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More MS EULA Fun
gray code writes: "The Register is reporting that Microsoft has placed an interesting wrinkle in the EULA of WinXP SP1 and Win2k SP3 that asks for the same remote admin rights as the Windows Media Player patch that raised such an uproar. I think I'll be leaving my Win2k box at SP2, thank you very much." Update: 08/04 15:05 GMT by T : Helix150 writes that a separate EULA for W2K's SP3 "contains this nasty bit: 'You may not disclose the results of any benchmark test of the .NET Framework component of the OS Components to any third party without Microsoft's prior written approval.' Hmmm..."
Some people do use Windows as a server...
Using linux may indeed be a superior solution, but I think your neglecting the fact that business managers are the ones making the decisions to use windows over linux. Why don't you preach to them?
Just a though
I checked the Automatic Updates Control Panel Applet, It was clearly unchecked, as in "Don't check for updates".
Yes, when I checked my system services, there was Automatic updates set to Start automatically and currently started and running even though It was clearly disabled in Control Panel.
Set to manual, stop the service, that should do it.
Nowhere did I see the Eula state "with or without your consent" either. Stop making stuff up.
Additional Rights and Limitations.
* With respect to the OS Components only, if the licensor of the
applicable OS Product was an entity other than Microsoft,
then for the purposes of this Supplemental EULA Microsoft
will be the licensor with respect to such OS Components in
lieu of the "Manufacturer" or other entity and support, if
any, for such OS Components shall not be provided by
Manufacturer. With respect to the existing functionality
contained in the applicable OS Product which is not updated,
supplemented, or replaced by the OS Components, the EULA
for the OS Product shall remain in full force and effect as to
that OS Product.
* If you choose to utilize the update features within the OS
Product or OS Components, it is necessary to use certain
computer system, hardware, and software information to
implement the features. By using these features, you
explicitly authorize Microsoft or its designated agent to
access and utilize the necessary information for updating
purposes. Microsoft may use this information solely to
improve our products or to provide customized services or
technologies to you. Microsoft may disclose this
information to others, but not in a form that personally
identifies you.
* The OS Product or OS Components contain components that
enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based
services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may
automatically check the version of the OS Product and/or its
components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades
or fixes to the OS Product that will be automatically
downloaded to your computer.
* If you have multiple validly licensed copies of the applicable
OS Product(s), you may reproduce, install and use one copy
of the OS Components as part of such applicable OS Product
(s) on all of your computers running validly licensed copies
of the OS Product(s) provided that you use such additional
copies of the OS Components in accordance with the terms
and conditions above. Microsoft, its subsidiaries and/or
suppliers retain all right, title and interest in and to the
OS Components. All rights not expressly granted are
reserved by Microsoft, its subsidiaries and/or suppliers.
+++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
It seems to me that the EULA means that you're not allowed to block out their requests. You'll have the FBI breaking down your door to uninstall your firewall if they really want to "upgrade" you.
set to disable, not manual. manual doesn't really mean manual. trust me, I am a mcse ;-)
ostiguy
Interestingly enough, I did this as well, several weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when last night, after a reboot, I suddenly noticed the Messenger icon in my systray again! I have auto-updating disabled, and I'm blocking all requests to microsoft.com at my router. So how did it suddenly pop back after being gone for weeks?
End of lesson. You may press the button.
Putting aside the usual rants that will spew forth here, I'd be really ticked if I was a dial-up user and MS started pushing a multi-megabyte patch to me the next time I checked my email. Especially if I was billed for time on line.
-- Slashdot: When Public Access TV Says "No"
Try it for yourself.
1) Windows 2000 cd original.
2) Slipstream service pack 3 into it (admins do this).
3) Install it to a drive on a computer.
4) MARVEL at the fact that slipstreaming DOES NOT change the EULA and that you have the ORIGINAL W2K EULA while using sp3.
The burning question is, what are the legal implications of this discovery? Slipstreaming is a standard admin procedure. Which EULA is valid. The one you were presented with, or the one they want you to use but didn't bother changing when you slipstreamed.
I really want to know.
(Slipstreaming for those who don't know, is when you put service patches or updates into a base install so they are pre-installed and don't require you to install them over and over for every machine on a network. This is done often for Office for example where patches are streamed into an admin install and then by executing one command they can update every office install on the entire network without having to walk to each computer and doing it by hand.)
"Interestingly enough, I did this as well, several weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when last night, after a reboot, I suddenly noticed the Messenger icon in my systray again! I have auto-updating disabled, and I'm blocking all requests to microsoft.com at my router. So how did it suddenly pop back after being gone for weeks?"
7 46 .html
m l
Windows Update will put the MS Messenger "trojan" back on your PC.
See this Register article (which has a link to a simple batch file hack that will expunge Messenger for you):
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/24
The article on the "trojan" behavior of Windows Update on reinstalling MS Messenger:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/24668.ht
It's not that I MIND MS Messenger... It's that I DONT USE IT. So why should I have it wasting RAM and running? I use AIM, have for years, and all my IM friends use it, so I have no reason to change or to sign up for a Passport...
Corporatism != Free Market