Where did you install Firefox from? Help Mozilla uncover 3rd party websites that offer problematic Firefox installation by taking part in our campaign. There will be swag, and you'll be featured in our blog if you manage to report at least 10 valid reports!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

How to get rid of the Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade message when Firefox starts?

  • 3 cavab
  • 1 has this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

Other forums state that the problem is caused by a Microsoft update (KB3035583) and two files (GWX.exe) that reside in \Windows\System 32 and \Windows\SysWOW64. It is said that uninstalling the update, deleting the files and restarting will solve the problem. NOT TRUE! I'm using Windows 7 and Firefox 42.0.

Other forums state that the problem is caused by a Microsoft update (KB3035583) and two files (GWX.exe) that reside in \Windows\System 32 and \Windows\SysWOW64. It is said that uninstalling the update, deleting the files and restarting will solve the problem. NOT TRUE! I'm using Windows 7 and Firefox 42.0.

All Replies (3)

more options

Does this issue occur on a certain website?

Firefox does not have popups telling users to upgrade to Windows 10. These are caused either by your operating system or a specific website (probably a Microsoft owned website).

Please try changing your homepage to a website that is not owned by Mircosoft, like Mozilla.org.

more options

MSN (http://www.msn.com/) shows that message if you do not have Windows 10.

When I compare my MSN cookies before and after clicking the X to dismiss the message, I do see two additional cookies being added:

MUID=1CCCB2979E3F6D0C141BB5409A3F6B42; ANON=A=798F206669ED36B69AD6BDF9FFFFFFFF&E=115c&W=1; NAP=V=1.9&E=1102&C=9fAkBnkLwO94XK2ya3u8o9m_8wOnX9hqouddj4OBWHwDt-jvUiH9Zw&W=1; dpio=1.4; ipt={"v":{"L":1},"pt":{"d":1},"ct":{},"_t":49,"_v":"2"}; Sample=52; _SS=SID=00; pop=1; pbcls=1; popunder=yes; popundr=yes; setover18=1

Those seem to stop the message from displaying when I reload the page.

If I use the Show Cookies dialog to delete the pbcls cookie, then reload the page, instead of a popup I get a bar pushing down along the top edge of the page. When I "x" off the bar, the pbcls cookie gets re-added with a value of 1, and the value of pop is increased to 2.

I think the page checks for those cookies, to avoid bothering you on every page load. If you clear your MSN cookies, I suspect you'll get the pop-up style message again the next time you visit the page.

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

more options

Windows10 ad-ware What is c:\Windows\System32\GWX\GWX.exe? « Remove Ad-ware http://greatis.com/blog/what-is-gwx-gwx-exe