Windows is forcing users to upgrade to Windows 10

[Sallubrious]

As of Feb 1 microsoft has changed it's policy on upgrades and the upgrade to windows 10 will no longer be optional. The status of the upgrade has been changed from optional to recommended, which seems like a minor difference but the change in status will mean the upgrade will happen automatically if you haven't specifically changed your update settings from default.

Some users won't be bothered by the new upgrade, but people on pre-paid and data limited contracts could get caught out as the upgrade requires approx 6 GB of data to be downloaded. It could easily blow your limit and in some cases could work out quite costly for users exceeding their data limit.

Chances are if you are running win 7 or 8.1 etc parts of the download have already commenced.

I haven't used Micro$oft for years but if history proves anything you'll be likely to need to purchase new software and licenses etc for the new OS, so there could be a hidden trap to extort some extra cash out you there too. People on some systems have already reported issues with some drivers as well, so it could be a painful experience for some. You can also expect some of your software such as games to not work on the new win10, particularly if are running win7

Below is some more info on what's going on and how to prevent it you don't want it.

http://www.ghacks.net/2016/02/02/windows-10-is-a-recommended-update-now/

How to block the upgrade

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-block-windows-10-upgrade-downloads-if-youre-not-1730024570

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/10/windows-10-may-already-be-on-your-pc-even-if-you-dont-want-it/

Even if you do block the upgrade as shown above micro$oft has already installed a few persistent programs that could sneak the upgrade through anyway, if you are still having problems the GWX (get windows 10) control panel will help you turn it all off.

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/11/17/improved-gwx-control-panel-does-an-even-better-job-at-keeping-windows-10-off-your-pc/

I just checked a win 8.1 computer with the GWX control panel and the windows upgrade folder already had 6.1 GB of unwanted shit in it. The control panel made it easy to remove it all block the upgrade for now. If that 6.1 GB download is typical, some people could be in for a bill shock this month if the sneaky upgrade has slipped in while they weren't aware.

Edited February 4, 2016 by Sallubrious

[Maxuel Powers III]

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Edited March 5, 2016 by Maxuel Powers III

[DiscoStu]

holy shit, they really want your data don't they

http://www.networkworld.com/article/2956574/microsoft-subnet/windows-10-privacy-spyware-settings-user-agreement.html

We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to.

what the fuck is this shit?

[Sallubrious]

I found that too Stu, I installed a pre-release version of win10 and the installation wouldn't proceed without agreeing to to that policy. As soon as I clicked yes the installer did a full nmap scan of my network and sent a report straight to micro$oft. They could justify the need for the network scan to enable idiots to easily set up their network, but why micro$oft has to have a report on it is questionable.

After it was installed I did more more nmap and netstat scans and found it was phoning home constantly.

I believe it's set up out of the box as spyware.

What I didn't like was the way every search I did took me to their webstore. It's all about scamming cash out of people. None of my games would work, even under compatibility mode either, so if I wanted to play them I'd have to buy new versions. Games are the only reason I'd ever use window$ but these days I'd rather use Xbox or playstation.

There's no doubt it's a huge improvement over win8 -8.1 garbage, but it is still an overbloated piece of crap.

Fuck bill gates and the gerbil he rode in on.

Edited February 5, 2016 by Sallubrious

[SayN]

I too think Win 10 could be spyware out of the box but in this day and age it almost seems like a reasonable move... sigh. sad but 'true' - not that i would necessarily know 'truth' anymore - i am a mere pawn. To be honest, I've long given up on caring who wades through my dirty laundry - i have little to hide on my pc's anymore.

And Microsoft is a capitalistic venture no doubt but they don't necessarily strike me as the worst. Apple on the other hand... Similarly, there's worst billionaires in the world than Bill, who seems to be doing some good work in the third world, and i doubt he has much to do with the running of the company these days (even though Donald disagrees).

This is interesting news though that it's a recommended/forced upgrade - thanks for the heads up. I actually have auto-updates off as, being a developer (well sorta), the last thing i want is it fucking with my stability.

[ThunderIdeal]

thanks sal

for what it's worth i had my PC on cautious settings for windows updates and the GWX tool (nifty tool!) didn't have any options that could further protect me from windows 10 (except for "enable monitoring").

however a laptop which i didn't take very seriously surprised me a few weeks ago when i restarted into windows 10 unexpectedly.

[El Presidente Hillbillios]

ah shit, i think theyre going to get me then. my windows 7 has been telling me a year or more its not genuine and pay up or else

[Maxuel Powers III]

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Edited March 5, 2016 by Maxuel Powers III

[Sallubrious]

I tried to do a fresh install of a pre release version of winx without the cable plugged in & the installation wouldn't proceed. It got the EULA page and the installer wouldn't go any further.

I actually read the entire EULA, that's why I had the cable un-plugged. If you read through it you'll find clauses that allow micro$oft to monitor everything you do - emails, log keystrokes, read all your files and snoop around with all your social media. This is outright spyware without a shadow of a doubt. It even fits micro$ofts own definitions of spyware and malware as published on their own website.

Most people never read a EULA and in one case I saw in the UK as a test to see how gullible people are, researchers set up a WiFi access point and included a clause in the agreement that gave the owners of the hotspot rights to the users first born child or favourite pet and people agreed to it. The winx EULA gives micro$oft legal access to everything you do online and offline, so they may as well add a clause for your firstborn child.

& I reinstall a new OS every few months without the need for the installer to access any of my private files. Linux can be installed in about ten minutes and if you have permanent data on a backup petition it can mount it with appropriate permissions and then be unmounted to keep it secure.

I'll never go back to micro$oft, so I couldn't be bothered wading through mountains of crap to find out how to secure their software. Does winx have a setting to switch off the inbuilt keystroke logger or the other spyware ?

A few quotes from the winx EULA

“If you open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes any use [of]it for purposes such as improving performance, or [if you]enter text, we may collect typed characters, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving autocomplete and spell check features.”

“Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.”

“We may collect information about your device and applications and use it for purposes such as determining or improving compatibility” and “use voice input features like speech-to-text, we may collect voice information and use it for purposes such as improving speech processing.”

And from the EULA I mentioned above, that people agreed to.

Your First Born Child

In using this service, you agree to relinquish your first born child to F-Secure, as and when the company requires it. In the event that no children are produced, your most beloved pet will be taken instead. The terms of this agreement stand for eternity.

They can shove that right up their arse. I'll never agree to anything like that.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Sallubrious

[ghosty]

AWW come on peeps.. Windows 7 or vista didn't offer enough control over you and your life. This new upgrade is AWESOME!!

Umm,

yeah right...

When i was younger, I used to use my penis to screw folks. after capturing them with a smile. It had it's pleasures. Nowadays we need to use recorded keystrokes and stolen private voice to ensure some kind of courtship. how times have changed..