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Massive Backlash Building Over Windows 10 Upgrades (fortune.com)

Some Windows users are now disabling critical updates on their systems rather than face the prospect of mistakenly upgrading to Windows 10. An anonymous reader writes: "By pushing it on users in such a heavy-handed way, Microsoft is encouraging users who have very valid reasons to stick with Windows 7/8 to perform actions that leave their machines open to attack," writes PC World's senior editor. He adds that "Over the past week, I've received more contact from readers about this issue than I have about everything else I've written over the rest of my career combined."

Now even China's official news agency is reporting that users are angry about stealthy Windows 10 upgrades, saying over 1.2 million complaints appeared on one microblogging site. It quotes a legal advisor with the Internet Society of China, who says Microsoft "has abused its dominant market position and broken the market order for fair play," saying that lawsuits would be justified over Microsoft's action. "Yang Shuo, a worker at a Beijing-based public relations company, told Xinhua that the sudden update interrupted his drafting of a business plan and led to a meeting cancellation for a deal worth 3 million yuan ($457,735). 'Just because I didn't see the pop-up reminder does not mean I agreed.'"

In a possibly-unrelated development, the Chinese military plans to send nuclear submarines into the Pacific Ocean.

3 of 501 comments (clear)

  1. It's THIS EASY to stop Windows 10 Upgrades. by richy+freeway · · Score: 5, Informative

    Create a blank .reg file and put this in it

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Gwx]
    "DisableGwx"=dword:00000001

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
    "DisableOSUpgrade"=dword:00000001

    Then run it, alternative manually add those keys to the registry yourself.

    Yes, I know this isn't exactly user friendly and NO it shouldn't be necessary but it works all the time, every time.

    It's even documented on the Microsoft website, go on have a look : https://support.microsoft.com/...

    Why this is STILL not common knowledge I don't know. All you get from everyone is bitching how "Microsoft shouldn't be doing this" and "how dare they have the gall to do this". If EVERYONE on Slashdot put some effort in to spreading the word about this pretty simple fix, then a LOT of people would not end up with Windows 10 when they don't want it.

    Hey maybe Slashdot could run a quick piece on it? Perhaps spread the word to some mainstream press with a link to a reg file hosted by someone trustworthy.

    Alternatively let's all just keep rehashing the same fucking discussions about how "update KBwhatever" keeps coming back when hiding that has never been they way to fix this problem.

  2. Re: And at the end of all this hoopla, by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Hello. I'm a guy who makes purchasing decisions for a business. We're not moving to Windows 10. We are looking at alternatives and about to spend real money on some of them.

    You have no evidence for your claims.

    He does now.

    --
    If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
  3. Re:They did it to themselves by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    On Thursday I turned off "get recommended updates like you get important updates" (or whatever the exact text it) on my wife's computer. I *just* got a call from her telling me that her computer started installing Windows 10. I changed the setting specifically to avoid the 10 install. I double checked that my desired setting was in place after a reboot. So, no, turning off recommended updates doesn't always avoid 10.

    capthca: outrages