Slashdot Mirror
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.
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 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.
If you're ever pissed off about how oil and power companies are ruining the environment, you can get rid of your car and get a bicycle.
You will have trouble getting to work, picking up the kids, buying groceries and getting around, but BY GEORGE you stuck to your principles and the oil and power companies ... didn't notice at all.
-=This sig has nothing to do with my comment. Move along now=-