soens
Or what I said.  (option 2)!
 
Just beware that Windows 10 is a fickle, demanding, micromanaging lord of your computer if you choose to use it. You are no longer in control!

 
When I say 'new build', I mean it was new 2 years ago. I've had no problems with any Windows updates..so far.
 
(except for the usual AD2 malarkey 'remove PC', but I'd say that's XLN's problem)

(FYI: w8.1/10 are way better at multi-core management than w7.)
 
Stuff to do with all windows versions:  (w10 is the worst.)
 
Be online: open STORE:  disable everything on the settings page / close
 
Run Services.msc  ::
 
 HOMEGROUP:  stop and disable both
 WINDOWS UPDATE service   stop and disable
   I also stop most video stuff: AMD fuel, external events,..
 
Task Scheduler:
 
   Disable all stuff on the first page:adobe, googleupdate,... ONEDRIVE,...
   disable all windows telemetry: feed back,...
   Office telemetry
 
I also disable: auto-defrag,...
 
Settings:
  privacy thangs
     general page:  ONLY enable "Let windows track app launches,..."
     Disable ALL other settings on ALL the other Privacy pages/tabs
  
hide Cortana from the task bar / Settings: Cortana  disable most stuff: hey cortana, cloud, 
 
Start Menu: unpin from start : ALL tiles that are not needed / and those that update
 
Task manager: startup tab: more update stuff shout be stopped here:
  java, apple ****, software update support,... ONEDRIVE,...
 
It is not possible to disable all MS "phoning home." So, know that once connected to the net all kinds of **** is going to happen.
 
Before installing any update: (do this before connecting to the net)
  run scandisk
  create a restore point
  diskclean / complete   Delete everything (check recycle bin first)
  create system image / repair disk
 
Then:: connect, enable windows update and check for updates, restart, and restart again after all is supposedly good
 Manually update browsers (chrome, FF, Opera,...)
  PDF readers, office,....
 
After installing updates: disconnect from net
  Change settings to disabled.
  run scandisk
   stop the hibernate function, disable the swap file, restart, make sure the files are gone
     defrag / optimize  a few times : moving OS file to front of disk if the software provides
  create a restore point
  diskclean / complete   Delete everything (keep old windows for roll-back if you are concerned)
  create system image / repair disk
  enable swap and hibernate
 
And Bob's yer uncle.
 
==================
 
AV and Defender,... should be disabled if offline, otherwise they will scan and annoy with wanting to update.
 
Did I get everything?
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Cactus Music
Don't know if it will be better, but I installed w8.1. I re built my main studio DAW over the weekend and I still had the disk I bought when I first built it. I actually never wanted W10 but of course it just happened one night when I was sleeping and forgot to turn things off. 
 
At least W8.1 has the update feature" Tell me about updates but let me deside when to downoad and install" 
So I now have 2 more or less identicle DAW's, one with W 10 kept up to date  and one with 8.1. We'll see which one keeps going and gives me no greif. 

And this works fine with activation etc?
I was under the impression that you gave up your Windows 8/8.1 license after 30 days when you upgraded to W10.
Or is it just the rollback to previous version that doesn´t work after 30 days?

W10 home works ok here after a little tweaking, but I think I prefer W8.1 style and usagewise + Store, the spying hype and the forced updates aren´t exactly what they advertised about. (Don´t tell anyone, but I actually miss some of the stuff people complained about in W8 - for instance the startscreen, People complained about, but had no problems using the same idea/construction in a smartphone ...) To me W10 Home feels like a "consume, consume, consume"-OS when not tweaked.

jamesg1213
 
 
What advice would you have for 'idiots' with a W10 Home new build, no W7 to 'roll back' to, and no option for turning off updates?

You can find legit OEM licenses of Win 8.1 or Win 10 pro on Ebay for as low as $10 on a good day.  Other days, they might be as high as $20.  You get a valid unused Product key, which is all you need (The OS'es themselves can be downloaded from Microsoft).
 
I've bought half a dozen Widows licenses this way over the past 3 years.  Just 2 months ago I grabbed a Win 8.1 Pro and Win 10 Pro for $20 total.  Again, perfectly legit.  Just keep in mind they are OEM, so once you activate on a system, it's tied to that machine.

Cactus Music
Hey, does anybody use Windows 8.1 and can you turn off Windows updates?? 
My DAW was originally 8.1 and I still have the disk. I would think I could install that instead of my hacked W7 and then re authorize it as the machine sould still be registered. 
I just remembered my version of W7 is SP1 and it taked forever to update everything.. 
 
The only problem I had with 8.1 was it updated overnight to W10 without me asking. But if you can turn off the up dates that won't happen again. 
I'm not finding this fact on line so  if anybody here knows much appreciated. 
 

This may not help, but.....I eventually figured out how to disable updates in windows 10, underneath windows accessories, is windows administrative tools.....go into services.....find windows updates,click on it, and you can disable it.......and that's my solution, ive just did-enabled all updates 

That creator's update wrecked my IIS (Internet Information Services) but I managed to find a fix online. Microsoft is definitely not the company they used to be.

The ONLY (quick) way to completely STOP  Windows update: 
run   services.msc
find windows update
double click
stop the service, if running
DISABLE the service
click OK
This stops the store, and defender, auto updating, as well