Version 11 of KB 3035583 rolled out the Automatic Update chute yesterday, but fortunately the usual first aid options still work On Wednesday afternoon Microsoft once again rolled KB 3035583 out the Automatic Update chute. If you’re running a Windows 7 or 8.1 PC that isn’t behind an update server, you received one of two notifications: Those who have Windows Update’s “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” box checked will see KB 3035583 as an Optional update, checked. Those who have Windows Update’s “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” box unchecked will see KB 3035583 as an Optional, unchecked but italicized update. If you had KB 3035583 hidden, it is now unhidden. Such are the ways of Windows Update. In addition, if you have Automatic Update enabled — “Install updates automatically (recommended)” — and the KB 3035583 entry was checked, chances are good that KB 3035583 ran overnight. You (or someone you know) may now have the Get Windows 10 icon sitting in the system tray and may have been given the opportunity to avail yourselves of the free Windows 10 upgrade. Raise your hand if you’ve heard that one before. The Knowledge Base article hasn’t changed, except to say it’s now at Version 11. Those who have been following this saga since KB 3035583 first appeared almost a year ago know that I strongly recommend you turn Automatic Update to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them” and uncheck the box marked “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.” That advice stands. If you’ve run GWX Control Panel in the past and used it to “Prevent Windows 10 Upgrades,” your system isn’t on a collision course with Windows 10. If you have GWX Control Panel running in Monitor Mode, there’s no need to run it again. If you don’t have GWX Control Panel in Monitor Mode, you should run GWX Control Panel once again to make sure everything’s scraped off. If you or someone you know has inadvertently been upgraded to Windows 10, there are several first aid options. On the good news front — yes, there is good news — Microsoft appears to be adhering to its promised use of the DisableOSUpgrade registry entry to block the Windows 10 upgrade. That’s why GWX Control Panel (and the Group Policy setting) still work. Also, the upgrade process is preceded by the combined “Great, we’ll get the upgrade started” and EULA acceptance dialog shown here. While that’s not exactly full disclosure (accept the EULA and Windows 10 gets installed), it’s a far cry from the situation a couple of weeks ago, as political commentator Thom Hartmann can attest. Microsoft’s still pushing hard to hit that 1 billion Windows 10 users mark. But I wonder at this point if the company isn’t scaring off more upgraders than it’s enabling. Related content opinion On a personal note... Woody Leonhard looks back a bit, looks ahead to retirement — and shares good news about who's picking up the Windows patching torch. By Woody Leonhard Nov 09, 2020 3 mins Small and Medium Business Computers Windows news analysis Get Microsoft's October patches installed — and seriously consider Win10 2004 Odd ancillary patches have their problems, but the mainstream October patches look pretty reliable. The big question: Is Win10 version 2004 up to your stability standards. I’m skeptical -- especially because it has few worthwhile improvements. By Woody Leonhard Oct 30, 2020 6 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Computers news analysis Microsoft Patch Alert: October 2020 The big news with this month’s patches – aside from the usual smorgasbord of strange errors – has more to do with the patches that are outside the regular cumulative update stream. Remarkably, we didn’t get any security fixes By Woody Leonhard Oct 22, 2020 189 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Office Microsoft news analysis With Patch Tuesday here, be sure Windows Update is paused With all the flotsam floating around, it’s easy to lose sight of Second Tuesdays. October’s arrives tomorrow and, with it, another round of Windows and Office patches. Take a minute to make sure you aren’t in the front lines, as eve By Woody Leonhard Oct 12, 2020 5 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe