Windows 10 upgrades reportedly appearing as mandatory for some users

[Borg 386]

Microsoft is reportedly making it harder for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to avoid the upgrade to Windows 10.

Some users now claim that they no longer see an option in the Control Panel to install updates to their current version of Windows. Instead, a message says that the “upgrade to Windows 10 is ready,” and prompts users to “restart your PC to begin the installation.” Another user claims to have seen a countdown timer for installing Windows 10, with an option to reschedule but no way to call off the upgrade entirely.

Windows 10 upgrades reportedly appearing as mandatory for some users | PCWorld

 

[NoelDP]

It's amazing how many people that use computers can't/won't read what's in front of them

 

[jamis]

I wonder how many of these people that are reporting these two issues have installed any/all of the W10 preparation updates? Conversely, has anyone that has not installed any of the W10 prep updates seen either of these two messages? FWIW, I have hidden all of the W10 prep updates and I have not seen either of these messages.

 

[Alejandro85]

It's amazing how many people that use computers can't/won't read what's in front of them

There is nothing to read, MS succeed in disguising the GWX virus and related things within the normal updates, not informing the user of what it really does. The fact that users normally used to trust Windows Update catched many people by surprise, after realizing that MS exploited that to distribute malware when it must only ship OS patches.
In no place it says something like "This program will offer a Windows 10 upgrade. Do you want to install it?".

That said, there is a lot of truth in that............ users don't read

 

[Layback Bear]

I know it's hard to believe that most users of computers don't read this forum or forums like this one. They really don't know what is going on and I believe they don't want to know.

They use auto Updates for everything. The system accepts every update of everything and they are happy campers until now.

Auto Updates and lack of knowledge of the user is exactly what Microsoft is depending on to push W-10.

Remember most users don't study, research, investigate ect. anything about their system.

Most of the computers users that I personally meet ask me question on how I can help them. My first question is; what operating system is installed.
Answer: They don't know.
How in the hell do you use a computer for over a year and don't know such things?
Answer: I don't know.

The fact of most users not wanting to learn is exactly what Microsoft likes.
They are easy pickings for infections, scammers and Microsoft.

 

[NoelDP]

That said - MS did screw up, and have admitted it. The W10 Update is an Optional one - but some moron decided to default it to being ticked for install in one of the updates!

This has apparently now been changed

 

[4wd]

Auto Updates and lack of knowledge of the user is exactly what Microsoft is depending on to push W-10.

The fact of most users not wanting to learn is exactly what Microsoft likes.
They are easy pickings for infections, scammers and Microsoft.

Excellent.

 

[Layback Bear]

I think one of the problems is, their is no cure for moronship.
Their seem to be many creating and distributing operating system and users of operating systems.

 

[scr]

It's been my experience that the greater majority of users look at their computers and it's operation the same way they look at their refrigerator or TV. They just want it to work and have no interest in learning how or why it works. The concept that neither the refrigerator or TV has their personal and financial data in them escapes most people.

I sort of understand this concept. I have very little knowledge of how my truck works I just want it to work. I have no interest in learning how a diesel motor works either. I check what I know how to check and call someone when it's broken.

Fortunately for me I have always had a curiosity about computers. However, until I completely understood the importance of backups I must admit I was I afraid I would change something and break my computer. I still break it but disk images and this forum are the things that sets me free of that fear.

 

[plodr]

I hid some of those files and I wrote down what was hidden on September 15th. On October 15th when I checked my list had gone down by 3. I spent last night looking through optional updates and two of the ones, specificallyKB2952664 and KB3035583 had been moved from hidden to optional!
I did not make the changes.
Don't assume that everyone who had this happen is a clueless computer user. MS is changing settings on computers.

Note here Microsoft antagonizes users with intrusive new Windows 10 upgrade tactics | Computerworld
an item that appears in optional was selected by Windows Update. It was not selected by the computer owner.

 

[jamis]

I hid some of those files and I wrote down what was hidden on September 15th. On October 15th when I checked my list had gone down by 3. I spent last night looking through optional updates and two of the ones, specificallyKB2952664 and KB3035583 had been moved from hidden to optional!
I did not make the changes.
Don't assume that everyone who had this happen is a clueless computer user. MS is changing settings on computers.

Note here Microsoft antagonizes users with intrusive new Windows 10 upgrade tactics | Computerworld
an item that appears in optional was selected by Windows Update. It was not selected by the computer owner.

I also noted that those two updates have reappeared on the update list even though I had hidden them. This has happened more than once. I assume that MS has been reissuing them, either because there were changes to them, or they are trying to slip them past the consumer. However, I just keep hiding them and have never updated them. I have had several instances where the update settings have been mysteriously changed on my PCs, both XP Pro and W7 HP, without my input.

 

[meebers]

I have found myself in the position of not being able to install any W7 updates at all. Currently 19 important and 6 optionals. When I select install, it reverts back to showing me the updates again. I want to hold off the change to W10 for another 6 months. I already have 1 computer on 10240 RTM and one on the current insider edition.

QUESTION: How can I get my W7 machine to install updates again?? Several others have reported the same issue.? Tx

On my W8.1 machine, I have this in the restore section of win updates

 

[Indianatone]

I just love the way that some users just dismiss the possibility of the user being forced into installing Windows 10. I can tell you I had the registry set to NOT Upgrade on my 4 main machines and also all the offending updates removed prior to this Patch Tuesday and there was no sign of Windows 10 on any of my machines except in the Virtual Machines I have been testing. At about 10 PM Tuesday decided it was time to go to bed and I thought I'll shut my machines down as I had not had chance to look up the updates for this Patch Session. On my 4 main machines the option was INSTALL WINDOWS 10 Get Started on Windows Update or shut down and install updates.
So I can tell you as a fact my settings were hijacked, reset and numerous Windows 10 updates were installed without my knowledge. In fact 3 of the machines had also downloaded Windows 10 and I have never reserved a copy. To me this was the last straw for Microsoft and I am out. They won't care but family and friends will no longer get support from me on Windows issues as I am done. I am migrating to Mint. It is already on my laptop and I'll be setting it up later on my main machines over the holidays to run Linux Mint and Windows in a secure virtual machine. I want no part of Microsoft's Windows Service. They are my machines and I decide what goes on them and when. Also I have nothing to hide so if the FBI NSA or whomever what to trawl through my machines go ahead, just ask me first.

 

[ThrashZone]

Yep that's whack :/
I haven't loaded the last round yet might go the other direction and pretend it's 2020 already

 

[Layback Bear]

From post #13

Also I have nothing to hide so if the FBI NSA or whomever what to trawl through my machines go ahead, just ask me first.

Sounds like me.
I will go one better.
Just knock on my door and I will let the agencies in and make fresh coffee. Let them sneak and peak all they want on my systems. They will get bored before the coffee runs out. They can also read all 20 or 30 emails I get a year if they care to. Just ask.
If I have something to hide it's hid so well I don't know where or what it is.

 

[scr]

I don't have anything to hide either. If I did a computer would be the last place I would hide it.

 

[Layback Bear]

You are right scr.
A computer is a piss poor place to hide anything.

 

[pokeefe0001]

For a long time I was allowing the GWX maintenance to install, but then manually disabled the GWX trigger tasks. But an October re-re-re-release of KB3035583 apparently change the way GWX and its triggers work. After installing it I could find no way to disable the GWX triggers, and Windows Update no longer showed the regular list of Win7 maintenance - only the option to upgrade to Win10. I assume that was what the original poster mentioned. A System Restore took care of that, but now I know to be doubly careful when installing Window maintenance.

As mentioned earlier in this thread (among many other threads), the vast majority of Windows users don't care about computers, don't think they need to care, and don't have the background to understand even if they did care. The computer is a tool that allows them to do what is important to them. And it may not be a problem to them if the tool suddenly becomes Windows 10. (Except, of course, the upgrade isn't "sudden".)

But a small minority of Windows users - those on this forum, for instance - do care about the operating system on our computers, and don't like Microsoft trying to shove Win10 on us. Too bad Microsoft doesn't care what we think.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I can tell you I had the registry set to NOT Upgrade...

I would be interested to know what registry setting(s) you have set.

 

[scr]

For a long time I was allowing the GWX maintenance to install, but then manually disabled the GWX trigger tasks. But an October re-re-re-release of KB3035583 apparently change the way GWX and its triggers work. After installing it I could find no way to disable the GWX triggers, and Windows Update no longer showed the regular list of Win7 maintenance - only the option to upgrade to Win10. I assume that was what the original poster mentioned. A System Restore took care of that, but now I know to be doubly careful when installing Window maintenance.

As mentioned earlier in this thread (among many other threads), the vast majority of Windows users don't care about computers, don't think they need to care, and don't have the background to understand even if they did care. The computer is a tool that allows them to do what is important to them. And it may not be a problem to them if the tool suddenly becomes Windows 10. (Except, of course, the upgrade isn't "sudden".)

But a small minority of Windows users - those on this forum, for instance - do care about the operating system on our computers, and don't like Microsoft trying to shove Win10 on us. Too bad Microsoft doesn't care what we think.

The only time Microsoft is interested in what their users think is when the stockholders are thinking they aren't happy with the last dividend check they received. As long as the cha ching of the income is ringing loud they could care less. I'm still not clear as to how their making money on 10 but you can safely bet they are or soon will be.