Windows 10's "upgrade" prompt has officially adopted malware-like tactics

Here's the article for reference: http://www.pcworld.com/article/3073...dows-10-pop-up-tricks-you-into-upgrading.html

So, the gist of it is that they've changed the W10 update prompt. Now, closing off the prompt will count as "consent", which is what leads to some users having W10 just "start" updating randomly... like during livestreams. In fact I've seen more than one streamer that I personally watch (not just a video of it) force their PC off because W10 began attempting to install on it (despite how dangerous that might be).

If you want to avoid the updates and use normal updates from Windows Update, I suggest installing GWX Control Panel from here: http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/

It's a run-once, block everything/delete what's already there, then you're basically done, as far as I know. Alternately, one can use Never10, also linked in the article, which can be found here: https://www.grc.com/never10.htm

Note that I've never tried Never10, so I can't say it. I've got GWX Control Panel on mine and both my sisters' laptops, and it has no performance impact or anything I can tell. Welcome to the time when we need third party programs to retain control of our own PCs! =D

 

Just saw this as well and came to post it. No matter what you think of Win10 this is sneaky as hell, forcing an upgrade when you close with X.

Spoiler: Win 10 prompt

 

I used GWX Control Panel on my Yoga 2 with no ill effects.

 

Just unbelievable really. And when they "free" keys expire this July, what about those that never signed up for the program? Will they just be forced to upgrade and purchase the key? This entire Win 10 thing is ridiculous.

 

I use GWX Control Panel on all of my non-10 systems and have only positive things to say about it. By far my favorite system is now Win 8.1 with Classic Shell and GWX CP installed - I'm going to ride that until Win 8.1 ceases to be supported or there's an unyielding need to move more of my systems to Win10.

 

Win10 is great in my opinion, once you block the spyware (I use the free O&O shutup) and disable auto driver update that can cause problems, I also use the not free but cheap (startisback) better than the stock Win10 start menu.

John.

 

Great article. Another dose of ridiculous behaviour from Malwaresoft.

Agree that 10 is good once 'tamed' and all the useless trash and bloat removed. But generally, '10' is synonymous with disgusting tactics from a once great company, now fumbling and in disarray.
Staying on 8.1, behaves perfect here.

 

The worst part of these "free upgrades" is windows 10 is not compatible with every device, even though they are pushing it to them. I had a terrible experience trying to factory restore a laptop that got accidentally updated to windows 10. the laptop would only boot to a black screen due to a non-supported gpu. It took me 2 days to recover the data off the hard drive and restore to windows 8.1. tip: you can't upgrade from win8 to 8.1 without a microsoft account.

 

Related malware tactics > http://betanews.com/2016/05/17/microsoft-forces-skype-on-me/

 

Microsoft is going to "upgrade" themselves right out of business.

 

The problem with 10 is that the only thing they've truly "improved" on over 8.1 as far as end-user comfort goes is re-adding the start menu. There are a ridiculous amount of other downsides, most notably a constant battle for them to have control over your system. Other "security" hoops to jump through, such as what was introduced in W8 where disabling driver signature enforcement MUST require a reboot each time, or the inability to spam F8 on boot to just boot into safe mode (requiring Windows to be launchable and usable otherwise, or requiring a fail-to-boot condition in the OS and multiple failed boot attempts for the option to show up), still remain however... for our "own protection".

Windows 8.1 requires exactly one third party utility for me. Start8. Once that's installed, and I have my start menu back and disabled all the charms options and whatnot, then I'm set. Windows 10 requires much more... hacking... of the OS to get it to MIMIC Windows 8.1 levels of user control, and even then updates and whatnot must still happen (8 months is the longest one can defer) and the OS resetting many settings sometimes on reboot often on update is indeed a huge issue. I've seen more than once power plan settings be reset, far less the privacy options that need to be re-turned-off all the time.

If you need to hack an OS to get control, it's not good. It doesn't matter if it has the best performance in the world, or if it was the most stable in the world (of which neither applies here), if the design is for you to not have control over your system so they can sell your data, then it's designed to be anti-consumer. I'm certain if I used it I could easily make it work for me... but there is no reason for me to sacrifice my current stability and control.

Not with how many people insist W10 is perfectly fine and there are no problems or bad design choices.

 

That's the most concerning part. People act like Windows 10 is the greatest thing since Windows 7, and its really not, at all...

 

If the OS had the freedom and lack of attempting to control your system like Windows 7, and the improvements to usage/quality-of-life that currently exists in 10, EVEN IF ONCE TELEMETRY IS ON IT ACTED AS IT CURRENTLY DOES (but turning it off is permanent of course), then it'd be the best OS we've ever seen. All its attempts to control things are breaking stability, especially on somewhat older devices.

I've had my father, a HR manager, call me in the middle of the day because people in his office had W10 install itself and suddenly they can't use the printer, or run programs they're accustomed to in the office, wanting to know what to do. Please note they have IT personnel. It was just THAT urgent.

 

I (personally) don't think so. The Windows 7 UI works miles better than the Win 10 UI, at least on traditional computers. Windows 7 was less ugly, and I'm pissed aeroglass still hasn't returned.

Then there's all the telemetry and hijacking/control issues to deal with. Now this aggressive update procedure? I'm sure some people will be defecting to Apple over this kind of behavior.

 

I wasn't talking about the UI exactly. I meant the new additions like... better native multi-monitor support. Better desktop rendering with respect to monitor capture type scenarios. Better aero snapping for productivity purposes, etc (people claiming that making windows fit to half or 1/4 the screen etc is easy and useful). Faster boot times, less default resources used (without any bloat, base system install to base system install, W7 ultimate uses a little more sRAM than W8.1 Pro or W10 Pro, as far as I remember), etc.

W8.1/10 aren't perfect; their aero uses more vRAM than W7 for example, but with W10 they had a chance to actually bring the best of all worlds. They instead chose to take control of PCs as far as they could go without making the general public feel like they don't control their own systems, and make the OS more restricted.

 

Most people are far too cheap to defect to Apple IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Apple are actually worse than Microsoft. They hit Mac users with update notices for installing El Capitan using the same tiny dialogue boxes used for notifying users about critical security updates.

 

M$ just gets worse with each passing day. Linux seems to be the proper option for most but there is the stigma of over complexity to overcome.

The thing is that with KDE, or other GUI, Linux needs to be no more complex than running a W7 system for most casual users.

 

Even made it's way to BBC News. Good.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36367221

 

That's not even as far as it has to go. We need linux to create an OS that has something like a 95%+ adoption rate for EVERY single program. We need legacy programs to work perfectly, even if there needs a windows emulator built into the kernel of the OS... once adoption is widespread because of compatibility, programs can be made primarily for that Linux OS alongside, or instead of, Windows.

The problem is getting an OS of that level. Also, the OS needs to use DirectX.

 

Microsoft would never let DirectX function on another OS. Everyone needs to move to Vulkan.

 

That's a rather big issue. Especially with respect to AMD and their OpenGL drivers. Though, I did say that we'd need emulation-type software in the OS.

We just need to make sure that EVERYTHING works. It has to happen. Otherwise the OS will flop, it's simply a fact. People would need to dual-boot to play 99% of titles launched prior to the launch of that OS, and gamers, while not nearly the whole picture, are indeed a massive chunk of the market.

FUTURE titles however, sure. Not a problem. I wholeheartedly believe we should start dumping any top-end new title into Vulkan.

 

I can't recall the last time that "EVERYTHING works" is how I'd describe any version of Microsoft Windows.

 

"EVERYTHING works" doesn't apply to any OS ever. If it did, we wouldn't have forums dedicated to solving the problems we have with them lol.

 

That's why I said 95% compatibility rating. It's got to be about as compatible with things as Windows 7 Ultimate x64 is.

 

I am stating as it is today, the mom's and pop's no longer need a windows malware machine. Agreed they could use a MAC but prices do make that kind of rough. The free Linux machines should do, there are even chrome books that may suffice as well. Again, the malware tactics may just eventually hit M$ hard once the public realizes it is no longer a necessity.

 

Windows 10 is compatible with a lot of games that don't work in 7 or 8.1 - for example the original Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and Quake 4 all work in Windows 10.

Honestly Steam is making decent headway into Linux with a lot of games and Epic was one of the first to support Linux back with UT2K4 having a native binary (and it worked very well).

Most of the apps in Windows have open source alternatives in Linux. AMD is fixing the drivers for Linux on Fiji and above chips. I don't like that they're leaving the old products in the dark but at least they're working on their drivers. Nvidia has always had decent drivers for Linux although SLI has never been implemented at all for mobile chips and very few games make use of the AFR on the desktop.

 

The original? I know the ones on steam work without issue.

What about UT 2004? It does not work on Windows 8.1 x64; does it work in 10 without needing a patch?

The thing about the Linux OS to replace gaming is that it needs to replace "windows". People need to not have to worry about "if" some program from 2010 or something will work. They don't have to worry about that for the most part now; only a few rather old/obscure games seem to have a whole lot of issues with Windows that I've ever really seen. Linux needs to be something like that. The stupid man must be able to at least use it to basic effect, with minimal "learning"... but the business side of things need to be able to simply "adopt" it as well.

And on the flip side, MANY programs businesses use do not work above Windows 7. Some Windows XP-designed programs have been able to get to W7 with little difficulty in terms of stability and usability, however W8 and up, ESPECIALLY W10, do not have such luxury. I'm considering an OS to completely replace Windows, for gamers and businesses and mom & pop shops and the kid who knows more about their phone than their computer and whoever else you've got. It has to essentially perform like (or better than) Windows, with none of the malware tactics and lack of control, and maybe better resource usage.

 

Then you're looking at OS X at best and we all know OS X doesn't support all the programs and a lot of people, myself included, find the OS UI cumbersome.

I haven't tried UT2K4 in Windows 10 and since my laptop is in the shop and my desktop doesn't have an optical drive I can't try it.

 

UT2K4 v3334 (September 2004) Demo.



Had to use the same trick we did on the demo when it came out and kept crashing on resolution changes and edit the INI but it works flawlessly.

And yes, I was referring to the non-Steam versions of FF. The original disc releases. The only patch needed is the video patch but that was needed to get anything over 320x240 without a Voodoo card on the original game (I had the very first boxed release).

 

I just GPedited my Windows 8.1 install to not allow any system upgrades, as well as doing another registry edit. Now, even if I have KB3035583 (I practically memorised that number), I don't get the GWX icon/prompts/crap that MS is doing.

My Windows 8.1 install is perfectly good, with StartIsBack and AeroGlass to give it that Windows 7 look-and-feel.

MS itself has published an article telling us how to disable these nags.

 

That article doesn't help the general user, though. It should have the option to disable the update directly through the "schedule upgrade" popup; even if it needs clicking "more info" to access it.

They're willing to push updates against peoples' will, but you have to go hunting for a way to disable it? And they didn't inform anyone that "closing it" meant "consent" either. I won't give them quarter for it; I know they always had instructions on how to disable the updates. But then the update kept coming back even after being hidden, and now people need to manually do advanced tuning to their OS for it?

I simply don't run updates unless I know exactly what I'm installing, and I choose each update myself.

 

All of this GWX nonsense ends in July. They're stepping up their push to get as many Windows 10 users as possible before they start charging for it. Not that it matters since they added most of the telemetry to 7 and 8.1 now anyway.

 

This is ridiculous, It had officially become a Malwaresoft's Winblows X Malware Edition.
Just don't fix what ain't broken, No updates no mess, Peace here since 8+years

 

Given that XPocalypse was exclusively an enterprise problem, shouldn't MS focus on getting enterprises - as opposed to individuals - to upgrade to Windows 10 if their goal is to avoid a 7pocalypse?

Most home users don't know or care about OS versions and as such will naturally upgrade their OS when they get a new laptop (or more specifically, they'll just use whatever OS comes preinstalled on their new laptop), and that's bound to happen at least once between now and January 2020, regardless of what Microsoft does or does not offer for free.

 

No, and the reason is consumers. Microsoft are taking a page from Apple's book: the OS isn't the product. It's the shipping container used to deliver the product. For Apple the product is the App Store and iTunes. Microsoft are playing catch-up with the Microsoft Store and Universal Windows Platform apps. Windows 10 is how UWP apps are delivered. Little to none of this is of any interest to enterprise customers.

 

The new Chromebooks coming out this year will have the ability to run android apps. This may be the perfect solution for a lot of home users not wanting MSmalware.

 

Apple has an excellent App Store with useful apps for every niche, Windows has a terrible one filled with garbage. That's not going to change with higher Windows 10 adoption rates alone.

I mean, it's not like the existing Windows 10 install base is spending hundreds of dollars on apps per person every year, so why would Microsoft expect new Windows 10 users to act any differently?

 

They will with enough exclusives such as Forza 6 and Quantum Break.

 

I think it's kind of late for that. Microsoft has traditionally kept their own titles for the Xbox only so most of us who wanted to play those franchises bought an Xbox One before we knew that they would come to PC as well and since the performance on the PC is lackluster and riddled with issues, most of us still prefer to play them on the Xbox, myself included.

 

Xbox One sales have been pathetic to say the least. The best estimates put total sales at around 18 million units, about half of PS4 total sales. Meanwhile, as of the beginning of May, there were 300 million PCs actively running Windows 10. That's sixteen times as many Windows 10 PCs as total Xbox One sales. Just 10% of these Windows 10 owners is a larger customer base than all Xbox One owners.

 

That may be the case but how many of those Xbox sales do you think went towards Microsoft exclusives like Forza, Halo, etc? If someone already got the Xbox, there's a much better chance that they got the game for Xbox as well, if for no other reason than to justify the purchase. I have the Xbox One, PS4, PS3, and the Wii U and quite frankly I rarely use any of them (the Wii U hasn't even been turned on more than a handful of times although that may change whenever I get in the mood to play Bayonetta 2 or Mario Kart). My PS4 gets more game time than my Xbox though for sure. The OS is cleaner, the games perform better, and there are more games that are attractive to my tastes on the PS4 than the Xbox. With how shoddy PC releases have been, I've been picking up games for the PS4 more than for the PC, especially after how much hell Watch Dogs was on PC.

 

From a friend this morning...

"Will let you know once I get my computer back. ****ing Microsoft . I kept getting these unsolicited messages asking me to upgrade to windows 10. Free upgrade yada yada yada!! Was going on for months. I kept saying no no no. In the middle of running the virus checker last night somehow Microsoft got hold on my machine and gave me an involuntary
Win10 upgrade . Bastards!!!"

 

So what? If just 10% of Windows 10 owners buy a game from the Microsoft Store then Microsoft will have sold more copies of that game that way then there are Xbox One consoles in existence.

 

Seeing as the Microsoft Store would be enjoying a record year if 10% of Windows 10 owners merely bought something this year regardless of what it is, what makes you think that getting 10% of them to buy a game would be a realistic goal when most of them aren't even gamers?

 

Because a few of them are core gamers, and plenty of them are casual gamers.

 

"Over the past week, I’ve received more contact from readers about this issue than I have about everything else I’ve written over the rest of my career combined"

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3075...bling-critical-updates-at-their-own-risk.html

 

The rub here is we can see what M$ will do now, to anyone and everyone any time it wants. Why would you trust W10 that essentially has to update at all times. Whatever W10 is today can be changed on a dime and you will have to accept it. I just have lost any knid of trust I once had for them.

 

According to the most recent data I could find (albeit from last year), there are roughly 1.5 billion Windows devices but only 125 million active Steam users. In other words, even the most popular platform for PC gamers has failed to capture 10% of Windows users.

So, assuming that Microsoft has now succeeded at getting people to migrate and virtually all 1.5 billion PCs are running Windows 10 giving it a market share comparable to that of Windows XP at its peak, how do you now foresee Microsoft beating Valve? A handful of not-so-exclusives won't be enough to take the Microsoft Store from being a total joke to being the undisputed #1, regardless of Windows 10 adoption rates.

 

"A significant portion of average users won’t have the technical knowledge to roll back to Windows 7 or 8 after a surprise upgrade. If you’re a standard, non-technically inclined PC user pushed into Windows 10, there’s no way to cut off Windows Updates even if you don’t trust them anymore."

" Microsoft’s aggressive Windows 10 upgrade push began by adopting malware-like tactics to deceive users into upgrading"

At work every day someone is always asking me "could you fix my laptop" and the problem is W10 . It now has come to a point that i just say sorry but i just don't have the time. I know that some of my older coworkers just gave up and put there laptop up and are using there android tablet now because its something they know how to use. W10 has turned off so many users that they are looking elsewhere to surf the internet. Good job Microsoft