Microsoft Reconsiders: No More Forced Updates in Windows 10

[Raevenlord]

One of the big no-nos for some users looking to upgrade do Windows 10 was the fact that Microsoft enforced constant, 6-month update cycles independent of whether users wanted them or not. This move was done to streamline the update process and keep all users at parity when it comes to important security and feature updates that Microsoft considered relevant. However, it seems Microsoft is now abandoning this practice, which means that users that like to know exactly what is being changed in their systems - and at a time of their convenience - now have one less reason to not upgrade.

Not only will Windows no longer push updates inadvertently, now home users will also have the ability to not only pause updates, but also remove them. There's a caveat, though - you won't be able to postpone feature updates forever. As it stands, Microsoft has an 18 month "end of life" period for major Windows 10 versions, which means that after your 18 months of postponing updates are up (and all of the kinks have been ironed out), you PC will still update to the latest version. There are some other details, which I will transcribe from the Microsoft blog post for your perusal.

Download and install now option provides users a separate control to initiate the installation of a feature update on eligible devices with no known key blocking compatibility issues. Users can still "Check for updates" to get monthly quality and security updates. Windows will automatically initiate a new feature update if the version of Windows 10 is nearing end of support. We may notify you when a feature update is available and ready for your machine. All Windows 10 devices with a supported version will continue to automatically receive the monthly updates. This new "download and install" option will also be available for our most popular versions of Windows 10, versions 1803 and 1809, by late May.

Additional improvements to put users more in control of updates that are being introduced with the May 2019 Update include:

• Extended ability to pause updates for both feature and monthly updates. This extension ability is for all editions of Windows 10, including Home. Based on user feedback we know that any update can come at an inconvenient time, such as when a PC is needed for a big presentation. So, we're making it possible for all users to pause both feature and monthly updates for up to 35 days (seven days at a time, up to five times). Once the 35-day pause period is reached, users will need to update their device before pausing again.
• Intelligent active hours to avoid disruptive update restarts. The active hours feature, introduced in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, relies on a manually configured time range to avoid automatically installing updates and rebooting. Many users leave the active hours setting at its 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. default. To further enhance active hours, users will now have the option to let Windows Update intelligently adjust active hours based on their device-specific usage patterns.
• Improved update orchestration to improve system responsiveness. This feature will improve system performance by intelligently coordinating Windows updates and Microsoft Store updates, so they occur when users are away from their devices to minimize disruptions.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[jeremyshaw]

Too late, I already took the ultimate upgrade.

 

[eidairaman1]

Forced updates still.

Screw them.

Win 7 FTW.

Can't stand the gui of 10 and how menus have been changed etc.

 

[Shihab]

Well, I guess we -the people who kept nagging and ranting on this subject- can win a battle after all!
A step in the right direction, but not quite there yet. Here's to hoping we get there before Januray...

 

[Space Lynx]

Honestly the whole 6 month update thing was stupid imo anyway, I mean seriously what features have they introduced that have matted to me as a gamer? Nothing, unless you count TruePlay which is probably just spyware making sure none of my steam games are pirated.

 

[Fx]

Forced updates still.

Screw them.

Win 7 FTW.

Can't stand the gui of 10 and how menus have been changed etc.

I feel you. I've been using it for about 6 months now and still can't stand it. I still hate its design and privacy invasion more than anything. My initial kneejerk reaction was correct.

I only upgraded to ensure that compatibility for gaming was optimal.

 

[xkm1948]

TBH I'd rather pay a one time cost for a well-built OS from Microsoft that receive good amount of security and bug patches for 5yrs. But I guess those days are over now. Everything is subscription based for max profit.

 

[Vayra86]

TBH I'd rather pay a one time cost for a well-built OS from Microsoft that receive good amount of security and bug patches for 5yrs. But I guess those days are over now. Everything is subscription based for max profit.

I'm still not seeing the profit here for MS. They sell Windows 10 once.

Their profit idea lies in the Store and in cloud. If you don't use them, this is the cheapest Windows OS ever. And even the most feature rich at that too.

 

[HD64G]

So, the security BS that was supposedly the main reason for this policies isn't as important anymore?

 

[Smartcom5]

To be fair, if those forced updates of the past for Windows 10 would've been incorporated the same level of quality, absence of defectiveness, stability and would've featured the same user-friendliness and safeness as those who were issued out for Windows 7 back then, the process of people being willing to do such upgrades to Windows 10 would've been tremendously sped up and the market-share of Windows 7 would've been in free fall since Windows 10 came out (or would've been at least way more declining) – while being even free.

Since for a good chunk of power-users, the bare prospect of running/using an operating-system which bricks itself every couple of weeks to months, the forlornness of the world's biggest OS-developer being literally un·able to maintaining a given minimum on stability and the sheer hopelessness in fighting a losing battle with no end in sight of regaining the ultimate control of the OS (or its respective updates … cough) as the user, due to forced (stability- and/or function-) bricking updates, that was the nail in the coffin for them on Windows 10 – and only to a much lesser extent the issues on privacy.

Well, if …
Though, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.


Smartcom

 

[Octopuss]

English is failing me today.
I don't understand what this is about at all.
Instead of forced updates every six months it will be once every 18 instead? That's all?

 

[moproblems99]

Honestly the whole 6 month update thing was stupid imo anyway, I mean seriously what features have they introduced that have matted to me as a gamer? Nothing, unless you count TruePlay which is probably just spyware making sure none of my steam games are pirated.

Yes, because gaming is the sole focus of pcs...oh, and revenue for MS...

 

[Space Lynx]

Yes, because gaming is the sole focus of pcs...oh, and revenue for MS...

Thanks for the reminder! Back to Win 7 I go! Cheers!

 

[eidairaman1]

This title name is misleading...

 

[moproblems99]

Thanks for the reminder! Back to Win 7 I go! Cheers!

While there are still things I don't like about 10, it is still way better than 7.

 

[neatfeatguy]

To be fair, if those forced updates of the past for Windows 10 would've been incorporated the same level of quality, absence of defectiveness, stability and would've featured the same user-friendliness and safeness as those who were issued out for Windows 7 back then, the process of people being willing to do such upgrades to Windows 10 would've been tremendously sped up and the market-share of Windows 7 would've been in free fall since Windows 10 came out (or would've been at least way more declining) – while being even free.

Since for a good chunk of power-users, the bare prospect of running/using an operating-system which bricks itself every couple of weeks to months, the forlornness of the world's biggest OS-developer being literally un·able to maintaining a given minimum on stability and the sheer hopelessness in fighting a losing battle with no end in sight of regaining the ultimate control of the OS (or its respective updates … cough) as the user, due to forced (stability- and/or function-) bricking updates, that was the nail in the coffin for them on Windows 10 – and only to a much lesser extent the issues on privacy.

Well, if …
Though, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.


Smartcom

I don't know....

The Falls Creator update that forced it's way to my Plex server and then broke itself, that was a very pleasant experience! Nothing like watching my RAID1 setup take a shit because Windows broke so bad it couldn't be repaired.

After that I figured Win 10 would constantly break any RAID configuration so I opted to just simply using my second HDD to do a full backup with Acronis every couple of weeks.

 

[eidairaman1]

While there are still things I don't like about 10, it is still way better than 7.

Ui is clunky

 

[TheOne]

So is it going to be the 1904 update now that they are shooting for May.

 

[newtekie1]

Can't stand the gui of 10 and how menus have been changed etc.

And then you have people like me that love the 10 gui, and can't stand going back to 7 because of all the missing stuff I use daily.

I'm still not seeing the profit here for MS. They sell Windows 10 once.

Their profit idea lies in the Store and in cloud. If you don't use them, this is the cheapest Windows OS ever. And even the most feature rich at that too.

The retail edition of Windows 10 is not a major seller. Almost all the copies sold are OEM versions that can't be transferred from one computer to another. So when someone buys a new computer, they are still buying a new copy and MS gets more money.

 

[Fx]

I don't know....

The Falls Creator update that forced it's way to my Plex server and then broke itself, that was a very pleasant experience! Nothing like watching my RAID1 setup take a shit because Windows broke so bad it couldn't be repaired.

After that I figured Win 10 would constantly break any RAID configuration so I opted to just simply using my second HDD to do a full backup with Acronis every couple of weeks.

You could also use FreeFileSync, create a script to run daily via Task Scheduler to do this automatically at whatever interval you like such as daily or weekly. It is a truly free program, doesn't look archaic and is updated often.

 

[moproblems99]

Ui is clunky

I don't really know what clunky means. Speed?

The retail edition of Windows 10 is not a major seller. Almost all the copies sold are OEM versions that can't be transferred from one computer to another. So when someone buys a new computer, they are still buying a new copy and MS gets more money.

I don't know about that. They are still allowing 7 and 8 keys to be upgraded to 10. They would also have to enforce the OEM policy which they have never done.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Forced updates still.

Screw them.

Win 7 FTW.

Can't stand the gui of 10 and how menus have been changed etc.

Start10. Looks and feels like an improved W7.

 

[eidairaman1]

Start10. Looks and feels like an improved W7.

No services running in background for it.

It took me forever to locate tge control panel and get the normal icons that have been with us since 95/98 on the desktop too

 

[neatfeatguy]

No services running in background for it.

It took me forever to locate tge control panel and get the normal icons that have been with us since 95/98 on the desktop too

First time I installed Win 10 I didn't see "My Computer" on the desktop.
Whatever, click on the start button - I don't see it showing up in all the crap that's littered across the start menu.
Fine. In the search bar I type in "my computer" and nothing comes up.....seriously, now. WTF?
Screw it - I just type "c:\" to bring up the window for the c drive.

Later found out it's called "This PC" and no longer "My Computer"

Tell me. What the hell is the point in renaming something after all these years?

 

[HTC]

Forced updates still.

Screw them.

Win 7 FTW.

Can't stand the gui of 10 and how menus have been changed etc.

Linux FTW ...