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Microsoft Will Never Again Sneakily Force Windows Downloads on Users (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on from the doing-the-right-thing dept.

A reader shares a report Windows users in Germany were particularly unimpressed when Microsoft forcibly downloaded many gigabytes of files to upgrade from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10. Having held out for 18 months, and losing its case twice, Microsoft has finally agreed to stop its nefarious tactics. After a lengthy battle with Germany's Baden-Wurtenberg consumer rights center, Microsoft made the announcement to avoid the continuation of legal action. A press release on the Baden-Wurtenberg website reveals that Microsoft has announced it will no longer download operating system files to users' computers without their permission: Microsoft will not download install files for new operating systems to a user system's hard disk without a user's consent. The consumer rights center hoped for this resolution to be reached much sooner, but Microsoft's decision will please the courts and could have a bearing on how the company acts in other countries.

4 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Good start, but not enough by nine-times · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They said (emphasis mine):

    Microsoft will not download install files for new operating systems to a user system’s hard disk without a user's consent.

    How about you just don't upload or download anything without the user's consent?

  2. Re:Is this across the board? by avandesande · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Not sure where you are getting this from, TFA just mentions files for a new operating system. Since MS has stated there will never be a 'Windows 11' they aren't really giving up much here.

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  3. Yea right by burtosis · · Score: 5, Insightful
    More like

    Microsoft will never sneakily force updates on users through large downloads and only in Germany

    FTFY

  4. Coporate Justice? by TiggertheMad · · Score: 5, Insightful

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_Fraud_and_Abuse_Act

    TLDR? From the first paragraph of the wikipedia summary:The law prohibits accessing a computer without authorization, or in excess of authorization.

    Putting file on a computer for the purpose of an unrequested upgrade certainly seems to be 'in excess of authorization', especially when you factor in the several million counts of it. The people who authorized this decision are CRIMINALS.

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