Forced Windows 8.1 Update

This morning a blue banner appeared on my screen asking me when I wanted to restart my computer to continue to download the update to Win 8.1 (I have Windows 8).  At no time did I start the download process.  I selected "Remind me later" from the drop down.   A few minutes later, the download started, and the drop down only allowed me to select a time period to restart my computer (Now, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours)!.  I was committed, and I never authorized this!  So I selected "Now" just to see what would happen.  I went to the Windows Store and lo and behold the update was downloading.  The update failed (I got an error 0xC1900101).  I disabled the update notification reminder using regedit (I was sick of seeing it every time I powered down my computer anyway)-but how could this happen?  This looked like a legitimate Windows notification.

The same thing just happened to me. What the deuce? I have 4 hours to stop it or I will not be happy. fells like Walmart. Its the only choice we get. Poo

If your waiting to get tech or customer service by phone as long as your can understand a strong Middle Eastern accent you wont understand a word that's being said. Apoo and his cousin Sierid confirm we have no American speaking person to transfer the call to but Apoo says yes yes we can fix all you problems but what is this strange custom you have? When we hear a Kaboom we do not cheer we run like the dickens. Where do you keep your sheep anyway?

The same thing happened to me after having to dismiss constant notices, I got only the hours as choices and then it rebooted and updated. I consider the hijacking of my computer and forced upgrade to Windows 8.1 as criminal and completely unacceptable. I see that this will be the future, when your paid software is revoked and removed without consent.

When (exact dates) were KB2973544 and KB2871389 installed according to Installed Updates?

• If you have Automatic Updates enabled and KB2871389 has been installed, installing KB2973544 can automatically start the update process to Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store [not Windows Update]

http://support2.microsoft.com/kb/2973544

• Installing KB2871389 enables you to update your Windows 8 computer to Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store

http://support2.microsoft.com/kb/2871389

Both KB2973544 and KB2871389 are not listed under the 81 installed updates.

Updates are done through Windows Update automatically. (something to reconsider).

How about KB2885699, KB2917499 and/or KB2871777? [1]

Have you ever done a Refresh or a Reset?

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[1] The updates I'm asking about are Win8.1 prerequisites. Kinda hard to believe that Win8.1 "automatically" installed if the prerequisite updates haven't been installed.