Microsoft upgrades spark backlash

Microsoft is risking the wrath of millions of existing customers after it emerged that the company has been pre-loading Windows 10 installation software onto devices without users’ knowledge.
The firm has been carrying out the upgrades since late July, but it was believed the practice had been limited to devices whose owners had accepted Microsoft’s free offer and reserved a copy.
Now, Microsoft has admitted that anyone who has Windows Update set to the default option – that lets the operating system download and install security fixes automatically – will receive the Windows 10 upgrade files to their hard drive.
The company, which claims the automatic upgrades are “industry practice”, has riled many users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, who have complained that the unsolicited downloads have meant they have exceeded their Internet providers’ data limits or seized storage space without their consent.
Microsoft said: “For those who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help customers prepare their devices for Windows 10 by downloading the files necessary for future installation.
“This results in a better upgrade experience and ensures the customer’s device has the latest software. This is an industry practice that reduces time for installation and ensures device readiness.”
Windows 10 is one of the most advanced software upgrades in recent years but has come under fire as many of its consumer tracking and data analytical elements come as default; users have to go in to the system to unclick them. Its launch has already raised fears that the new EU data protection reforms will be out of date even before they are passed.
For instance, the software automatically assigns an advertising ID to each user on a device tied to the email address that is on file. Using that ID, the company can tailor ads for web-browsing.
Additionally, the built-in personal assistant, Cortana, must collect data to provide the kind of service it does, while there are also concerns over disclosing and sharing users’ personal information.
The privacy policy states: “We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders)…we have a good faith that doing so is necessary to protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.”