A Windows 10 Update is Coming. I'm Afraid of Major Updates.

[Basement Cat]

NOTE: I'm making this thread here instead of in Tech or Advice because it's a general curiosity and I'm curious if other techno-illiterates have had similar concerns.

So I got on my laptop this afternoon and was notified that Win 10 was about to update and I needed to review my security settings. Well, I'm inclined to keep up with updates because I ended up turning them off on my old laptop after a while and eventually it died.

So this new update is pretty much mandatory and it comes with all sorts of changes including ones that are supposed to specifically help gamers.

But I've been burned before when updates came out. I turned off the updates on my old laptop because they darn well wrecked my computer. Yes, it died years later but the updates at the time kept it from working at all.

Has anyone gone through the Windows 10 Update? Do you want to? Do you think it would be a good/bad idea to try to prevent such an update? Is it even possible to prevent such an update?

Some people online are howling about their computers being slowed down or even rendered non-functional. This is what really, really scares me because it's happened to me before.

What do you think of "Mandatory" updates? And not just from Microsoft.

I read one news article that pointed out Microsoft is using this update to push adds for Apps. Does that piss you off?

Some related news links:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/windows-creators-update-problems-fixes/2/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/3185756/windows/windows-10-creators-update-the-5-biggest-changes.html

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/04/windows-10-creators-update-quite-a-small-major-update-coming-april-11th/

 

[Recusant]

I didn't think it was possible to prevent, deny, or refuse a Windows 10 update; that's a big part of the reason I avoided Windows 10 (the other major part of the reason was Windows 8). I don't know, however; hopefully someone else can help. As to whether mandatory updates are a good idea, well...

Are unskippable cutscenes a good idea?
Are unskippable anti-piracy blurbs at the beginning of movies a good idea*?
Is taking control away from the user in general a good idea?

Putting them in is a way to control the user's experience, and is done for the sake of the uninformed, who can't be bothered to learn. If you're not uninformed, you're probably going to come to resent the lack of power you have sooner or later.

* Fun fact: take a look at the Interpol warning the next time you pop a tape in. I don't know what it's like in the rest of the world, but here in the US, it says "The International Criminal Police Organization INTERPOL has expressed its concern about sound recording piracy to all of its member national police forces (Resolution adopted by INTERPOL General Assembly, Stockholm, Sweden, September 8, 1977". Think about that. It doesn't say "we want this ended". It doesn't say "we're coming to arrest you". It says "We're concerned about this, and we've told your local police force that we're concerned, and we care so much that we have apparently done nothing about it since Carter was in office".

 

[Queen Michael]

Windows updates are like a bad boyfriend. Won't accept a "no" and also ruins your computer.

 

[IceForce]

But you *can* turn off Windows 10 updates. Just disable the Windows Update service under 'Services'.

That's what I did.

 

[Neverhoodian]

I'm afraid of Microsoft in general when they pulled that keylogging bullshit for Windows 10. They even tried to wrangle Windows 8 users like myself into accepting it with little to no fanfare, hoping it would sail by unnoticed.

Shit like this is why I've made up my mind to switch to Linux for my next computer purchase.

 

[Basement Cat]

But you *can* turn off Windows 10 updates. Just disable the Windows Update service under 'Services'.

That's what I did.

There are updates and then there are "updates". I'm wondering if this is one of those which we need even if we don't want it.

That's part of the reason I made this thread: I'm hoping for word from those who actually know computer systems and/or have/haven't updated--and why they chose to do so.

I'm afraid of Microsoft in general when they pulled that keylogging bullshit for Windows 10. They even tried to wrangle Windows 8 users like myself into accepting it with little to no fanfare, hoping it would sail by unnoticed.

Shit like this is why I've made up my mind to switch to Linux for my next computer purchase.

I accidentally updated my Notebook because the way Microsoft presented the Free Windows 10 update Box mislead me to thinking I was turning it down when in fact it was the opposite. That pissed off a huge number of people who were similarly duped.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

I shut off updates to my Windows 7 box because Microsoft wanted to shove that "telemetry" thing in our faces, without actually telling us just what data they'd be sending (aside from vague garbage like "keystrokes", which could be anything you type). Considering previous Win10 updates have bricked systems, I'd certainly say you're perfectly right to keep those updates off your computer until you know for certain that there's nothing problematic in them.

 

[Basement Cat]

I'm still running build 10240
The first commercial version of windows 10 I think

The very first thing I did on my new laptop was disable updates
Then I ran dws_lite to remove all the microsoft spying

At the time I figured I'd just wait for the update that actually improved the OS instead of broke it
As the months moved on I typically saw users complain of the updates
Then I read they added ads into the start menu and haven't looked back since

The Qs
No
No
No harm will come from not updating
Yes - bust a google for a step by step

Mandatory updates don't exist if the user has to okay them
Mandatory updates for online-only games blow though since those aren't an option and can change the game entirely
Loved MAG to death and then v2.0 happened
A game I played every day became a useless CD from that point onwards

The ad pushing was their entire plan for this OS as far as I'm concerned
They overhauled the UI to make it more accessible
Then gave it out for free to millions all the while gathering data
After a few months forced in the ads from that point onwards

Genius really
Not even mad

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

I'm running the Creator's Update, it actually stabilized some issues I'd had previously and also gave me some extra FPS in Game Mode (not negligable but also not necessarily stellar differences but somewhat noticeable at any rate). Also some game load times improved. I did panic because it acted like an upgrade/reset/reinstall so I'd thought I lost my non-windows programs again but no worries, they were all there and worked perfectly.
Yes you can disable/decline the update though and its well within your rights to do it.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

Running Creator's right now after upgrading to a Ryzen CPU.

Bit the bullet, downloaded an iso for 10...and spent like 15 bucks for a key from Play-Asia, of all places.

It's Windows. Basically 7 again, but with some weird design choices and quirks. Also the spy thing- but I've disabled most of that stuff. Should look into some third party program to block this shit, but whatever. If Microsoft wants to know what kind of freaky porn I'm into, then they're welcome to.

Now, if their "game mode" thing actually benefited games in any way, shape, or form? That'd be an improvement.

 

[TelosSupreme]

At this moment, I'm more annoyed that their updates aren't giving me what they've promised. They promised to fix the webcam software the anniversary update broke and they promised to add a blue light filter. I've gotten neither thus far. Microsoft loves to regularly break things and then take their dear, sweet time fixing it. They must've taken cues from YouTube.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Yeah I too is not fond of Window 10 updates especially the last one.

I had some kind of an bug I think. Bsically during the update, it fail to launch the said update despite downloading and installing it all and then proceed to revert to the last update. However after reverting back, it starts to download the current new update and hence repeat back to the above sentence. Also this took over an hour to install so imagine me trying to do this a few times already when until I decide to just turn it off without installing the update.

It was only last month (this happened in Janunary) that it somehow sorted itself out. Ok yes I think there was a solution to the problem I had but it involved typing in some command which is something I'm not familiar with nor did I wanted to risk it.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

I'm a PC tech and I rarely update anything unless the update is actually supposed to fix an issue that I am having or adding a feature that I would want. If something is working, why fix it basically. I'm still running Win7 with just service pack 1 with no further updates whatsoever. It's really hard to actually get something bad unless you're really just dumb with email attachments or going to really sketchy sites. Running a firewall with NoScript on Firefox makes it nigh impossible to get something bad so much so that I haven't had an anti-virus installed for probably about a decade now. The last virus I've ever got was the infamous blaster worm. Not to mention a lot of programs get worse and become bloated over time where the old version is superior to the new version; there's even a site dedicated to keeping old versions of programs available to download.

With that said, you shouldn't be afraid to update either when something like imaging is so fast and easy. Image your Win10 partition and then update. If the update breaks something, restore the old image and problem solved. That's the same reason an anti-virus is the long way to get rid of a virus. Got a virus? Restore an image and it's gone. Your Windows (or any OS) partition should ONLY consist of the OS and your programs, NO DATA. So many people have just 1 partition on their hard drive with everything on it and save all data to the default locations like "My Documents" or just save everything to the Desktop; never do that.

 

[bluegate]

Running Creator's right now after upgrading to a Ryzen CPU.

Bit the bullet, downloaded an iso for 10...and spent like 15 bucks for a key from Play-Asia, of all places.

It's Windows. Basically 7 again, but with some weird design choices and quirks. Also the spy thing- but I've disabled most of that stuff. Should look into some third party program to block this shit, but whatever. If Microsoft wants to know what kind of freaky porn I'm into, then they're welcome to.

Now, if their "game mode" thing actually benefited games in any way, shape, or form? That'd be an improvement.

Here is a handy little tool for keeping track of Windows' privacy related settings. It has a nice little checklist for you to browse and tick.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

Creative Update crashed on my computer twice at 80-something %. I tried to bugger it off the second time round, but it restarted my computer and did it while I had a game paused while at the gym (boy was I swearing). Anyways, after that nasty surprise, I disabled updates using registry. Hopefully that has booted that bullshit away for good.

Now just to see what kind of software won't install unless I have the "latest Windows 10 version", sons of bitchessss......

Is part of the reason why I gave up on playing my XBONE games on windows play anywhere, because your system always has to be "up to date"

 

[Irwin126]

I despised Windows 8. And as soon as I could I updated.

I don't know why people are having problems and slow down. I haven't had those issues. The only real problem I did have was some crossover installs that failed. Other than that it's been good.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

Here is a handy little tool for keeping track of Windows' privacy related settings. It has a nice little checklist for you to browse and tick.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10w

Leads to a 404. >_>

Disabled everything I could through Windows' options already though, including that ad bullshit.

I'm annoyed by "Basic" being the lowest level of data "sharing." Which is a terrible term for this, since it implies that there's some kind of altruism at work when, really, it's just the OS holding a gun to your head.

 

[bluegate]

Here is a handy little tool for keeping track of Windows' privacy related settings. It has a nice little checklist for you to browse and tick.

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10w

Leads to a 404. >_>

Disabled everything I could through Windows' options already though, including that ad bullshit.

I'm annoyed by "Basic" being the lowest level of data "sharing." Which is a terrible term for this, since it implies that there's some kind of altruism at work when, really, it's just the OS holding a gun to your head.

It appears a rogue "W" managed to sneak its way into the link, I blame my mobile phone...

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

This should do the trick! As far as I know it's a simple executable, no installation required so quick and easy to check out.

 

[Tsun Tzu]

It appears a rogue "W" managed to sneak its way into the link, I blame my mobile phone...

https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

This should do the trick! As far as I know it's a simple executable, no installation required so quick and easy to check out.

Ah, got ya, no worries and thank ya.

From the look of it, that basically goes through and does most of the stuff I've already done via this site's various pages, chiefly this one:

http://www.askvg.com/guide-best-privacy-settings-for-windows-10/

I'll give it a download regardless though.

 

[Epyc Wynn]

PC settings had the option to turn off updates so I did that and shut off the Windows 10 notifications. I had to return a computer I once had bought from Best Buy because Windows 10 made the computer have a permanent bluescreen 1 minute into every startup. It was working fine before the update. Best Buy had the balls to try telling me it would cost 200 dollars to fix, or the computer could be returned for a full refund. Naturally, I returned it and found a cheaper better computer on eBay.