Windows 10 installed without permission!

willington · 03 Oct 2015

I reserved, a log time ago, Windows 10 for my Desktop but never activated it nor set a date for activation after an aborted upgrade to 10 on a laptop shortly after the 29th July.

Yesterday evening, I booted up my Dell Desktop (running 8.1), entered my password and Windows 10 started to install automatically! I had noticed that Microsoft had previously automatically Downloaded Windows 10 to my system in anticipation that I may wish to install it at some future date. This Upgrade file could not be removed.

All my settings were set to Notify me if Updates were available and my choice when and if to install them.

In fear of 'damaging' my Desktop, I went through the entire installation process (using Customized settings) and then reverted back to Windows 8.1.

To get to the points I wish to make now:

1. In my opinion, Microsoft have no Legal right to download a Windows 10 UPGRADE file to my computer as their Lisence states only Updates.

2. The unsolicited Installation and reverting back to Windows 8.1 took hours to perform.

3. As I was not prepared to Upgrade to 10, I had not prepared any Data/recovery/driver back-ups. Luckily for me the reverting back to 10 went without a hitch and all my previous settings were as before.

4. Today, despite my settings set to the contrary, Updates were automatically downloaded and installed.

5. Today, Windows Action Centre notifications said that I should change my settings to Automatically download and install Microsoft updates! This is what Microsoft wants and not what I want.

6. Microsoft had previously secretively 'through the backdoor in updates' installed onto Windows 7 and 8.1 computers their 'spyware', keyloggers and voice recorders. My data is being collected by Microsoft contrary to settings not permitting this! And yes, I have removed the offending Updates which does this, but a lot of data is still being transmitted.

In my opinion, Microsoft have generally made a good start to the Upgrade roll-out programme. However, in their effort to create a unified cross-platform system, they have 'lost the plot' and are alienating users of their earlier operating systems.

I for one am now seriously considering switching to a Linux based system and for future computers buy Apple.

dalchina · 03 Oct 2015

Hi, you might be interested in this:
Microsoft pushes Windows 10 upgrade to PCs without user consent | Computerworld

I had no bad experience of this sort- I deliberately downloaded the iso and used that from Win 8. However it seems change in management is reflected in change of policy, but not necessarily policies which will "win hearts and minds", especially with the way MS lacks consistency over email clients, support of iRDA (infra red), desktop vs tiles, UI appearance - which has changed even since the 'RTM' build, and even their failure to provide an adequately specified start menu.

DustSailor · 03 Oct 2015

MS installs an upgrade to Win10 icon, which you need to click and accept the free upgrade. It does not automatically install Windows 10, you do. There are ways to disable the upgrade icon on this forum, but that doesn't take away from the fact that MS did NOT install Win10 automatically.

willington · 03 Oct 2015

DustSailor said:

MS installs an upgrade to Win10 icon, which you need to click and accept the free upgrade. It does not automatically install Windows 10, you do. There are ways to disable the upgrade icon on this forum, but that doesn't take away from the fact that MS did NOT install Win10 automatically.

I understand that the Upgrade was to be installed like this. However, you may have misread my post.....I switched on my computer, logged into my Pc and windows 10 AUTOMATICALLY installed without me consenting to anything.

I saw it happen...you did not!

Berton · 03 Oct 2015

Win10 is an Upgrade but is delivered as an update, can indeed get installed as other of the updates get installed. If a user isn't paying attention to the list of updates it can happen, seemingly just as intended by Microsoft. I've had 2 out of 14 Upgrades happen that way which actually was good, was going to do it anyway and it just saved me a bit of time. I also am using a Win7 Pro [my main computer until I get some Upgrades for programs I need] that has Win10 reserved but it has not been pressing me to do the Upgrade.

DustSailor · 03 Oct 2015

Mate, I promise you have to reserve the upgrade first... It is just how it works! You have to physically click on the windows logo and click the button that says reserve upgrade. You could do this in the windows update area as well, it says upgrade to windows 10, but you HAVE to click it.

Help with upgrading to Windows 10 - Windows Help

How to reserve your free upgrade to Windows 10 - Microsoft Community

Granted, it may have been an accident, but it was not automatic.

willington · 03 Oct 2015

[QUOTE=DustSailor;413733]Mate, I promise you have to reserve the upgrade first... It is just how it works! You have to physically click on the windows logo and click the button that says reserve upgrade. You could do this in the windows update area as well, it says upgrade to windows 10, but you HAVE to click it.

I did register an interest in windows 10, but I have NEVER accepted to install the Upgrade.

Fair enough, I do believe you and put this most inconvenient Installation down as a 'glitch' when I switched my desktop on.

However, I have raised other points which need to be addressed by Microsoft.

DustSailor · 03 Oct 2015

Point #4 may be true, there have been instances where MS changes the setting back to automatic. This could happen after an Office installation, but I don't remember if a past update changes that setting. I thought MS allows you to choose what updates are installed automatically when installing Windows 10, but they didn't give that option to the 'home' version, only pro (and above, I think).

They might not think this such a bad thing though, because updates often protect your computer by removing security flaws, and generally fixing what was broke.

#6 MS has addressed this issue to assure that all data is submitted anonymously, but you have the option to allow more stuff be submitted, such as customer experience program (opt-in) which allows MS to better fix problems as they arise. And still location aware services provide things like businesses close to your location when you search for them, but obviously it needs to know your location first (also opt-in). But if you are worried about complete anonymity, I recommend not using computers at all, or the internet at the very least. Because it isn't Microsoft you should be worrying about, but the websites you visit that are storing info about you. Especially social media, but others as well. It is just a fact of life now, unless you live 'off the grid', you can't truly ever protect your privacy completely.

And once again, MS is trying hard to keep your privacy guarded. If they don't, take them to court, or don't use their products till they realize they should do more. What I found is that they have been doing a pretty good job thus far.

Hopefully this has helped, though I'm not sure if I can answer your other points, since I don't work for MS, and I'd think most people on this forum don't either.

DustSailor · 03 Oct 2015

Oh my gosh, I forgot to post the privacy link that went with my last post: Privacy and Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Ztruker · 03 Oct 2015

This is not the first occurrence of Windows 10 being installed without the owner initiating it or consenting to the install. It is (and has) happened. Read the link in post #2 of this thread or search the internet.