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Windows 10 Upgrades Are Being Forced On Some Users (arstechnica.com)
grimmjeeper writes: According to Ars Technica the Windows 10 upgrade option is being selected by default for some users. A dialogue box is appearing that only permits them to reschedule the upgrade process, not cancel it. "For the first year of its availability, Windows 10 is available for free to most Windows 7 and 8 users, and Microsoft has been trying to coax those users to make the switch by delivering the operating system through Windows Update. Until now, the OS has been delivered as an optional update; while Windows Update gives it prominent positioning, it shouldn't be installed automatically. This system has already generated some complaints, as Windows Update will download the sizeable operating system installer even if you don't intend to upgrade any time soon, but, over the last couple of days, the situation seems to have become a little more aggressive. We've received a number of reports that people's systems are not merely downloading the installer but actually starting it up."
Update: 10/16 11:35 GMT by S : Microsoft said, "In the recent Windows update, this option was checked as default; this was a mistake and we are removing the check."
has caused me to disallow it on my network due to privacy concerns. My Wi-Fi router password does not need to be stored by Microsoft. This is one of those instances where I really thank God I know and use BSD and Linux to be able to avoid the likes of this junk. I told my wife she needs to either get a MacBook or Linux replaces the Windows 7 install. I removed the MS KBs that would allow Windows 10 to be installed and also removed the additional telemetry crap. No one but me needs knowledge of my passwords.
From what I've been reading, it doesn't matter if you turn off Automatic Updates or not, it still goes right ahead and downloads and attempts to install itself.. just like any other malware.
Here's an idea: Find the executable in the Win10 install package that's run, go into it's Properties, Security tab, set 'Deny' for 'Read and Execute' for 'SYSTEM'. Should prevent the installer from running. If the OS changes the permissions against your express wishes, or it just keeps downloading new copies, then Microsoft is violating their own system security scheme; in that case, if it wasn't already time to get out, now it'll be time to get out and find a different OS. I've never been a huge fan of Microsoft (have managed to never pay for a single legal copy of any version of Windows) but I've put up with it. This behavior from them takes the cake, though; I'm done. The next box has to have something other than Windows on it. I can't tolerate an OS that countermands my express wishes and takes away all control from me like that.
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
Oh, it happened to a friend of mine with a multi-million dollar machine where their Windows 7 upgraded to Windows 10, broke the HMI and made the machine completely useless for almost a week until the manufacturer could send a replacement HMI (Yes, thank Siemens, Beckhoff and Allen Bradley for their major use of Windows for industrial machines). I'm waiting to see if one of those Bechoff PLC's that run Windows 7 upgrades to Windows 10, that would be quite humorous.
Enjoy your misery with Windows. I made sure none of my machines run anything Windows. I don't know why people bend over backwards for manufacturers thinking they won't sell them a machine when the manufacturers actually will bend over backwards to you to sell you their machine despite your demands.
Was smooth at first, but now I'm seeing that was a mistake. These update issues are a real headache when I'm trying to get work done. Plus, I imaged to a bigger HD, windows would refuse to let me login. I ended up having to "reset" windows, which removes all apps, preserves user data, and reinstalls Windows. Now I can't activate it for some fucking reason. And when I reboot after reinstalling an app uninstalled during the reset, it tries (and fails!) to update. I'm not sure what's more frustrating: the cluster fuck that it is or Microsoft isn't saying shit about it.
Chewbacon
The Bible is like Wikipedia: written by a bunch of people and verifiable by questionable sources.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and opine that MS has been "asked" to help fill up that big new NSA data center in Utah, and they really really need EVERYBODY to be running Windows 10 (or 7/8/8.1 with the spy-ware addons) to fill up that big beautful treasure trove of OUR data...... Tell me my tinfoil hat's too tight, I don't care.. Thats what it looks like to me... Thank goodness I've given up sucking from the MS tit, and moved all MY systems to Linux...
THANK YOU, Edward Snowden!! Americans owe you a debt of gratitude (whether they know it or not..)