Microsoft downloads Windows 10 on user machines without asking

[TheIrishman]

Microsoft downloads Windows 10 on user machines without asking

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/11/microsoft-downloading-windows-1

Microsoft has admitted that it is automatically downloading Windows 10 on to user machines even when they have expressed no interest in installing the new operating system.

As discovered by an Inquirer reader, the automatic download takes up between 3.5GB and 6GB of storage on the user's computer. Some recent Windows computers, including new form-factors such as Windows tablets, have only a small amount of storage as little as 32GB, making the download potentially up to 19% of the total hard drive space.

The download happens in the background unbeknown to the user. If the user is on a slow internet connection as many are in rural and poorly connected areas it could severely impact other time-critical activities. It could also take up a significant chunk of a metered internet connection, which can provide as little as 40GB of downloads per month.

User reports indicate the Windows 10 download occurs on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 computers with automatic updates turned on. Automatic updates are a good idea, as they install much needed bug fixes and security updates when they are released. But Windows 10 is neither a bug fix nor a security update; it is a whole new version of the Windows operating system.

Microsoft said in a statement: "for individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they'll need if they decide to upgrade."

Source: The Guardian

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[siwakotisaurav]

Hey I didnt hear anything of that sort, I thought it asked permission before downloading. Anyway it has been "proved" it gives out info about pirated games as well, so I'm steering clear of win 10 right now, too shady for me.

[DickSwagger]

You must still apply for it ,but its intrusive yes

 I read Microsoft privacy statement,here is a excerpt from it.
“Finally, we will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to: 1. comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal process, including from law enforcement or other government agencies; 2. protect our customers, for example to prevent spam or attempts to defraud users of the services, or to help prevent the loss of life or serious injury of anyone; 3. operate and maintain the security of our services, including to prevent or stop an attack on our computer systems or networks; or 4. protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the use of the services – however, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property of Microsoft, we will not inspect a customer’s private content ourselves, but we may refer the matter to law enforcement.”

So in short: If you into BTC dont use windows 10. If Privacy is not a issue sure grab a free copy.

[mallard]

If you can't decide on an alternative operating system, Debian GNU/Linux is a good choice 

[Ab-Soul]

It didn't automatically download in my PC. I'm a Windows 7 user and my Windows Update preferences is ask me before do anything.

[TheIrishman]

It didn't automatically download in my PC. I'm a Windows 7 user and my Windows Update preferences is ask me before do anything.

It's being downloaded for people who have Windows Update set to "download updates automatically".

[DickSwagger]

But getting rid of the invite in the taskbar took a bit of time. If this is a glimpse of the future , we are heading to having no independance, or privacy.
Banking details , passwords , private keys , bots tracking your every post, email, chat or click and if certain words in its library used your life is quickly a open investigastion, For the saftey of the many.

[kromtar]

Just uninstall the update that come with that windows 10 shit offer and hide that update. Also change the update config to ask before install anything...

I had to do this 2 times, they are desperately pressing the damn thing.

[Vod]

I had to do this 2 times, they are desperately pressing the damn thing.

They did it to themselves.

Windows 7 is so stable no one wants to upgrade. 

[DickSwagger]

Just uninstall the update that come with that windows 10 shit offer and hide that update. Also change the update config to ask before install anything...

I had to do this 2 times, they are desperately pressing the damn thing.

Yes they determined. I had to wipe their file in Registry too Cant believe anybody would want it with their privacy statement as it is.

[abody1233]

Oh no

[mallard]

Also change the update config to ask before install anything...

You probably still want some updates, because they include some important security fixes.

[Lethn]

And this is why I always disable automatic updates.

[twister]

I keep the updates to manual as I am on a limited data plan and can't afford to lose bandwidth to unimportant things such as "critical updates" .

[Lauda]

And this is why I always disable automatic updates.

Well this is all good until a critical vulnerability is found and you miss out on the patch. This is why manually updating is probably the best of both worlds. Someone should keep a list of which updates should be avoided to make it easier for everyone. If someone knows what updates should be avoided, please post them here (as the article doesn't state exactly which).

[Lethn]

And this is why I always disable automatic updates.

Well this is all good until a critical vulnerability is found and you miss out on the patch. This is why manually updating is probably the best of both worlds. Someone should keep a list of which updates should be avoided to make it easier for everyone. If someone knows what updates should be avoided, please post them here (as the article doesn't state exactly which).

Well that's why I check for things manually, like with the Bitcoin wallet, I'm keeping an eye on how that's going to turn out and which update to grab, I can make a better judgement than some company trying to automatically install junk on my PC so it makes them more money. Anyone remember when they tried to put a DRM update in? I put my updates on manual when installing the new OS and double checked on the internet which code it was, made sure that piece of shit never made it to my PC.

[kolloh]

I can see the reason they predownload it so that if a user wants to upgrade, its a quick process.

However, they should really ask before doing this as some users also have download caps and this could eat through it fairly quickly. Also, imagine if you were tethering and it was downloading this through your phone's connection.