14 DAY TRIAL // GWX Control Panel is an application that was specifically designed to help Windows 7 and 8.1 users refuse the upgrade to Windows 10, as it turned out that, in some cases, no matter your settings, you might still end up with the new OS on your computer all of a sudden.
And an update released today for this little but extremely helpful tool makes it impossible for your settings to be changed and thus get Windows 10 on the PC without your consent.
Version 1.6 comes with what the developer calls a monitor mode, which basically means that GWX Control Panel can now run in the background and keep an eye on any changes that Windows 10’s files could make on your Windows 7 or 8.1 computer.
If they attempt to modify your settings, GWX Control Panel automatically blocks them, thus making sure that a Windows 7 or 8.1 install remains untouched.
How it works
The developer of the app explains how this feature works:
“This optional feature actively monitors your computer and notifies you if it detects any known evidence of Windows 10 activity. Previously you used to have to run the program manually from time to time to make sure your settings hadn't changed. Now, with monitor mode enabled you'll know immediately when it's time to review and update your settings.”
A small icon will sit in the system tray and let you access its options easily.
“You can double-click the icon at any time to bring up the GWX Control Panel window, and right-clicking the icon displays a menu. And unlike the Get Windows 10 app, this one includes an Exit option! Just click Enable Monitor Mode to turn the feature on; it will persist across Windows restarts. You can permanently turn the feature off by then clicking Disable Monitor Mode.”
Additionally, the new version also includes an option to automatically check for updates, save diagnostic information in a text document on your desktop (this is just in case something goes wrong, and the developer needs more details in order to fix the bug), and more comprehensive protection against unwanted upgrades.
Needless to say, this tool can really come in handy if you’re on Windows 7 or 8.1 and don’t want to upgrade, so download GWX Control Panel to try it out right away.