Windows 10?

[Rick Danger]

As much as you can joke that Gamers should get out of the house more often, they are a tech savvy bunch. Many build their own high end systems from scratch to meet their gaming needs.

I took a quick run around the 'net. It appears that Gamers were cautiously optimistic about Windows 10 at the onset. Now it seems they've gone from optimism to emotions ranging from hope for the future (i.e., "Not Ready for Prime Time") to the most angry anti-Windows 10 rant I've seen (yet). I went to YouTube and have the following sampling. Some of the analysis shows great insight, others just great anger.

Three take aways:

(1) Gamers are not happy with the performance and customization restrictions on early Windows 10 games mandated by the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) architecture. Again, as Mr. A435843 said so long ago, no power user of a PC platform wants to run a "dumbed down" phone app.

(2) Because of how Microsoft is looking to license games under Windows 10, game developers are faced with having to build or port games to both UWP and non-UWP platforms. This means increased development costs. Smaller developers who cannot afford two development tracks are under stress.

(3) A Microsoft exec leaked the possibility that they may move away from the Xbox platform. This has not been met favorably by Xbox fans, nor is it likely to convince users of other gaming platforms to move over to Xbox.

And you thought gaming was all about fun!

"Gears of War & The Windows Store | Angry Rant" from Joker Productions. The lad needs to step away from the console and get to the gym. But check out the professional, broadcast quality microphone setup he's rocking. He refers to the Windows Store as "like built-in, f....ed up firmware". and to Windows 10 as a "f---ing cancerous f---ing AIDS virus". Wow, tell us how you REALLY feel! WARNING: Foul language!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtVXWbOkbGc

"I Uninstalled Windows 10.... (Gears of War: Ultimate Edition)" from LiKe BuTTeR. A full-time gamer running a custom built, Intel i7 based PC with 16Gb of RAM, and decided to go back to Windows 7. Excitement turned into frustrations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7Wc7Q3Qls

"Epic CEO: Gaming with Windows 10 UWP 'WILL Die'" from The Know. Hosted by Ashley Jenkins and Meg Turney. The ladies report on backlash to Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform (UWP) strategy, technical problems with Windows 10 gaming, and backpedaling by Microsoft on potential plans to eliminate the Xbox platform.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t78Lj3UwGK8

"Microsoft Game Studios CANCELS Games & CLOSES Lionhead" from The Know. Ashley and Meg weigh in on the possible negative impact of trying to redesign games around UWP is having on game designers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CsGkCW-Acs

"Xbox games on PC? Windows 10 on XBOX?" from Boogie2988. Again, another guy who appears to be spending too much time indoors. But a good analysis of the gaming marketplace and the opportunities and barriers to Microsoft's gaming strategy. WARNING: Foul language!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQFPUS-9aIM

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

STRIKE 1: Again, ad naseum, Windows 10 is not taking the PC world by storm.

The "accidental upgrades" of Windows 7 and 8.x users, spotty functionality of key new features like Edge and Continuum, glitches with established apps like OneDrive, bandwidth choking forced updates, and obvious quality lapses, up to and including crashed systems have slowed acceptance. Now the announcement that the counted on major upgrade, code named "Redstone" will not be available until 2017 leaves even the most passionate Window 10 drone tossing in the wind.

OPINION: Drop the Gestapo tactics. End forced updates for machines running prior versions of Windows. Give users control over the Window 10 update process, same as they've enjoyed through the years. Instead, focus resources on fixing the grocery list of problems that are delaying public acceptance of Windows 10.

STRIKE 2: As presented in the previous post, Microsoft's gaming strategy is tied to a boat anchor called Windows Universal Platform.

Gamers are a technically savvy but unforgiving lot. They spend considerable time and expense building cutting edge gaming systems to maximize their enjoyment. For Microsoft to suggest that they must accept locked down, half crippled applications for the sake of some nebulous cross-platform compatibility would be viewed as a serious affront by the gaming community.

And the notion that Microsoft would pull the plug on Xbox would be viewed by it's fan base as an act of treason. The website Top Ten Reviews has the Xbox One and Xbox 360 ranked 2 and 3 behind the Sony PlayStation 4 in it's "2016 Best Video Game Consoles Review". Despite the higher price, PlayStation maintains the #1 spot in the gaming console market. But the idea that Microsoft would dump a comparatively successful product platform while pumping resources into their anemic mobile phone strategy is perplexing, to say the least.

This situation is the exact reverse of the challenges that Redmond faces in the mobile device market. There, they are struggling to gain even the merest uptick in their install base, struggling to keep from being crushed under the weight of Android and iOS offerings. In the gaming market, they face the real possibility of sending Windows gamers and Xbox users streaming to the exit doors towards Steam, Playstation, and Nintendo platforms if they "stick to the script" of WUP compatibility or move away from Xbox.

OPINION: Microsoft needs to drop the Windows Universal Platform pipe dream. Unleash the full power of the new PC hardware with Windows 10 to run games (and other applications) natively without being hampered by WUP. And allow Xbox to maintain it's momentum.

STRIKE 3: Windows 10 Mobile is Redmond's version of the TV hit "The Walking Dead".

Microsoft's mobile device strategy is based on trying to convince the marketplace that a platform with about 2.3% of the market will be brought back from the grave by Windows 10, Universal Apps, and Continuum. But at this point, only three of the popular US carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are carrying Windows Phones. But the largest, Verizon, is carrying NO Windows 10 phones, while AT&T and T-Mobile are only carrying one Windows 10 phone each. Interestingly, Verizon carries the older Lumina 735 running Windows 8.1 Phone (and the LG Lancet), but lists Cortana as one of the 735's features.

The breakdowns, obtained from the provider's own websites:

	AT&T	Sprint	T-Mobile	Verizon
Android	26	5	27	23
Blackberry	2	0	1	2
iOS	5	3	6	5
Windows	2*	0	2*	2
* Only (1) Windows 10 phone

These are hardly overwhelming numbers, but consistent with the "bottom feeder" status of Windows Phone. Clearly big boy Verizon is not sold on Windows 10 Mobile. Neither is Sprint.

Microsoft is trapped with a less than stellar product with an application store lagging far behind the established competition. Add to this that reviewers have judged the user experience of the premium Lumina 950XL to be substandard and there is little to suggest that Windows 10 will have any major impact in the market. Redmond also seems to be engaged in a "one step forward, two steps back" strategy. The release of the new, economy model Lumina 650 is a step in the right direction. But the latest news that Microsoft will NOT make Windows 10 available to all current devices running Windows 8.1 takes two long steps in the wrong direction. As written by Tom Warren for the Verge.com:

Windows Phone fans aren't necessarily angry at the lack of upgrade for their chosen devices, it's more the broken promises. Windows Phone 7 handsets were never upgraded to Windows Phone 8, and Microsoft set the expectation this time that history wouldn't repeat itself. Another broken promise is bad news for a mobile operating system that is practically dead, and once again Microsoft has angered its small but loyal base of Windows Phone users.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/20/11...e-upgrade-list

Strange. Microsoft is busy forcing Windows 10 onto PC users who did not ask for it but ignores about half of their Windows 8 Phone install base that DOES. Isn't this inconsistent with their "Billion Devices" strategy? Why not take the path of least resistance and upgrade the legacy phones?

OPINION: After the debacle with the Nokia acquisition, Microsoft is not showing any new momentum with Windows 10 Mobile. And the idea that you might use a Lumina with Continuum and other adaptive components as a lightweight computing solution instead of a laptop, netbook, or tablet is a cute notion but probably not worth the effort.

Time for Redmond to cut their losses and end their long mobile nightmare.

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

March 15th:

Originally Posted by Rick Danger

On the opposite side, there are three upgrades I am avoiding, at least for now. Two of them, KB 3103709 and KB 3115224 have no descriptive information on the Microsoft Support website.

March 22nd:

Originally Posted by A435843

First, with the flood of Windows 8.1 optional updates over the last couple of Tuesdays, there is an addition to the S*** List, as per an article on Infoworld today (http://www.infoworld.com/article/304...b-3103709.html). KB 3103709 has no information about it on MS's website. When a user called a MS help line about this patch, this strange robocall conversation occurred:


Skepticaluser_2016: I'm reluctant to install the update since there is no information regarding it on the Microsoft website

Judy D: Okay… Actually this is a free upgrade to everyone. If you are using win 8.1 now, you are one of the qualified to upgrade your PC to windows 10… To check if the update is already installed, go to the Start screen. If you see a Search button near your account name at the top of the Start screen, you already have the update.

Skepticaluser_2016: So this update is the beginning of the install for Windows 10?

Judy D: Yes… The update is gradually rolling out to everyone with a PC running Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 over a period of several weeks. If you get automatic updates but you don't see the update yet, wait a few days and check again.

Skepticaluser_2016: Ok, thank you. I'm glad I asked. I already went down that road and had to format my computer because Windows 10 made it effectively unusable.

Judy D:That's awesome

A week gone by and we still have to guess what Microsoft is trying to get us to apply to our machines. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. Would you pour the contents of an unlabeled can into your car's crankcase without knowing if it were motor oil or not? Of course not. Why does such a simple concept escape the rocket scientists at Microsoft? Well, WE KNOW WHY.

If any of you following this thread are STILL wondering why we are making such a big deal about Window 10 updates and Microsoft Update in general, THIS is why.

The rock-headed dolts who insist that we should just trust Microsoft to do what's right and to stop making a fuss need to be left at the bottom of an old missile silo somewhere in Nebraska.......

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

I ran Windows Update on my wife's Windows 8.1 laptop late Wednesday morning. The already documented list of Optional Updates were there.

At about 1:18 am EDT I decided to run a vulnerability check in BitDefender Total Security 2016. It advised me that there was an Adobe Flash Update. Since I saw email traffic about this during the afternoon I was looking for this. But it also warned me that there was a critical Windows update. So I ran WU, and of course the damn "Update installs Get Windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1" (KB 3035583) is back again.

Yes, Redmond warned us they were going to do this, taking the prior optional release of this trash and elevating it to "Important" update status.

But Dear Lord, you could hope that those knotheads would maybe have reconsidered this.

According to Woody Leonhard it was re-released about nine (9) hours ago.

Oy, Thursday could be another loooooooooong day.

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

Update from Woody Leonhard:

Woody Leonhard <woody@askwoody.com>
To Patch Management Mailing List
Mar 23 at 11:02 PM

GWX Control Panel has a new option called "Monitor Mode." If you turn on Monitor Mode, it'll run itself every time there are new updates applied.

In general, though, there's no need to keep it running. Just start it, and it'll scan your computer, reporting on any lurking problems. When you open the program, you're running it.

With the re-release of KB 3035583 this morning, I figure everybody and his brother will be wondering about it in the morning....'


-- Woody

[Rick Danger]

Please note Susan's comment outlined in red:

Susan Bradley
To Patch Management Mailing List
Today at 2:03 AM
Wednesday, March 23, 2016

This is a summary of the new and changed content scheduled for release on Wednesday, March 23, 2016.
New non-security content:

Update for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 (KB3035583)
Locale: All
Deployment: Recommended/Automatic Updates
Classification: Updates, Non-Security
Target platforms: Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
Approximate file sizes:
Windows 8.1 update: ~ 614KB
Windows 8.1 x64 update: ~ 825KB
Windows 7 x64 update: ~ 820KB
Windows 7 update: ~ 611KB
Description:
Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3035583

Bottom line folks that that GWX control panel tool installed. Hiding the update won't cut it.

[rlg118]

http://windowssecrets.com/top-story/...e6b87c9a734f80

"...Microsoft cleverly removed one more opportunity to stop Win10 installation. Typically, the need to accept an application’s end user license agreement (EULA) gives you one last chance to stop the installation process. But Win10’s EULA screen comes at the end of the installation process. By that time, the new OS has already taken control of your system."

[Rick Danger]

My PC Upgraded To Windows 10 Without Asking, Then Immediately Broke
Patrick Klepek
3/14/16 12:04pm

I was on a much-needed staycation last week, a chance to recharge my batteries. What I didn’t anticipate was spending half a day trying to figure out how Windows 10 got installed on my PC and why it broke everything.

I’ve been putzing around on Windows 7 for years now, dodging the Windows 8 bullet after everyone told me it was nothing but trouble. Windows 7 was comfortable. It worked. I knew where things were.

And yet, I realize upgrades are important and necessary, especially for security. I’m usually the person who upgrades as soon as possible, wanting to embrace change. But my PC is a huge part of my life—it’s where I stream and edit videos and play most of my games. PC problems are already tough to diagnose; a new operating system is another can of worms.

I had plans to stop being an old dinosaur and upgrade to Windows 10 last week. What I didn’t expect was to wake up on Thursday morning and find out Windows had taken care of that for me. Maybe I forgot to push back the upgrade schedule, maybe I accidentally scheduled it by clicking the wrong button. Whatever the case, I definitely did not intend to install Windows 10.

That’s not how this should work.

But in a way, I was relieved. Maybe I was just being lazy, you know?

“All your files are where you left them,” the screen creepily declared.

It was not seamless. Disaster struck almost immediately, as I logged into my account and was promptly told I couldn’t access any of my files. I’d only spent a few minutes with Windows 10, and already I’d been lied to.

“You’ve been signed in with a temporary profile,” read an error message.

What? I rebooted the computer, thinking it was an errant glitch. No dice. I logged out of my account, thinking it was a simple hiccup. Again, no dice.

For all I knew, Windows 10 had deleted everything on my hard drive.

A few Google searches later, however, I discovered this was a common problem for people who’d upgraded to Windows 10, willingly or not. Some of the solutions involved editing your registry, which terrified me. As I started bookmarking various options on my phone, I settled on the easiest one first: force Windows Update to download the latest set of patches for Windows 10. I couldn’t fathom what that had to do with my profile, but OK?

Fortunately, it worked, and my profile was unlocked. But still, Windows didn’t point me in that direction—a random message board thread did.

Again, that’s not how this should work.

Thinking I was now in the clear, I started poking around at the new features in Windows 10. One of them is the ability to sync across devices through your Microsoft Account. Even though I don’t own a Windows tablet or phone, I do own an Xbox One, so it made sense to get on board with this.

Thing is, Windows 10 won’t accept my password. It keeps telling me my password is wrong. It’s definitely not wrong, Windows! (My password is secured in a 1Password database.) I even reset the password once or twice, hoping it would flip a switch. This appears to be a common problem with Windows 10, and one solution I came across recommended that I re-install Windows 7, then upgrade to Windows 10 again, and see if that fixes it.

See if that fixes it? For fuck’s sake, man.

I can get over the lack of profile syncing, but Windows 10 also won’t accept my password for the Windows Store, which means I’m shit out of luck when it comes to playing Gears of War: Ultimate Edition or Quantum Break, as Microsoft currently has no plans to release either game on Steam. (I didn’t used to blame them for that, but now that I can’t play either, maybe I do!)

Lots of people have probably upgraded to Windows 10 and had no problems. Maybe mine will get worked out after a few more Google searches and a few more patches. What irritates me the most, though, is how I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Apparently, I’m not alone, either.

The kicker? My Ethernet port stopped working this morning. Hooray!

You can reach the author of this post at patrick.klepek@kotaku.com or on Twitter at @patrickklepek.

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

I think Microsoft is trying to compete with the politicians running for President of the United States to see who can stoop lower.

I missed this article when it came out. I cringed reading it. I can remember the good old days when some heavyweight executive would start chewing my ear about some technology product they wanted. Sort of "Well, my cousin says that Windows 8 IS THE GREATEST product in history. I want it.".

So, now Microsoft tries to "back door" IT support professionals in an attempt to force them into upgrading their users to Windows 10.

I apologize for this, but WHAT KIND OF JACKED UP SHIT IS THIS? WHAT CRETIN AT MICROSOFT DREAMED THIS UP? WHEN YOU START UNDERCUTTING IT PROFESSIONALS TO PUSH YOUR OWN AGENDA THEN YOU ARE IN SERIOUS FUCKING TROUBLE! DOES REDMOND ACTUALLY THINK THIS WILL ENCOURAGE IT PROS TO SUPPORT DEPLOYMENT OF WINDOWS 10?

Microsoft has slipped pretty far. I still wonder when their Board of Directors and investors will start asking "What's going on? Why all these desperation tactics?".

Woody on Windows

Admins beware: Domain-joined PCs are sprouting 'Get Windows 10' ads
Microsoft is telling users that their admins are somehow guilty of blocking upgrades to their PCs

InfoWorld | Mar 9, 2016

Admins all over the world are waking up to an unwelcome development: Microsoft has snuck a Get Windows 10 malware variant onto their customers' systems. All signs point to an infected Patch Tuesday update -- above and beyond the Internet Explorer "security" patch with its own Windows 10 ad.

I've seen three confirmed reports this morning -- with corroboration from Rod Trent on WindowsITPro and a burgeoning Reddit thread -- that domain-attached PCs with no admin rights, attached to the WSUS update server, are displaying the well-known Get Windows 10 icon in the system tray. If users click on the icon, they see a very disturbing ad:

Your system administrator has blocked upgrades on this PC.

Check with your system administrator about upgrading this PC to Windows 10.

Are you a system administrator? You can customize this app to get your organization upgraded to Windows 10. Find out how.

One admin reports that some domain-attached VLC-licensed PCs installed KB 3035583 -- the widely reviled Get Windows 10 app -- months ago, but that the Get Windows 10 icon didn't appear until now. Another says that the crapware-hiding c:\windows\system32\GWX folder has appeared.

The admins I know are livid. Microsoft's apparently trying to do an end run, telling users that their admins are somehow culpable for blocking upgrades to their PC.

I haven't seen a definitive report on how the embarrassing nag appeared, but I do know the old instructions for disabling it are wrong. In January I talked about the correct registry settings, and Microsoft subsequently revised its description of the settings in KB 3080351. Whether the revised description is correct is anybody's guess. Regardless, the settings don't appear to have any effect on the Get Windows 10 nag that Microsoft documents for this week's Internet Explorer "security" patch, KB 3139929. That nag is supposed to be internal to IE11, which is a different animal altogether.

Do you have any additional information on this "Your system administrator has blocked upgrades on this PC" name-and-shame game? If so, please post here or over on AskWoody.com.

Je suis Belgique

[Rick Danger]

Are you holding onto Windows 7 or Windows 8.1? Checkout this article on the Top 25 Free Tools for Windows 7 and 8.1!

http://www.infoworld.com/article/304...-7-and-81.html