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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).
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
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.
I've had the pause and resume copy/moving come in handy several times. It's also much more resilient to network blips while moving things around thanks to that.
Directly mounting ISOs in virtual drives without needing PowerISO or other third party software is kind of cool.
I like the corner-snapping that windows can do now - I made a lot of use of the side by side and drap-to-top functionality, so the corner one is even better. Especially on today's big monitors.
Nothing earth-shattering, but nice little improvements. I don't actually hate Windows 10 at all, aside from the privacy issues.
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.
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.
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!
Hmmm most other OS's automatic updates don't require hours of down time and often unexpected reboots. M$'s automatic update system could only be worse if it was designed by a government employee
Build a Man a Fire, and He'll Be Warm for a Day. Set a Man on Fire, and He'll Be Warm for the Rest of His Life.
... 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. . . .
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.
If your at the point where 50Kb will push you over, just turn off internet completely.
In any case you will always find someone negatively impacted by any change that affects millions (if not billions) of people.
If you could control updates to your computer, your post would make sense. You would have
Option 1 - No updates
Option 2 - Metered connection, just small and security critical updates
Option 3 - Update at will.
But we live in a world where there is no Option 1, and nobody trusts Microsoft to actually use Option 2 as they claimed.
entropy happens
Why not use the host file to 'fix' this problem if you have metered connection.
Because you shouldn't have to. After being raped, would you suggest that the victim just keep a better brand of lube around? Or would you suggest that maybe the rapist needs to be in prison? Or barring that, maybe suggest that living in, "Rape City, USA" is a bad idea?
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.
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'd be happier if the software on my computer would check for and download updates during my mostly unused bonus time, when it's convenient for me, rather than when it's convenient for Microsoft during my anytime data.
Of course required to keep Windows running smoothly. probably started out meaning required to keep Windows from turning your computer into a brick, but marketing will interpret that as "anytime we want to install more effective spyware or telemetery".
Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
Which is why Windows 10 makes it possible to pick which updates to install and when to install them!
Oh wait.
-=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-
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