KB3035583 Installing Windows 10 using Windows Update?

Microsoft's trickery becomes ever more extreme.

Microsoft becomes EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!

AN OPEN LETTER TO SYMANTEC

Dear Symantec:

You could double your revenue from this customer by expanding your anti-spyware offerings to include, perhaps optionally, a constantly-updated list of Windows updates that exist so Microsoft can spy on the user or nag or trick him or her into buying the company's latest products.

I have spent too much time this afternoon manually uninstalling various updates, running Windows Update, and then unchecking and hiding the same updates there--this on two computers.  After comparing the updates to a little blacklist I have gleaned from this and another forum, I ended up unchecking and hiding all except the "security" updates and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

Hiding updates is increasingly pointless, as Microsoft has adopted the tactic of reissuing multiple new versions.  Here is your opportunity, Symantec!  You have already invested the resources to detect the latest spyware, including programs that trick users into clicking on them, the way Microsoft now does.  Why should millions of customers assemble blacklists and manually inspect the updates recommended by Windows Updates, when you can do this so much more efficiently?

Seriously.  Increased revenue through real innovation.  Do some good for the world, at the same time.

This letter should be sent to Avast, NOD32 & other companies who produce antivirus / antispyware applications.

I am a conservative supporter of economic liberty but have nothing but contempt for businesses (and governments) who prey upon the elderly, those who are busy or distracted, and everyone else who cannot defend themselves against trickery.  Need I remind anyone here that trickery is a species of fraud, traditionally considered one of the chief targets of the law.

That Microsoft's practices are allowed to continue is an example of the way that the law has been corrupted.

I agree completely.  Not just Norton though.  There is no question that the Win10 payload is malware by any definition. 

• It is not wanted,
• not asked for,
• it sneaks in without asking permission,
• it is very difficult to remove and in fact does not offer a no thanks button,
• it makes major changes to your computer.
• It is bundled in with other stuff you actually want.

Regarding the apparent requirement to "upgrade" to Windows 10 to obtain Win7 updates:

While running Windows Update on one of my two desktop machines today, I kept seeing Upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as I checked for available updates.  I looked at the available updates and checked only the security-related ones, but after I clicked on OK, the opening screen still indicated that I would be downloading and installing Windows 10.  One click away from disaster.

On the third try I noticed that down in the right hand corner of the available updates page it said that I had checked one optional update, and lo and behold it was Windows 10 Pro.  I unchecked it, checked the security updates again, and returned to the main screen, which now shows only that I have checked 15 "important" updates, and nothing said about Windows 10.

I had previously downloaded and ran Josh Mayfield's GWX Control Panel, which indicated that I did not have the GWX download on the machine.  This suggests to me that people are seeing Windows Update apparently refuse to update without installing Win 10 because Microsoft has listed the Win 10 "upgrade" among the optional updates, and checked it without informing the user.  Microsoft's trickery becomes ever more extreme.