Microsoft Windows: Difference between revisions
→Consumer-impact summary: added info about forced updates on User Freedom section |
Included forced upgrade to Win10 incident and added modified and expanded the Bloatware section |
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Given the scale of Windows and Office deployments, the cumulative energy consumed by collecting, transmitting, storing and processing this data across the globe is also an environmental concern. | Given the scale of Windows and Office deployments, the cumulative energy consumed by collecting, transmitting, storing and processing this data across the globe is also an environmental concern. | ||
==Windows 10 | ==Incidents== | ||
===Forced upgrades to Windows 10 === | |||
In 2015, users reported their Windows 7 and 8.1 computers with automatic updates enabled were upgraded to Windows 10 without the users' notice, by enabling by default the option to upgrade to Windows 10. If the process of upgrading to Windows 10 starts, any attempt to stop it could make the computer unusable. | |||
Microsoft then replied claiming the option to upgrade to Windows 10 was enabled by default because of a "mistake". <ref>{{Cite web |last=Leonhard |first=Woody |date=16 Oct 2015 |title=Microsoft ‘accidentally’ upgrades Win7 and 8.1 PCs to Windows 10 |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1623017/microsoft-accidentally-upgrades-win7-and-81-pcs-to-windows-10.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/whnGh |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=ComputerWorld}}</ref> | |||
===Windows 10<!-- Reluctant to add this one unless we have more reports of this online, but I did find some microsoft support articles that mention Factory Resets happening with windows updates: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/216587/why-a-factory-reset-without-my-permission-during-a -->=== | |||
====Forced Updates==== | ====Forced Updates==== | ||
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==== | ====Bloatware==== | ||
{{see also| | {{see also|Bloatware}} | ||
Since Windows 10, some applications that the user might not want to install come pre-installed in the system were pre-instaled in a copy of Windows. An example of a bloatware application that came pre-installed is Candy Crush. | |||
This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it. | |||
Some non-essential applications like the [[Microsoft Edge]] browser cannot be uninstalled without using third-party tools. | |||
====Forced Arbitration==== | ====Forced Arbitration==== | ||
When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref> | When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref> | ||
==Windows 11== | ====Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program==== | ||
In response to the criticisms aimed at the hardware requirements associated with Windows 11, Microsoft has opted to provide consumers with the option to take advantage of their Windows 10 ESU program. The Windows 10 ESU program will allow users to continue receiving security updates for 1 year, but not without a cost (unless you live in the EU <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=2025-09-25 |title=Microsoft outlines requirements for its free Windows 10 EOL extended support program in Europe — Microsoft account check-in every 60 days, or have access revoked |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929125619/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |archive-date=2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>). | |||
For those outside of the EU, the cost associated with entering the Windows 10 ESU is one of the following: | |||
*Enable Windows Backup to sync device settings to your attached [[Microsoft account]]. | |||
*Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. | |||
*One-time $30 (or equivalent) payment. | |||
Source for Windows 10 ESU cost options: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/extended-security-updates | |||
===Windows 11=== | |||
''Main article: [[Microsoft Windows 11]]'' | ''Main article: [[Microsoft Windows 11]]'' | ||