GWX Control Panel: Quick Setup & Best Settings for Windows 7/8GWX Control Panel is a small, focused utility created to help users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 manage, disable, or remove the “Get Windows 10” (GWX) notifications and upgrade-related components Microsoft distributed during the Windows 10 rollout. This article walks through a quick setup, explains the software’s key features, recommends safest settings for typical users, and covers troubleshooting and alternatives.
What GWX Control Panel does — short summary
GWX Control Panel scans your system for Windows Update components, scheduled tasks, and files that trigger Windows 10 upgrade prompts. It then offers options to disable notifications, remove GWX components, and restore changes if you later decide you want the upgrade. The tool does not upgrade Windows itself; it only manages the upgrade prompts and related components.
Safety and prerequisites
- Backup: Create a system restore point before making changes so you can revert if needed.
- Antivirus/Anti-malware: Temporarily disable any security software only if it prevents GWX Control Panel from making needed changes — re-enable it afterward.
- Administrator rights: You must run GWX Control Panel as an administrator to allow it to modify system settings and scheduled tasks.
- Legitimacy: Download GWX Control Panel only from a reputable source (official author page or well-known software repositories) to avoid bundled adware. Verify checksums/signatures if provided.
Quick setup — step-by-step
- Download the latest GWX Control Panel executable appropriate for your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Right‑click the downloaded file and choose “Run as administrator.” If Windows SmartScreen blocks it, choose “More info” → “Run anyway” only if you trust the source.
- On first run, the app will scan your system and report detected GWX-related items: scheduled tasks, Windows Update entries, and GWX files/folders.
- Review the scan results. Commonly detected items include KB3035583, the GWX app, and scheduled tasks that re-enable the upgrade UI.
- Click the main action button to apply the recommended protection (often labeled “Disable/Remove GWX Components” or similar). The app will remove or disable detected items and may prompt for a reboot.
- After changes complete, run the scan again to confirm no GWX components remain or are re-enabled.
Recommended settings — quick list
- Disable scheduled tasks that trigger GWX — prevents automatic re-enabling.
- Remove KB3035583 (if present) — this Windows Update package is directly associated with GWX prompts. If you prefer not to remove updates, at minimum hide it in Windows Update.
- Disable GWX-related Windows Update entries — stop automatic re-downloads.
- Enable the app’s protection feature (if available) — keeps GWX items from being restored by updates.
- Create a restore point before removal — helps recovery if you change your mind.
Configuration details and rationale
- Scheduled tasks: GWX installs scheduled tasks that re-create or re-enable the upgrade UI. Disabling or deleting those tasks prevents recurring prompts. GWX Control Panel lists and disables these tasks safely.
- Update KB3035583: Removing or hiding this update prevents the GWX application from reappearing. If you need Windows Update to remain fully automatic, hiding the single KB is a lower-risk choice than disabling auto-update entirely.
- Reversibility: GWX Control Panel typically provides an option to restore removed items. Keep the installer or note the changes so you can restore behavior later if you choose to upgrade officially.
Troubleshooting common issues
- App won’t run / UAC prompts: Ensure you selected “Run as administrator.”
- Item reappears after Windows Update: Re-run GWX Control Panel and enable its “protect” option; also hide KB3035583 in Windows Update.
- Windows Update won’t show other important updates: Removing KB3035583 does not block other updates — if you see missing updates, check Windows Update settings or reset Windows Update components.
- Antivirus flags app: If the downloaded file triggers a false positive, verify the source and checksum. Re-download from an alternative reputable source if unsure.
Alternatives and complementary tools
- Manual method: Uninstall KB3035583, delete GWX files, and disable GWX scheduled tasks via Task Scheduler. This is more involved but gives full control.
- Group Policy (for Pro/Enterprise): Use Group Policy to block upgrades and control Windows Update behavior centrally.
- Third-party utilities: Some system utilities (e.g., O&O ShutUp10 historically) provide toggle controls for upgrade prompts; evaluate trustworthiness before use.
Comparison of approaches:
| Method | Ease | Reversibility | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWX Control Panel | High | High (restore option) | Low |
| Manual removal | Medium | Medium (manual restore required) | Medium |
| Group Policy | Low (more complex) | High (reversible) | Low (for experienced users) |
| Third-party all-in-one tools | High | Varies | Varies (depends on vendor) |
When to avoid removing GWX
- You plan to upgrade to Windows 10 soon and want Microsoft’s upgrade assistant to manage drivers and compatibility checks.
- You rely on a managed IT environment where updates/upgrades are coordinated by administrators.
Final checklist before applying changes
- Create a system restore point.
- Note or save the GWX Control Panel installer.
- Verify you have administrative rights.
- Ensure important data is backed up.
If you want, I can convert this into a printable step-by-step guide with screenshots and exact menu paths for Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Leave a Reply