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Windows 10 Will Download Some Updates Even Over a Metered Connection (winsupersite.com)

Posted by msmash on from the Microsoft-things dept.

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.

8 of 327 comments (clear)

  1. Smooth running of advertising by Alain+Williams · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Do the 'vital' updates include new adverts with which to pester the user ?

    1. Re:Smooth running of advertising by ITRambo · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Only if they're considered to be vital by Microsoft, so probably.

  2. Good by b0bby · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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).

  3. This isn't new. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  4. Re:One up side by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    That's probably what Microsoft is actually thinking. They recently introduced differential updates... Welcome to the 1980s... so that Windows Update patches are smaller. So they probably figured that they could now force them on people on metered connections.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  5. Limited connections, means just that. by CptLoRes · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

  6. Come on guys by subanark · · Score: 1, Interesting

    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.

  7. Fuck software by AndyKron · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I am so sick and FUCKING TIRED of all the constant updates from every fucking piece of software. Fuck computers.