Microsoft has released some optional updates for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 on July 19, 2016. Both updates mentioned above are well known.
Here is the update notification of my German Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate, informing me about some optional but recommended updates.
Update KB3173040
Update KB3173040 (Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1 end of free upgrade offer notification) displays the following full-screen notification under Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (SP1). Here's what Microsoft wrote:
This notification is a reminder that the Window 10 free upgrade offer ends on July 29, 2016. Microsoft recommends that you upgrade to Windows 10 before the offer expires. You can choose to upgrade directly from the notification, dismiss the notification permanently, or choose to be reminded later. For more information about the Windows 10 upgrade and how to manage notifications, see the "More Information" section.
This message appears when you unlock Windows through the end of the upgrade offer, and reoccurs three days later if you select the Remind me later option.
This message does not appear if any of the following conditions are true:
- You have selected the Do not notify me again option.
- Your computer is detected to be incompatible with Windows 10.
- You have previously uninstalled Windows 10 after you upgrade.
- Your Windows 10 installation failed and rolled back.
- You have hidden the "Get Windows 10" app notifications.
- You have disabled the Windows 10 upgrade or you have disabled the offer screen through registry key settings.
If you don't intend to upgrade to Windows 10, you can hide this update (as I wrote in article Update KB3173040 – end of free upgrade offer notification).
Note: If update KB3173040 has been installed already in Juni 2016, I recommend to install also the July version. Because Microsoft has altered the meta data of the package.
BTW: If you haven't upgraded to Windows 10, because you intend to use Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 still a while – create an image backup of your old system. Then upgrade to Windows 10, activate the new installation, create an image backup and revert to your old Windows version. This saves the free Windows 10 upgrade, but enables you to use the current Windows still a while.
Update KB3035583
Update KB3035583 (Update installs Get Windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1) renews the Get Windows 10-App. This App helps helps users understand their Windows 10 upgrade options and device readiness.
To install this update, you must have the April 2014 update rollup for Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 (2919355) installed in Windows 8.1. In Windows 7 it is recommended to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). This update does not apply to computers that are running the Enterprise edition of these systems. A restart isn't required for this update. If you don't intend to upgrade to Windows 10, just hide the update.
Instructions how to block Windows 10 upgrade may be found in the linked articles below. The Update-History mentions also Update KB3172615 for Windows Embedded 8 Standard and Windows Server 2012.
Similar articles:
Windows 10 Wiki
Update KB3173040 – end of free upgrade offer notification
Microsoft Windows and Office ISO download tool
Trick: How to upgrade to Windows 10 using a clean install
Block Windows 10 Upgrade using GWX Control Panel
Windows 10 Version 1511 via Media Creation Tool "is back"
