Posted on 07/02/2016 8:23:08 AM PDT by dayglored
As the Windows 10 free upgrade period draws to a close, Microsoft is stepping up its operating system's nagware to full-screen takeovers.
The Redmond software giant confirmed today it will start showing dark blue screens urging people to install the latest version of Windows. The full-screen ads will pop up on Windows 7 and 8.1 desktops from now until July 30, when the free upgrade period ends.
"This notification is a reminder that the Window 10 free upgrade offer ends on July 29, 2016. Microsoft recommends that you upgrade to Windows 10 before the offer expires," Microsoft said.
"You can choose to upgrade directly from the notification, dismiss the notification permanently, or choose to be reminded later."
Windows 10 has its benefits but not everyone is willing to stomach the force-fed upgrade. This week a Reg hack found out the hard way that latest Microsoft OS had knackered his laptop's mic and webcam, preventing him from using Skype properly.
Microsoft says users who have selected the "do not notify me again" option or who have manually disabled notifications through registry key settings will not see the update, as will those who have previously uninstalled Windows 10, have had a failed installation, or don't have PCs that can support the new OS.
This comes as Microsoft has been widely criticized for forcing the Windows 10 upgrade on folks and popping up migration screens at wildly inappropriate times. It's hoped that after the free period is over, and you'll have to pay for Windows 10, Microsoft will dial down its efforts to cram its software onto people's machines.
“Yes, in theory. But a lot of folks have found that “reverting” does not, in fact, restore their system successfully. It’s scrambled, or hosed. “
yes, and I’m one of those folks. AND I figured out why. Unlike a full restore point, only a minimal state of the OS is saved for subsequent possible rollback, namely OS files and the registry.
So if you allow (or get tricked into allowing) the in-place W10 “upgrade” and ANYTHING at all changes regarding user-installed software AFTER the “upgrade”, such as a printer driver upgrade, new version of java or flash, or ANY other change to your software, you’ll be hosed if you attempt a rollback because the restored original registry will then be totally out of sync with your updated/altered programs, pointing to old, usually non-existent, parts of your original program components.
One of the ugliest things about this after rollback is that attempts to re-install your damaged software often fail because the uninstallers of the original software have been damaged and the new software won’t install until the old software has been uninstalled, which is now impossible because the uninstallers won’t work any more.
So, while exhorting you about the ease of trying W10 and then rolling back if you don’t like it, Microsoft has essentially been lying.
To paraphrase Obama, “If you like your Windows 7 you can keep your Windows 10.” ;-)
If you rollback ASAP, without changing/upgrading/adding/removing any software, you might be ok.
> From a regular user standpoint...I can’t see what the big deal is. Win 10 will run better on old hardware versus XP or 7 AND be more stable.
I tried W10 on my main server only to discover that some of my most important programs would not run, including the RAID drivers.
I have found I am totally unable to update now. Once I get my updates, the check to start updating includes the “Start downloading your Windows 10 now”. I am afraid to do it. Always before it had a separate box which I could uncheck.
I have found I am totally unable to update now. Once I get my updates, the check to start updating includes the “Start downloading your Windows 10 now”. I am afraid to do it. Always before it had a separate box which I could uncheck.
As a Windows 10 user, all I can say is, f*ck Microsoft. They obviously do not believe in liberty.
So, after July 29, MS will not only rape you but charge you for it.
This is what happens when society doesn’t discipline its children...they grow up to do irrational things like this thinking they are the most important issue for everyone else.
This. Exactly.
Even though the W 10 that was forced upon us worked well and caused no problems, we really resented the sneaky way they did it.
And even though our switch to Linux is causing us some problems in several areas, it’s a small price to pay to take a stand against these kinds of tactics.
I can’t believe that MS didn’t realize the bad blood that all of this would cause.
-JT
MS needs to be brought into court for a class-action suit.
“Oh just upgrade then revert back to what ever windows you’re using...”
My son tried to revert his desktop computer back to 7 after 10 was causing all sorts of havoc, and it wouldn’t go back, no matter what he did.
He finally had to waste a perfectly good two terabyte hard drive and reinstall 7 from a disk on a new hard drive.
Nasty piece of software, that 10.
How are they forcing it on you?
AMEN. I haven’t seen the nag screen.
Automatic upgrades
“MS needs to be brought into court for a class-action suit.”
Throw an anti-trust action in with that.
There’s no safety — or privacy — in having most of the world’s computers using the same OS.
What automatic updates?
Dumped Windows 8 two weeks ago. Went to Linux Mint, a little effort but worth it so far.
If all you use your “dot com” machine for is to surf the internet, just get a $200 Chromebook and use it until it breaks, rinse and repeat.
abusive.
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