Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 With Custom .iso

Last summer, summer 2015, an older Microsoft Windows 8.1 machine was receiving the mild prompts to upgrade to Microsoft Windows 10. The prompts stopped, and upon investigation the upgrade process would not allow the typical Windows 10 in-place upgrade. The upgrade process consisted of burning a custom .iso CD. Upon booting the .iso CD, it instructed to restart into Windows 8.1 then insert the .iso CD. Upon doing this, the upgrade process started from the CD.

An upgrade tip for multi-monitor users is to go to just one monitor during the upgrade. The monitor settings can be changed after the upgrade completes.

After the Windows 10 upgrade, several small annoyances included changing previous file type and program associations. For example, the previous graphic file program was changed. Text files and Open Document file associations were changed. Also, Microsoft Edge web browser took over .pdf files.
Another annoyance is the preferred placement for Task Manager had been on monitor two. Now the Task Manager always starts on monitor one, without remembering where it was the last time it ran.
Also, a few printer settings did not transfer correctly.

The PC is running local logon accounts (not on the Microsoft network) and the privacy-leaking options have been turned off. Overall, I am pleased with the upgrade to Windows 10.

Web ads redirecting entire web page

Trusted websites such as hotmail.com and slashdot.org occasionally have their pages completely redirected to an adverstitial.com page.  Investigation shows this is occurring from a javascript advertisement from an ad network.  The original sites are only involved in subscribing to the ad network, which is allowing shady ads.

Those running unix can edit /etc/hosts to block the ad domains.

Those who have access to their router can add a rule to their router firewall to block the domains.  A couple domains involved with hijacking the entire web page seems to be adverstitial.com and cpmaxads.com.
 

Those running a version of Microsoft Windows prior to version 8 can also edit the hosts file.  Those running MS Windows 8 with Windows Defender will find any changes to the hosts file will be undone by Windows Defender.

The quickest way for the average modern MS Windows user to prevent the page hijack is to install an ad blocker such as Adblock Plus.


Since many websites are partly funded by displaying ads, I like to configure AdBlockPlus to allow some advertising.  After installing AdBlockPlus and restarting Internet Explorer, click the ABP stop sign at the bottom of Internet Explorer, choose Settings, and unclick the checkbox which will allow some non-intrusive advertising.





AdBlockPlus may be removed through the Window Control Panel.