KB3035583 Installing Windows 10 using Windows Update?

Woody Leonhard has stated several times in the last few months that he cannot think of a single non-security update that has been of benefit to Windows 7/8/8.1 users in recent memory (I think he said a year).

While I am no expert, I have reviewed all of the proposed updates for my two Win7 machines since early October 2015, and there was not one non-security update that tempted me.  After futzing around with a blacklist of updates for a couple of months, it became apparent that the better course was simply to reject all non-security updates.

In fact, the whole notion that those of us who decline non-security updates are somehow missing out on ongoing improvements to our software is completely implausible.  Why exactly would M$ do anything to improve the functionality or usefulness of older version of Windows when they are desperately trying to induce, cajole, and trick users to change to W10? 

And what is it that we users of older versions want from M$, other than security updates?  In my case, I just want them to leave my Win7 alone.  It works.  I'm not looking for improvements.  I got what I paid for and am not looking for more.  I'm not some welfare case dependent on M$ to keep me functioning, much as they would like to change that.

I'm surprised that M$ has kept its commitment to provide security updates as long as it has, and would not be shocked if they started quibbling about how long they will continue to do so or threatening to charge a price for the service.  They're going to get to that subscription model one way or another.  And in truth, if the price and terms are reasonable, it might not be the worst resolution.  It would be the statesmanlike, wise thing for M$ to do: Stop hassling customers of older versions, and offer to support those versions for a charge after an initial support period ends.  Legally, the exchange of consideration brings the bargain into focus, where the user currently faces gross uncertainty as to what M$ policy will be.

Desktop/Laptop operating system browsing statistics

Windows 7  46.08%

Windows 10  14.86%

Windows 8.1  11.43%

OS X  9.33%

Windows XP  7.61%

Windows 8  3.01%

Windows Vista  1.62%

Linux  1.47%

Chrome OS  0.55%

Other/Unknown  4.05%

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10

My feeling is that there is likely to be shift from Windows 8 to Windows 10 in the months leading to 29 July. The reaction against Windows 10 is mainly coming from users with Windows 7. Upgrading to Windows 10 is more problematic with small mobile devices. There are now fewer problems with desktops and laptops than there were during 2015.

Each month, I spend a lot of time going through each update and hiding those that coerce Windows 10 installation, that implement data collection on Windows 7, etc.

I prefer to devote my time to developing my understanding of how things work, so that I can help resolve problems when they arise. I will help whether users have Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10.

The more you change Windows from the "norm", the more likely you are to introduce unexpected problems.

Agreed. That's why I do not install "updates" that are designed exclusively to push me away from my norm (Windows 7) and introduce unexpected problems, like an accidental transition to an operating system I do not want.  If these updates had any intrinsic benefit to the current operating system (whether Windows 7, 8, or 8.1) other than to ease the "upgrade" experience to Windows 10, it would be in Microsoft's interest to let us know that.

It would be quite a stretch to suggest that Microsoft is keeping secret some benefit that would actually encourage more users to accept the updates. Given that, I still don't see how declining updates with the sole purpose of easing a transition I am never going to make on this device somehow makes my operating system "damaged goods", or what "unexpected problems" I may encounter.

Again, please explain what you mean by that, without resorting to the fanciful idea that Windows 7 (or 8 or 8.1) somehow needs an easier "upgrade" process to Windows 10 in order to function properly as Windows 7 (or 8 or 8.1).

Gerry,

*>*The converse is equally true. Both points of view are supposition.

Agreed.

*>*We all have to trust each other. Where trust does not exist life becomes intolerable.

Yes, but trust goes both ways. It appears that Microsoft does not trust/respect their customer's wishes. A large set (see next item) of Microsoft's customers are running a version of Windows other than 10 ... yet Microsoft seems intent on forcing those customers into running Windows 10. Trust has to be earned ... and (in my opinion) Microsoft has not earned our trust (with the way in which they are coercing Windows 10 installations).

> More want Windows 10 than do not.

Do you have any proof of that statement? According to NetMarketShare, Windows 10 market share is 12.82% (and what portion of that share is due to coercion versus customers actually deciding to install Windows 10), while other versions of Windows (Windows 7, XP, and 8.1) have a total share of 73.41% share. If more customers wanted Windows 10 than do not, then I would think that after being available for seven months, Windows 10 market share would have at least exceeded that of Windows 7. It seems to me that more customers do not want Windows 7 than those that do.

> With so many opting for Windows 10, software providers will most likely opt to provide upgrades and new software to meet the demands of the larger market. There will be less interest in servicing the demands of a minority sticking with Windows 7. Life could pass you by.

Hmmm ... if software providers will most likely provide software for Windows 10, then why are so many people having trouble getting Windows 10 drivers for their hardware? Windows XP market share (11.24%) is only slightly under that of Windows 10 (12.82%), with Windows 8.1 at 9.83% and Windows 7 at a whopping 52.34% .... so it appears that the fear of not getting software for older versions has not impacted the large number of customers running older versions of Windows (if those customers were being impacted, then wouldn't you expect Windows 10 market share to be higher at this point).

> No! I simply recognise that I am not Canute trying "trying to stop the tide”

Each Microsoft customer will do what they feel is best for them ... I am not trying to stop the tide or tilt at windmills, I just do not want Windows 10 on my computers (for many reasons including not having options to pick and choose which updates I want and not having an option to stop ALL data collection).

Each month, I spend a lot of time going through each update and hiding those that coerce Windows 10 installation, that implement data collection on Windows 7, etc. Microsoft could easily provide options in Windows Update to never install Windows 10, to not collect data, etc, and Microsoft could choose to honor customer's wishes by never unhiding updates that a customer has previously hidden (i.e., previously identified updates that are known to coerce Windows 10 installation) .... but it's not likely that they will do so .... because getting Windows 10 installed on a billion PCs has become a corporate objective, and Microsoft will continue to pursue that objective in spite of their customer's wishes.

I do not think you have any way of knowing that for sure.

The converse is equally true. Both points of view are supposition.

whether one can trust what Microsoft does/says.

We all have to trust each other. Where trust does not exist life becomes intolerable.

in spite of the customer's desires to the contrary

More want Windows 10 than do not. Those that do not are extremely vocal!

I will not be able to easily install Windows 10 but that is OK with me (I do not want Window 10).

With so many opting for Windows 10, software providers will most likely opt to provide upgrades and new software to meet the demands of the larger market. There will be less interest in servicing the demands of a minority sticking with Windows 7. Life could pass you by.

They would also have us believe that Windows 10 collection of information is for customer's benefit (fixing Windows 10 bugs)

Sadly I fear that you may be right as regards Windows 10. Selling information to facilitate marketing campaigns is likely to become a reality in the not too distant. I suspect it will still be used to fix bugs but it will generate more spam to annoy computer users.

You seem to implicitly trust Microsoft

No! I simply recognise that I am not Canute trying "trying to stop the tide”:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Canute_and_the_waves