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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."
From the article - 'In the recent Windows update, this option was checked as default; this was a mistake and we are removing the check.'
That is one heck of a mistake!!!
And by "thanks" I mean, "thanks for nothing, you pricks."
I'll happily stay on Win 7 until my PC breaks and it can't be fixed or until I get hardware for which there are no Win 7 drivers. Then it'll be time to switch to Linux, perhaps an Unbuntu distro or Mint, which I've heard good things about.
MS knows i"m not alone in feeling this way, and apparently my desires conflict with their business plan.
So I might as well ask now, what distro would people recommend switching to for a desktop box? Or better yet, which ones should I stay away from?
Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
From the article - 'In the recent Windows update, this option was checked as default; this was a mistake and we are removing the check.'
That is one heck of a mistake!!!
Remarkable how mistakes are always in their favor.
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!
I support quite a few companies and Microsoft have created so much hassle for me recently with this, we now try to block these updates from happening, but, like most people, the first wave caught us off guard. Windows 10 is not compatible with 2nd gen i3/i5/i7 processors with internal graphics - it causes many BSOD and various system problems after about 30-90 minutes usage. Intel have not to date released a driver upgrade. Microsoft does not block these systems from upgrading to Windows 10.
I did that (hide the Windows 10 install update). Guess what? When I "check for updates" it's back, and selected by default. What are also back are the other updates I've hidden that backport telemetry to Windows 8.1 (although they at least aren't force-selected for install). Hiding does no good.
I have Windows 8.1 on a partition for use when I absolutely can't avoid doing something under Windows (thankfully not often). Otherwise I never even touch that steaming pile and run off my Linux partition, where I can get work done without having to watch my back, not just for hackers, but to protect myself from the vendor that wants our trust and does everything possible to lose it.
Type the following in a text file:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx]
"DisableGwx"=dword:00000001
Save it on your desktop with the extension '.reg'. Then right-click it, 'Run as administrator', and if necessary confirm that yes, you do want to make changes to your machine.
Tada, no more Windows 10 nagware.
It's true - last night I put my OSX Macbook to sleep, opened it this morning to find Windows 10 installed. And it didn't even have Wi-Fi on, damn thing came in over Bluetooth!