KB3035583 Installing Windows 10 using Windows Update?

Question

Would you please tell me how to prevent the installation of KB3035583 in my computer and if it is already installed, how to remove it?  Also, are there other updates that we need to be concerned about that enable this behaviour?

KB3035583 now appears as an Important update in Windows Update and is checked which means it will be automatically installed if the user does not uncheck it.  If automatic update is set, it will install without intervention.

There are credible articles that say that Microsoft either has installed or will install changes to my computer that will enable Microsoft to use it as an advertising platform and then install Windows 10 without first obtaining an informed decision to do so.  I truly hope this is not true.

On behalf of my clients and their 162 Windows "consumer" computers, I must tell you that we do not grant Microsoft or any other vendor the right to do this.  When other Windows players do this, we regard it as malware and take great care to remove it.

Microsoft got to where it is today by selling Windows.  We have spent decades learning how to use Windows and billions of dollars buying Windows computers and Windows software.  We own these systems.  They are ours, not Microsoft's.

Windows Update has earned a huge trust.  We trust Microsoft to use Windows Update to keep our computers safe and secure.  When Patch Tuesday comes along we install all the updates that Microsoft says are "important." We assume those to be either plugging a security leak or fixing a software error.

We all hope Windows 10 will be something we will want.  We will carefully review and consult trusted advisors before we install Windows 10.  We have seen Windows 8 and rejected it.  Windows 8 is a bad product we did not choose.  

Automatically installing Windows 10 on our computers would be a severe abuse of a well-earned trust.  Changing our computers to enable them to become advertising platforms is also an abuse.

Answer 1

I'd tell you if I could access https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214 (or your blog or anything else on TechNet) when signed in to my Microsoft account/Live ID right now. <shrug>

Answer 2

I'd tell you if I could access https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214 (or your blog or anything else on TechNet) when signed in to my Microsoft account/Live ID right now. <shrug>

I've noticed similar difficulty with a variety of boxes for the last week or so.  Seems to be neither platform, elevation, or IE v. specific - and has (so far) always resolved itself fairly quickly, although I had one elevated acct. prove recalcitrant for about 3 days (forcing the dreaded alternate-browser approach to pass the creds).  I take this as an indication of problems on the other end; suspect ramping up for Patch Tuesday might play an part...

I, too, will be interested in your informed opinion on how to improve KB2990214, so I'll keep an eye on the applicable The Windows Servicing Guy comment thread.

Answer 3

Joscon, your response is very much appreciated.

You are welcome to the feedback.  I wish Microsoft would accept more of the same from many of the more than competent writers in this forum.

I also appreciate the fact that you are correcting the Microsoft description of this Update.  I hope this leads to a better description of future updates.

Unfortunately, because it was Patch Tuesday, my communication to my clients directing the removal of KB2990214 had already been sent.  That has led to a confusing new direction to reverse the KB2990214 removal, but continue to remove the really objectionable KB3035583.  That affected 162 computers.

Perhaps it would be best if Microsoft used Windows Update to carry out the same process -- removing KB3035583.  If other players in the Windows ecosystem did something like this, it would be massively rejected by the community and considered to be objectionable malware.  Microsoft's taking advantage of the position of trust we have given it with Windows Update in this way is a serious mistake.

Answer 4

Joscon, I await the change to the description of KB2990214.  It still shows as a tool to upgrade to Windows 7, in spite of your assurances that it is far more than that.

Answer 5

[At my request, a Moderator has restored your thread to the Discussions (vs. Questions) subforum.]