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Windows Update: Microsoft Using Malware Tactics To Force Windows 10 On Users

By Cal Jeffrey
Published on: 06:29 PST, Jun 1, 2016

Microsoft has been using Windows Update in a malware-like fashion in an attempt to force users to upgrade to Windows 10. The software giant has added its Windows 10 upgrade as a recommended update to the automatic updating services of the operating system. They have also quietly changed the way that the recommended window behaves. Previously, users could just close the recommended updates window to deny those updates. It now seems that closing the window constitutes consent to install Windows 10.

PCWorld says, “It’s nasty business, and it’s tricking legions of happy Windows 7 and 8 users into Windows 10,” which has yet to prove its worth to all users.

Microsoft has resorted to “malware-like tactics” in an apparent attempt to trick users into upgrading. Users who are happy with Windows 7 and 8 are becoming so frustrated with the company’s strategy that they are opting to turn off automatic updates altogether to avoid being forced to upgrade to an operating system that they do not want.

Brad Chacos, Senior Editor for PCWorld claims, “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. But beyond merely burning bridges with consumers, these forced, non-consensual upgrades could have more insidious consequences.”

The consequences Chacos is referring to are the risks that users will be exposing themselves to by turning off the auto-updating feature of Windows. Auto updating was created so that Microsoft engineers could issue security patches immediately to keep users safe from hackers who could use holes in the operating system to compromise it. By turning off automatic updating, those patches have to be downloaded and installed manually, which a lot of users are going to forget or simply not go to the trouble to do. Those who do go through the manual process are still not likely to get the patches as soon as they are released unless they are extremely diligent in checking for them.

Microsoft certainly did not intend to put computers at risk with their actions. In fact, a Microsoft spokesperson made a statement reported by the Register, outlining the company’s intent.

“For those who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help customers prepare their devices for Windows 10 by downloading the files necessary for future installation. This results in a better upgrade experience and ensures the customer’s device has the latest software.”

Unfortunately, this does not consider customer needs, wants, and restrictions. How-To Geek reports that individual systems vary, and several factors have to be taken into consideration before a user decides to download such files.

“The entire installer, which is at least 3 GB, takes up a lot of drive space, and also wastes your network bandwidth. For people who don’t have unlimited bandwidth, this can seriously cost you a lot of money,” How-To Geek stated in a guide that shows users how to workaround Microsoft’s overzealous Windows 10 campaign.

Microsoft is no doubt aware of how their customers feel. Aside from the mainstream media coverage of the issue, which has all been of a negative nature, its Twitter account has been blowing up with mentions by people posting frustrated tweets.

Personal users are not the only ones who are angry. Business users and computer technicians are ripping into Microsoft as well.

It is too early to tell if the Windows Update fiasco is going to impact Microsoft financially. Microsoft stock did plunge 11.51 percent from April 19 to April 28, which was right around the time that Twitter started to buzz about the issue. It has still not recovered from the dip, but it has been slowly rising.

Since Microsoft has not made an official statement regarding this issue, it is unclear whether they will continue to use Windows Update to strong-arm customers into a product that they do not wish to use and that makes some devices incompatible with their computers. Remaining silent and doing nothing does not seem appropriate or likely with all the negative press it has received. You can expect to be hearing from Microsoft soon.

[Image via Chris Lines used with permission]

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