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Windows 10 Will Download Some Updates Even Over a Metered Connection (winsupersite.com)
Reader AmiMoJo writes: Until now Windows 10 has allowed users to avoid downloading updates over metered (pay-per-byte) connections, to avoid racking up huge bills. Some users were setting their ethernet/wifi connections as metered in order to prevent Windows 10 from downloading and installing updates without their permission. In its latest preview version of the OS, Microsoft is now forcing some updates necessary for "smooth operation" to download even on these connections. As well as irritating users who want to control when updates download and install, users of expensive pay-per-byte connections could face massive bills.
At what point do people get fed up and switch to something else?
Do the 'vital' updates include new adverts with which to pester the user ?
With Windows 10 you gave Microsoft control over their computer. If Microsoft wants their computer to act a certian way, it will act that way regardless as to the way you want it to act.
Don't like it? Install a different OS. Can't do that yourself? Learn how or find someone who can. Hardware won't let you? Buy better hardware. That's your fault for buying locked down hardware to begin with. Can't find non-locked down hardware? Learn how or find someone who can.
At this point Microsoft has made it perfectly clear who owns a computer that runs Windows 10: Microsoft.
I just got boned this weekend during some video editing by an UPDATING NOW...OOPS CRASHING!...RESTART...CRASH...RESTART...CRASH... sequence that took 2 hours and a bootable USB stick to resolve I've been relying on switching my network to a "metered" connection to avoid getting crapped on when I'm just trying to get something done, but it looks like that's about to become a thing of the past. Thank you Microsoft! May I have another?
The people on metered connections, or those who care enough to set their non-metered connections to metered just to try to get some control, may finally be pushed to try something new. I'm always impressed at how well Mint has worked on any recent installs, and I haven't come across any showstoppers for my use. More users for Linux (and MacOS, but I don't really care about that).
Fuck you.
"WTF are they thinking!?" style news stories surrounding Win10, I have to ask...
Aside from gaming, is there ANYTHING Win10 does better than Win7? (and for the snark among you, I'm talking about a real advantage, not in regards to telemetry, spying, less control, etc.)
So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
Ditch Windows, move to Linux or BSD and let Microsoft rot... Been on Nix since 2001 and it just works
There is one real up side to this. Microsoft as you know only puts out small, efficient updates in the minimal needed package sizes. This should be great comfort to users on metered connections, they are only being lovingly graced with the minimum needed amount of bytes. Can you imagine if Microsoft was one of those companies that pushed out near-daily 100+MB behemoths to update a spelling error in notepad's FAQ? Luckily they don't do this, and we all win!
-Charlie
Note: Yes this is sarcasm. If you didn't get that by the 19th word, go play with some tiles.
Basically, MS found people taking control of their updates using the metered connection feature. This of course is the problem with auto updates, especially run by control freaks: they can ensure control over your operating system. Funny thing is...you PAY them for it. (See Mark Tawin, Tom Sawyer, Whitewash chapter...) If this isn't proof that MS cannot be trusted with updates I don't know what will. You can still turn the Windows Update service off in the services panel (under administrative tools in the control panel). And given that MS wants to in effect hijack your operating system, I'd keep it turned off, switch to a Linux distro (Linux Mint is nice) and drop Windows 10 in essence telling MS to F*** off.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Einstein
I use a MacBook Pro at work and an Google Pixel for my mobile. Never again will I allow Windows on my personal network. As a sysadmin, I've seen and heard too many bad things. Some of my organisation will be upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 this year. I've played with it, and I'm not impressed.
Windows is no longer intuitive. Linux Mint is a great personal option for most people. Gamers are stuck.
This is just part of the continued push companies like Apple and Microsoft are making towards consumers having no control over their own electronics that they paid thousands of dollars for. Don't want to update? Too bad. You don't have a say in the matter. Eventually the other shoe will drop and Apple and Microsoft will turn off the ability to open applications that aren't from the app store on desktop computers by default and you'll have to find some obscure option buried in the system settings to turn it back on. This of course will all be in the name of protection consumers.
This isn't new, I was pushed a few updates last year despite being set as metered.
Disable startup of the BITS and Windows Update services. I think I took away "System"'s execute privilige from them as well. Turn them back on according to your schedule to manually update.
Only LUDDITES hate automatic appdates because they're too stupid to know how to use apps! Modern app appers love automatic appdates because it lets them app even more apps while apping other apps!
Apps!
Flatly, violently unacceptable. Whoever decided to implement this; the entire chain, need to be fired.
At.
Fired at.
No matter what goes wrong with Windows MS PR claims It only affected a "small number of users". Followed by the fix will be coming "soon".
Oh cool, you pay for me to have an unmetered connection available?
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
I've been running Windows 8, the start menu change didn't bother me and I found it ran rather well and stable.
I've secured my install, and finally after windows 10 garbage and microsoft doing shitty "telemetry" I mean I can't believe they even call it that.
It's flat out spyware that watches how you use it and sells the information to people, and advertisers.
Anyway, I stopped windows update when I saw this coming out as I knew I couldn't trust their updates and just have to watch out for exploits released and lock it down myself. Fortunately I don't need a lot of windows services for how I use my system.
After things finally stop running on windows, I'll be switching to fulltime linux. In fact, just for multi-media / gaming, is the only reason I keep windows.
I dual boot to linux as is. I'll be sad to lose some performance and ability to play some games, but I'll get over it.
Using my bandwidth and my hardware that I pay for that is not subsidized by microsoft to serve me ads and collect data from me by microsoft, is not happening.
how I want to use it. the last thing anyone wants is to be forced to install things they do not want. I prefer a GNU/Linux distro because I have more control over my user experience going that route. I'm not much of a gamer, maybe some retro gaming at the most so the lack of top tier games doesn't effect me like it would some people. Steam covers everything else an emulator doesn't to suit my needs. I just want to browse the web, watch videos, maybe edit some videos or pictures etc... but above all I want to have the keys to my desktop and not have anything forced on me like Microsoft seems to love to do. At least with GNU/Linux, I have the ability to remove parts of the OS I do not want, and do not have to pay big $ for an edition that lets me decide how to manage my computer. Microsoft has really dropped the ball here, but with a few changes they could resolve these issues and stop losing users to alternative offerings.
When 100 people with problems scream louder than the entire internet, and your install base is in the hundreds of millions, yes, it is a small number of users.
... forcing some updates necessary for "smooth operation" to download even on these connections...
It seems that Microsoft really needs to keep those data harvesting operations running smoothly, as they may now be a source of revenue for Microsoft.
Ok MS you own ME $20 per meg (one of the highest roaming fees) so that 1GB update.
Costs you
Data = $20480
IRS paper work fees = $100
Bill pay fee = $10
Bank fees = $50
By no longer using it.
Thankfully I have a Kaby Lake processor and Windows 7, thus I don't have to worry about updates anymore.
Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
There are very real scenarios where you have truly limited connections where every byte counts. People working offshore on boats for example know what I am talking about. It's not uncommon that the entire ship crew have to share a single 512Kbit/sec satellite connection for their public internet (they also have dedicated channels for ship critical systems). A single unwanted download session could then make this unusable for everyone. Or even worse if you get a rouge win10 machine on the dedicated systems it could take down the critical parts also. It's sad when your OS is looking more and more like a piece of malware.
GFY, MS
Love, AC
Those of us who know, use "Squid".
Tap the Windows key, search for "services". Start the Services Desktop app. Scroll down to "Windows Update" and double-click it. Set it to disabled, and stop it if it's currently running. If you're paranoid, you can disable BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) as well.
I had to do this on a computer running security camera software (very inconvenient if it reboots in the middle of a night due to an update). But you can do this if you just want to be in control of when your computer updates (I had to do it on my gaming laptop as well because Win 10 keeps trying to install newer generic Intel video drivers which are incompatible with Nvidia switchable graphics). Just repeat the process and temporarily enable the update service when you're ready to update.
Dear valued customer, we paid your Windows 10 update and therefore consider your complaints as something to be ignored. Happy surfing and enjoy your mandatory updates!
The hate for MS is real. This isn't inherently a bad idea. If a 50K update patches a security hole that would allow someone to turn your computer into a member of a bot net, you'd be glad you got that update.
And MS continues to make Win10 worse that ME and Bob put together.
... forcing some updates necessary for "smooth operation" to download even on these connections ...
I have several ass-related jokes queued up, but can't decide which one I like best.
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
into the current design?
Feature added.
People use the feature for purposes other than intended
Feature removed.
What did everyone expect?
The PC industry is rapidly catching up to the telecom industry for consumer hostility. Hell one might think they're in cahoots with the crap that's being pulled here.
I am so sick and FUCKING TIRED of all the constant updates from every fucking piece of software. Fuck computers.
It amazes me just how abusive Microsoft can make their products and still people will put up with it, keep using them and even buy more. After Windows 10 especially, I bet even Microsoft are surprised at how far they can abuse people and still get away with it.
Come on guys, just totally ditch Windows already. You already know you should. Just do it.
but I'm a lowly A.C.
My niece just lost her undrgrad class project due to this latest SNAFU. She's a millenial with school/community provided wifi, so no firewall for the masses. The first thing her mom and her said when they coordinated a call to the IT Uncle was 'I just need to know if I have to buy her a new PC so she can get her work done'. If this is the main thought of the masses (and yes, it's a common refrain here), Microsoft is doing this sh!t to sell more hardaware with their bundled crapware installed.
Prove me wrong.
Bought a copy of 8.1 when 10 came out, with the intention of leaving the Windows ecosystem entirely (for personal purposes, anyhow) by 2023 when the security updates cease.
There is no XUL, only WebExtensions...
Most large business 'fix' this problem by creating a different entry from the MS update server that lives on their local network. Allowing them to control when updates are pushed to their desktops. Why not use the host file to 'fix' this problem if you have metered connection.
âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
Microsoft is trying to play the snobby, expensive walled garden game like Apple, but Microsoft really sucks at it.
Just like they tried to play the iPod game and iPhone game and lost those battles, too.
I've noticed that they spent considerable time making it usable, however convoluted, without a keyboard and only soft-power buttons. I'm speaking specifically about how WinX has been 'productized' for consumer electronics, no longer desktop PC's. For instance, being able to get into the boot options/repair menu without an F8 key. I don't like it or agree with the changes, but the effort on their part is evident.
Editorially, Finally! the holy grail of the 1990's, 'productized software'. Pbbbbth!
mindset is futile; as there will ALWAYS be zero-days you aren't going to have patches for. You can solve the script kiddie issues at the infrastructure level... the real problem is how do you save an unpatched network of hundreds of engineers and office workers from themselves and the 'Click here to see your pictures' emails as they come in with the 'in the wild' exploits from 6 months ago?
Try not being an idiot and change it. The reality of your situation is that you can act. You're just lazy or ignorant or prefer to just complain.
Tell your vendor that if they don't get off Windows onto Linux then you will leave as a customer. If there is no alternative AT ALL, then take another job. If your job required you to tongue wash the CEO's car every morning, you would leave. If you were self employed and the government regulation meant you were giving up all your money in taxes etc and paying for complianc with new laws, YOU WOULD STOP and do something else.
And you CAN (but YOU DECIDE NOT TO) do something about this.
And when others tell you "Move to Linux", that is their way to tell you you can change your situation. Complaining that they're wrong, you can't, is a lie.
For f...'s sake, automatic updates can be disabled easlily with group policies This has been known for years. And a simple registry tweak disables automatic driver updates as well.
Unlike Windows 7, Windows 10 gets drivers for the power management features in newer CPUs, such as Kaby Lake and Ryzen.
Article is bull.
Got a new laptop at the end of 2015 before 'anniversary edition' came out.
Installed Win7 and turned on metered connection.
Win10 was downloaded without prompting me.
Win10 then performed updates when it was set to metered connection.
I removed all the Win10 spyware and blocked all outgoing data.
Disabled windows update, bits, shell experience, and gutted out cortana,, onedrive, and edge AND NOW I have a working copy of Windows 10 that does not need an internet connection.
Summary: The only way to get Win10 to not use your metered connection is to block all communications, or dont use Win10.
No default route, Firefox can use a proxy...
Try using real examples comparable and it isn't so bad drama queen. Grow up, come back when your mind is working like an adult. Hint: when you realize people do what they can do and don't have choices to choose any occupation in the world just by saying so.
Same to all of you man-children. Jesus fucking Christ this gets old. No connection to real people.
I'm in the Bay Area. Every place else is different. We have almost unlimited options here. No place else is like that. Real people aren't like this. This is why trump won. Thank god.
Every few days I read yet another story about the abuse MS keeps heaping on the poor souls who, for whatever reason, still use Windows 10.. Part of me feels sorry for those who either *must* use Windows, for whatEVER reason, or those who just aren't aware of there being viable alternatives to Windows.. And part of my laughs my damn ass off at all the abuse that MS inflicts on their victims. I supported/used Windows for 20 years as a user and a sysadmin. During my career I also used Linux quite a bit, having discovered it via Slackware in 1994. After I retired, I decided I was done with anything MS, and moved all of my systems to Linux.. Couldn't be happier..
THANK YOU, Edward Snowden!! Americans owe you a debt of gratitude (whether they know it or not..)
CASL, our anti-spam law, specifically requires informed consent before anyone installs anything on someone else's computer. There's a class action suitin the wings, waiting for "private right of action" to allow suits this summer.
The CRTC is the only organization that can lay charges, and you should see the rats scurrying around trying to keep the right to lay suits from coming into force (;-))
davecb@spamcop.net
I have Win 7 SP 1 running fine with updates off and haven't had any problems with software compatibility at all. Just use 7.
Here you have mine: picture
I. e.: real people older than 80 using a Debian box, I take care of installing and administering, they just have the fun (ssh to the rescue just in case).
They moved from MS Win 98; they have trouble using computers no matter wich OS they use, but be sure that all their hardware is working, the KDE UI is not confusing and they are very autonomous.
After things finally stop running on windows, I'll be switching to fulltime linux. In fact, just for multi-media / gaming, is the only reason I keep windows.
I dual boot to linux as is. I'll be sad to lose some performance and ability to play some games, but I'll get over it.
Nowadays one can apparently use PCIe bypass to give a virtual machine direct access to GPU. Once that is done windows doesn't notice anything and games appear to run normally. I have not personally done this yet, but soon since my win 7 seams to be about to croak. People are stating very minor performance cost (less than 5%?). In addition VM also offers control over sate of win 10. Playonlinux can run most things relatively painlessly, for everything else there is PCIe bypass and VM.
Bought a copy of 8.1 when 10 came out, with the intention of leaving the Windows ecosystem entirely (for personal purposes, anyhow) by 2023 when the security updates cease.
Stop giving Microsoft money on purpose. You probably already owned several 8.1 copies without even knowing when you bought it.
In fact, just for multi-media / gaming, is the only reason I keep windows.
Why not just switch over full-time? Why bother dual booting?
Multi-media all runs perfectly fine for me in Ubuntu (I did install the non-free packages/codecs).
Check out Steam and see which of your games don't run natively; many of the remainder will run under Wine or PlayOnLinux. For the ones that still won't run then try a VM with GPU pass-through. For the small remainder that still won't run then... well, I got over it and I'm sure you can as well.
The freedom from M$ bullshit was worth it for me. Maybe it'll be worth it for you too.
Eventually I will, but I'm not interested in investing into especially expensive graphics cards to get the same performance under windows.
As for multimedia, linux is almost completely on pair, so more realistically I'd just say for gaming. Just because I can get a game to run under linux, does not mean it runs well. You usually suffer some frame drops on a lot of games and I like to keep mine at 60 when possible.
It's also far less forgiving to multi tasking while gaming. I can run many games even in fullscreen on windows, and switch to other screens and processes without any hiccups, but if I'm using wine to run it, I'm likely asking for a crash.
Right now I don't need to give it up as my current windows OS isn't 10, and still compatible with it. But as you said, for what I can't run, I'll get over it.
But I'll get over it when I need to, not to burn microsoft for something they already got my money for. I'm only hurting myself at that point.
By refusing their next OS and not purchasing more of their products, that's how I get them.
I remember when I "upgraded" to Windows 10. Shortly thereafter, Comcast decided the South should have data caps because they can. I got a bill for overage and I was like nonplussed as to how that happened. I looked at my data usage and here is what I found: Onedrive, which I had put one text file in for testing, 1kb, had generated 180GB of traffic for the month... syncing that 1kb text file. Thanks Microsoft!
Google updatesâ Google Play over metered connections too, yet no one complains about it publicly (try Googling about the issue, hahaha), and Slashdot doesn't post about it!
and is practiced by subversives.
Only 12% of steam games run on linux.
Not quite.
It only allows you to mark a Wifi connexion as metered (none of the ones I've ever used is). It doesn't allow you to mark an Ethernet connexion as metered, and if I plug in my tethered 'phone, it shows up as an Ethernet connexion. My 'phones data is metered, but MS won't allow me to mark is as such, and has never been interested in changing this.
Installing anything other than stock Chrome OS on a Chromebook requires first putting the Chromebook in developer mode. Whenever a Chromebook in developer mode is turned on, the firmware displays a 30-second interstitial warning to the effect "OS verification is OFF; press Space to enable OS verification". Pressing Ctrl+D closes the interstitial. Pressing Space instead warns the user that reenabling OS verification permanently deletes everything stored on the Chromebook, with Enter to confirm doing so.
Try one of these:
A. Use a PC with a pre-Ryzen or pre-Kaby Lake CPU.
B. Use Wine in GNU/Linux.
C. Use Windows 7 in VirtualBox in GNU/Linux.
If all three are unacceptable, please explain in detail how each is unacceptable.
PROVE IT.
Jesus Christ, no-one has actually shown that the telemetry in Windows 10 does anything nefarious at all, they all just throw accusations at Microsoft without evidence. Microsoft's stance is that the telemetry is gathered to help with resolving bugs and improving the system. It's the modern way of doing things in software, since most people wouldn't submit bug reports if something broke even if the option do so was available (i.e. people are lazy). Automated telemetry is an attempt to gain the info anyway, invisibly. Tons of software does it these days precisely this reason - to improve the software.
Sounds more like people don't want to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt. Well fuck the idealists, this is how it has to be.
it would be the year of another desktop.
No one runs their Windows 10 desktop on their mobile phone...
> no-one has actually shown that the telemetry in Windows 10 does anything nefarious at all
You open notepad, that sends a packet to Microsoft. That's envelope information about your life, your schedule, to anyone watching packets coming from your house. Inside that is at least something about the fact that you are launching notepad.
It's wildly nefarious. Top to bottom, shaft to tip.
Resist this crap or you don't own a machine at all.
Also you are probably a shill.
That's perfectly fine with me: I have more Steam games (on Linux) than I can play and more coming out every week.
I don't lose sleep over not being able to play the latest Metal Gear Solid on PS4 nor the latest Halo on XBone nor being unable to play iphone games-- I just go a little further and choose not to lose sleep over Windows-only games as well.
Just disable the Windows Update service:
URL:http://www.thewindowsclub.com/turn-off-windows-update-in-windows-10)