Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Just Say No…Now It’s Easy

newgetwindows10prompt.jpg

You may have heard of people who were upgraded to Windows 10 without their permission…or it may have happened to you. And while Windows 10 is the best Windows ever, no one, including Microsoft, has the right to upgrade your computer without your permission.

The problem was that you did give your permission, without even knowing it! This is where Microsoft turned devious. You probably saw a pop-up Window similar to the one above that told you it was time to upgrade and that you can do it now or later this evening. Not much of a choice. If you saw that and said I don’t like those choices, you probably clicked the Red X in the upper right corner to get rid of the screen. When you did that, you gave Microsoft permission to upgrade your computer.

Now that is devious and just plain wrong! In January, Microsoft changed Windows 10 to a “Recommended Update.” They made no bones about it and publicly announced this change the previous October. Now, most of us have Windows set up to automatically update their computers with recommended and critical updates. By having it set up that way, you gave Microsoft permission to upgrade your computer. The devious part was not giving you more pop-up Windows telling you your computer was going to be upgraded with a chance to cancel the upgrade!

Most of us don’t think about the classifications of upgrades. Why should you? Yes, by allowing upgrades, we assume Microsoft will give us improvements, fixes, and mostly additional protection from data thieves. I don’t think anyone gave them the right to change your entire operating system without fair warning.

Microsoft took a lot of heat for these tactics and deservedly so. Now, with only a month left for the free upgrade, they will be using the above screen that gives you the right to just say NO!  Besides the criticism, Microsoft had to shell out $10,000 to settle a lawsuit over this very issue (see story #2). This new “say no” screen should have been used a few months ago.

There is more good information here, but from this point on, you have to take charge. PS: Just to be clear, by clicking on a link to read story, you are saying YES! -JRC   

Tech News and Opinions

 Microsoft to make saying no to Windows 10 update easier

Microsoft is changing the wording of its 'Get Windows 10' update prompt to make cancelling the free update easier and clearer.

Microsoft pays out $10,000 for automatic Windows 10 installation

Company withdraws appeal leaving it liable for $10,000 compensation judgment after botched automatic upgrade of travel agent’s computer

 

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Mobil Computing

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Make slow-motion videos on a phone video

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