Q: I have a laptop that's several years old but still fills my needs. It runs Window 7.
For several weeks now, I continually receive a pop-up from Microsoft encouraging me to get the free Windows 10 download. I’m not interested, but there does not appear to be a way to turn it off; i.e., there’s not a “not interested, don’t bother me anymore” option. Do you know a way to accomplish this? Thanks.
A: I'm sure there are scores of people who are quite happy with their current version of Windows and have no interest in upgrading to Windows 10. Just because something is free, it doesn't mean you need to take it if you don't need it.
Apparently Microsoft had a lot of people asking this very question, because it has created a Web page called "How to manage Windows 10 notification and upgrade options" that can be found at support. microsoft.com/en-us/kb /3080351.
If you read through the rather long page from Microsoft, you’ll see there is a way to modify your system’s registry files to make the upgrade icon stop bugging you. But unless you like to troubleshoot computer problems in your spare time, I’d recommend against making registry changes, especially if you don’t know what the registry is.
To make the task easier, you can download a free utility called GWX Control Panel, which is a tool designed by a developer who wasn’t too happy about the constant nagging.
The GWX Control Panel has a button labeled Disable “Get Windows 10” App (permanently remove icon).
The control panel has a status page to tell you whether the Get Windows 10 app is running, whether it’s enabled, whether the Windows 10 files have been downloaded to your computer (which they might) and if so, how much room they are taking up on your drive.
If the Windows 10 update files are already on your PC, the control panel can remove them for you.
The GWX Control Panel can be downloaded at ultimateoutsider.com/ downloads.
Twitter: @jimrossman
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Jim Rossman writes for The Dallas Morning News. He may be reached at jrossman@dallasnews.com.
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