A friend of mine accidentally installed an update & her operating system is now different
Here is her email to me: I added a file from my camera to my computer which told me it couldn't open it because of the file type and also said I had updates.
So, I clicked on the button and 20 updates proceeded to take a while to download and install at the end of which my computer rebooted and things haven't been the same since including that now, instead of Windows 8, I have 8.1 and I don't want it. How do I go back a couple of days in Windows 8? Or last best, or whatever. I don't want these idiotic updates if they're wreaking havoc with how I want things set up. THX
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Now normally a System Restore would help her out a whole lot, except I don't think System Restore will affect a computer if the unwanted operation is related to "updating" the entire system.
Please advise.
steve2470
(37,457 posts)It was not an auto-update thing from M$. Did they change that ?
Fantastic Anarchist
(7,309 posts)At least it was for me.
polly7
(20,582 posts)I got it from CNET downloads ... just be careful to untick any unwanted stuff that comes with it. I've found it very effective, it has a Windows Update uninstaller as well as every other program on your computer. It makes a restore point before it does anything and also has an option after the uninstall to search your computer for any associated files to remove as well. I really like it and have used it for a few years.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)But I don't know of the advisability of uninstalling an operating system! And the restore point would end up being "now" and not before the unwanted version of the Windows 8.1, wouldn't it?
The idea of uninstalling an operating system is mind numbing especially if you are just somebody in your sixties, who is not sure of how to go about it. I work from home and have a computer tech come in twice each quarter, to help me and M out, and it is tax write off for the business.
But this friend doesn't have that sort of assistance.
polly7
(20,582 posts)but yes, be careful! I really don't know much about fiddling with operating systems.
For all other programs though, it's a great program ..... it's amazing the number of files it finds that the program's own uninstaller leaves behind.
I repeat though ..... CNET downloads is a good place to download from, but they always try to add on toolbars and such .... just make sure you go through the steps and untick anything you don't want.
jtuck004
(15,882 posts)process by which this can be reliably rolled back such as is the case with updates. Not that it can't be done, but what you have left when you try to remove the update could be in an unstable condition and lead to further aggravation.
Thus, your first suggestion about a System Restore would be exactly what is needed.
Also, before they go any further, I would suggest they copy anything off they don't want to lose, because it will all be gone after they do the restore.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)Along with the truly wonderful article that "ohheckyeah" linked us to.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)trying to uninstall:
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57610729-285/how-to-uninstall-windows-8.1/
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)And note at the very bottom of the article, the author gets M$ to do some restoration of lost material in a certain partition of his HD. Now that is a good deal, and probably not one a normal user without access to voicing their opinion at Cnet would get so readily.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)Was it MS that restored it or the computer manufacturer?
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)The partition could not be recovered.
His exact statements:
Update:After a consultation with Samsung tech support, I was able to leverage a recovery partition (despite Microsoft's statement to the contrary) to do a factory restore of my system. Obviously it was a hassle having to reinstall all my software and data afterward, but ultimately it got the job done. For the record, the problems I'd encountered were outlined in the Linux article I referred to up top. And if you want an earful regarding users' problems with Windows 8.1, look no further than the comments section of this post on uninstalling it.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)sorry, I could have gone and looked myself.
Gore1FL
(21,155 posts)I suspect she went from 8 to 8.1 if she is using Windows. If this is the case, I recommend embracing it, because 8.1, while still not what I want it to be, is infinitely better than 8.
truedelphi
(32,324 posts)This is one of those dialogue boxes that pops up and says "Wouldn't you want such and such?" and you decide you do, and then some hidden something comes with it.
On my system, recently a dialogue box asked if I didn't want Adobe Reader to be updated, and I agreed and the next thing I knew a virus protection POS program was installed as well. I had just installed a virus program I wanted, but of course the sleuth program conflicted with the one I wanted up and running. So I had to figure out how to uninstall the sleuth virus protection program, which was a major pain.
I find techies often don't care, as when this happens to them, they are on the payroll, but my time is important and this is a major waste of time!
I lose money when dealing with this kind of crap.
Gore1FL
(21,155 posts)I didn't realize that was what you meant. Adobe, Java, and many otherwise useful utilities bomb you with crap.