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Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

computerworld.com

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Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#81

Post by apexalpha »

smittywerben wrote: post #69

There is an overwhelming amount of "but the users NEED to update" in the Windows 10 community. Sorry but now users are running random scripts they find on the internet. This is worse than just "hacking the registry" or adding some group policy to disable auto-updates. I need security and no random shutdowns. I switched to linux about a year ago. Lots of complaints, yes, but no auto-updates. Example scripts (haven't u…

For every person running a script there are thousands now updating their computers who would've simply clicked 'no' on previous versions.

Win10 is inherently more secure because of these forced updates. Think about WannaCry... it only worked _because_ people (and organisations) don't update.

Now I understand that some people apparently need a system that will never update, but I agree with the policy of simply forcing the updates for 99% of the people.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#82

Post by chopin »

apexalpha wrote: post #81
smittywerben wrote: post #69

There is an overwhelming amount of "but the users NEED to update" in the Windows 10 community. Sorry but now users are running random scripts they find on the internet. This is worse than just "hacking the registry" or adding some group policy to disable auto-updates. I need security and no random shutdowns. I switched to linux about a year ago. Lots of complaints, yes, but no auto-updates. Example scripts (haven't u…

For every person running a script there are thousands now updating their computers who would've simply clicked 'no' on previous versions. Win10 is inherently more secure because of these forced updates. Think about WannaCry... it only worked _because_ people (and organisations) don't update. Now I understand that some people apparently need a system that will never update, but I agree with the policy of simply forcin…

For security fixes, that is. Not for adware, crapware or phone home capabilities (or resetting your preferences) bundled on top. Microsoft ruined the benefits of auto-updates for which it should be criticized much more.

I believe Microsoft wants two things: A more homogeneous installation base and the beloved walled garden with phone home capabilities. Both are directly adverse to users interests. Therefore people don't want to update.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#83

Post by chopin »

zeedee wrote: post #47

- Ignores options blocking automatic updates - Installs update assistant on your machine without permission - Starts downloading updates without giving you the option to stop other than killing the process (which just restarts again in a few minutes) - Re-installs update assistant if you try to delete/uninstall or break it - Re-starts update service within minutes even if you keep disabling it - Re-boots your machine…

I can only encourage the switch. I switched to Linux Mint recently and it was smooth even for the not-so-computer-literate users in my family.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#84

Post by nkkollaw »

A few years ago you would have Apple fans bragging about how Apple is so much better, but now it's just as bad.

You have Linux left, but then again I accidentally removed the wrong package the other day and I made my system completely non-functional, to the point that I had to reinstall from scratch.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#85

Post by dijit »

reacweb wrote: post #79
dijit wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a really nice development ecosystem I'm told. Our developers write exclusively Windows software (games company) and even though it costs us multiple millions of dollars in software licenses to run dedicated servers, the "cost of porting" is high enough to prevent people from doing it.

No, it is not a nice development ecosystem. Visual studio is a good IDE for c++ and c# development. Eclipse is slightly better on Windows than on Linux. In Linux, the whole OS is development friendly.

Ok, but you must understand that I'm going on the word of 500~ developers. Maybe they selection bias themselves for Windows affinity but a lot have development experience with Linux too and smirk at things like epoll with absolute derision.

I'm not a developer myself but seeing how they work on Windows is definitely impressive.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#86

Post by darklajid »

poizan42 wrote: post #66
KMag wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the OP is saying they are on a metered connection, and ran out of quota, so they had to go pony up more money in order to be able to finish their studies.

Yes clearly, but they should set it as metered in Windows, like here: https://i.imgur.com/Y71LI5F.png

Doesn't always help. Co-worker used my hotspot, Windows force-downloaded updates.

How do I know? I was roaming and the data plan ran out, we caught it in the act.

Metered!

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#87

Post by LifeLiverTransp »

apexalpha wrote: post #81
smittywerben wrote: post #69

There is an overwhelming amount of "but the users NEED to update" in the Windows 10 community. Sorry but now users are running random scripts they find on the internet. This is worse than just "hacking the registry" or adding some group policy to disable auto-updates. I need security and no random shutdowns. I switched to linux about a year ago. Lots of complaints, yes, but no auto-updates. Example scripts (haven't u…

For every person running a script there are thousands now updating their computers who would've simply clicked 'no' on previous versions. Win10 is inherently more secure because of these forced updates. Think about WannaCry... it only worked _because_ people (and organisations) don't update. Now I understand that some people apparently need a system that will never update, but I agree with the policy of simply forcin…

And people and organisations dont update, because security still allows itself to be taken for a ride- so microsoft can shovell addware, unwanted bloat and instability (aka use users as unpaid beta-testers).

If security researchers refuse to protest publicly and loud against beeing taken for a ride, then this hostilitys between users/powerusers will escalate further.

The problem is, that microsoft doesent want customers anymore- they want facebook like subjects, and with every update these change in motives is becoming more transparent. There is no real opt-out, add-free, pay for, security only update edition. For now. My guess is that several linux distros are currently trying to fill that g-app.

After that- windows will go out the window.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#88

Post by spystath »

yolobey wrote: post #49

Oh boy, this happened to me despite using the enterprise edition. The system forced an upgrade, despite me doing everything to stop it, and every time the upgrade crashed and I had to roll back to the previous version. Every day. I spent a month like this, on an always-on system, trying to shut down the upgrade downloader from the task bar whenever I can after failing to stop it from settings, group policy, horsing a…

I'm mostly a Linux user but I use Windows at work. There is also an additional Windows computer in my house. Although I can't say I dislike Windows there is a singular issue with it that really grinds my gears. The OS assumes way too much about what I want to do. I get it that the defaults are there for the inexperienced or casual users but there really needs to be a way to tell the OS "Hands off! I know what I'm doing". I really don't want arbitrary actions to be made before I consent to them.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#89

Post by John_KZ »

LifeLiverTransp wrote: post #42

Everytime they overcome the carefully crafted group policys and firewall settings- i ask myself- what is the difference to a rather run down linux distro here. The drivers do not work, i have no control over my system, the options they offer you- are like a toddlers toys- nice buttons to push, which the 'adults' can safely ignore on every update. The only thing still keeping me in windows is the ecosystem of software…

The only secure way to run windows at this point is to get an old CD or ISO and run it in a VM or air-gapped machine. Unfortunately a lot of software these days ignores the possibility of being disconnected from the internet - some folks won't even provide a real installer, just a downloader for the installer.

Re: Microsoft again forced upgrades on Win10 PCs specifically set to block updates

#90

Post by fzzzy »

dijit wrote: post #85
reacweb wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it is not a nice development ecosystem. Visual studio is a good IDE for c++ and c# development. Eclipse is slightly better on Windows than on Linux. In Linux, the whole OS is development friendly.

Ok, but you must understand that I'm going on the word of 500~ developers. Maybe they selection bias themselves for Windows affinity but a lot have development experience with Linux too and smirk at things like epoll with absolute derision. I'm not a developer myself but seeing how they work on Windows is definitely impressive.

They smirk at epoll but are happy with IOCP? That seems... unlikely to me.
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