Val wrote:
I don't read anything in the EULA portions quoted below that indicates MS
has any right to install updates when one has explicitly opted out of them.
Continuing on in section 7 the Vista EULA,

. Windows Update Feature. You may connect new hardware to your device.
Your device may not have the drivers needed to communicate with that
hardware. If so, the update feature of the software can obtain the correct
driver from Microsoft and install it on your device. You can switch off
this update feature.

As a consumer, I would expect that if I do "...switch off this update
feature", I expect it to stay switched off. Period. No quibbling.

It's my computer.

Val

Hi Val. That was my point which Bruce so conveniently ignored in my
other post to this thread.



"Bruce Chambers" wrote in message
...
Silicon neuron wrote:

Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users'
knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.




Actually, this is *not* being done _without_ user consent. Just the
opposite. Every user of each operating systems has been given advance
notice that such things could happen, and has consented to it.

Read the Vista EULA. Section 7 makes it clear that this could happen:

================================================== ======================

7. INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. Microsoft provides Internet-based services
with the software. It may *change* or cancel them at any time.
a. Consent for Internet-Based Services. The software features
described below and in the Windows Vista Privacy Statement connect to
Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet. *In
some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when they connect.*
You may switch off these features or not use them. For more information
about these features, see the Windows Vista Privacy Statement at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=20615. By using these features,
you consent to the transmission of this information. Microsoft does not
use the information to identify or contact you.

================================================== ======================
(Emphasis mine)

The WinXP EULA also made this clear:

================================================== ======================

Internet-Based Services Components. The SOFTWARE contains
components that enable and facilitate the use of certain
Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that
MS, Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries may
automatically check the version of the SOFTWARE and/or
its components that you are utilizing and may provide
upgrades or supplements to the SOFTWARE that may be
*automatically* downloaded to your COMPUTER.

================================================== ======================
(Again, emphasis mine)


Do I approve of this practice? Not really. I'd prefer to know about
each and every change as it happens, just on the off chance that, if a
problem occurs, I've better information on which to base my
troubleshooting. But I'm an exception; most people simply don't want to
know about technical details of how the OS is working.





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