N
Nsurya
Hello Windows community.
The problem
I am using Windows 10 Pro N.
This morning, I turned my PC on out of sleep. As soon as I logged into my session, I noticed something was being downloaded in the background.
After a few minutes, I found out the Microsoft "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" had been downloaded, without my consent:
To be clear: I did not restart my computer since yersterday, no update was made (automatic updates are off), and I did not install nor ask for any Microsoft-related software to be installed on my computer. I do not use any Office-related products.
Removing the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" revealed that more had actually been downloaded and installed, many register keys were added:
This has happened to me countless times before, with other Windows 10 features and Microsoft Office softwares. I have tried in many ways to block this kind of intrusive behaviour, unsuccessfully. I have tried changing related rights and options through the Windows 10 settings, register keys editor, through command-line and PowerShell, and other tools. I noticed Windows Update sometimes changes some of those values, which does not help.
The questions
1. Is there a way to definitively prevent Windows from downloading/installing any Microsoft/Windows softwares, or tinkering with my settings, without my explicit consent?
2. Is this legal? While I understand Windows users have a right to use Windows 10 through a paid license -which does not give them exclusive rights over their operating system-, it certainly is concerning that Microsoft is allowed to:
- force me to use my internet data to download its other products;
- download/install extraneous products on my system, which are most of the time unrelated to Windows (the new Microsoft Edge, for instance);
- use the hard drive space of my computer to install those unasked-for products;
- overwrite user settings on updates, which helps such things happening.
Any idea is appreciated.
Although I opened this post as a question, I am open to discussing as well.
Please feel free to correct any grammar or spelling mistakes I may have made.
Thank you,
Nsurya
Continue reading...
The problem
I am using Windows 10 Pro N.
This morning, I turned my PC on out of sleep. As soon as I logged into my session, I noticed something was being downloaded in the background.
After a few minutes, I found out the Microsoft "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" had been downloaded, without my consent:
To be clear: I did not restart my computer since yersterday, no update was made (automatic updates are off), and I did not install nor ask for any Microsoft-related software to be installed on my computer. I do not use any Office-related products.
Removing the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" revealed that more had actually been downloaded and installed, many register keys were added:
This has happened to me countless times before, with other Windows 10 features and Microsoft Office softwares. I have tried in many ways to block this kind of intrusive behaviour, unsuccessfully. I have tried changing related rights and options through the Windows 10 settings, register keys editor, through command-line and PowerShell, and other tools. I noticed Windows Update sometimes changes some of those values, which does not help.
The questions
1. Is there a way to definitively prevent Windows from downloading/installing any Microsoft/Windows softwares, or tinkering with my settings, without my explicit consent?
2. Is this legal? While I understand Windows users have a right to use Windows 10 through a paid license -which does not give them exclusive rights over their operating system-, it certainly is concerning that Microsoft is allowed to:
- force me to use my internet data to download its other products;
- download/install extraneous products on my system, which are most of the time unrelated to Windows (the new Microsoft Edge, for instance);
- use the hard drive space of my computer to install those unasked-for products;
- overwrite user settings on updates, which helps such things happening.
Any idea is appreciated.
Although I opened this post as a question, I am open to discussing as well.
Please feel free to correct any grammar or spelling mistakes I may have made.
Thank you,
Nsurya
Continue reading...