The Guardian – by Samuel Gibbs
Microsoft’s efforts to entice users to upgrade to Windows 10 will soon see it automatically downloaded on to users computers without their knowledge.
The company announced that Windows 10 will become a “recommended update” starting next year, which means anyone with Windows 7 or 8 that has automatic updates activated – the default and the best way to keep a computer protected against security bugs – will have Windows 10 automatically downloaded without asking.
What’s more, the installer for Windows 10 will start once it has been downloading, presenting users with a popup. Users will be able to decline the update, once the installer has started, or prevent the update from being downloaded by manually blocking it in Windows update.
But the propensity of users to simply hit “OK” or accept when faced with a prompt in the middle of doing something else, will likely see users just blindly hit OK and unknowingly installing Windows 10, preventing access to the computer while the instalment completes.
Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices group said: “If you choose to upgrade (our recommendation!), then you will have 31 days to roll back to your previous Windows version if you don’t love it.”
Windows 10 automatically downloads on to the computers of those running Windows 7 or 8 who have registered interest in the new version of Windows.
Optional first, recommended later
Windows 10 will imminently be upgraded to an “optional” update, which could also see it downloaded automatically if a user has manually set Windows update to automatically install optional updates as well as recommended updates.
While Windows 10 has seen good reviews and one of the best launches for a Windows version since Windows 98 in terms of compatibility with existing devices and software, automatic downloads may cause issues, particularly for those short of storage space or on metered internet connections.
“If you are on a metered connection on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, then you have the option of turning off automatic updates. We strongly discourage this in today’s connected world because of the constant risk of internet threats,” said Myerson.
The automatic Windows 10 download has been shown to take up between 3.5GB and 6GB on a user’s computer. Some metered connections provide as little as 40GB of data allowance a month. Some Windows 8 computers have as little as 32GB of storage space.
Should the user decline the installation of Windows 10 after it has been downloaded the update will not be automatically deleted, meaning it will sit on a user’s computer taking up storage space.
Windows 10, which is free when upgrading, had been installed on 75m computers by the end of August, accounting for 4.9% of desktop internet users according to data from web analytics firm StatCounter. Windows 7 still held a 48.1% share of global internet users.
Since it needs repeating: Linux Ubuntu.
And 90% of the software programs that are HUNDREDS of dollars for Windows or Mac, are free with Linux.
But hey; Why listen to logic?
You posted while I was writing my post, but obviously we agree. 🙂
I’d be careful about using Ubuntu, though. I’m not intimately familiar with it, but apparently there’s been some controversy around that distro (and some others) regarding privacy. Ubuntu might be one of the most user-friendly distros to learn on; I just wouldn’t consider it as secure as some others.
Not too sure about Ubuntu:
Unless they fixed this:
Richard Stallman calls Ubuntu “spyware” because it tracks searches
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/12/richard-stallman-calls-ubuntu-spyware-because-it-tracks-searches/
If you want privacy use whonix.
If you want security have an encrypted air-gapped computer in a faraday cage.
Anyone have an opinion on linux mint?
-flek
Mint 17 is what I switched to. Found no security problems YET.
I’ve been using MicroShaft prods since ’83. So it’s cumbersome to switch back to unix derivatives since MS made it awful convenient to forget my command line skills. The desktop Xface will have to be a crutch until I get back up to snuff…that seems to be the worst of it so far… 🙂
Linux isn’t the panacea that Linux fanboys think it is. While it might be the perfect solution for you, that in no way translates into Linux being the answer for everyone. Sure, there are hobbled versions of paid software available for Linux that work ok, but in my experience, every time a client (I’m an IT consultant) wants to consider a Linux migration we quickly learn that what they do with their computers just isn’t possible with Linux. Most smb’s run their businesses on applications that have no Linux compatibility. Their vendors peripherals are built for windows, not Linux. If all you do is check emails and cruise the web, then any OS will work, otherwise, lots of homework is required to determine if everything will work for you.
Wanna know why it’s called “Windows”? Because it gives the government a window into everything you do on your computer.
Linux is the way to go. It’s still not perfectly secure, but it’s a huge improvement, especially if you use one of the distributions (“distros”) recommended by the Free Software Foundation on their website.
Anyone who wants to learn Linux can always get a cheap computer dedicated to that purpose while keeping the Windows spyware PC for less privacy-sensitive matters. Computers are cheap enough now that most can afford more than one. Besides, since Linux and the software that runs on it is generally free to download, you’ll save a ton of money in the long run by not paying Microsoft to help Big Brother spy on you.
i am set to never check for updates.
“… will have Windows 10 automatically downloaded without asking.”
No, it won’t.
I don’t have a permanent internet connection.
I can’t complain to much.
Because if it wasn’t for Microsoft’s fkd up software.
I wouldn’t have had a career in IT for over 25 years.
But those updates every month were definitely a pain in the rear.
They were like a monthly period for a woman.
You didn’t know how long it was going to last… or how much you were going to bleed.
makes me glad my windows are painted shut…
“While Windows 10 has seen good reviews and one of the best launches for a Windows version since Windows 98 in terms of compatibility with existing devices and software, automatic downloads may cause issues, particularly for those short of storage space or on metered internet connections.”
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What reviews were those? Microsoft’s own reviews? Because not ONE person I know of wants it and everyone I hear says its worse than Windows 8 ever was and everything I have read about it says that it makes Windows 8 look like NAFTA and Windows 10 look like the TPP in terms of taking over your computer and everything on it. Maybe that’s why they are pushing it so hard. They can’t fully take control of the Internet and your computer without it.
“If you are on a metered connection on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, then you have the option of turning off automatic updates. We strongly discourage this in today’s connected world because of the constant risk of internet threats,” said Myerson.”
Sure you do….because if we in “today’s connected world” who don’t want to be “connected” turn off the automatic updates, then you can’t take control of our computers. Sorry, but I’ll be keeping my automatic updates turned OFF, FOREVER! Bye!
Same here NC. 😡