Stan Brown wrote:
On Fri, 20 May 2016 13:49:24 -0400, Nil wrote:
On 20 May 2016, Paul wrote in
alt.comp.os.windows-8:
It's easy to see by the feedback in this
group, that with regard to MSFT and Windows Update,
we've slipped to level (3).
Quite right. Microsoft has lately given us MANY reasons to distrust
them, and more are coming regularly. It has been a very long time since
they have given us any reason to trust them, and they don't seem at all
interested in doing so.
I don't understand why a company whose business is to sell to consumers
would go so far out of their way to alienate those very customers, but
that's just what they are doing. It might result in higher "numbers" in
the short run, no matter how contrived and misleading, but it can only
backfire in the long run.
And they keep ramping it up[. Now if you simply close the box
inviting an update to Windows 10, Microsoft interprets that the same
as clicking OK. And that box itself pops up after a Recommended
update is installed.
This was reported in RISKS Digest, reposted from "Windows 10 goes
full malware"[1]: Microsoft is adding another chapter to the long[2]
and sordid[3] story of its latest OS. As reported[4] by Windows
Magazine, closing the upgrade permission window by clicking the
familiar red x results in "approval" of the installation. Per this[5]
Microsoft support document, "If you click on OK or on the red ?X?,
you're all set for the upgrade and there is nothing further to do."
[1] https://slashdot.org/submission/5878...-10-goes-full-
malware
[2] http://www.networkworld.com/article/2956574/microsoft-
subnet/windows-10-privacy-spyware-settings-user-agreement.html
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...30/windows-10-
automatic-download-windows-7-8-pc-computers
[4] http://archive.is/o2MFC
[5] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3095675
I haven't looked at this last one because it requires Javascript.
There's no good reason to require Javascript to view static content,
so this must be Microsoft doing something ELSE bad.
That seems correct to what the dialog says, which says "scheduled" (past
tense). Since the upgrade has already been scheduled, you have to take
ACTION (not inaction) to unschedule the upgrade. Clicking OK or exiting
the dialog using the X titlebar icon means you choose inaction.
This is typical of foistware (opted in by default) bundled in with an
installer that uses negatively worded prompts to opt out of the
foistware. You have to carefully read the option to understand if
unchecking or checking a box will result in not installing the
foistware. First they opt-in, by default, their foistware so you have
to *act* to opt out. Then they use negatively worded options so you
have to, say, *un*check a box to opt-out.
Microsoft took a clue from anti-virus vendors that long ago moved to a
subscriptionware-based scheme. Microsoft is taking another clue from
foistware on tricking users on how to opt-out.
You would think by now that users would realize that Microsoft has
pushed out bad updates so users should NEVER have Automatic Updates
configured to "automatically download and install". Some boobs just
never learn or choose to remain ignorant. The stories about hospitals
getting nailed shows that boobs are working even in IT departments. If
a nurse trying to power up gear for a patient sees a Windows 10 get
started (or completed) then the blame is on their IT department (or
equipment supplier) for installing the updates without review or
authorization or improper configuration of the equipment. Those in
charge of the equipment are also responsible for preventing infection by
ALL malware - and the Windows 10 upgrade has long qualified as malware
since the updates commit an action or effect not wanted by the afflicted
users.
Too bad the anti-virus vendors haven't gotten off their lazy asses to
categorize the non-Windows 7/8 updates on Windows 7/8 (i.e., all updates
that have only to do with migration to Windows 10) as malware. The OS
author is no longer trustworthy so their updates should be equally
treated as untrustworthy.