It will not start the upgrade to Windows 10. Based on tests with dozens of systems, Windows 7 or 8.1 will apply only the patches you select. Click the link that says 'Show all available updates.' Uncheck the box marked “Upgrade to Windows 10,” select (check) any updates you may want to apply, click OK, and click Install Updates. In fact, you can install any patches you like without installing Windows 10. If you go into Windows Update and get a screen that says “Upgrade to Windows 10” (screenshot), you may think you’re stuck - the only update you can install is the one that upgrades the system to Windows 10.

You can safely treat Windows Update as you always have - which, in my case, means setting Windows Update to “Notify but don’t download,” and avoiding this month’s patches until we know more about them. If you go into Windows Update and see a normal update screen listing important and optional updates, you haven’t been fully infected by the Windows 10 upgrade shenanigans.

Update windows 8.1 to 10 free