The truth about Windows 7 and 8.1 preloading the Windows 10 .ESD even if you didn't reserve an upgra
39 replies, posted
[url]http://www.infoworld.com/article/2983777/microsoft-windows/how-to-clean-the-windows-10-crapware-off-your-windows-7-or-81-pc.html[/url]
[quote=InfoWorld]I don't know why Microsoft would want to destroy trust in Windows 7 and 8.1, but it's sure doing a good job of it.
Microsoft has already proved conclusively it can install any program it wants on your Win7 or Win8.1 PC and have it do whatever it wants. Now the folks at Microsoft are now demonstrating they can push massive amounts of crapware to hundreds of millions of PCs -- using customers' bandwidth and taking up real estate on customers' main drives -- without a wink, nod, or notification, much less a request for permission.
Last week I wrote that I was skeptical of early reports that Microsoft was pushing 3GB to 6GB of data onto Win7 and Win8.1 PCs completely unbidden. Microsoft isn't that stupid, is it?
Man, was I naïve. I got my comeuppance over the weekend, as people who would absolutely never click on the "Reserve your free upgrade" or "Schedule your free upgrade" button told me they have a hidden C:\$Windows.~BT folder full of Win10 crapware that weighs in at 3GB, 6GB, or even 10GB.
By early this morning I'd received reliable reports from every continent ("except Antarctica," as my son loves to say) showing that Windows 7 and 8.1 customers are getting clobbered with unwanted data, apparently pushed through the Automatic Update mechanism.
I say "apparently" because the systems that seem to be getting the gunk:
- Are running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update 1
- [B]Are running with Windows Automatic Update turned on[/B]
- Are not connected to a Windows Update server or, if they are connected, they can access Windows Update directly; that may happen if a user on a domain-attached PC has admin rights, or if they're setup to access Windows Update directly while, for example, on the road
If you have a counterexample, please let me know in the comments.
Since I have Windows Update turned off on all of my PCs -- go ahead and scoff, but I still say that's the best way to keep from getting clobbered -- none of my PCs received the payload. Heaven help the folks who have to pay dearly for Internet bits.[/quote]
I could forgive Microsoft for causing some users system instability through Windows automatic updates because they weren't doing it on purpose.
But this.
And the Windows 10 FUD continues. Boy I sure love being scared to turn my computer on based on some poorly, hastily written articles shared on my Facebook feed!
MS have been fairly open about how the Windows 10 stuff was going down from the start. I'm fairly sure they said it would download for everyone because it's part of the Windows Update system, but registering it was related to the app they shipped.
Don't be scared of this crap, if MS do actually pull anything shady they'll have their asses destroyed in court pretty swiftly (at least in the EU, the US probably not).
I don't think anyone has the right to complain at Microsoft if they have automatic updates enabled. Windows 10 is an update, why would it not be downloaded if automatic updates are enabled.
[QUOTE=leontodd;48691205]I don't think anyone has the right to complain at Microsoft if they have automatic updates enabled. Windows 10 is an update, why would it not be downloaded if automatic updates are enabled.[/QUOTE]
windows 10 isn't an update, windows 10 is a totally separate OS. distinctly NOT an update.
[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;48691232]windows 10 isn't an update, windows 10 is a totally separate OS. distinctly NOT an update.[/QUOTE]
Not to sound like a dick but I think Microsoft can dictate what is an update and what isn't (in their Windows Update system at least). If someone complains that Windows 10 is downloading in the background it isn't Microsoft's fault that someone's definition of an update isn't the same as theirs.
[QUOTE=leontodd;48691205]I don't think anyone has the right to complain at Microsoft if they have automatic updates enabled. Windows 10 is an update, why would it not be downloaded if automatic updates are enabled.[/QUOTE]
Yup. If you have Automatic Updates enabled for the core of your system, you're asking for trouble, be it just some HDD space, or something much worse (think Windows 2000 machines getting bricked).
[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;48691232]windows 10 isn't an update, windows 10 is a totally separate OS. distinctly NOT an update.[/QUOTE]
iOS and linux are totally seperate OS's. iOS 3 is an updated iOS 2. Bagelsystem 4 is an updated Bagelsystem 3. Windows 10 is an updated windows 7/8. It's just a huge enough update that they call label it seperately.
windows 7, 8, 9, 9.45, 6.7, 500000 or 10, they're all distinctly similar and run the same programs in the same ways. The only difference is each has separate features and handles shit a bit different than the last. It's a different version, not a different OS
[QUOTE=J!NX;48691892]iOS and linux are totally seperate OS's. iOS 3 is an updated iOS 2. Bagelsystem 4 is an updated Bagelsystem 3. Windows 10 is an updated windows 7/8. It's just a huge enough update that they call label it seperately.
windows 7, 8, 9, 9.45, 6.7, 500000 or 10, they're all distinctly similar and run the same programs in the same ways. The only difference is each has separate features and handles shit a bit different than the last. It's a different version, not a different OS[/QUOTE]
The only windows OSs I would say they are different completely are the pre-NT kernel ones.
Well the odd as fuck thing for me is 1. I do not have auto-updates on and I have the Windows BT folder in question, and 2. the file itself isn't this gigantic 6.5 gig file, mines only 50 mbs, but on my wifi hotspot it registered downloading 6.5 gigs which was the reported size of the file for many, is it possibly downloading to another hidden folder?
Can the writer be any more salty about Windows 10, jesus.
[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;48691864]Yup. If you have Automatic Updates enabled for the core of your system, you're asking for trouble, be it just some HDD space, or something much worse (think Windows 2000 machines getting bricked).[/QUOTE]
At what point does age make something irrelevant? Because I'd argue that updates for a fifteen year old operating system makes that irrelevant.
[QUOTE=wauterboi;48692601]At what point does age make something irrelevant? Because I'd argue that updates for a fifteen year old operating system makes that irrelevant.[/QUOTE]
Windows 2000 isn't even supported as of 5 years ago, but there was a time where when it [I]was[/I] supported that happened.
Thank god I don't have automatic updates enabled.
[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;48692617]Windows 2000 isn't even supported as of 5 years ago, but there was a time where when it [I]was[/I] supported that happened.[/QUOTE]
Not to mention that there have been cases where 7 and 8 updates have broken machines.
[QUOTE=Gnomical;48692753]Not to mention that there have been cases where 7 and 8 updates have broken machines.[/QUOTE]
That's good support for that argument - I've got bricked machines once on each major version of Windows beginning with 7. I'm just saying it's a bit silly to criticize Windows over bad decisions back when Windows 2000 was supported.
[QUOTE=DrKinkyKinkles;48689968]
But this.[/QUOTE]
But this what? It's not a big deal. Just delete it and you're done.
Does it do this if KB3035583 is installed (it's the update with the windows 10 notification).
[QUOTE=Gnomical;48692753]Not to mention that there have been cases where 7 and 8 updates have broken machines.[/QUOTE]
But it's extremely unlikely. It's pointless to have them disabled unless you're irrationally paranoid.
[QUOTE=chipsnapper2;48694241][url]https://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1485064[/url][/QUOTE]
Yeah, it even says in the article in that thread that it was for only users with automatic updates. Plus it was pointed out multiple times in the thread.
There's a difference between tiny ass 200mb updates that install in seconds when you happen to restart your PC and a 3gb clusterfuck that leeches insane amounts of system power to download itself.
Just a little bit of a difference. Wee wee lil' difference.
The bit about it being caused by Automatic Updates is useful (set it to notify on install people, it's the only correct answer), but the rest of this article reads like it was written by a freetard.
All it needs to top it off is the use of "Micro$oft" or "M$" and a recommendation to switch to GNU/Hurd.
[QUOTE=lavacano;48696526]The bit about it being caused by Automatic Updates is useful (set it to notify on install people, it's the only correct answer), but the rest of this article reads like it was written by a freetard.
All it needs to top it off is the use of "Micro$oft" or "M$" and a recommendation to switch to GNU/Hurd.[/QUOTE]
I strongly prefer GNU/Hurd to NSA/Windows
[QUOTE=J!NX;48691892]iOS and linux are totally seperate OS's. iOS 3 is an updated iOS 2. Bagelsystem 4 is an updated Bagelsystem 3. Windows 10 is an updated windows 7/8. It's just a huge enough update that they call label it seperately.
windows 7, 8, 9, 9.45, 6.7, 500000 or 10, they're all distinctly similar and run the same programs in the same ways. The only difference is each has separate features and handles shit a bit different than the last. It's a different version, not a different OS[/QUOTE]
Android and Debian = Same because they're both based on Linux
no
W10 is not an update. "Just remove it", what about people with limited data plans?
[QUOTE=MrHeadHopper;48696452]There's a difference between tiny ass 200mb updates that install in seconds when you happen to restart your PC and a 3gb clusterfuck that leeches insane amounts of system power to download itself.
Just a little bit of a difference. Wee wee lil' difference.[/QUOTE]
If downloading a 3gb file "leeches an insane amount of system power" you need a new computer.
[QUOTE=Rixxz2;48712363]Android and Debian = Same because they're both based on Linux
no
W10 is not an update. "Just remove it", what about people with limited data plans?[/QUOTE]
People with limited data plans have automatic update off.
[QUOTE=itisjuly;48713560]People with limited data plans have automatic update off.[/QUOTE]
For mobile connections that's only applicable to integrated mobile NICs and USB-connected mobile NICs.
It can't do that automatically for people who use AP's.
And lots of people in various nations still have limited data plans on non-mobile connections as well, which it also can't detect
[QUOTE=Rika-chan;48712734]If downloading a 3gb file "leeches an insane amount of system power" you need a new computer.[/QUOTE]
Maybe it fucks his internet over rather than his PC.
[QUOTE=Rixxz2;48714445]For mobile connections that's only applicable to integrated mobile NICs and USB-connected mobile NICs.
It can't do that automatically for people who use AP's.
And lots of people in various nations still have limited data plans on non-mobile connections as well, which it also can't detect[/QUOTE]
Windows will always assume you have an unrestricted connection. Especially Windows Update, as its nothing more than a service that checks what updates you have, and downloads/installs ones you don't. You have to go out of your way to make sure it doesn't do any frivolous downloads. Windows 8 actually introduced a feature that allows you to set an wireless access point as a metered connection and programs and the system will behave accordingly if they support it.
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