Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent

[mail5269954]

Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent

Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users'
knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent

That is patently untrue. Every user who agreed to the terms of the
Windows EULA gave their consent.

Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users'
knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.

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

This is *not* being done _without_ user consent. Just the
opposite. Every user of each operating systems has been given advance
notice that such things could happen, and has consented to it.

Read the Vista EULA. Section 7 makes it clear that this could happen:

========================================================================

7. INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. Microsoft provides Internet-based services
with the software. It may *change* or cancel them at any time.
a. Consent for Internet-Based Services. The software features
described below and in the Windows Vista Privacy Statement connect to
Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet. *In
some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when they connect.*
You may switch off these features or not use them. For more information
about these features, see the Windows Vista Privacy Statement at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=20615. By using these features,
you consent to the transmission of this information. Microsoft does not
use the information to identify or contact you.

========================================================================
(Emphasis mine)

The WinXP EULA also made this clear:

========================================================================

Internet-Based Services Components. The SOFTWARE contains
components that enable and facilitate the use of certain
Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that
MS, Microsoft Corporation or their subsidiaries may
automatically check the version of the SOFTWARE and/or
its components that you are utilizing and may provide
upgrades or supplements to the SOFTWARE that may be
*automatically* downloaded to your COMPUTER.

========================================================================
(Again, emphasis mine)


Do I approve of this practice? Not really. I'd prefer to know
about each and every change as it happens, just on the off chance that,
if a problem occurs, I've better information on which to base my
troubleshooting. But I'm an exception; most people simply don't want to
know about technical details of how the OS is working.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Adam Leinss]

This is *not* being done _without_ user consent. Just the
opposite. Every user of each operating systems has been given
advance notice that such things could happen, and has consented to
it.

Correct. The EULA also gives you a right to turn features that use
online resources off and apparently Microsoft overruled the "OFF"
setting set by the user.

This has certain "chilling effects": essentially it means we do not
have control over our PCs anymore, but control is delegated in part to
Microsoft.

With product activation and Windows Genuine Disadvantage, you can't
boot up and use Windows without Microsoft' permission, so I'm wondering
why people are so upset when Microsoft takes a bit of control with
their PC.

Adam

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Correct. The EULA also gives you a right to turn features that use
online resources off and apparently Microsoft overruled the "OFF"
setting set by the user.

Not so. These silent updates to not occur on systems where Windows
Update has been turned completely "Off."

This has certain "chilling effects": essentially it means we do not
have control over our PCs anymore, but control is delegated in part to
Microsoft.

Chilling indeed, were it true. However, it's not true.

With product activation and Windows Genuine Disadvantage, you can't
boot up and use Windows without Microsoft' permission, so I'm wondering
why people are so upset when Microsoft takes a bit of control with
their PC.

It's strange. People have no problem handing their personal
information and credit card numbers to complete strangers, or (in
America and Great Britain, anyway) blithely let the government take away
their most basic civil liberties using nothing more than obviously false
scare tactics, and then they complain about a company doing siomething
they've already agreed to.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Ian D]

Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent

Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users'
knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.

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

I checked the files mentioned in that article and now have version
7.0.6000.381. I have auto-updates turned off as I manually update,
usually a few weeks after the update release. The files mentioned
in the article were updated on my system on July 30/07, a few
minutes before I retreived the July updates. I remember I had to go
through the WGA verification process again, and had to accept new
Windows Update files before I could receive the July update list
and updates.

My laptop, which has not been updated for several months, has
older versions of the files mentioned in the article, which indicates
to me that when auto-update is off, those files are not updated
without users' knowledge.

 

[PA Bear]

See this discussion: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=29171