Windows 8.1 Telemetry/Spy/Win 10 preparation updates removal

X

XYZ

Member
I haven't done a re-install for a while and am about to do it for Win 8.1 x64. I want to remove all Telemetry/Spy/Win 10 praparation updates that get installed during windows update. I plan on just installing as normal, then doing Windows Update and installing all updates. After that I was going to run the following script (which seems up-to-date) to remove any unwanted updates. I also plan on running the SimpleWall firewall (https://www.henrypp.org/product/simplewall) which includes an internal Windows spy / telemetry blocklist (NOTE: this firewall is based on WFP, which is what Windows Firewall uses, but it is separate from Windows Firewall).

https://gist.github.com/AACJ/48a019ba0708a92d4ba60cc202d55e47

Any other tips before I start ?

I had planned on doing a Win 10 x64 LTSC install, but it won't get updated until the next released in spring, so I'll do another install then.
 
Sounds like a plan, probably done it already.
I would rather integrate all current updates, now it's easy with the Updates page - Add - Latest updates - than to install the OS then download all with Windows Update.
This way you get the keep the updates in need of a reinstall, and less to download/install/wait later.
Also it's safer to deploy up to date image.
 
I was forgetting about the integrated updates downloader (still haven't updated to the latest version, although I'll probaboy do that sometime this month or January).

Any chance of maybe having an option on NTLite updates downloader page to automatically (un)check/toggle any Telemetry/Spy/Win 10 preparation updates ?
 
You can always use the latest version, regardless of the license expiration date.
Features are timed on the individual basis, not the tool version.

It does not auto-check the telemetry related updates. Let me know if you see that it does.
Monthly Rollup ones cannot be helped.
 
nuhi said:
You can always use the latest version, regardless of the license expiration date.
Features are timed on the individual basis, not the tool version.

It does not auto-check the telemetry related updates. Let me know if you see that it does.
Monthly Rollup ones cannot be helped.
Click to expand...
Is the updates downloader considered a paid feature ?

Which list do you use to decide if an update is telemetry related ?

Does this include the Win 10 preparation updates for Win 7/8/8.1 ?
 
But for Net3.5? If i enable net3.5 > save > remount i get net3.5 not correctly in the installation.
8.1 dont have a .cab in sources/sxs so we can enable it but then 3.5 is not really installed, plus NTlite dont read a net3.5 data from the many netfx 35 folders in sources/sxs
Plus for a microsoft bug if you "enable only" (as ntlite) or "not enable" net3.5 but install the security updates for net3.5, the functionality net3.5 get not enable-able anymore (plenty documented online)

So how we can integrate net3.5?
 
Net3.5 isnt a cab file in 8.1, it is a load of files inside sxs in the sources folder(where the wim files are).
 
I integrate net3.5 and 472 post install then add their updates and capture the wim. I cant help im afraid.
 
Capturing an image is the only way to completely integrate .nets and c++ things, its quite eassy to do once you know how, i got a topic on it. :)
Its handy because you can fully integrate everything then totally remove windows update, which would be handy on 10.
 
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XYZ said:
Is the updates downloader considered a paid feature ?

Which list do you use to decide if an update is telemetry related ?

Does this include the Win 10 preparation updates for Win 7/8/8.1 ?
Click to expand...
For Home use, updates downloader is free.

Just what is known and the KB description, if there is a well maintained list, I'm listening.
Yes, you can see the list of updates in the updates downloader tool, they have their description and are pre-checked where recommended.
 
MR01, kinda unrelated to the topic, yes, .NET 3.5 enabling is different on 8.1 indeed, it's just that's the least used Windows version so not a priority to add those kinds of custom steps.
If requested more often, will do, thanks for bumping it up.
 
MR01
I am running Windows 8.1 and know there is a problem to integrate .Net 3.5.
This is easy solved by running a 2 stage process. I have done that for 16 months now and its working perfect.
The process:
1.) Run NTLite using a clean ISO. Just do 2 things using the UI, enable .Net 3.5 in both Components (System)
and in Features. NTLite automatically find the .NET 3.5 package in the SXS folder. Go to Apply and start the
process (If you prefer to have the image as an ISO, no problem).
2.) Now use THIS image/ISO for ALL subsequent activities. Every time you want to integrate CUs, updates or change
settings, always start with this image/ISO as input. Every time you load this image you see that .Net 3.5 is
enabled, and no problem to integrate .Net 3.5 updates.

I enabled .Net 3.5 sixteen months ago and have ran numerous NTLite sessions to create up-to-date images, not
a single problem.

attached you find my preset for enabling .Net 3.5.
 
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That updates list is too much, too overrated, and not FUD-free

Telemetry in Windows 7/8.1 is so shallow it can be disabled easily

and by the way, latest Monthly Rollup already contain all telemetry components, and supersede all those updates
so there is no point in uninstalling them
 
Which is why I use the Security-only, curated by users, WSUS Offline updater. It installed only 35 new updates to a fresh Win8.1 install. (I had first integrated mostly old (pre-2016) updates to it using nuhi's list.)

I know nuhi's not a fan of it. But it works for me.
 
I aint got time(or the werewithal) to play Whack a Mole each month with goddamn telemetry updates, i just get em all whack em in and pray for the best. I am gonna start putting abbodi86 s w10 block into my 7 and 8.1 mounted images then re apply them for captured images.

If you are only using curated security updates then youy may be missing out on hotfixes for bugs, i would rather use WUMT with WU and get a download list. I would prefer big CU's providing they actually fix stuff and dont turn my pcs into expensive bricks, the downside is you never know what them redmond ratbags stick in em. :mad:

Theres too may privacy tools out there(causing confusion) and you wont know what they are doing because they are exe's and its all hidden in code, gimme a reg/bat/cmd file anyday of the week.

Too much time wasted using a computer just to keep the poxy os in a fit state and too little time using them for why you bought em in the bloody 1st place.
 
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