Windows 10 is downloading without permission

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gzt

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#180509 11-Sep-2015 15:17

There are multiple reports* that Windows 10 is downloading without permission on Windows 7 & 8 systems.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/10/windows_10_forced_download/

They are saying if you have windows updates enabled then it will download automatically without your permission. According to the article this is confirmed by Microsoft. Yes I know, difficult to believe.

*Edit: The multiple reports are all rewrites of the same (but usually reliable) source so far.

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#1385731 11-Sep-2015 15:22

it will be nice to get some insight from the fine Microsoft folk here on this topic. If true it is uncool

kiwiharry

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#1385767 11-Sep-2015 15:51

I can confirm this happened to me. I had my updates setting on Notify only and do not download updates, but Windows 10 update seems to ignore that and downloads as soon as it's available for your PC.

Bit of a hassle as mine started the night before I was due to fly overseas, and I didn't want to face a new OS whilst on my trip. I'd also read that after it downloads you could only delay the installation by 3 days.

I found a site that outlined how to stop the download and installation.

If you can't laugh at yourself then you probably shouldn't laugh at others.

gzt

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#1385783 11-Sep-2015 16:01

Harry I think that is different. You have already reserved. This topic is about users who have not reserved.

2nd report with more tech detail:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/havent-upgraded-windows-10-microsoft-has-downloaded-6gb-files-your-pc-anyway-1519290

turnin

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#1386037 12-Sep-2015 08:46

It's getting a bit beyond a joke now.
We have 60+ computers running windows 10 and another 15 dev environments that were supposed to be locked to win 8. At least 2 of our dev environments tried to upgrade to win10 which seems to have caused some issues with our xamarin configs. We're trying to work out how this occured, it's possible something got changed by one of our devs but its looking less and less likely.

The forced updates are one thing but the privacy issues with windows 10 are seeing some pretty interesting conversations going on in our company about possibly moving away from .net and windows altogether in order to protect our IP.
It's one thing to expect unknown or sporadic privacy violations in webservices such as google or facebook but having no transparency in the privacy of the OS ! ? Right now we don't see any method of being able to tell whats leaving our systems and landing on a 3rd party server and that's a real problem for us.

Sideface

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#1386061 12-Sep-2015 09:29

This happened to me today (again) on an "unreserved" PC running Win 7 Pro. (a HTPC)

Any attempt to update Win 7 starts a Win 10 upgrade, which I have to abort.
I have no objection to Win 10 - I have it on 9 of my PCs - but it shouldn't be compulsory!

I am tempted to do a full Win 7 re-install, but I don't know whether this would solve the problem.
Have other Geekzoners done this?

Sideface

nathan

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#1386094 12-Sep-2015 10:56

turnin: It's getting a bit beyond a joke now.
We have 60+ computers running windows 10 and another 15 dev environments that were supposed to be locked to win 8. At least 2 of our dev environments tried to upgrade to win10 which seems to have caused some issues with our xamarin configs. We're trying to work out how this occured, it's possible something got changed by one of our devs but its looking less and less likely.

The forced updates are one thing but the privacy issues with windows 10 are seeing some pretty interesting conversations going on in our company about possibly moving away from .net and windows altogether in order to protect our IP.
It's one thing to expect unknown or sporadic privacy violations in webservices such as google or facebook but having no transparency in the privacy of the OS ! ? Right now we don't see any method of being able to tell whats leaving our systems and landing on a 3rd party server and that's a real problem for us.

You should have a chat to your Microsoft account manager etc, who can walk you through the Windows 10 Privacy Policy

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement/default.aspx
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-10/windows-privacy-faq

Explaining how we collect vital system data to provide Windows as a Service, and keep Windows and Apps healthy. All data is encrypted and how optional data is used to improve Windows experiences, and how you can control what data is collected.

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#1386128 12-Sep-2015 11:31

Sideface: This happened to me today (again) on an "unreserved" PC running Win 7 Pro. (a HTPC)

Any attempt to update Win 7 starts a Win 10 upgrade, which I have to abort.
I have no objection to Win 10 - I have it on 9 of my PCs - but it shouldn't be compulsory!

I am tempted to do a full Win 7 re-install, but I don't know whether this would solve the problem.
Have other Geekzoners done this?

Problem solved ?

1. System Restore to the earliest possible date.
2. Reset Windows Update to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"
3. Reboot
4. Update the good-old-fashioned-way

Win 10 is now offered as an optional download.

Sideface

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Dratsab

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#1386137 12-Sep-2015 12:12

I "reserved" a copy of Windows 10 as soon as the update for this feature came. I still haven't been upgraded (in fact I get messages a couple of times a week telling me GWXUX.exe has stopped working) - maybe reserving a copy is the way to avoid an upgrade?

nathan

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#1386203 12-Sep-2015 13:48

How to prevent Windows 10 upgrade files from downloading automatically on your PC

http://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-windows-10-upgrade-files-downloading-pc

gzt

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#1386235 12-Sep-2015 15:18

It is a little late for that. There is no good reason for the unasked for download. Microsoft has blown away more trust with their customers.

roobarb

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#1386302 12-Sep-2015 17:53

Do you also get a U2 album?

gzt

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#1386528 13-Sep-2015 10:30

Lol. I never listened to that album.

Dratsab

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#1386538 13-Sep-2015 10:52

This article is quite relevant.

gzt

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#1386615 13-Sep-2015 12:57

Dratsab: This article is quite relevant.

http://www.windowscentral.com/bad-it-admins-reveal-windows-10-downloads-your-pc

Even in the IT pro context that article is misleading and incomplete.

In addition It is totally irrelevant to non-enterprise users, and I would include the vast majority of NZ small business in that category.

As for the many households that ended this month out of data...

Dratsab

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#1386624 13-Sep-2015 13:30

gzt:
Dratsab: This article is quite relevant.

http://www.windowscentral.com/bad-it-admins-reveal-windows-10-downloads-your-pc

Even in the IT pro context that article is misleading and incomplete.

In addition It is totally irrelevant to non-enterprise users, and I would include the vast majority of NZ small business in that category.

As for the many households that ended this month out of data...

Yeah - I had turnin in mind when I posted, should've been more specific...

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