Windows 10: You'll get UPDATES LIKE IT or NOT – unless you have Enterprise Edition

[Batu69]

'You agree to receive automatic updates without notice'

Microsoft's licensing on the upcoming Windows 10 OS means that most users will find their systems updating on command from Redmond without any option to stop this.

The Licensing Agreement for Windows 10, as found in the latest release candidate build 10240 of

Windows 10 Professional, states:

The Software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you.

You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorised sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates.

By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.

Microsoft's intention is that users will be always up-to-date, not only with security patches, but also with feature updates.

This makes it easier for the company to keep pace with changing technology, and provides developers with a more consistent target for applications.

The downside is that feature upgrades can potentially break applications, or drivers for peripherals such as printers and scanners. Those who value stability above having the latest features may prefer to install security updates only.

Windows 10 does allow this, but only for businesses running the Enterprise Edition of Windows. These customers can opt for the Long Term Service Branch (LTSB), which is updated only every 2-3 years (just like traditional Windows releases).

These LTSB releases are supported for up to 10 years.

Other customers will be either on Current Branch (the only option for Windows Home) or Current Branch for Business (CBB), available if you have a version of Windows Professional or Enterprise.

Businesses with Windows 10 Professional can manage updates to some extent. Microsoft has a new tool, Windows Update for Business, which lets you group machines to be updated into distribution rings, so that more critical systems can be updated later, and specify exactly when updates take place by defining maintenance windows.

It appears though that these tools do not allow updates for Windows 10 Professional to be deferred indefinitely.

"Customers who are embracing Current Branch for Business do need to consume that feature update within the allotted time period of approximately eight months or they will not be able to see and consume the next security update," ...

...said Helen Harmetz, Micosoft Senior Product Marketing Manager, in a partner training video earlier this year.

LTSB the underminer

In other words, if you bar feature updates, eventually you also bar security updates, putting PCs at higher risk of compromise.

Those who opt for Windows Enterprise and LTSB do not suffer this restriction.

The downside in this case is that unless you purchase it with Software Assurance (SA), a subscription element that adds extended support, and keep that current, then there is no automatic right to upgrade to the next LTSB edition when it comes along.

Barring feature updates means you bar security updates, putting PCs at higher risk

You would have to purchase it again, just like traditional Windows upgrades.

The existence of LTSB, and the restrictions placed upon it, undermine the argument that Windows 10 will be a more consistent development target, for those developers selling business applications.

This may be why Microsoft recommends it only for the most critical systems.

As for home users, it looks as if Microsoft is providing the more cautious among them with a good reason to stick with Windows 7 or 8.

Source

[Michael*]

Is Bill Gates going to promote it, or too embarrassed?

[oliverjia]

wow.

if you are an average joe, you'll be fxxked by a computer. brilliant, microsoft. is this the beginning of the skynet?

[software182]

looks like they made the same mistake just like they did with Win 8,

[kaloo1995]

would be too messy everytime with drivers etc...

[dcs18]

Windows 10 Professional, states:

The Software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you.

You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorised sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates.

By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.

This EULA exists on every version of Windows — that is not the point, though.

The point is, this article fails to clarify whether Automatic Update can be disabled or not — historically every iteration of Windows has always had the ability to disable Automatic Update at various layers.

[Chancer]

I'm sure that if automatic updates cannot be disabled via a gui setting some clever programmer will work out how to do it for us.

[LeeSmithG]

Window Ten (10) seems too much like Windows Eight ( 8).

I am sure I am eighty percent (80%) most likely to stick with Windows Seven (7) Professional.

Does what I want and works for me.

I can see being offered Windows Twenty (20) in the future as a freebie like how XP users are being harassed.

When are M$ going to get it into their thick heads, I want an operating system that suits me, not suits them.

Eight ( 8), Eight point one (8.1), Eight point two (8.2) and Ten (10) are touch screen and tablet operating systems.

I don't want that!

[Pete 12]

So it seems your no longer "master" of your own PC with Win10 !!

One of the biggest reason to stay with good "old" Win7 , its still one of the finest OS I ever had........

[LeeSmithG]

So it seems your no longer "master" of your own PC with Win10 !!

One of the biggest reason to stay with good "old" Win7 , its still one of the finest OS I ever had........

:thumbsup:

[dcs18]

The point is, this article fails to clarify whether Automatic Update can be disabled or not — historically every iteration of Windows has always had the ability to disable Automatic Update at various layers.

For the Competents . . . . . . . . "Bring Back The Option Of Disabling Automatic Update In Windows 10"— for the rest, don't miss the disclaimer at the link. 8)

[straycat19]

LeeSmithG has it right. I am going to stick with windows 7. Windows 10 only offers more pain and suffering for the end user. If it was so great Microsoft would not be giving it away but they are afraid that since it is so much like 8 that people will refuse to buy it for the same reasons they didn't buy 8. But blocking Microsoft from updating a system shouldn't be a problem.

[NoDeX]

Another dick move from M$. And I was ready to upgrade...

[Karlston]

Is this the Windows 10 version of Windows 8's loathed "missing-start-Menu" and "no-boot-to-desktop"?

After the Windows 8 debacle, Microsoft has everything to lose by alienating users (again) with deeply unpopular features.

I'm sure they'll get lots of um... feedback about forced updates and they'll eventually cave in on this one. Otherwise Windows 10 will be as popular as Windows 8 was on release and neither Microsoft or users want that.

In the meanwhile, concerned users should delay installing/upgrading and wait for third-party developers to come out with patches/utilities to fix it, or M$ to. What's the hurry to install a dot-zero version anyway? :)

[SnakeMasteR]

They fcuk up patchdays and customers operating systems on a regular basis. Get real M$, you dummy's. :ph34r:

[ion2010]

Disable automatic updates:

Open Local Group Policy Editor.

To do so, type Edit Group Policy in Start or taskbar search box

and then press Enter key. Alternatively, open Run command box,

type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter key to open the same.

Navigate to the following policy:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

On the right-side, double-click on the policy labelled Configure Automatic Updates to open its properties.

Select Enabled option. Under Configure automatic updating,

select second option labelled Notify for download and notify for install.

Dont touch rest of the settings.

When this policy is enabled, youll see Some settings are managed by your organization message

under Advanced options of Windows Update.

[MidnightDistortions]

wow.

if you are an average joe, you'll be fxxked by a computer. brilliant, microsoft. is this the beginning of the skynet?

Microsoft is Skynet. :o

[spudboy]

Eight ( 8), Eight point one (8.1), Eight point two (8.2) and Ten (10) are touch screen and tablet operating systems.

That is the argument nearly EVERYone uses against 8/8.1, and it's for the most part complete nonsense. My 8.1 desktop and start menu function exactly like Win7 with the exception of me enabling XP style quicklaunch. I never have to look at the "Metro" interface at all, unless I specifically choose to do so, making the entire touch screen/tablet argument null and void. :)

[LeeSmithG]

Eight ( 8), Eight point one (8.1), Eight point two (8.2) and Ten (10) are touch screen and tablet operating systems.

That is the argument nearly EVERYone uses against 8/8.1, and it's for the most part complete nonsense. My 8.1 desktop and start menu function exactly like Win7 with the exception of me enabling XP style quicklaunch. I never have to look at the "Metro" interface at all, unless I specifically choose to do so, making the entire touch screen/tablet argument null and void. :)

Well potato boy.

It's because you've tweaked or used third party software to get rid of metro :)

[spudboy]

Well potato boy.

It's because you've tweaked or used third party software to get rid of metro :)

The only 3rd party software is for the start menu, which is Classic Shell. If I didn't install that I would still never have to look at Metro as Windows 8/8.1 itself has an option to boot straight to desktop. Not to mention faster boot, better file transfers, hugely superior task manager, tightened security, longer lifecycle, a good amount quicker/snappier in general, much more stable, etc... Can't speak for 10 outside of the start menu as I haven't used it outside of the tech preview quite a while back - but with it's improvements over 8 I see no reason for it to NOT be even better (except for the windows update business on any version Pro and under). I personally cannot think of any instances in which I was ever forced to look at the Metro interface after setting it to boot to desktop. Windows 8 haters be hatin' since the beginning but there's really no reason to. I hated it at first too and was with Win7 unitl 8.1 was released. Cheers. :)

Edit: spudboy is a DEVO reference. :P

[click-click]

Disable automatic updates: Open Local Group Policy Editor. To do so, type Edit Group Policy in Start or taskbar search box and then press Enter key. Alternatively, open Run command box, type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter key to open the same. Navigate to the following policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. On the right-side, double-click on the policy labelled Configure Automatic Updates to open its properties. Select Enabled option. Under Configure automatic updating, select second option labelled Notify for download and notify for install. Dont touch rest of the settings. When this policy is enabled, youll see Some settings are managed by your organization message under Advanced options of Windows Update.

Doesn't work with Pro. Still downloads and installs without informing. Red msg is there, so the change was made.

[dcs18]

Disable automatic updates: Open Local Group Policy Editor. To do so, type Edit Group Policy in Start or taskbar search box and then press Enter key. Alternatively, open Run command box, type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter key to open the same. Navigate to the following policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. On the right-side, double-click on the policy labelled Configure Automatic Updates to open its properties. Select Enabled option. Under Configure automatic updating, select second option labelled Notify for download and notify for install. Dont touch rest of the settings. When this policy is enabled, youll see Some settings are managed by your organization message under Advanced options of Windows Update.

Doesn't work with Pro. Still downloads and installs without informing

Did you check out my link at post # 11? B)

[click-click]

Did you check out my link at post # 11? B)

I saw that, but I assume the GUI makes the same changes as listed above or are there more changes to make this work with Pro?

[dcs18]

Disable automatic updates: Open Local Group Policy Editor. To do so, type Edit Group Policy in Start or taskbar search box and then press Enter key. Alternatively, open Run command box, type Gpedit.msc, and then press Enter key to open the same. Navigate to the following policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. On the right-side, double-click on the policy labelled Configure Automatic Updates to open its properties. Select Enabled option. Under Configure automatic updating, select second option labelled Notify for download and notify for install. Dont touch rest of the settings. When this policy is enabled, youll see Some settings are managed by your organization message under Advanced options of Windows Update.

Doesn't work with Pro. Still downloads and installs without informing

Did you check out my link at post # 11? B)

I saw that, but I assume the GUI makes the same changes as listed above or are there more changes to make this work with Pro?

Please don't assume anything — it achieves everything just as mentioned. ;)

[click-click]

Please don't assume anything — it achieves everything just as mentioned. ;)

Ok, I'll take that assumption back. So what does the GUI do differently than what was mentioned above?