New concern re 10

@bigmack,
Thanks for the reply. I have Windows Update turned off. I always have had it off as I'm on a 5GB capped connection. I do the updates as soon as I can but have to be watchful of my data limit. The cost per MB over the 5GB cap is $0.45US. A 3GB W10 install file on 2 systems could get rather expensive. When you're old and on a fixed income every penny counts.

This is just another reason why I don't want W10. The enormous updates required to maintain W10 would eat a big hole in my data allowance every month. To say nothing of the amount of data being sent to MS or wherever it's going to go. I couldn't afford the free W10 even if I wanted it. I'm aware of the metered connection settings but at some point the updates would still be required.

I also make every attempt to find out what the updates are for from MS, here on the forums or with a search.

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@CrOOzing,
Thank you for your reply as well. The only MS software on my computers is W7, nothing else.

I have taken all the steps suggested in the various threads on Seven Forums either by uninstall of a tagged updated if I accidentally installed it as well as keep a on going list of the unacceptable updates. Only one slipped by me, not enough coffee I guess that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I did the GMX Control Panel as well.

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What I'm looking for is a way to block Microsoft either through the firewall or router. The reason is that in the event that if MS decides to sneak some data collector through or just go for the gold and install W10 on my system. The latter I doubt but the data seems to be the MS goal at any cost. I just want to feel that if by some chance MS does something crazy I can restore one of my weekly images and block the event from reoccurring.

Over reacting.. yeah probably but, in my opinion, so is MS.

While I monitor my data use carefully I don't need an expensive surprise in my data costs if I happen to screw up, which remains as a good possibility.

bigmck said:

All you have to do is make a weekly image of your system using Macrium Reflect. This way if MS should install Win 10, all you have to do is Restore your Win 7 image and in 15 minutes you are back to normal.

Thanks bigmck
That's exactly what I'm doing. I keep all my personal data on a separate drive so restore takes about 5 minutes tops.

Unfortunately if it's downloaded it's going to cost me some bucks.

I pretty much monitor all aspects of my system so I think I will notice the download. I will just have to make sure to disconnect the system from the Internet if I'm not sitting in front of the computer.

scr said:

bigmck said:

All you have to do is make a weekly image of your system using Macrium Reflect. This way if MS should install Win 10, all you have to do is Restore your Win 7 image and in 15 minutes you are back to normal.

Thanks bigmck
That's exactly what I'm doing. I keep all my personal data on a separate drive so restore takes about 5 minutes tops.

Unfortunately if it's downloaded it's going to cost me some bucks.

I pretty much monitor all aspects of my system so I think I will notice the download. I will just have to make sure to disconnect the system from the Internet if I'm not sitting in front of the computer.

I think that's a bit much. Look, the updates that do all the Win10 update stuff are well known and publicized all over the place. There are batch files you can use to remove them. Then you hide them. Then you vet future updates by checking out the details before downloading/installing them. Of course it shouldn't be necessary, but it's not that hard to do.

ICIT2LOL said:

both versions had been retrofitted with the data collection updates and they pretty much do the same as Windows 10 does.

Hmm well I had an idea that this was going on and while someone said once to me why would they be interested in my data - well perhaps they are not but I still feel that any of my data (which could comprise of pics, docs and even confidential details) is strictly my own personal possession and not for just any other person to see or use for whatever purpose.

If nothing else you are one more statistical figure in the equation of MS data mining total. There is probably money in the numbers alone.

scr said:

I have Windows Update turned off. I always have had it off as I'm on a 5GB capped connection. I do the updates as soon as I can but have to be watchful of my data limit. The cost per MB over the 5GB cap is $0.45US. A 3GB W10 install file on 2 systems could get rather expensive. When you're old and on a fixed income every penny counts.

While I monitor my data use carefully I don't need an expensive surprise in my data costs if I happen to screw up, which remains as a good possibility.

Hello scr,

I don't know how you monitor your data usage, but i've found NetWorx (free) is a good program for this info.
If you don't already use it, you can read about it and see if it might help you.
They have a portable version, but the installed version has some additional features that give more info.
https://www.softperfect.com/products.../?lang=English

Happy New Year

DavidE said:

scr said:

I have Windows Update turned off. I always have had it off as I'm on a 5GB capped connection. I do the updates as soon as I can but have to be watchful of my data limit. The cost per MB over the 5GB cap is $0.45US. A 3GB W10 install file on 2 systems could get rather expensive. When you're old and on a fixed income every penny counts.

While I monitor my data use carefully I don't need an expensive surprise in my data costs if I happen to screw up, which remains as a good possibility.

Hello scr,

I don't know how you monitor your data usage, but i've found NetWorx (free) is a good program for this info.
If you don't already use it, you can read about it and see if it might help you.
They have a portable version, but the installed version has some additional features that give more info.
https://www.softperfect.com/products.../?lang=English

Happy New Year

Hi DavidE,

Thanks for the suggestion. I've used Networx in the past but developed some issues with it sometime ago and moved on to Rainmeter for monitoring most of my system including Internet data usage.

Happy New year to you as well.

ICIT2LOL said:

If nothing else you are one more statistical figure in the equation of MS data mining total. There is probably money in the numbers alone.

Yep scr money being the bottom line as usual

Seems to me there are less and less scruples in business now - or maybe it has alwasy been there and i am older now to realise it

ICIT2LOL,

I think it's always been that way to some degree. Now it's just more widespread and business is more blatant about it. Now that there are so many people business isn't as sensitive to losing customers, there's always more in the pool to replace them.

Yeah, getting older has a tendency to open your eyes to things that you didn't notice as much before. For example, I've noticed that the older I get the further away the ground gets and gravity exerts more force then it did when I was younger when you attempt to return upright from a position close to the ground.