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Windows 10 Now a 'Recommended Update' For Windows 7 and 8.1 Users (betanews.com)

Mark Wilson writes: Microsoft has been accused of pushing Windows 10 rather aggressively, and the company's latest move is going to do nothing to silence these accusations. For Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users, Windows 10 just became a 'recommended update' in Windows Update.

This is a change from the previous categorization of the upgrade as an 'optional update' and it means that there is renewed potential for unwanted installations. After the launch of Windows 10, there were numerous reports of not only the automatic download of OS installation files, but also unrequested upgrades. The changed status of the update means that, on some machines, the installation of Windows 10 could start automatically.

18 of 581 comments (clear)

  1. And when are they going to allow 7 Enterprise... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    to upgrade? Our MSP says never. They say we have to buy all new licenses since there is no upgrade available.

  2. MS Wants to Own Your Machine for Good by Kunedog · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Microsoft is sick and tired of customers resisting their latest shiny upgrade, and downright pissed off when they resist successfully, as with Vista and 8. So they are going all-in on establishing the capability to push any and all code/UI they want, for any purpose they want (DRM/adware/spyware/forced account login/whatever), to your machine at any time. If the current Windows 10 updates are this evil, imagine what they'll be like when users have no alternative.

    1. Re:MS Wants to Own Your Machine for Good by Pentium100 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      All the more reason to turn off automatic updates if you have Windows 7 or 8. The good thing of that is that when Microsoft stops releasing new updates for these versions, nobody will care.

    2. Re: MS Wants to Own Your Machine for Good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      It's only your machine until you install software on it. After that, somebody else has (or can have) control. Choose wisely who you give such power too, they may not be such good stewards of that trust. Me? Oh, I have my recommendations but I'd suggest that you use what works best for you, meets your needs the best, enables you to get your tasks done the best, and affords you the best enjoyment. As that's entirely subjective, that part is up to you.

      Hmm... I think I'll leave this one as a mystery as to who is AC... (I am that bored. And out of posts. Stupid limit.) WOOOOO *still making scary ghost noises*

    3. Re:MS Wants to Own Your Machine for Good by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If the current Windows 10 updates are this evil, imagine what they'll be like when users have no alternative.

      No need to imagine, just look at iOS. Updates are pushed quite forcefully on users, and within a few months more than 90% will upgrade. New "features" include more ways to give Apple money, extra DRM, closing any holes that let you take control of your device. And after a few years, the updates slow your system down so much you are either forced to run an old, unsupported and insecure version or buy new hardware.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    4. Re:MS Wants to Own Your Machine for Good by Skylinux · · Score: 2, Interesting

      You mean like the growing user base of Mac

      Have you actually tried using a Mac productively?
      Unfortunately, it is the standard company computer where I work. The user experience is horrible if you are used to a responsive system and one that does not get in your way every fucking time.
      I installed Windows 10 on the retina Mac Book Pro and things have been better but the keyboard is garbage since the Fn key is on the very outside. Great trackpad, though!

      Had a meeting with my boss recently and told him that I will start looking for a new job unless I get a computer that I can work efficiently on. An Ultrabook is on order and I'll be the first non Mac user in the company.
      Looks like I have started a small revolution since I hear more and more Mac complaints from my colleagues now :)

      Mac computers are great for people who are computer illiterate or just don't give a fuck about hardware or operating systems. They are an absolute nightmare for anyone used to the Swiss Army knife of the computer world (PC).

      Want a Unixy OS? Install Linux or FreeBSD, fuck Mac OS X!

      --
      Everyone who buys Wild Hunt will receive 16 specially prepared DLCs absolutely for free, regardless of platform.
  3. Family member's WIN computer got locked out by Trachman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Rather than fiddling with keys and password recoveries, we have just installed Linux Mint.

    No complains or further questions. People use computer for browsing mostly.

    1. Re:Family member's WIN computer got locked out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Rather than fiddling with keys and password recoveries, we have just installed Linux Mint.

      No complains or further questions. People use computer for browsing mostly.

      I'm finding Mint with Cinnamon to be quite good! I'm re-discovering Linux only because Microsoft has chosen to be a complete asshole to me. This story is just another middle finger from them.

    2. Re:Family member's WIN computer got locked out by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Windows is becoming less and less relevant for gaming. Most people game on smartphones/tablets or consoles and SteamOS is gaining more support by the day.

      Microsoft can't fuck with Valve when it comes to PC gaming. Not long ago I think Steam was up to around 1500 titles for Linux and now it's already up to 3700.

  4. As someone who "upgraded" to Win10 by Snotnose · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Let me just say, "don't".

    Never mind the spyware. I had Win8.1 for 18 months before I "upgraded" to Win10. Since the upgrade I've had:
    1) ctl + left mouse to move a window. Release the wrong button first and the window goes full screen instead.
    2) Random mouse locations when clicking left button. Ex: in a web browser hit the back button, it goes full screen. In a web browser click a bookmark group, it minimizes. etc etc etc
    3) Close laptop, go to bed. Get up in the morning, laptop has installed updates and rebooted, wants your permission to continue.
    4) Default app behaviours change suddenly. Just this morning I opened a pdf on my hard drive and Edge opened it,, not the pdf file viewer I've used for the last few years.
    5) Uptime seems to be a week. If it's not updating then when you open your laptop it just doesn't respond.

    I bought this laptop November 2013, it came with Win 8.0 and I immediately upgraded to 8.1. Had no issues. Mistakenly "upgraded" to Win10 last summer, all the above issues have plagued me since. If I had to do it all over again I would, in order, stay 8.1 (I'm a gamer, need Windows), go Linux, go Mac, go Win10.

  5. Make sure Windows 10 does what you need it to do.. by mykepredko · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just in case you're looking for another reason not to switch.

    I put this conversation up as a discussion topic here on /. - http://answers.microsoft.com/e...

    Com port management has never been great in Windows and in Win 10, if you are doing device development work or working with different devices which allocate com ports, you may find yourself running out of them and/or applications no longer working because the allocated port number is higher than the range the application handles.

    Very disappointing non-response by Microsoft and their employees.

  6. I am wondering what would happen after 1 year by mark-t · · Score: 3, Interesting

    During the leadup to the release of Windows 10 at the end of July of last year, I remember that they were repeatedly stating that it would only be free to current Windows users for the first year after its initial public release (July 29, 2015).

    Given MS's actions since with regards to Windows 10 and how they are pushing the upgrade that people have to explicitly opt out of, I believe it is quite apparent that they were only saying that to try and encourage people to adopt it early, and never had any intent to charge for it at all.

  7. Re:But why? by SeaFox · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Why does MS feel its so important for us to upgrade?
    I don't understand why MS feels they have to force Win 10 on us when many are perfectly happy with the Win we have.

    Because Microsoft wants to spy on you for financial gain.
    People running 7 and 8.1 can avoid the updates that add the spying to them, but since it's baked into Win10 you can't avoid it so easily then, so the obvious course for Microsoft is to trick people into upgrading to 10.

    Given the overwhelming majority of people are on Windows -- I kinda wonder if Microsoft is really the only one doing the collection of data off of it.

  8. Re:fuck you microsoft! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I would not be surprised if Microsoft made Windows 10 a subscription that you have to pay if you want to continue using your PC. It would explain why they impose a 30 day limit on rolling back to your previous OS. Once you're locked in, you're fucked and will eventually have to start paying your Microsoft rent.

  9. "Free from Microsoft" is an oxymoron by shanen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've been posing (and pondering) this question ever since I was convinced that Microsoft was not charging money for the upgrade to Windows 10:

    Why?

    One of the major business model innovations underlying Microsoft's "success" is ignoring the end user. Microsoft has increasingly focused on selling to the makers and the end users are basically forced to go along. Yeah, Apple survived (after a near death experience), but I'm still doubtful that the most creative accountants can show profits from the OS side of their business model. Linux remains a niche player for lack of any good business models, but MS got fat from the manufacturers.

    Now Microsoft suddenly bites the hands that have been feeding it? Actually, more like gnawing off the arms at the elbows. The makers are in a commodity business of the nastiest, lowest-profits sort, and many of them can't afford to skip the new-box sales for a year or so, just because so many older machines suddenly become like-new again.

    MS has plenty of cash in the bank. "Honey badger don't care" which makers survive. There will be at least a couple of makers around to sell new computers, and Microsoft will just pick up where it left off. However, it has also become pretty clear they are trying to muscle in on part of Apple's business model, and maybe the google's, as well.

    Evidently all the makers can say is "That hurts."

    --
    Freedom = (Meaningful - Coerced) Choice != (Speech | Beer^2), and sad sock puppets' bad mods avail them naught.
  10. Re:Farewell to the soulskill and samzenpus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    soulskill's profile says "former editor" when before it had some info on it. The foss article was updated with this:

    All this goodwill towards the user community might be coming at a cost, however. I’ve heard reports from credible sources of layoffs at Slashdot, with many longtime employees being shown the door, with their jobs either eliminated or handed over to less costly and relatively inexperienced staff. Goodwill or no, this can’t have a positive effect on the site’s users’ experience. We can expect that the same cost cutting is probably happening at SourceForge, which is already struggling.

  11. Re:"Close laptop..." OMG!!! by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I had one worse than that. Playing Fallout 4, not triggered an autosave in a while, hit esc so its paused while I have dinner, come back to my linux log in screen. Windows had decided to reboot my machine for updates WHILE a full screen program was running. Brilliant.

    This technology was pioneered by Microsoft waaayyyyyy
    back in Windows 95. LAN game, midnight hits, all the Windows PCs drop to the desktop and show a dialog saying that Windows is about to be rebooted for daylight savings time. All the windows users scream, all the DOS users laugh and laugh, and those of us familiar with Unix as well point and laugh, because a system that needs to reboot because the clock needs to change is beyond hilarious.

    Microsoft is the retard in the room. They are completely beyond incompetence, technically. If it weren't for their illegal anticompetitive behavior under Bill Gates, Career Criminal, today it would be "Microsoft who?"

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  12. Re:And when are they going to allow 7 Enterprise.. by carnivore302 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I predict new pc sales will go through the roof. My dad asked me to upgrade his laptop to windows 10. Three hours later, he had a new OS, but without wifi and lan. That's the time I realized his laptop is too old. Tried a quick search for drivers, put them on a usb stick etc, but couldn't get it to work within half an hour. To put an end to the frustration I bought him a new laptop. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have given up so soon, but it's better for everyone this way.

    --
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