One more reason I'm not fond of Windows

[Bofur]

http://www.windowssecrets.com/2007/09/13/01-Microsoft-updates-Windows-without-users-consent

It does say that they allow this in the EULA. But still, it gives me one more reason to choose Linux over Windows. Opinions, thoughts?

[SonicSteve]

It makes me wonder,
If microsoft can do this, there is obviously a way to enter the system even when you think it's closed. I don't like it, if I say no updates I don't want updates.

[reyfer]

Yes, the problem here is that, no matter if these updates were harmless, if MS can do updates to your system without your knowledge, and even after you disabled auto-updates, then what else can they do to your system without your knowledge or consent? Are your personal files really "personal"?

[Het Irv]

I think with this move Microsoft just screwed them selves. Now someone is going to find out how they did it and beat every Windows user with a very large stick. Then windows is going to patch their backdoor but by then the damage will be done. The fallout will be a pain in the <ahem> butt

[shynko]

wow I;m glad I dont use windows any more. :)

[smoker]

maybe i'm suspicious by nature, but it makes me wonder what else they are doing, or can do, if they so desire!

[sstusick]

Another reason why I don't use Windows anymore.

[darksong]

And this is going to impact their market share........

...no

[Depressed Man]

Significantly? Probably not. Though I already sent it to all the people with the tech knowledge and they disaprove enough to try Ubuntu (well one switched to Ubuntu before the semester started) .

Edit: On a sidenote. From other tech forums it seems that this only happens if you have WU set to notify you of updates and wait for you to let it update/install.

For those that turn off WU completly it doesn't seem to affect them. At least that seems to be the consensus at DonationCoder.

[dca]

Yeah, well, in the EULA it also refers to the person who purchased the PC or laptop w/ XP or Vista pre-installed doesn't own the OS so nanny nanny boo boo...

I guess in Lehman's it is referred to as borrowing an OS. Or maybe using it until Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, et al say they want it back...

[sstusick]

How many people actually read the EULA?

[Dr. C]

How many people actually read the EULA?

I for one have read the Microsoft EULAs but then I am using Ubuntu as my primary OS

[ev5unleash1]

Compadibality in Vista and the dam viruses.

[James7]

maybe i'm suspicious by nature, but it makes me wonder what else they are doing, or can do, if they so desire!

Exactly. This is why open source is so important, I ( or at least anyone with the knowledge ) can see what it does. I don't trust Microsoft any more and am glad no longer to be using their software.

Also, they have grown in intrusiveness over the years. I think they figure ( and they are right to think this ) that if they take away people's privacy and autonomy bit by bit, people won't really rebel.

[cmat]

Yeah, well, in the EULA it also refers to the person who purchased the PC or laptop w/ XP or Vista pre-installed doesn't own the OS so nanny nanny boo boo...

I guess in Lehman's it is referred to as borrowing an OS. Or maybe using it until Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, et al say they want it back...

The EULA is presented in the installation. Most people buy Windows preinstalled and don't even know of it's existence since the guy at Acer or Dell already accepted the terms for them.

[Warren Watts]

Yeah, well, in the EULA it also refers to the person who purchased the PC or laptop w/ XP or Vista pre-installed doesn't own the OS so nanny nanny boo boo...

I guess in Lehman's it is referred to as borrowing an OS. Or maybe using it until Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer, et al say they want it back...

As a user of an MS product, you may not own the OS, but you certainly own the hardware it is running on. If I lease a vehicle and park it in my garage at night, the owner of the vehicle can't just decide to go into my garage any time he wants and turn wrenches on the vehicle just because he owns it...

[sstusick]

As a user of an MS product, you may not own the OS, but you certainly own the hardware it is running on. If I lease a vehicle and park it in my garage at night, the owner of the vehicle can't just decide to go into my garage any time he wants and turn wrenches on the vehicle just because he owns it...
Damn right!

[hellion0]

Benign updates, maybe, but automatically installed?

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."