Windows 10 Attack

Johnnie · May 21, 2016, 04:48:46 PM

Yesterday on my office PC and today on my gaming machine, I "inadvertently" upgraded to Windows 10. I was getting popups everday but thought I was carefully closing the popups. Today I was playing DC 3 Barbarossa when, I swear, it happened on its own, right in the middle of my turn.

This happen to anyone else? I am really upset by it.

Gusington · May 21, 2016, 04:51:36 PM

Yes it happened to me a few days ago. However when I got to the install screen I was able to hit 'decline legalese' and it actually worked...did not install. It did not offer you a last chance to decline their terms and abort the install?

Johnnie · May 21, 2016, 04:57:15 PM

No Gus. I didn't get to the legal until it had already installed, about an hour into it. I agreed to the legal stuff at that point thinking it was already done.

Gusington · May 21, 2016, 05:04:55 PM

^Oh crap. Can you go to a previous install point on your HD?

Johnnie · May 21, 2016, 05:09:25 PM

Don't know. Not sure I want to mess with it either. What is in it for Microsoft to "force" you to "upgrade?"

bobarossa · May 21, 2016, 05:14:34 PM

Microsoft has been installing updates for a couple years now to allow them to do this to you. On my Win7 machine I have identified 7 updates so far that are part of it. You can decline installing them or even uninstall them (control panel/programs and features; select 'view installed updates' in upper left).
KB3068708
KB3022345
KB3075249
KB3080149
KB2952664
KB3035583
KB3138612
I'm sure there will be more. So far they have always been buried in the updates that aren't listed as a security update.

bobarossa · May 21, 2016, 05:16:58 PM

Quote from: Johnnie on May 21, 2016, 05:09:25 PM
Don't know. Not sure I want to mess with it either. What is in it for Microsoft to "force" you to "upgrade?"

My memory is that Microsoft buried into win10 the ability to force you to accept updates and to allow for subscription option for windows. This will allow them to force you to pay a yearly subscription to keep your PC functioning. Media and user backlash made them disable those features but I'm sure they can be turned back on.

They claim the reason is to reduce costs by not having to support older operating systems (not untrue).

Huw the Poo · May 21, 2016, 05:19:31 PM

It's to give them more control over your PC and, by extension, you. The built-in spyware is a revenue stream for them too.

mirth · May 21, 2016, 05:26:04 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on May 21, 2016, 05:19:31 PM
It's to give them more control over your PC and, by extension, you. The built-in spyware is a revenue stream for them too.

Bingo. Built-in spyware and adware.

mirth · May 21, 2016, 05:29:46 PM

Johnnie, there is a lengthy ongoing discussion about Windows 10 in this thread. Including folk's battles to keep Win 10 off their systems.

http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=13776.250

FarAway Sooner · May 21, 2016, 06:40:14 PM

The settings on their pop-up windows changed a few weeks back, and it got a lot easier for folks to inadventently approve installation. They switched to an "opt out" model as opposed to an "opt in" model.

That said, the "free upgrade" window is coming to a close (for those who plan to ever install it) on (I think) June 30th. I don't have all the reservations that many do in the referenced thread and went ahead and took the plunge. It was the easiest upgrade I've done yet, but still had a pothole or two.

The fact that I've only hit one or two potholes almost a week in is annoying, but a good sign compared to previous upgrades. Once you do the upgrade, you can then reinstall from scratch with a clean build, should you so desire.

WallysWorld · May 21, 2016, 09:03:42 PM

I set up my Windows 7 Updates to notify me of any updates, but not to download. That way I check each and every update for stuff like this Windows 10 upgrade thing.

Redwolf · May 21, 2016, 09:34:55 PM

The behavior from Microsoft is at least 20 years old. Anybody who still uses windows for anything important gets what they deserve.

Dread Rlyeh · May 21, 2016, 09:43:20 PM

You can disable the windows update service. I honestly don't think this carries a huge amount of risk if you are behind a hardware, software firewall + adblock. Wait until the plebs have tested out the updates, and update every few months or so. That has been my MO for years without issue. Small sample size and all...

Nefaro · May 21, 2016, 10:59:33 PM

Quote from: WallysWorld on May 21, 2016, 09:03:42 PM
I set up my Windows 7 Updates to notify me of any updates, but not to download. That way I check each and every update for stuff like these Windows 10 upgrade thing.

This.

I've been setting this option, on all my personal Windows installs, for years.

No sudden surprises.

Are some of my Windows features susceptible to some vague back door security issue? Perhaps. But I guarantee they still exist on the fully updated ones too. :P