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#1
Windows Updates at Most Inconvenient Times
Because I was tired of having Windows Update automatically install updates at the most inconvenient times, I paid for and installed Pro just so I could use the group policy editor to set Updates to Notify but don't download or install.
This is an expensive solution to what shouldn't be a problem.
These are the times I (or any other user) don't want Update to install updates
- I am backing up my system, either using System Image or a third party backup solution
- I am on vacation and may be using Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or low speed Wi-Fi
- I am installing or updating other software
- It just isn't a convenient time as I am doing some personal application and don't want to be disturbed
The options I have read about doing in 10 Home to deactivate Update are silly, not easy to use, and prone to unexpected difficulties
- If I am connected by Wi-Fi, I can set the Wi-Fi connection to metered. But I have to remember to do this every time I connect to Wi-Fi. I see no way to turn Metered on as a default for Wi-Fi connections, which would be the most convenient way to use Wi-Fi. But, if I am at home and using Ethernet cable, metered doesn't work.
- Go to Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services>Windows Update and disable Windows Update. Murphy's law of unintended consequences is at play and will bite you, at the worst possible time.
Microsoft's 10 Home requirement to have updates automatically updated is a service to MS, but a disservice to the customer.
I bought a new laptop I March, with Windows 8.1 Home as the default. I could have purchased 8.1 Pro for $50, and now realize I should have done so. But at the time, Windows 10 was still under construction and I wasn't aware how valuable Pro would be in Windows 10.
If I had to do it over again, knowing the disservice MS has done to their customers, I probably wouldn't have gotten the PC I got, but paid more for a Apple laptop of some type.
Microsoft should offer more flexibility for Windows Update in Home, for the other poor smucks (they are smucks because they incorrectly assumed Microsoft would provide solutions in the customers best interest) that have Home and don't want to pay to upgrade to Pro.
I do understand doing regular maintenance to Windows is important and often critical. I have always operated with notify first, download and install on request; but I update frequently, especially when notified of a critical udate. I plan to do the same on Pro.
But as a customer, I should be able to hold off doing updates at times doing so is not only inconvenient, but might leave my system integrity in doubt.
Minimally, Microsoft should notify the customer that updates are being installed. There used to be an icon in the system tray that informed me updates were available, and that updates were being installed. The least MS could do is reactivate that icon to at least notify the user that updates are being installed. That way the user wouldn't try to shutdown their PC or try to install other products while updates are being installed.
MS needs to show they understand their customer needs and provide a Windows Update vulnerability solution. Perhaps offer 10 Home Premium that just adds the Group Policy Editor so the customer can set to install updates only after notifying the user and getting permission. The best way to do this would have Premium add the old options back to Windows Update installation options.
When I was still working for a computer company, I operated under the policy the customer may not always be right, but was always the customer.
As for MS, their policy seems to be the customer is always the customer, but the customer is usually or may almost always be wrong.