Microsoft's way or the highway
If you're planning to install Windows 10, be aware that you must first agree to receive automatic updates from the mothership. Or at least that's a requirement that's currently laid out in the end user license agreement (EULA) as currently constructed, which was released with the Windows 10 Technical Preview Build 10240.
Here's what the pertinent section says about it:
The Software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you.
You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized 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.
It's the first build of Windows 10 to make automatic updates a requirement for Home users, whereas previous versions let you put them off. Might the policy change? That depends on the public outcry, but as it stands now, Microsoft is planning to make the above wording part of the official EULA.
"The license terms for Windows 10 require automatic updates be enabled as part of keeping our customers secure and delivering Windows as a service," Microsoft told Recode.
It will be a little different for Windows 10 Pro users, who will have up to 8 months to put off updating. If they still haven't updated after 8 months, no future updates will available.
"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 Marmetz, Microsoft's Senior Product Marketing Manager, according to Neowin.
There's a logical reason for forcing automatic updates on Home users. With Windows 10, Microsoft is transitioning to a Windows as a Service (Waas) model, which means a more steady stream of minor updates rather than rolling out large Service Packs and brand new versions of Windows every so often.
However, just because it's logical doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. Though relatively infrequent, Windows updates have been known to bork systems in the past, which is one reason why some users put off installing them right away. It's an annoyance at best, and at worst, a major headache for users on a mission critical machine. Plus they could bring about changes that users don't want, like removing features.
What's your opinion on this? Is forcing automatic updates a non-issue, a good idea, or a disaster in the making?
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