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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.

18 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. And... by Type44Q · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And we made sure of this because we locked up the fuckers responsible.

    Right??

    1. Re:And... by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 3, Interesting

      While I agree with the sentiments, you can't lock up an entire company's work force. Because everyone involved is only partially involved, and each individual could point to a thousand others that each contributed to boneheaded decisions, to the point that no one person is culpable.

      The fix, is if this was "criminal" offense, would be to go after the CxO and Board of Directors and actually lock THEM up for the group think decisions of the company they are supposed to oversee. IF you actually started going after the top people, the culture underneath would change. Until that actually happens ... don't expect any real changes.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    2. Re:And... by megamind · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Windows update has been relabeled to "version control" and install files have been renamed to "for your benefit security patches". Germans should wise up and realize nothing they do or say will stop Microsoft from doing whatever they want.

    3. Re:And... by nukenerd · · Score: 5, Informative

      Interfering with someone's computer without their permission is a criminal offence in Europe. In the UK it comes under the Computer Misuse Act. It just seems that no-one (other than, in Germany, the Baden-Wurtenberg consumer rights center) has the bottle to pursue this.

      From this :-

      CMA 1990 introduced the following three new offences into UK criminal law:

              unauthorised access to computer material;
              unauthorised access with intent to commit a further offence;
              Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of computer, etc (as amended by the Police and Justice Act 2006).

      I would consider converting Windows 7 to Windows 10 shows an intent to impair.

    4. Re:And... by Anne+Thwacks · · Score: 4, Funny
      They are not human, but, in law, they are a person. This puts them in much the same category as the undead, and evil spirits - to which they show a close resemblance.

      I'm with the meat grinder guy.

      --
      Sent from my ASR33 using ASCII
  2. Trust Us by FerociousFerret · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can trust us this time. Honest! We have changed.

  3. They just agree to stop and that's it? by HalAtWork · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There are no demands to make up for all of the inconvenience, wasted time, overages on bandwidth, etc?

    Slap on the wrist...

    --
    Twinstiq, game news
  4. I totally read that as... by Ann+O'Nymous-Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Microsoft Will Again Sneakily Force Windows Downloads on Users

    because let's be real, they've got a track record.

  5. Next Step by avandesande · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sue to extend this to system updates so MS is forced to restore the previous functionality that was available to users.

    --
    love is just extroverted narcissism
  6. Payback by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

    Germans complain about Microsoft and come back proclaiming "Peace for our time".

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  7. 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?

  8. 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.

    --
    love is just extroverted narcissism
  9. SubjectIsSubject by p0p0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

    They really need a clear definition of "consent" because from what I remember just hitting the "X" on the upgrade Window instead of "Cancel" was actually considered consent by MS. It's purposefully misleading and you know they'll do it again with Windows 11 or whatever bullshit name they call it.

  10. 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

  11. Meaningless commitment by Immerman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I seem to recall them claiming (a year or so ago?) that Windows 10 would be the last version of Windows, it's rolling updates from here on out. In which case this announcement is a completely meaningless way to duck punishment - they promise to no longer download files for a new operating system... because they will no longer release new operating systems. Just massive updates to their only one.

    --
    --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
  12. No problem by mysidia · · Score: 4, Insightful

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

    UPDATED EULA VERSION

    By using the software you hereby consent to ....
    ....
    .... [ 25 pages later ]
    ....

    Your computer automatically downloading and installing updates for bugfixes, security patches, and operating system upgrades with no further notification required, with no guarantee of visible a UI indication, options dialog, or other opportunity being provided defer, pause, cancel, undo, revert, or to opt-out of this process of automatic self-updating.

  13. Ya got that right! by s1d3track3D · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Microsoft Will Never Again Sneakily Force Windows Downloads on Users

    Ya got that right! - Ex-Windows user

  14. 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.

    --

    HA! I just wasted some of your bandwidth with a frivolous sig!