Windows 10 will assimilate you

https://tech.slashdot.org/story/16/05/24/171215/windows-10-upgrade-activates-by-clicking-red-x-close-button-in-prompt-message

Pretty much happened to me last night. I was in the middle of a blog post, got the annoying pop-up which was lagging so I clicked X, got up to grab some soda and by the time I got back, I was mid upgrade. Sigh. I guess I'll be spending my day off reformatting and reinstalling all my stuff

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Iristheangel

I actually love Windows 10 on all my other PCs and don't have a problem with it but there are some little compatibility issues here and there when you upgrade vs a fresh install and I wanted to keep one PC on Win 7. My issue in this thread wasn't to say Windows 10 is the suck or anything.... it's more Microsoft's shitty way of forcing upgrades that made me a bit pissed.

Russ5813

I actually sat down at my desktop this morning and was greeted with the "Welcome to Windows 10" screen...and I just did a fresh Windows 7 install last week. Didn't even get the usual "upgrade now!" spam. Like Iris, I don't really mind Windows 10 (have it on my laptop), but the way they force it on you is a bit sleazy.

JDMurray

For those of you wondering about the red X in the "Get Windows 10" box not cancelling the upgrade, the X only dismisses the box. If you want to reschedule or cancel the W10 upgrade then you need to click on the "here" link. Isn't that intuitive?

NetworkingStudent

Is Windows 10 more secure, than Windows 7 or 8.1?

If , than I just don't see a reason to upgrade.

JDMurray

W10 is very secure--if you don't connect it to the Internet. True for all versions of Windows. I'm not kidding.

TechGromit

Iristheangel wrote: »

Pretty much happened to me last night. I was in the middle of a blog post, got the annoying pop-up which was lagging so I clicked X, got up to grab some soda and by the time I got back, I was mid upgrade. Sigh. I guess I'll be spending my day off reformatting and reinstalling all my stuff

Normally I run with less than administrator rights unless I'm installing something. I've had popups every once in while ask for administrator rights, which I close and ignore.

JDMurray

Satya Nadella | CEO, Microsoft

TechGromit

tpatt100 wrote: »

This reminds me of the days of "I will hold on to Windows XP until they pull it from my cold dead hands". Then Windows 7 became the Windows XP. I like Windows 10 but I think I like it because I didn't care for Windows 8 and then I got used to it and they fixed some of the UI stuff.

We wouldn't mind so much if they asked you once and if you said NO, never bother you again about it. It's nag wear, they believe eventually will wear you do and you'll say yes. From that I read, Windows 10 isn't that bad of a product, but can you imagine if it was like another Vista? There would be rioting in the streets if we were all forced to upgrade to Vista.

apr911

Microsoft's methods have left a lot to be desired thankfully, I've been able to block the upgrade at the WSUS level on the boxes I dont want upgraded. Im sure its just a matter of time before it those boxes get upgraded anyway though and for most users WSUS is not an option.

My biggest complaint with Windows 10 is basically the same thing as the upgrade. I hate the Windows updates on Windows 10. I've lost a fair amount of work on more than one occasion because I walked away and windows decided to reboot to install updates. I get why they do it but dont like to the total lack of control I have. Even plugged into WSUS, I only have limited control. Once the updates are delivered downstream to the desktop that's it the box is rebooting in short order whether I want it to or not.

This is especially annoying since Microsoft has done away with patch Tuesday and is now on a more regular rolling schedule. I'd much prefer it if Microsoft would allow you to be at least 2-3 weeks behind before they start nagging you and a month behind before they forcibly reboot for you... I have boxes that cant really go offline even for the short reboot because I have services that have to be manually resumed and the fact that Microsoft can now decide to push an update and reboot the box on any ole day of the week and month is really tiresome.

That being said, this is addressed to the other people who have posted saying they have no reason to upgrade or citing licensing...

Microsoft has already answered the licensing question stating that the "for the lifetime of the device" is a driver related issue not a licensing issue. Microsoft is not going to disable your license because they feel "3 years" is the lifetime of your device but they are not going to support legacy hardware forever. I suppose this presents an issue that is at odds with their enforced update model but if any of us really reach that point where you are running legacy hardware that wont support the latest Windows 10 Id be surprised (myself personally, I go through a 2-4 years depending on the device) and the solution there is quite simple anyway: Disable Windows Update entirely. Block it at Windows firewall, disable the services, etc. If its a desktop you can even block it at your network firewall.

Microsoft is trying to move to a software model like Apple OSX. It's been speculated that Windows 10 will be the "last" version of Windows to be produced and I can certainly see it given the multiple builds that have been released and are planned to be released... Microsoft doesnt have cool names like "Mountain Lion" or "Yosemite" or "El Capitan" or the current "Sierra" (which is kind of a lame name compared to predecessors) but they are naming their builds they've had "Threshold 1" and "Threshold 2" and they are preparing for "Redstone" in the next month or so.

As for features that might make it worth your while? Well admittedly the current build doesnt have a whole lot of "new things" but the Redstone build. Here's just some of the features I find highly useful on my insider preview build

1. Multi-virtual desktops
2. Improved multi-monitor support with multi-monitor taskbars
3. Powershell improvements (which admittedly are available on older windows versions if you download a separate update)
4. Bash on Windows
5. Windows 10 Containers with Docker
6. Native screen video recorder
7. Native onedrive integration (saves me from having to send email attachments to myself)
8. Quadrant windows snapping (improved from full/half screen in windows 7/

9. command prompt improvements (resizeable, standard keyboard shortcuts)
10. A ton of new keyboard shortcuts

That's just a small list. Yeah not everything is perfect (bash on Windows still is lacking a lot of network support) but its better than Windows 8/8.1 for sure. Stacking it up against Windows 7 the general overall usage is similar so there might be little apparent reason to upgrade but arguably there's little reason to stick with Windows 7 unless you have specific reason to.

apr911

thomas_ wrote: »

Three years from now I don't want Microsoft to decide that my computer is end of life and that I need to pay for a new version of Windows 10 or have my device stop working with no way to revert back to 8.1 because my 8.1 license was "consumed" by my Windos 10 "upgrade".

Eventually I will buy a Windows 10 license, but I want to keep my 8.1 license, so I can have it in a virtual machine if I want.

I'm very leery of a company that forces updates in such a heavy-handed manner. It reminds me of walking through the mall and having the annoying, aggressive T-mobile kiosk salespeople trying to sell me a phone on the sole basis that on the surface their newer model of phone is better than my older version of phone. Your phone might be newer, but I like what I have and I'm not going to upgrade now because it's convenient for the salesperson.

I'm fine with Windows 8.1 and I'm not going to upgrade right now just because it's convenient for Microsoft's stock price in their pursuit of 1 billion installs or whatever they are trying to accomplish.

So I take it you dont own a modern smart phone either? I mean the iPhone and even Android have both been getting increasingly persistent and heavy-handed in forcing software updates, not just hardware ones.

I mean every time I turn on my phone, I get a notification that they want to install the new update. I can install now or defer until the middle of the night and then cancel when it asks me for the password in order to complete but that just means Ill get asked again next time I turn on my phone and Im sure if I had no password, I wouldn't be offered the option of cancelling.

varelg

apr911 wrote: »

Here's just some of the features I find highly useful on my insider preview build

1. Multi-virtual desktops
2. Improved multi-monitor support with multi-monitor taskbars
3. Powershell improvements (which admittedly are available on older windows versions if you download a separate update)
4. Bash on Windows
5. Windows 10 Containers with Docker
6. Native screen video recorder
7. Native onedrive integration (saves me from having to send email attachments to myself)
8. Quadrant windows snapping (improved from full/half screen in windows 7/
9. command prompt improvements (resizeable, standard keyboard shortcuts)
10. A ton of new keyboard shortcuts

That's just a small list.

Oh that's all nice and dandy. But then:

I only have limited control. Once the updates are delivered downstream to the desktop that's it the box is rebooting in short order whether I want it to or not.

All those improvements but your machine goes down at random times and looses your work. What's the purpose then?
Here's a thought: if they can figure out a way to apply the updates without rebooting, then let's start thinking about switching to Win 10.

DPG

Microsoft draws flak for pushing Windows 10 on PC users | The Seattle Times

Mike7

I bite the bullet and upgraded Windows 7. The results were mixed; Microsoft upgraded disk boot from BIOS to UEFI, the existing apps worked but some of my favourite apps such as 7-zip/Acrobat reader were removed.

Audio stopped working properly.

I burn a Windows 10 DVD (get from https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10) and did a fresh install. My PC is now much faster, more secure (e.g. UEFI secure boot) and I finally got rid of the "Upgrade to Windows 10" nagging. And I no longer have to worry about Windows product key if and when I reinstall in future.

Do remember to go to Settings, Privacy to turn off some of the settings, e.g. "Windows should ask for my feedback" under "Feedback & diagnostics". Also go to Setttings, System, Notification & actions, turn off your favourite notifications such as "Get Office" and "Show me tips about Windows"

Iristheangel

Well this is fun: Woman wins $10,000 judgment against Microsoft for forced Windows 10 upgrade | ExtremeTech

ITSpectre

Honestly....

If it was not for all the Steam games I have I would get rid of windows completely and just use Ubuntu. Windows is wrong by trying to force us to upgrade to a different OS when we really don't want to. Sometimes I wish the world would ditch Windows and just go with Linux or Mac.

Not to mention Mac and Linux both have less to no issues VS Win is filled with issues. I do plan on building another PC that will just run Linux.... but that will happen in a month or so

Iristheangel

MS has a really bad rap for some of the stuff it pulled back in the 90's and early 2000's. I don't think they're quite the evil empire/monopoly they used to be anymore but it's hard to shake a bad reputation after it's there. That being said, this was a bad move on their part that puts a bad taste in your mouth. Definitely shades of "Old Microsoft" coming through.

I'll say that my computers with Windows 10 natively installed work GREAT but the upgraded machines are nightmares. I ended up having to format my Sager laptop after it got really buggy with Windows 10 and once it was a fresh install of Windows 10, it was working great. The desktop I started this original thread about had to be reformatted and downgraded to Windows 7 when I started experiencing major compatibility issues. My Surface Pro 4 hasn't had any issues with Windows 10 and works great. The only thing I keep hearing is that upgrading causes a lot of problems while a fresh install of Windows 10 works great. Food for thought if you'd like to upgrade at some point - it might be worth your time to completely format and install 10.

doctorlexus

I wonder if this will set a precedent.

ITSpectre

Iristheangel wrote: »

MS has a really bad rap for some of the stuff it pulled back in the 90's and early 2000's. I don't think they're quite the evil empire/monopoly they used to be anymore but it's hard to shake a bad reputation after it's there. That being said, this was a bad move on their part that puts a bad taste in your mouth. Definitely shades of "Old Microsoft" coming through.

I'll say that my computers with Windows 10 natively installed work GREAT but the upgraded machines are nightmares. I ended up having to format my Sager laptop after it got really buggy with Windows 10 and once it was a fresh install of Windows 10, it was working great. The desktop I started this original thread about had to be reformatted and downgraded to Windows 7 when I started experiencing major compatibility issues. My Surface Pro 4 hasn't had any issues with Windows 10 and works great. The only thing I keep hearing is that upgrading causes a lot of problems while a fresh install of Windows 10 works great. Food for thought if you'd like to upgrade at some point - it might be worth your time to completely format and install 10.

I can give it a try with a native install of Windows 10... But I will also have my Linux PC that will hold the majority of my stuff.... The real only reason I would ever get Windows 10 is when they finally allow PC gamers to play with people that have XboxOne I would need windows 10. Other then that, I don't see a real need for it.

varelg

The latest nag from Microsoft: once you switch you existing machine to Windows 10 and certain hardware stops working, Microsoft would absolutely like you to do the fresh install of Windows 10 on that machine. There's almost unified response to anything a user reports as not working: do a fresh install. Literally no other option is given.

iBrokeIT

Iristheangel wrote: »

The only thing I keep hearing is that upgrading causes a lot of problems while a fresh install of ... works great.

In my experience that is a truism of software in general and not just Windows 10 "exclusive feature"!

sharansingh

Try to roll back your windows to a specific earlier date when your windows is running smoothly,this will solve your problem. Note that any change after that date will no more,so remember to backup first.

TechGromit

Windows 10 is a getting to be a Pain in the butt. I uninstalled patch KB3035583 a few weeks ago and changed my Windows update setting to "Download, but don't install without my OK". What do I find on my PC tonight? That damn windows 10 icon on my screen, it reinstalled patch KB3035583 on 07/22/2016, so much for letting me approve new patches. I uninstalled it, disabled updates entirely and hid the update from future updates.

dmarcisco wrote: »

I don't like how they are so persistent in this "free" upgrade gets me really thinking the big why about it.

Isn't that a sales pitch that the drug dealers make? The first hit is free. Not that I don't trust Microsoft (which I don't) but I can't help thinking that after everyone is assimilated they will change there tune and start charging a subscription fee that will nickel and dime you to death. I approach this updated the way I approached the last one. I'll continue using Windows 7 until software I want/need no longer is supported. The only reason I upgraded from Windows XP to Windows 7 is a game called XCOM came out and XP wasn't supported.

I guess my primary fear of "Windows 10 as a service" is if you lose control of updates, Microsoft can do what every they want to there operating system, Sure Microsoft Word 2000, XP, 2003, 2007, work today, but as the old says goes "Dos isn't done till Lotus don't run" they can easily modify there operating system so old software doesn't run. This forces you on an upgrade path that they control. Microsoft's biggest problem was users wouldn't upgrade when a new version of a product was released. many users said the old version works fine, why should I upgrade? Face it there hasn't been a new version of Microsoft Word since 2003. Sure they moved buttons around, added a few extra features, made pretty new colors and stamped a updated year on the box, but the core word processing function hasn't chanced, for the word processing functions 95% of users use, Microsoft Word 2003 works just as good as Microsoft Word 2016.

thomas_

You have to go into Windows Update settings and uncheck the automatically install recommended updates box. Once I uninstalled that update, unchecked that box, and then downloaded and ignored/hid that update I haven't had issues with the pop up box since.

JDMurray

I've had great success with the Never10 program which sets the Registry value that prevents W10 download/installation. You just run it once and there's nothing to install.

Trucido

Yeah I made the mistake of "reserving a copy" when it prompted. Then it auto installed one night while I was sleeping. I reformatted my PC to rid it of the horridness.

My questions now are;
1) When are they going to stop supporting Windows 7?
2) Is it wise to just go Windows 10 compared to staying 7 without support (ie "Hackers will get in! Aah!")

JDMurray

Microsoft stopped mainstream support for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015; extended support for Windows 7 will end on January 14, 2020. Patches for fixed security issues security issues will continue to be rolled out through the end of extended support.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet

Windows 10 is regarded a much more secure than Windows 7. If you must use Windows and you have security as a major concern then Windows 10 is your safest choice to use.

Also realize that Windows 10 is the last major release of Windows. From here on out, Windows 10 will be continually updated/upgraded like OS X 10.x is.

Trucido

Awesome thanks JD.