Posted on 12/16/2015 6:30:12 PM PST by dayglored
Fire up any computer running Windows 7 or 8 and you'll be used to a message or three inviting you to upgrade to Windows 10. But the latest pop-up screen doesn't even give you a choice.
The large pop-up screen, which first appeared over the weekend, gives users the option of upgrading straight away or ... that evening. Users can still opt out by clicking on the red 'X' in the top right corner of the window, but less savvy computer users (part of Redmond's core market segments) might not figure that out.
This is not a new idea; it's called the assumptive sell and has been in pop-up ads for years. But it's not the kind of tactic you'd expect from a respectable firm like Microsoft - or at least, not until Windows 10 came along.
When Microsoft announced in January that Windows 10 upgrades would be free for users of versions 7 and 8 in the first 12 months after release, many people were pleased. But as time has gone on it has become clear that Windows users aren't being offered the upgrade, so much as having it rammed down their throats.
Besides the pop-ups, Microsoft has already added the Windows 10 upgrade as an "optional" update in its monthly Patch Tuesday cycle. But early next year that will be changed to a "recommended" update, meaning that those who have set the patching cycle to Automatic will download the new OS by default.
This is partly behind predictions from analysts about how Windows 10 upgrades will bloom next year. That's something Microsoft will be praying for, especially since Windows 10 installations have been lagging of late.
Microsoft had no comment on the new pop-up practices, referring us instead to an earlier blog post on the matter that states:
"Windows Update is the trusted, logical location for our most important updates, and adding Windows 10 here is another way we will make it easy for you to find your upgrade. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose to continue."
The latest pop-up screen is yet another tactic by Microsoft to increase updates, but you have to wonder where the line is between helpful prodding and infuriating nagging.
Ah, Microsoft.
I see the sleaze still goes in before the code comes out.
“If operating systems were like ice cream, Windows would be vanilla, Linux would be 31 Flavors.”
That’s vanilla with salmonella contained within.
Maybe they're not compatible with Windows 10. What are their specs?
I’ve never understood WHY MS is giving this update away.
Nor, WHY it is SO INSISTENT that everyone accept the free giveaway.
Odd, imho...
DOOD. Clearly you are teh haxorz.
"1MB". (I assume you meant "1GB".)
Actually, I did up a VM of the MSDOS from Win98se the other night, with 1MB. Runs awesome fast on a Core i5 LOL.
Simple. They need to consolidate the consumer and small business user base into a single version of Windows, one that stays updated, one that vacuums up user data that they can use to sell more stuff, or that they can sell to someone else who will sell more stuff.
Hence the "spyware" telemetry and private data tracking. Smart users "turn that sh*t off", in the immortal words of Chris Rock.
People are still using Windows XP. Not so much Vista, but a TON of people are using Win7. Win 8.x was a disaster.
They HAVE to make Windows 10 a success, which is defined as "get it into everybody's machines, now".
I hid KB3035583 a few months ago, and found another KB3035583 in the queue today. Both are now hidden. They’re different sized and point to the same MS Support link. Weird.
Maybe not downloading any updates after the first week almost two years ago did the trick?
Been just as solid as the old XP box as well.
I just got a major windows 10 upgrade notice which downloaded lastnight from the one I installed in July. Took over an hour....I have no clue what changes occurred. As long as I can get into my stuff, I am happy.
Nope, the netbook has only 1MB RAM memory.
I was a bit surprised the Win7 “Starter” was eligible for the Win10 upgrade...and even more surprised it outperformed Win7 on only 1MB memory.
Oooops.....it does have 1GB memory.
I must have been having a 1970’s flashback...but feeling much better now.
Ummmm.... wow. That can't be right... It's like saying you crossed the Pacific in a bathtub with a newspaper for a sail...
WHEW. You weren't the only one having flashbacks.... :-)
Cue the creepy stalker girlfriend pic...
And you can’t turn this crap off.
It’s not the only nuisance software out there. Opera nags me even with updates turned off.
“Hey we’ve got something new, are you SURE you don’t want our latest, it’s ready to install!”
Stop loading crap on my system killing my bandwith and eating up my storage.
This message isn’t just aimed at MS.
Open ‘God Mode’ in win7 and you’ll have all the admin features you want all in one place.
How do you hide KB3035583?
I’ve uninstalled it before and don’t have the updates on.
It’s back. Or have they been renaming it and pushing it out unrequested?
They’re desperate to get their spyware and Obamaware installed. Even if I wanted the damn thing, which I assuredly do not, their presumption would be enough to make sure it never rocks one of my machines. EVER.
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