Windows 10 as an automatic update in 2016

[jamil]

Your opinion is yours. Your experience as an enterprise IT support staff is going to be quite different than that of most small businesses. Even those who embrace the need for ongoing IT support. To be an early adapter of Vista tells me that you had a fairly robust IT department to deal with the issues that came from Vista NOT BEING READY for release, at least from the perspective of the small user.

The reason for this post was simply to inform those who might be effected by a surprise update that left them with no choice in the matter. Home or Work makes little difference if you are the one being surprised.

At home I don't mind automatic updates for minor updates. Every major OS version I've ever installed since MS Dos 3.0, I've installed manually. I want to make sure I have a fresh backup before updated to a new OS. An OS vendor who forces an automatic update to the next major version OS is just ****ing retarded.

 

[wtburnette]

For myself, my system is likely to remain Windows 7 until support for it ends, which is quite a ways off. When that occurs, I'll see what my options are. There just isn't anything compelling enough in Windows 10 for me to upgrade to it, even with it being "free". This is my personal decision and I could care less what anyone else thinks about it. Nothing wrong with sticking with what you know and like, especially while it's still supported.

 

[jamil]

I still run some XP VMs as test beds for work.

 

[pudly]

It's not that I can't imagine other reasons why someone would elect to not want updates, but they are often unadvised.

Sorry Josh. Can't agree with you. Those who are staying on Windows 7 are often well informed and capable of making their own decisions on how, when and if they should upgrade. They are not the sheeple that bought into the initial hype that Microsoft pushed to get everyone to upgrade to Win10. Windows 7 will have security updates until 2020. That is all I want. For many, there is no reason to upgrade. For me, it is more about privacy and the unending tracking and spying that their new OS brings into my home. That is why I'm in an active migration to Linux, but am having to fight Microsoft to keep even one system on Win7. Offering the upgrade initially involved freely choice. Good for them. Microsoft has clearly shifted over to making decisions for their customers including those who have already said no.

Frankly, the comparisons to Liberty vs. the Centralized all-powerful government are just too close to ignore. Leave me and my systems the **** alone. Don't tell me how I should use my system.

 

[=Josh=]

Those who are staying on Windows 7 are often well informed and capable of making their own decisions...

For those who are competent and sophisticated PC users, I have no problem with that. For the average PC user--who can't seem to go a month without getting some sort of malware or doesn't know the difference between RAM and HDD, I stand by my statement. I find that most people in this category who don't want to upgrade to Win10 just don't like change, which is silly. If you know what you're doing and have a reason for it, more power to you. For the uneducated or unfamiliar, recommending they take advantage of the free upgrade is one of the first things that I do. If you're calling my shop to remove that virus you got even though you have Norton, McAfee and AVG all installed, I'm going to suggest we get you on the latest version of Windows almost every time.

If you can self-diagnose and self-support, there's no issues with sticking with Win7, however the AVERAGE user doesn't fit this description.

 

[pudly]

The average user has already upgraded. They were given a lot of hype to be in the initial upgrade wave. They've been given unending reminders to upgrade since then. Those who haven't have made a conscious choice. Microsoft has gone way over the line into coercion from free market solutions for their customers. I've been forced to find hacks to keep from upgrading against my will. Microsoft is not even releasing information on how to voluntarily opt out.

That is why I'm switching to Linux and have helped several INGOers in the same transition. Control of our own computers is important. Having others control my systems remotely, be deceitful in the process, and act against my wishes is intolerable.

 

[WebSnyper]

EXACTLY! I want my computers to be more like my TVs. I turn them on when I want to use them and turn them off when I'm done, they don't have a secret life of their own that I don't control. Periodically, I buy a new one when there is some additional feature I find worthy of the hassle. I want a reliable, stable operating system, not the precursor to SKYNET. Every 'great leap forward' from MS seems largely to patch gaping security holes they left in the code or to copy the best features that have been popularized by other, better products - or both. When my current laptop has run its course it will be macbook pro for me.

TVs are also going smart, and internet connected, etc. I don't have one, but I suspect they get updates, etc. Gaming consoles that are internet connected get updates as well (including, yes, new OS's)

It's not simply about a couple of dollars. In a business environment you never adopt early when it comes to a new os. MS has found a way to make it look like you should want to do this. For your general purpose email, internet viewer, porn machine, I doubt it makes a lot of difference. Do what you like. Just don't try to force me to adopt one night while our office is closed and the machines are running.

As others have stated, even a small business should be managing their updates.

There's not a chance on earth that this will happen to any PC joined to a domain.

Agreed, any that are managed properly anyway.

At home I don't mind automatic updates for minor updates. Every major OS version I've ever installed since MS Dos 3.0, I've installed manually. I want to make sure I have a fresh backup before updated to a new OS. An OS vendor who forces an automatic update to the next major version OS is just ****ing retarded.

For as long as it has taken you to type this, you could change the way your machine gets updated. It is not being forced. It is being added to recommended updates, from what I understand, unless something on that has changed.

7 is still supported until 2020, including security updates. I don't think forced is the proper term here.

 

[JTScribe]

You may have the only valid reason not to change. There are alternatives to WMC in a home theater environment though that aren't OS dependent. I'd recommend looking into Kodi or another solution so you're prepared for the future. Expecting to be able to use a piece of software long term that has been abandoned by the vendor will eventually lead you to problems.

Kodi doesn't support protected content over CableCard. Media Center is the only game in town for that at the moment. If something comes down the pike, that will be an opportunity, but for now, this is basically an embedded system that only goes on the net for Netflix and guide updates; security updates aren't a big concern. I don't even have AV on the thing.

 

[pudly]

Kodi doesn't support protected content over CableCard. Media Center is the only game in town for that at the moment. If something comes down the pike, that will be an opportunity, but for now, this is basically an embedded system that only goes on the net for Netflix and guide updates; security updates aren't a big concern. I don't even have AV on the thing.

If it connects to the Internet, you should still get security updates. It is vulnerable.

 

[jamil]

For those who are competent and sophisticated PC users, I have no problem with that. For the average PC user--who can't seem to go a month without getting some sort of malware or doesn't know the difference between RAM and HDD, I stand by my statement. I find that most people in this category who don't want to upgrade to Win10 just don't like change, which is silly. If you know what you're doing and have a reason for it, more power to you. For the uneducated or unfamiliar, recommending they take advantage of the free upgrade is one of the first things that I do. If you're calling my shop to remove that virus you got even though you have Norton, McAfee and AVG all installed, I'm going to suggest we get you on the latest version of Windows almost every time.

If you can self-diagnose and self-support, there's no issues with sticking with Win7, however the AVERAGE user doesn't fit this description.

As long as they don't have an older Sony Vaio. I can't imagine many "uneducated or unfamiliar" users thinking to check with the manufacturer before upgrading.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Pfft. I don't know how many times I've had to turn automatic updating off in 7, but gee, it doesn't seem to stay off. And that's 7. They're actually admitting some of them won't stay off in 10. Don't think they can't drill down into their database for whatever triviality they want; they have these things called "computers" now that I'm told can expedite that. I have a stack of updates I haven't exterminated yet trying to install themselves on my last 7 box. That's since the last time I turned off auto updates. Well, the time previous to the last, but it wasn't long ago. This is a waste of my time. Don't worry about malware; I've had all of two interesting virii in my life and fixed them without trouble.

I've been in PCs since DOS 1.25, dual windoze/Linux for about 15 years, before all that BSD Unix and VMS. I've genuflected in supplication to the high priests to submit a stack of Hollerith cards to the holy card reader. I've entered software in hex on an IMSAI 8080 and started it with EX E024. I've programmed Z80 in binary with dipswitches on a breadboard. I'm not the average user.

The thing is, and it's said of "free" websites, if you're not paying for it, YOU are the product. I'm not naive enough to think m$ is all rainbows and unicorns and just has my interests in mind. They want to cash in on a piece of me and they make it hella hard to get out of that. I have no meaningful relationship with apple, and I know how to dodge google. I'm cuttin the cord with m$, they can f right the h off.

 

[Tanfodude]

If you diable the services for auto update, it stays off. I posted the instructions on previous page.

Pfft. I don't know how many times I've had to turn automatic updating off in 7, but gee, it doesn't seem to stay off. And that's 7. They're actually admitting some of them won't stay off in 10. Don't think they can't drill down into their database for whatever triviality they want; they have these things called "computers" now that I'm told can expedite that. I have a stack of updates I haven't exterminated yet trying to install themselves on my last 7 box. That's since the last time I turned off auto updates. Well, the time previous to the last, but it wasn't long ago. This is a waste of my time. Don't worry about malware; I've had all of two interesting virii in my life and fixed them without trouble.

I've been in PCs since DOS 1.25, dual windoze/Linux for about 15 years, before all that BSD Unix and VMS. I've genuflected in supplication to the high priests to submit a stack of Hollerith cards to the holy card reader. I've entered software in hex on an IMSAI 8080 and started it with EX E024. I've programmed Z80 in binary with dipswitches on a breadboard. I'm not the average user.

The thing is, and it's said of "free" websites, if you're not paying for it, YOU are the product. I'm not naive enough to think m$ is all rainbows and unicorns and just has my interests in mind. They want to cash in on a piece of me and they make it hella hard to get out of that. I have no meaningful relationship with apple, and I know how to dodge google. I'm cuttin the cord with m$, they can f right the h off.

 

[=Josh=]

1. If you don't like Windows, feel free to use another OS. As has been mentioned, Linux, Ubuntu and others are perfectly acceptable. However, you should still update any system that is connected to the internet on a regular basis. No system is immune to malware regardless of what you might hear.
2. AFAIK no one is being forced to upgrade to Win10, especially if your system isn't compatible (such as a Sony Vaio). You might get nagged about opting in, but there are ways to stop that. If you're really worried about it getting installed without your consent, just turn off updates. Just understand that you're running at risk per point #1.
3. If you DO opt into Win10, either by upgrading now or purchasing later, you will not have an option to turn off automatic updates. You can delay them, but you will be forced to install updates at some point. If you don't like this, don't get Win10. In fact, I would recommend a new OS completely. However, you should still expect to keep any OS up to date.
4. Most people have not upgraded to Win10. Based on the 100 or so client systems that I have seen since it was made available, I would estimate that less than 10% of people have upgraded. With the way malware/adware has worked in the past 5+ years, people are used to seeing odd or obnoxious messages at boot and most people just ignore them and close them without reading it. I see this all the time. The techie types who are interested have already upgraded and the ones that know they don't want it have turned it off. There are some that MAY have upgraded without realizing what they were doing; but, in my experience, the vast majority have not.

Most people just want their system to work and they don't really care about understanding how or why. For these, I recommend Win10. I've upgraded my systems to Win10 as well so I can be educated and familiar when someone has a question and I haven't had any issues. I custom-build my desktops and strip laptops of the manufacturer bloatware as soon as I bring it home, so YMMV.

If you're on the fence or not sure if Win10 will work for you, I'd be happy to help you. If you want to do it on your own, just do a system image backup before you upgrade in case something goes wrong. Try it out and kick the tires for yourself. If you don't like it, you have 30 days to roll it back to the old OS. Or you can always restore the system image whenever you like.

 

[pudly]

AFAIK no one is being forced to upgrade to Win10

That is what this entire thread is about.

Microsoft to get pushy about upgrading to Windows 10

 

[wtburnette]

I can agree that the average user should upgrade to Windows 10 if their hardware supports it. That way they can stay on the latest Windows, get their updates and maybe slightly less zombie machines will be out there as part of a botnet. Probably not, but it doesn't hurt to try.

For those of us who aren't the average, we should have the choice to do what we want. I've worked in IT for over 20 years and have no problem maintaining my Windows 7 computer until it goes out of support. Once that happens, if they have something I want to switch to, I will. Otherwise I'll convert my main box to Linux, as my laptop already is.