How to Remove 'Get Windows 10' Icon from Taskbar in Windows 7 and 8.1

Information
PCs that Microsoft determines cannot run Windows 10 will not see the Get Windows 10 app before July 29, 2015. After July 29, 2015, Microsoft will enable the icon in the system tray. This is to help ensure that you can easily check your PC’s compatibility if you choose.
The
Get Windows 10 (GWX) app helps you understand your Windows 10 upgrade options and device readiness, and gives you the opportunity to get a free copy of Windows 10.
For more details, see:
This tutorial will show you how to hide or remove the
'Get Windows 10' (GWX) icon on the taskbar in
Windows 7 and
Windows 8.1 if you do not wish to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Warning
Microsoft will only offer the free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualifying Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs and tablets until the end of July 2016.
After this date, you will have to pay for Windows 10 if you did not take advantage of the free Upgrade to Windows 10 update in Windows Update or Get Windows 10 app.
CONTENTS:
- Option One: To Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Offer using KB3184143 Update
- Option Two: To Hide 'Get Windows 10' Notification Area Icon
- Option Three: To Hide or Show 'Get Windows 10' Notification Area Icon using Task Scheduler
- Option Four: To Disable 'Get Windows 10' using a REG file
EXAMPLE: Get Windows 10 app and icon on taskbar



OPTION ONE
To Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Offer using KB3184143 Update
OPTION TWO
To Hide 'Get Windows 10' Notification Area Icon

Note
This option will show you how to hide or show the Get Windows 10 icon on the taskbar notification area for only your user account.
This way the Get Windows 10 app is not removed from the PC, and you will be able to use it when you like in the future.

Warning
Hiding the Get Window 10 app icon on the taskbar notification area is only temporary.
If you log out and in or restart the computer, it will show again.
OPTION THREE
To Hide or Show 'Get Windows 10' Notification Area Icon using Task Scheduler

Note
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this option.
This option will show you how to hide or show the Get Windows 10 icon on the taskbar notification area for all users on the PC.
This way the Get Windows 10 app is not removed from the PC, and you will be able to use it when you like in the future.
1. Press the
Windows+R keys to open the Run command, type
taskschd.msc, and click/tap on
OK to open Task Scheduler.
2. In the left pane of Task Scheduler, expand open and navigate to the
gwx folder below. (see screenshots below)
Task Scheduler Library/Microsoft/Windows/Setup/gwx
3. Do
step 4 (show) or
step 5 (hide) below for what you would like to do.
4. To Show Get Windows 10 icon on Taskbar Notification Area
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) In the middle pane of
gwx, right click on the
launchtrayprocess task, and click/tap on
Enable. (see screenshot below)
B) In the middle pane of
gwx, right click on the
refreshgwxconfig task, and click/tap on
Enable. (see screenshot below)
C) In the middle pane of
gwx, right click on the
launchtrayprocess task, and click/tap on
Run. (see screenshot below)

5. To Hide Get Windows 10 icon on Taskbar Notification Area
A) In the middle pane of
gwx, right click on the
launchtrayprocess task, and click/tap on
Disable. (see screenshot below)
B) In the middle pane of
gwx, right click on the
refreshgwxconfig task, and click/tap on
Disable. (see screenshot below)

6. When finished, close Task Scheduler.
7. Log off and on to Windows, or
restart the computer to apply.
8. If you like, you may also wish to enable or disable
Upgrade to Windows 10 in Windows Update.
OPTION FOUR
To Disable 'Get Windows 10' using a REG file

Note
You must be logged in as an
administrator to be able to do this option.
This option will show you how to enable or disable to show the
Get Windows 10 icon on the taskbar notification area and the
Windows 10 upgrade reminder for all users on the PC.
This way the
Get Windows 10 app is not removed from the PC when disabled, and you will be able enable it again to use it when you like in the future.
The .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD and String values in the registry keys below.
(GWX icon)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GWX
DisableGWX DWORD
0 or delete = Enable
1 = Disable
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\GWX.exe
Debugger String Value
<delete> = Enable
Debugger = Disable
1. Do
step 2 (enable) or
step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable Get Windows 10
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to
step 4 below.
Enable_Get_Windows_10.reg
Download
3. To Disable Get Windows 10
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to
step 4 below.
Disable_Get_Windows_10.reg
Download
4. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6. If prompted, click/tap on
Run,
Yes (UAC),
Yes, and
OK to approve the merge.
7. Restart the computer to apply.
8. If you like, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
9. If you like, you may also wish to enable or disable
Upgrade to Windows 10 in Windows Update.
That's it,
Shawn