Next year's Windows 10 auto-upgrade is MSFT's worst idea since Vista (Win7/8 -> Win10 surprise!)

The Register ^ | Oct 31, 2015 | Iain Thomson

[dayglored]

Basically, starting next year, if Automatic Updates are enabled (that's the default), and you normally install the updates recommended by Microsoft (seems like a good idea, right?), you will suddenly find that your computer has been converted from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10, without your approval or knowledge.

Hoo boy, who thought this was a good idea?

[dayglored]

Here's your Windows 10 auto-install -- whether you want it or not ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Those who are computer savvy, and enterprise customers, will know how to avoid this. But the vast majority of Windows users who had wanted to stay with Windows 7 or 8.1 will find out whether they like Windows 10 the hard way.

[Inyo-Mono]

Delete, delete!

[dayglored]

Now before all the Windows 10 fans jump down my throat...

This isn't about whether Windows 10 is a good operating system. I'm running Windows 10 at work. It's a fine operating system.

It's about whether Microsoft should be automatically converting users' systems -- which had been left alone on purpose -- without the users' permission or knowledge.

[lee martell]

Whether I want it or not eh? We’ll see about that, won’t we?

[doc1019]

Off to Linux I go, hi ho, hi ho.

[null and void]

They sure are desperate to get everyone on Win10.

What’s in it for Microsoft, hmmmmm?

[dayglored]

There's also the issue of data / bandwidth usage for the multi-GB download you didn't ask for or expect.

Surprise!! You just topped your monthly data cap and are hit with a bill for the overage.

[Secret Agent Man]

Its how you claim an o/s is a huge success. Why look how many people are using it.

[dayglored]

> Whether I want it or not eh? We’ll see about that, won’t we?

Turn off Automatic Updates, and each month, do them manually, checking for and declining anything related to Windows 10.

[nopardons]

I do NOT want Windows 10; not even if they paid me to take it!

I'm not a techie, my 7 does everything and more than I need it to do as it is. What's so "great" about 10 anyway ?

[Reno89519]

There will always be someone out to complain. Microsoft Windows 10 is an excellent version and free upgrades is a great long-range marketing strategy. My 6+ desktops and laptops made the transition without a hitch.

[dayglored]

> Its how you claim an o/s is a huge success. Why look how many people are using it.

Somebody in Redmond must have looked at the uptake rates, and the falloff percentages over time, and done a calculation, and realized that they aren't going to make their "numbers" (One Billion Installs by some time in the next few years) unless they start forcing it down people's throats.

[umgud]

If you are a neophyte or old school, you’ll have a real thrill getting up to speed on 10.

[dayglored]

"Free upgrade" is not the same as "You don't get to avoid the upgrade".

And like I commented earlier, it's not about whether Windows 10 is a good OS -- it's a fine OS.

This is about Microsoft taking away the option to not upgrade, and forcing it.

[null and void]

Fine, they can pay the huge fees to get my CAD software upgraded to run on win10. I’m quite happy with the versions that run on XP and win7

[Secret Agent Man]

Its not like they didnt have this anyway with corporations.

They are contractually in an upgrade path, for corporate licenses. So this is really aiming at the individuals and smaller shops that are not locked into forced upgrades due to licensing contracts.

[dayglored]

> If you are a neophyte or old school, you’ll have a real thrill getting up to speed on 10.

I'm way old school, and I didn't have much problem getting used to Windows 10.

Granted, I hate the remnants of the Metro GUI with a passion, but other than that it works just fine once you discover where they hid all the stuff this time around.

[dayglored]

> Fine, they can pay the huge fees to get my CAD software upgraded to run on win10. I’m quite happy with the versions that run on XP and win7

Turn off Automatic Updates, and each month, do them manually, checking for and declining anything related to Windows 10.

[ChildOfThe60s]

When I bought my most recent Win 7 PC 4 or 5 years ago, first thing I did after booting up was turn off all updates. Haven’t DL one single update or patch. Works just fine.