tray icon but also a reservation page. Further phases are the first publication of the final RTM (release to manufacturing), version the general availability (GA) as well as various phases of the upgrade process such as UpgradeDownloadInProgress, UpgradeDownloaded, UpgradeReadyToInstall, UpgradeSetupCompatBlock, UpgradeSetupRolledBack and UpgradeSetupComplete.

It appears Microsoft is serious when it comes to upgrading Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to Windows 10. The upgrade will be free in the first year and it appears Microsoft will take that time to convince users to upgrade. Users that don’t want to receive the upgrade “advertisements” should simply not install the recommend update. If Microsoft however decides to make KB3035583 an important update it will install automatically with other Windows update.

In case you are interested, download config.xml here

Source

[manju]

all that's left for us (end users) is to wait for the release of the OS :showoff:

[Joe13]

C:\windows\system32\gwx\gwxconfigmanager.exe dials home occasionally.

[RobrPatty]

C:\windows\system32\gwx\gwxconfigmanager.exe dials home occasionally.

I don't see that file on my 10051. Oh this must just be for older windows :s

[Joe13]

C:\windows\system32\gwx\gwxconfigmanager.exe dials home occasionally.

I don't see that file on my 10051

Win 8.1, you will see it if you accept the update.

[dcs18]

Update for Windows 7 and 8.1 silently installs Windows 10 downloader

You sure - it makes no noise, at all.

[Ryrynz]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

[software182]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

I don't see it as "a must have"

well, people have a choice, just look at XP Users

[anakin206]

The task can be disabled in Windows Task Manager. Look for:

And then it should look like this

[mohitkumarsen]

@ psyko0666, yes the information is very much correct as I found on my Win 8.1x32 to-day on 8-4-15 and glad to inform the forum that as per advice of @anakin 206 I have stopped the services (4 Nos) of gwx and deleted the folder (gwx) and finally uninstall the (Recommended) update (KB3035583) (installed successfully on 6-4-15) to-day itself.

Thanks a lot and kudos to all for such a big infrmation, however I will try next time in my other OS (Win 7 Ultimate SP1).

Mohit Kumar Sen :D

[Arizin]

Hmm, M$ is adopting a good strategy by silently downloading W10 for all users. If this tactic succeeds then no doubt W10 will be on a ramping run to steal Windows 7's market share, although I'm still partial to Windows 7.

[anuseems]

Windows patch enables computers to notify users when Windows 10 is available

From V3:

A recent patch for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 appears to add the ability to notify users when Windows 10 is available, in line with the firm's promise that users will be offered a free upgrade to the latest version of the operating system.

The new update, which links to Knowledge Base article KB3035583 on Microsoft's online technical support site, looks at face value to be a fairly innocuous patch aimed at computers running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2402899/windows-10-update-tool-included-in-latest-microsoft-release

[vitorio]

I will be looking for it. Thanks.

[banned]

Perhaps Microsoft is preparing for an in-place upgrade situation, without having to create external media (e.g. USB, DVD).

[Reefa]

Microsoft really, really wants users to get with the program and install Windows 10 when the upcoming OS version actually goes on sale. The software developer has taken the unprecedented (for it) step of offering Windows 10 as a free update, proclaimed that even pirates would be allowed to upgrade, and even floated the idea of an open source future for its operating system. Such offers are useless, however, if the public doesn’t hear them — and it looks as though Microsoft is taking a few steps to ensure that they do.

If you visit the Windows Update page for Windows 7 (with SP1) or Windows 8.1, you’ll see an optional update — KB3035583. Visit Microsoft’s landing page for this optional update, and you don’t get much — just a terse message that this update “Enables additional capabilities for Windows Update Notifications.”

Further digging by Myce has shown that the update appears to be part of a dedicated ad campaign that Microsoft plans to launch for Windows 10. The company apparently plans to offer a variety of methods and updates, starting with system tray notifications and possibly including advertisements and on-screen updates, with links to downloaders and even an installer.

At present, this update is only being installed if users explicitly check it, but that’s a ball in Microsoft’s court. If the company decides that this ought to be an Important update, it’ll be installed on many people’s systems with no one the wiser.

Mixed feelings

I’ve got very mixed feelings about this strategy. On the one hand, I absolutely agree that if you’re still using an ancient version of Windows, like XP, you really ought to upgrade. Furthermore, I think Windows 10 — unlike Windows 8.1 — is likely to be a genuine step forward for Windows users, including those desktop-centric users like myself who stayed behind on Windows 7 rather than pay Microsoft for a half-baked, poorly conceptualized release.

The problem, however, is that updates and upgrades like this never take place in a vacuum. Some users will see these ads and be convinced they’re spam, since this kind of desktop and pop-up reminder could easily look like malware. Some users will choose to upgrade, not realizing that the process might fail partway through. Someone, inevitably, will have some crazed combination of hardware dating back to 1995 that’s been kitbashed into running on Windows 7, they’ll pop for a Windows 10 upgrade, and the tenuous chain of driver DLLs that hooked their 3Com 3C-509B ethernet card up to the modern Internet will finally snap.

Okay, in all seriousness, that’s going to be like, six people. But the misperceived spam issue, combined with the headache of OS transition, really could make life less-than great for a number of IT staff. “Features” like this make me glad that I run Windows Update manually, even if I recognize the importance of enabling it as an automatic service for most users.

The flip side to this is that Microsoft clearly wants to embrace a more mobile-like strategy, where users are accustomed to downloading a new version of an OS and installing it from an over-the-air upgrade. With the company moving to a Windows-as-a-service update, it makes sense to push this kind of model now. Given the importance of first impressions, Microsoft needs to nail this process cold — the fewer half-baked upgrades and installations, the better.

extremetech.com

[Joe13]

How to uninstall KB3035583 – The Windows 10 Downloader for Windows 7 and 8.1

[nsavin]

Just a service for update notification. It is useless for me. Keep visiting this forum and you will get more info about new Windows 10 sooner.

[mjall]

will wait for it, I got 3 updates but none are the above, interesting to see

[Israeli_Eagle]

https://forum.eset.com/topic/4581-kb3035583-windows-update-is-an-adwarepuapuspup-for-windows-10-upgrade/

So... The so-called Update KB3035583 you should better uninstall and then hide.

:guns:

[Ryrynz]

You'd be completely stupid not to install 10 on a PC that supports it. You can give your PC new life and allow it to actually do things for another decade or so..

MS did everyone a huge favor here. Looks great.

[Ryrynz]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

I don't see it as "a must have"

well, people have a choice, just look at XP Users

It is.

Faster, more secure, more up to date with graphics processing, new app support and more up to date UI.

You're essentially sabotaging your system by not upgrading.

[Crazycanuk]

Merged

[Israeli_Eagle]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

I don't see it as "a must have"

well, people have a choice, just look at XP Users

It is.

Faster, more secure, more up to date with graphics processing, new app support and more up to date UI.

You're essentially sabotaging your system by not upgrading.

That is still only a noob GUI (with ugly tiles) for toys... And adware. Yuk! :shit:

[GRiM]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

I don't see it as "a must have"

well, people have a choice, just look at XP Users

It is.

Faster, more secure, more up to date with graphics processing, new app support and more up to date UI.

You're essentially sabotaging your system by not upgrading.

That is still only a noob GUI (with ugly tiles) for toys... And adware. Yuk! :shit:

...in your opinion.

[Ryrynz]

W10 is going to be a must have upgrade for everyone with 7 and 8, make sure nobody has that a compatible system is running the older OSes, doesn't make any sense to..

I don't see it as "a must have"

well, people have a choice, just look at XP Users

It is.

Faster, more secure, more up to date with graphics processing, new app support and more up to date UI.

You're essentially sabotaging your system by not upgrading.

That is still only a noob GUI (with ugly tiles) for toys... And adware. Yuk! :shit:

W8 Metro Gui was noob. 8.1 got better. 10 will be fine. You don't need to use tiles... what is it with people thinking everything default in Windows is how it's gotta be?

You do realize Operating Systems have options right? >.>

Adware? What?