Microsoft accused of nasty trick!

[speckytecky]

I don't think this has been posted already but this seems a strange thing for Microsoft to do: Microsoft accused of Windows 10 upgrade 'nasty trick' - BBC News

[XiJ]

To me it sounds a sneaky way of upgrading everyone to Windows 10. It's something I very much think Microsoft would do.

[mowgli82]

I know a few people that were caught out.... one being the head on her personal laptop.

[Michael]

I don't see what the issue is myself - it's inevitable we'll all be using a flavour of Windows 10, it's only a matter of time.

 

In home environments this is appropriate. In education/corporate environments, you should have the required controls in place, in the first place. I still have isolated workstations running Windows 7 due to compatibility issues and do not get exposed to all these updates Microsoft are distributing to customers.

 

How do I do it? It's called WSUS and it's free, so I see no reason not to use it

[maark]

It is not appropriate in home environment - some users are not tech savvy and would find it difficult to cope with change of OS.

Other users may have software that will not work with win 10 e.g. specialist music software and are trying their hardest not be forced to upgrade yet still getting caught out.

[unixman_again]

I don't see what the issue is myself - it's inevitable we'll all be using a flavour of Windows 10, it's only a matter of time.

 

I won't be - I'll be sticking to Linux and the Mac, and some won't progress beyond XP. We have some software that we can't get to run on W7 and the department insist they can't do without it, so we're preserving an XP box just for it. It's stand alone so not a big issue - just a pain.

 

Incidentally, they've upped the hardware spec for W10 New Windows 10 update will change hardware requirements for the first time since 2009 | ExtremeTech

[jinnantonnixx]

I think you might be alone in accepting as "inevitable" an upgrade to an operating system which you didn't expect or ask for.

 

Even the MS fans have had enough.

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/67367/upgradegate-microsofts-upgrade-deceptions-undermining-windows-10

[sted]

ms is stuck between a rock and a hard place ideally for them they want everyone on windows 10 if for no other reason than security updates. You don't catch apple still supporting old oses like 10.7 so its a big drain id imagine on finances patching 3 major oses. Granted forcing the upgrade is bad but if they didn't it would be like the xp situation all over again it works why cant I keep it

[JRowley]

Don't really see this as a major issue, if Apple did this it would be heralded as enabling users to get the best out of their machine, but because it's Microsoft they're dooming everyone.

[Cazale]

I don't see what the issue is myself

 

Stunning that anyone who works in IT can think this!

 

I'll tell you a short story. My sister, who is an accountant, was working at home on some documents for a client for their end of year returns. Being that time of year (the year end) she was already stressed and rushing to meet deadlines. She stepped out of her (home) office for a short time, literally in the middle of working, and found her PC in the process of upgrading to Windows 10 on her return.

 

She isn't tech savvy at all. So (not having a clue what was going off) she powered the machine down to try in an attempt to recover her work.

 

As you might imagine, this is where I enter the scenario. To cut a long story short I wasted half a day of my time recovering data and reinstalling the OS (Windows 7!). It's my sister, so I refused payment.

 

Like everyone on here. I already work 5 days a week fixing computers, and a significant amount of that time is given over to handling problems that exist because of Microsoft's ineptitude (and to think they have the nerve to charge you a small fortune for a support call to fix/find a workaround for their own bugs!). I'd bet my last penny I'm not the only one on here who's had to clean up after Microsoft have hijacked a relative/friend's PC!

 

Forcing a major OS upgrade on unsuspecting users is no way for a professional software organisation to go around behaving. There is a lot of debate online that it may actually be illegal in the UK under the Computer Misuse Act. This isn't just a small OS security update, or even a minor OS revision. There are fundamental changes in upgrading to Windows 10, bringing about issues of compatibility, security, autonomy, legacy support, privacy, hardware specification, file integrity, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless, and varies from person to person/computer to computer.

 

This shouldn't be pushed out as an update at all (let alone recommended). This shouldn't be being forced on unsuspecting users. There shouldn't be something in your taskbar asking you to upgrade to Windows 10. You shouldn't get nagged about this when you visit Microsoft Websites (with a link initiating an upgrade!!). The update shouldn't automatically run when you're actively using your computer. The update should verify (several times) that the user is committed to upgrading and realises the consequences of doing so. And above all else, Microsoft should be selling their OS upgrade to consumers on features, not ramming it down their throat.

 

They are behaving absolutely abhorrently, and what they are doing is indefensible!

Edited May 25, 2016 by Cazale

[tmoon-mint]

I can see why they are doing it like this, not saying I agree with it but I do get it. They don't want a repeat of the XP days with people wanting to remain on ancient operating systems with support removed.

[Michael]

Apple do it with iOS devices. You can't cancel or delay it forever, so I'm failing to see the difference.

 

The same with Android, it'll keep reminding you there's an update too.

 

By logic Microsoft will stop encouraging Windows 10 after July 2016, once their free upgrade comes to an end.

 

All upgrades I've done manually do run a suitability check before proceeding with the upgrade, but you'll find most applications have updates available so they're more so 'Windows 10' certified. I know this isn't always the case, but most of the time it applies

[sted]

Apple do it with iOS devices. You can't cancel or delay it forever, so I'm failing to see the difference.

 

The same with Android, it'll keep reminding you there's an update too.

 

By logic Microsoft will stop encouraging Windows 10 after July 2016, once their free upgrade comes to an end.

 

All upgrades I've done manually do run a suitability check before proceeding with the upgrade, but you'll find most applications have updates available so they're more so 'Windows 10' certified. I know this isn't always the case, but most of the time it applies

 

and my experience of ios updates is it bricks about 10% of devices that then need redoing by connecting to configurator/iTunes before they will even boot then it spends what seems like forever reinstalling garbage band etc

[jinnantonnixx]

The discussion isn't about whether or not upgrades are a good thing or not, neither is it about the lifespan of the operating system. Nobody is arguing about these topics.

The point is that Microsoft have effectively 'trained' millions of people to dismiss the upgrade window by clicking the 'X'. In a move that can have no other purpose than trick this training, they change this behaviour.

[sted]

The discussion isn't about whether or not upgrades are a good thing or not, neither is it about the lifespan of the operating system. Nobody is arguing about these topics.

The point is that Microsoft have effectively 'trained' millions of people to dismiss the upgrade window by clicking the 'X'. In a move that can have no other purpose than trick this training, they change this behaviour.

 

but if they don't lots of people will stay on windows 7/8/8.1 and how many will complain in august why isn't it free fred next door got it for free why cant it I was always going to do it I could just never be bothered

[sonofsanta]

It's not Microsoft's place to tell me what software I run on my equipment.

 

It's not Apple's either, which is why I don't buy Apple kit personally. I want to be in charge of my own configuration.

 

If they were forcing it for XP and Vista users, citing security concerns & support, fine--but they're forcing it on Windows 7 users who have three years of support left. They've pestered, they've annoyed, they've banged on about the upgrade incessantly--I guarantee you that users know about it, and if they haven't taken them up on it yet, it's because they don't want to. Forcing it like this is wrong on every level--wrong for users, wrong for Microsoft's reputation.

[localzuk]

To be honest, the dialog has always been sneaky. It has "Upgrade Now" and "OK" as its only options, and always has done. That would confuse people anyway.

 

The X button wouldn't be the first thought of all non-tech savvy people when presented with those 2 options!

 

I personally like Windows 10, but Microsoft's behaviour has been less than honest.

[jinnantonnixx]

but if they don't lots of people will stay on windows 7/8/8.1 and how many will complain in august why isn't it free fred next door got it for free why cant it I was always going to do it I could just never be bothered

 

Again, nobody is arguing against these points.

 

They are upset at being tricked into an upgrade. A more honest approach would be to highlight the EOL on W7 and offer the upgrade to 10 in a clear and unambiguous way.

Edited May 25, 2016 by jinnantonnixx

[sonofsanta]

Here's another aspect to think about: I delayed the update because I knew I was going to build a new machine, and I didn't want to waste my retail Windows 7 licence key updating an old machine to Win10.

 

And yet I had the Windows 10 update sneak into "will install on next restart mode" and only noticed it last minute when I went to shut down, thanks to the little yellow !. That actually made me turn off automatic updates on my Win7 machine, so good job, Microsoft. If I hadn't noticed it, my licence would have been tied to that old motherboard, and I've have had to spend another £70 buying a new Win10 licence for the machine I just built.

 

I always intended on updating, but I had my own reasons for delaying, and Microsoft very nearly stole that agency from me.

[sted]

Again, nobody is arguing against these points.

 

They are upset at being tricked into an upgrade. A more honest approach would be to put an absolute EOL on W7 and offer the upgrade to 10 in a clear and unambiguous way.

but you cant do that ms have already said (and mainly for the benefit of managed systems so schools businesses etc) that windows 7 will be supported until x date they cant reduce that without bad press the best they can try and do is move everyone they can to windows 10 which is basically unmanaged users granted the tactics do seem "harsh" but I still see windows 8.0 pcs from time to time and that was a free upgrade (and iirc fairly obvious) and people just didn't do it. They really cant win force people to upgrade like basically every other os out there does or don't and end up with people who have no reason not to be running windows 10 stick with 7 and complain its no longer a free upgrade

[Lonix]

Not impressed with the alteration of clicking X but then again, people have been whining about this W10 upgrade for some time. The same ones who don't whine about the iPhone constantly telling me to update every time there is a new one. Even though I refuse to do it while I watch everyone else have problems from upgrading too soon.

 

Not impressed with MS though.

 

I understand why MS want everyone on W10 but they simply don't live in the real world where some of us still use software that's not yet supported on W10. Even though it all seems to work, there are staff who do certain things and if they have major issues and the company tells us W10 not supported.. what can we do. MS may be happy for us to fix their problems all day but we have too much to worry about.

 

Still W10 is on our development plan and we literally are aiming for 2019 summer holiday to be completely finished.

[sted]

Here's another aspect to think about: I delayed the update because I knew I was going to build a new machine, and I didn't want to waste my retail Windows 7 licence key updating an old machine to Win10.

 

And yet I had the Windows 10 update sneak into "will install on next restart mode" and only noticed it last minute when I went to shut down, thanks to the little yellow !. That actually made me turn off automatic updates on my Win7 machine, so good job, Microsoft. If I hadn't noticed it, my licence would have been tied to that old motherboard, and I've have had to spend another £70 buying a new Win10 licence for the machine I just built.

 

I always intended on updating, but I had my own reasons for delaying, and Microsoft very nearly stole that agency from me.

 

if you've bought a retail win7 lic surely it migrates to a retail win10 lic might require a phone call to activate but should still be doable

[sonofsanta]

if you've bought a retail win7 lic surely it migrates to a retail win10 lic might require a phone call to activate but should still be doable

 

Probably, but that's then a waste of my time and their time in dealing with a problem I was handling perfectly fine until Windows decided to upgrade itself--nearly, anyway.

 

The ~5GB of unnecessary update files on my 128GB SSD didn't endear them to me either.

[MrMat]

Again, nobody is arguing against these points.

 

They are upset at being tricked into an upgrade. A more honest approach would be to highlight the EOL on W7 and offer the upgrade to 10 in a clear and unambiguous way.

 

But they aren't being tricked. The message clearly states 'This PC is scheduled to upgrade on: ****'. It's a statement, not a question. There's no tricking here. Why would you believe that simply closing this box would prevent this from happening?

 

It's forceful yes and i don't agree with it as a tactic but it's certainly not misleading.

[sidewinder]

MS are taking the p1ss now. I like W10, and I think people should upgrade, but they have got more and more desperate with their measures - this latest one really is unacceptable. I totally understand why they want as many people as possible on W10 but all their methods have done is make people distrust them and the OS