Microsoft Accused Of Windows 10 Upgrade 'nasty Trick'

[naomi24]

I've been resisting upgrading since the boxes first started popping up on my screen, but a couple of days ago the usual box changed to the one depicted in the link below - and although Microsoft say "Customers can choose to accept or decline the Windows 10 upgrade", I could find no way to decline it. I now have Windows 10 that I didn't want.

This is a 'nasty trick' and although it doesn't seem to have caused me any problems it doesn't smack of good business practice to me. Has anyone else been 'tricked'?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36367221

[sevenOP]

Every time Windows upgrade an operating system the new system takes up more disk space than the old one and the new one demands more computational power.(more memory and more of CPU resources)

DO NOT follow frugalfred's video unless you want to loose all your personal data and end up having to install ALL the updates again -this is time consuming and tedious, and anyway as you have 30 days to rollback to your previous version and I would go with TTT's suggestion and install the GWX Control Panel and if that gets you your old system back, fine. Here are guided details on installing GWX Control Panel
https://askleo.com/block-windows-10-with-gwx-control-panel/

If however that does not work here is how to rollback to your old system
http://www.cnet.com/uk/how-to/windows-10-how-to-roll-back/

Remember to uninstall GWX Control Panel(Start>Control Panel Programs and Features) if it does not get you back to your old system and you go for the cnet Link that I posted, and follow the Remove previous Windows files unless you want the ~30GB Windows 10 file left on your hard drive.

[EDDIE51]

Since I uninstalled and then 'hid' the update that allows the W10 'nag'box I have had no problem. Still on W7 and working well.

[Bertrum]

EDDIE51 watch updates carefully Microsoft has a habit of occasionally refreshing your updates when checking for new updates and un hides hidden updates

[EDDIE51]

Yes they have done that once, this is the second time I have hidden it .
But you get a warning that it is back as the windows icon appears again.
The second time there was another update that did not have a number just labeled as ' Get Windows 10' so I hid that as well.

[EDDIE51]

I also turn my computer off every night, remove the mains lead and take out the battery. One reason for that is to stop any chance of sneaky updates while I am in bed.

[naomi24]

sevenOP , I see the words ‘Upgrade to Superior Software’. That is sufficient. I have no intention of following frugalfred's video,

[Hypognosis]

@naomi

What if I wanted to shut down the computer, to go out for the day, at the precise moment this forced upgrade kicks in? I get that you can rescedule, but for me no time is convenient because it will eat an hour or more of my time upgrading some daily-use software.


For purely selfish reasons, I'm also curious to know if you, or anyone else, lost any unwatched BBC iPlayer programmes (or other channels, also) as, sometimes, I forget the precise contents of my unwatched queue.

Mere timewasting inconveniences like this are enough of a deterrent for me. Always mañana.

Did someone say Frugsl Fred's recommendation was a data-destructive method? Advice to an audience of (self-confessed) non-experts needs to have clear warnings of the ramifications. Those will daily full backups of their precious data can dish out advice, not appreciating that others are not so well equipped and using such a strategy.

[naomi24]

Hypognosis, // I'm also curious to know if you, or anyone else, lost any unwatched BBC iPlayer programmes (or other channels, also) as, sometimes, I forget the precise contents of my unwatched queue. //

Sorry, I can't help you there. I don't have an 'unwatched queue'. My computer is working as well as ever though, and perhaps a little quicker. It's simply the principle of having something I didn't particular want imposed upon me that 'bugs' me.

[youngmafbog]

Win 10 works fine, in fact it returns you to a more 'normal' operating system.

I installed it on all our desktops and laptops from a USB (just speeds it up on multiples).

Eventually MS will stop supporting old versions so you will have no choice. I suspect (as they gave the upgrade away free) there is either an issue with old versions of Windows or Win 10 will allow them to move more to cloud computing (or their similar concepts).

If you rally hate ms then go Mac or Linux! There is a choice.

[jno]

it's only two years since they ended support for XP, so later editions probably have a few years to go yet; by the time 7 is abandoned they'll probably be up to 25. I've skipped several versions along the way with no ill effects. I don't think anyone's talking about leaving Microsoft, they just want the freedom to choose which version they'll run.

[naomi24]

I was on 7.

[ToraToraTora]

I suppose there is a bit of the Luddite in many of us but in this case i'm not against W10 per se but I know each new incarnation needs more resources and the machine I have was set up with windows 7 and works fine. I tend to just upgrade by buying the next machine with it on already, I just don't like having it forced on me on a machine that will probably be un ideal for the upgrade.

[CrapAtCryptics]

I`ll probably get a lot of flak but here goes. Windows 10 is a good program - a lot of the hysteria relating to it is because of the pushy way Microsoft have marketed it. If you take control and install it via the custom option you can manage what options you get and turn off all the unwanted communications options. It seems that many people dont back up ALL their personal stuff on a regular basis so that causes problems after the install. It has the usual Microsoft reticence to recommend "unapproved" device drivers so one or two things might need a little fiddling about with. Some older programs need compatibility work. if you are still on XP or Vista you are at risk. I am willing to write up a safe walkthrough for anyone who wants to take the step up.

[piggynose]

so lucky me, i couldn't install windows 10, due to not having enough space on my hard disc.

[anotheoldgit]

Seems to me that one can usually get the correct answer to technical problems in the technology section.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/search/?q1=windows+10

[ludwig]

// Has anyone else been 'tricked'? //

Yep. I found it half way through being installed one morning after my wife had been conned by it. I managed to abort the process by clicking 'no' when it came up with the 'do you accept the terms and conditions' box.

It then took about another hour to roll back all the changes it had made and restore the previous settings.

[Untitled]

microsoft is not really a business anyway. they were allowed to establish a de facto monopoly on professional office software due to corruption and now rip what is effectively a software tax paid to a private company out of millions of people and companies every year.

this is why you shouldn't allow any private company to get too big. they are beyond accountability or control now.

[Untitled]

i have just noticed how old this thread is... why was it bumped up?