Windows 10 Automatic Downloads is blowing data caps.
-
I just heard from a client where they have a very bad internet connection due to their location where their data cap is somewhat restrictive. They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent. My client just got her internet bill for the month - data usage is up 300 percent and she is now responsible to pay for this. To boot - there are no plans to update to Windows 10 at this location. This is not good Microsoft.... not good.
23741 wrote:
They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent
While it is a boneheaded move from Microsoft, I manage less than that many PCs and VMs here at home, and I've prevented that whole fiasco from ever happening by running my own WSUS machine, from which I can control any and all patches Microsoft tries to push out. And it's no trouble keeping it up to date even on my puny 5mbps residential DSL connection. This Windows 10 update thing has been discussed for months already - whoever is doing their IT administration seriously needs to keep up and plan for these things to avoid exactly this.
-
it is being downloaded silently by windows update, we have it a work on all windows 7 and 8.1 machines. Were just lucky to have a leased line
Every day, thousands of innocent plants are killed by vegetarians. Help end the violence EAT BACON
Yes, but if you have a properly configured network, only 1 computer will download it and the others will download it from the computer that has downloaded it. Like torrents. This is how it works.
-
I just heard from a client where they have a very bad internet connection due to their location where their data cap is somewhat restrictive. They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent. My client just got her internet bill for the month - data usage is up 300 percent and she is now responsible to pay for this. To boot - there are no plans to update to Windows 10 at this location. This is not good Microsoft.... not good.
My understanding is that you can tell Windows 10, as with Windows 8 previously, that you are on a metered connection. Once that is set then I think low priority updates are not downloaded automatically. Not tested this but that's my understanding.
All round good guy.
-
My understanding is that you can tell Windows 10, as with Windows 8 previously, that you are on a metered connection. Once that is set then I think low priority updates are not downloaded automatically. Not tested this but that's my understanding.
All round good guy.
The problem with this is that the client (business owner) did not know anything until they got their bill from Telus. At that point - it was too late. My client is on the west coast - I'm not. As well - I did not setup their network. The root cause of this fiasco is Microsoft assuming they can force download Windows 10 onto peoples machines without their knowledge or consent or even knowing that it's going on. I have no control over what my clients' employees do or don't do as it is a remote site - and again - I wasn't the one to setup their network. This is a matter of closing the barn door after the horse is gone and the fox, well, he doesn't seem to care what users are willing to accept or not accept unbeknownst to them. It's a sh1t move on the part of Microsoft - that's it that's all.
-
What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question? The metaphorical solid rear-end expulsions have impacted the metaphorical motorized bladed rotating air movement mechanism. Do questions with multiple question marks annoy you???
The impact seems to vary depending on which version of windows you upgrade from. I upgraded from 64bit 8.1 and discovered that the upgrade cost me 3.4Gb against my data cap. Upgrading from 32bit would be substantially more costly as the upgrade downloads both the 64bit and 32bit versions. (I discovered this in one of the later updates where the test for 64bit was not performed before downloading the update. Bad, bad, Microsoft!)
The difficult may take time, the impossible a little longer.
-
The problem with this is that the client (business owner) did not know anything until they got their bill from Telus. At that point - it was too late. My client is on the west coast - I'm not. As well - I did not setup their network. The root cause of this fiasco is Microsoft assuming they can force download Windows 10 onto peoples machines without their knowledge or consent or even knowing that it's going on. I have no control over what my clients' employees do or don't do as it is a remote site - and again - I wasn't the one to setup their network. This is a matter of closing the barn door after the horse is gone and the fox, well, he doesn't seem to care what users are willing to accept or not accept unbeknownst to them. It's a sh1t move on the part of Microsoft - that's it that's all.
23741 wrote:
The root cause of this fiasco is Microsoft assuming they can force download Windows 10 onto peoples machines without their knowledge or consent or even knowing that it's going on.
Maybe, but given that I'm occasionally stuck supporting a Windows XP device I think that the negatives of assuming by default that no-one wants to upgrade is far worse than assuming everyone wants to upgrade. Of course my opinion is pretty one sided.
23741 wrote:
I have no control over what my clients' employees do or don't do as it is a remote site
Wrong! 1) Identify that Microsoft going to be stupid and do something like this. 2) Send out an email notifying all of your clients that this could happen with a note that you can stop it. 3) Profit! I might have been working with marketing guys too long.
23741 wrote:
It's a sh1t move on the part of Microsoft - that's it that's all.
If only multi-billion dollar corporations were more in touch with their consumers. :)
-
It's probably stated deep in the Terms. So while they did it, you're probably the one responsible.
Sad person that I am, I read the terms and yes, there is a clause that forbids class actions. They must have spent more time on the terms of use than thinking about the impact of force feeding the punters.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
-
Sad person that I am, I read the terms and yes, there is a clause that forbids class actions. They must have spent more time on the terms of use than thinking about the impact of force feeding the punters.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
"The Terms"... Which terms? Windows 7? 8? 8.1? 10? If it's a generic restriction against class action lawsuits (which I'm not even certain can be legally binding) then I can see it being in there for a long time. But then again, if it was only added to the terms recently, there may be an argument that the user didn't or couldn't have agreed to those terms.
-
"The Terms"... Which terms? Windows 7? 8? 8.1? 10? If it's a generic restriction against class action lawsuits (which I'm not even certain can be legally binding) then I can see it being in there for a long time. But then again, if it was only added to the terms recently, there may be an argument that the user didn't or couldn't have agreed to those terms.
It is the Windows 10 terms that users are required to agree to if they want to use the software.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
-
It is the Windows 10 terms that users are required to agree to if they want to use the software.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
Haha, so Microsoft expects that hold up in court? "Hey! You haven't installed this software we surreptitiously downloaded in the background, but you can't sue us about it!" Good luck. I hope it's been in their terms since Windows 7, otherwise they won't have a leg to stand on. As I said though, I'm not ever sure that clauses like this are legally binding. It'd be like trying to say you can't sue them for downloading child porn or pirated movies to your computer without your consent. No way that flies in any sane court.
-
23741 wrote:
The root cause of this fiasco is Microsoft assuming they can force download Windows 10 onto peoples machines without their knowledge or consent or even knowing that it's going on.
Maybe, but given that I'm occasionally stuck supporting a Windows XP device I think that the negatives of assuming by default that no-one wants to upgrade is far worse than assuming everyone wants to upgrade. Of course my opinion is pretty one sided.
23741 wrote:
I have no control over what my clients' employees do or don't do as it is a remote site
Wrong! 1) Identify that Microsoft going to be stupid and do something like this. 2) Send out an email notifying all of your clients that this could happen with a note that you can stop it. 3) Profit! I might have been working with marketing guys too long.
23741 wrote:
It's a sh1t move on the part of Microsoft - that's it that's all.
If only multi-billion dollar corporations were more in touch with their consumers. :)
Dar Brett wrote:
Maybe, but given that I'm occasionally stuck supporting a Windows XP device I think that the negatives of assuming by default that no-one wants to upgrade is far worse than assuming everyone wants to upgrade.
Pride in your software and company is no excuse for a bad user experience. Download a small update in the background, same as was done with the multi-gig Windows 10 download. Have it nag the user on a regular basis, telling them that they can get Windows 10 for free, if they want, and present them with a list of options for obtaining it (or declining it.) Then the user has been made aware of all their options, and are happier for it. Forcing change on users (because you, the company, think you know best) is not a favorable thing.
-
Sad person that I am, I read the terms and yes, there is a clause that forbids class actions. They must have spent more time on the terms of use than thinking about the impact of force feeding the punters.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
I don't think they do think much before they do something. Plus, I barely trust a company that can't count correctly.
-
23741 wrote:
They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent
While it is a boneheaded move from Microsoft, I manage less than that many PCs and VMs here at home, and I've prevented that whole fiasco from ever happening by running my own WSUS machine, from which I can control any and all patches Microsoft tries to push out. And it's no trouble keeping it up to date even on my puny 5mbps residential DSL connection. This Windows 10 update thing has been discussed for months already - whoever is doing their IT administration seriously needs to keep up and plan for these things to avoid exactly this.
dandy72 wrote:
I manage less than that many PCs and VMs here at home, and I've prevented that whole fiasco from ever happening by running my own WSUS machine, from which I can control any and all patches Microsoft tries to push out.
Out of curiosity, how much time/money did it take to setup? I've generally had 3-4 PCs at my home over the years; and while my cables fast enough bandwidth isn't a real issue, I've occasionally found myself wanting more centralized control over things. Needing to upgrade all of my boxes to Pro Versions of Windows and to get Windows Server license has always looked like a lot more money than I'd want to invest in the project.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
-
dandy72 wrote:
I manage less than that many PCs and VMs here at home, and I've prevented that whole fiasco from ever happening by running my own WSUS machine, from which I can control any and all patches Microsoft tries to push out.
Out of curiosity, how much time/money did it take to setup? I've generally had 3-4 PCs at my home over the years; and while my cables fast enough bandwidth isn't a real issue, I've occasionally found myself wanting more centralized control over things. Needing to upgrade all of my boxes to Pro Versions of Windows and to get Windows Server license has always looked like a lot more money than I'd want to invest in the project.
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
Hard to put an actual time figure as I'm a software developer, not an IT guy, but I do draw on decades of experience managing my own stuff - I view that as just being one part that's understood to be part of my job description and never had any formal training to do that sort of thing. In a larger environment, where somebody is expected have a full-time job dedicated to IT management, I'd leave it to those people. I have to think that someone who's in charge of 30 PCs in an actual office environment would have, if not the know-how to get WSUS going, then at the very least the resourcefulness to do the research for it. Honest, installing it from scratch and going over the options and configuring it probably took me less than 20 minutes (it's pretty trivial). The rest of the initial process consists of just letting it download everything you allow it to, which can take a few hours for the initial update synchronization. But that's completely hands-off. As for cost, well, WSUS is part of Windows Server, and my use of that license is covered by my MSDN subscription. For a standalone server in a standard office, I believe it's a few hundred bucks - well worth it if it means that office's IT guy remains in control of the Windows patches. Otherwise, if you're leaving every computer handle its own updates...I wouldn't want to be part of that organization.
-
Hard to put an actual time figure as I'm a software developer, not an IT guy, but I do draw on decades of experience managing my own stuff - I view that as just being one part that's understood to be part of my job description and never had any formal training to do that sort of thing. In a larger environment, where somebody is expected have a full-time job dedicated to IT management, I'd leave it to those people. I have to think that someone who's in charge of 30 PCs in an actual office environment would have, if not the know-how to get WSUS going, then at the very least the resourcefulness to do the research for it. Honest, installing it from scratch and going over the options and configuring it probably took me less than 20 minutes (it's pretty trivial). The rest of the initial process consists of just letting it download everything you allow it to, which can take a few hours for the initial update synchronization. But that's completely hands-off. As for cost, well, WSUS is part of Windows Server, and my use of that license is covered by my MSDN subscription. For a standalone server in a standard office, I believe it's a few hundred bucks - well worth it if it means that office's IT guy remains in control of the Windows patches. Otherwise, if you're leaving every computer handle its own updates...I wouldn't want to be part of that organization.
dandy72 wrote:
I have to think that someone who's in charge of 30 PCs in an actual office environment would have, if not the know-how to get WSUS going, then at the very least the resourcefulness to do the research for it.
Assuming there is someone actually in charge, as opposed to "Joe Who's Good with Computers" (read "has installed a Minecraft mod") handling day to day trivial problems as an ancillary duty and the boss hiring out to people like 23741 for specific problems that are beyond his ability but not for general support. For a small business, I wouldn't be surprised if that's all they felt they needed until some disaster convinced them otherwise (depending on what the overage charge is, this might do it, or might not).
dandy72 wrote:
As for cost, well, WSUS is part of Windows Server, and my use of that license is covered by my MSDN subscription.
Not really, although I've never heard of MS auditing individual licenses. MSDN server software/OS licenses are only licensed for development/test purposes; not production use. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/cc150618.aspx[^]
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
-
Sad person that I am, I read the terms and yes, there is a clause that forbids class actions. They must have spent more time on the terms of use than thinking about the impact of force feeding the punters.
I may not last forever but the mess I leave behind certainly will.
-
dandy72 wrote:
I have to think that someone who's in charge of 30 PCs in an actual office environment would have, if not the know-how to get WSUS going, then at the very least the resourcefulness to do the research for it.
Assuming there is someone actually in charge, as opposed to "Joe Who's Good with Computers" (read "has installed a Minecraft mod") handling day to day trivial problems as an ancillary duty and the boss hiring out to people like 23741 for specific problems that are beyond his ability but not for general support. For a small business, I wouldn't be surprised if that's all they felt they needed until some disaster convinced them otherwise (depending on what the overage charge is, this might do it, or might not).
dandy72 wrote:
As for cost, well, WSUS is part of Windows Server, and my use of that license is covered by my MSDN subscription.
Not really, although I've never heard of MS auditing individual licenses. MSDN server software/OS licenses are only licensed for development/test purposes; not production use. https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/cc150618.aspx[^]
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, waging all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
Dan Neely wrote:
Not really, although I've never heard of MS auditing individual licenses. MSDN server software/OS licenses are only licensed for development/test purposes; not production use.
So where do you draw the line? I actually write software that does patch management, and getting the current enterprise patch state from WSUS/SCCM is part of what I do.
-
I just heard from a client where they have a very bad internet connection due to their location where their data cap is somewhat restrictive. They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent. My client just got her internet bill for the month - data usage is up 300 percent and she is now responsible to pay for this. To boot - there are no plans to update to Windows 10 at this location. This is not good Microsoft.... not good.
OUCH! We're in rural Canada with a 35GB/month cap and a few teenagers kicking about. Most months, we have to ration our network to stay under this cap or face rather heavy fines. In early August our internet use mysterously spiked for a few days. We had to disconnect the network for the rest of the month because this download frenzy had used almost all of our quota. My machine was one of the culprits, even though it was mostly idle. Thinking I had a virus, I spent a few hours checking for infections and ripping out any software that could have caused the problem. We never knew what happened until I read this article and the associated links. Sure enough C:\\$Windows.~BT invisibly sits on my hard drive taking up 5.87GB. This is stuff that I did not ask for, and would have never consented to downloading. Thank you very much Microsoft! :wtf:
-
I just heard from a client where they have a very bad internet connection due to their location where their data cap is somewhat restrictive. They have approximately 30 PCs - where each of these PCs were forced behind the scenes to download Windows 10 for installation - without the users consent. My client just got her internet bill for the month - data usage is up 300 percent and she is now responsible to pay for this. To boot - there are no plans to update to Windows 10 at this location. This is not good Microsoft.... not good.
Use a Proxy Server, cache the code, for x number of days, windows PC running proxy between the router and clients, if your service provider, then create offline image they can download see check out "media-creation-tool-install" for windows 10 or provide a proxy server for the download. However, the updates, as windows 10 runs as a service, yr at the mercy of Microsoft, what they send could be enormous, and it could be regular, it could be complete replace or patching.
-
Use a Proxy Server, cache the code, for x number of days, windows PC running proxy between the router and clients, if your service provider, then create offline image they can download see check out "media-creation-tool-install" for windows 10 or provide a proxy server for the download. However, the updates, as windows 10 runs as a service, yr at the mercy of Microsoft, what they send could be enormous, and it could be regular, it could be complete replace or patching.
As per this page: http://www.askvg.com/how-to-remove-get-windows-10-app-and-its-icon-from-taskbar/ The registry script does the trick. Windows 10 has already been downloaded on each workstation - and is starting to nag for installation - the registry script at the page above castrates it in it's tracks.