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#10
Perhaps you should try it before making a false statement like that.
Download Windows 10 Insider Preview ISO File - Windows 10 Forums
It's not a matter of giving "free stuff" or even in the quality of Win10, it doesn't matters. What matters is that Microsoft is purposely INFECTING computers with ADWARE though Windows update (a distribution channel that everyone believed was for other purposes). With this move, what MS made is putting themselves at the same level of those pesky installers that bundle "extras" unrelated to the original program.
Even if this update notification would be so important to merit inclussion in Windows update (which is not, of course) it must at the very least be clearly marked as such, instead of being disguised as a random improvement. So, sorry to disagree here, but that's clearly a strike against everyone who trust Microsoft software.
They don't only let you know about new Windows versions. They install a piece of software into computers and put it to autorun, giving no clear way of removing it, all this without user knowledge or conscent.
How do you know that this injected program does "only" what you see and not something else?
If you look at the files in the GWX folder you'll see references to "telemetry" or something like that. I can be wrong about this, but has the user explictly given permission for usage metrics to be collected? Moreover, if that data is sent to Microsoft (I don't know if it's actually done, but it might) we would be talking about spyware too. Evidence suggest that.
On the other hand, awareness about Windows 10 could be achieved by other means, advertising on media, websites, Google ads, banners in Bing, though pre-infected computers from OEMs like former versions, there are many advertising options that decent companies can take, but they choose to put a PUP in Windows Update. Should the user explictly given the option and the knowledge of what will happen when they install the "update", then it would be an acceptable business practice.
Incorrect and paranoia.
The telemetry is only used to check for compatibility and if you reserve your free upgrade to Windows 10.
Like any Windows Update, you always have the option to uninstall it.
I would understand this paranoia if it advertised 3rd party products for sale, but it doesn't. It's only to check for compatibility, and offer you a free optional upgrade to Windows 10. That's all.
This is not a reply to any particular post in this thread and I'm not taking sides about how Microsoft chooses to inform users that Windows 10 will be available. Having said that, I went back to the Windows Update Services Privacy Statement. It states, in part:Source: Microsoft Windows UpdateChoice and control
Update Services are turned on if you choose one of the following settings: (a) install updates automatically; (b) download updates but let me choose whether to install them; or (c) check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them. The Windows Update service is turned on and set to "Install updates automatically" when you choose the express settings during Windows setup.
If you turn on the Update Services, regardless of which setting you have chosen, required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.
To repeat: ...required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.
I'm not a lawyer. Don't even play one on TV. But if Microsoft feels the need to notify users that Windows 10 will soon be available; and if they also feel that placing an icon in everyone's system tray is part of a "...required update to some components of the service..."; then so be it. Microsoft owns the ball, they own the playing field, and they make the rules for the game they own and developed.