Windows 10 updates are mandatory and cannot be stopped

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 updates are mandatory and cannot be stopped. This is unlike previous Windows versions, including Windows 7 and 8, which sets automatic updates by default but allows Windows users to disable the feature. Not only can forced automatic updates be a nuisance but they can cause a lot of issues for many Windows 10 users. If you hated Windows updates before (like me) you will hate them even more when Windows 10 comes out in 4 days.

“The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”

What this means is that Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates and you have no option to switch them off. Windows 10 can install unwanted apps and basically force them down your throat like they did with OneDrive, a cloud storage application that is difficult to remove from Windows 8.1 without above par computer knowledge. If Microsoft wants to build a new Windows Media Player, RSS reader, cloud storage application, or zombie apocalypse game you have to install it. You won’t have a choice and if this is anything like the OneDrive debacle you will find these new objects difficult to completely remove or uninstall. If an update also wants to change how existing features or services operate on your machine, then you’ll have to adapt to these situations as well. It also means that Windows 10 will be able to interrupt you when they want with automatic updates – so you better routinely save your work.

Driver issues

An issue has already been found with Windows 10 automatic updates and Nvideia drivers that can break multimonitor setups, SLI (dual card) configurations, and can even stop your PC from booting, which pushes Windows 10 into its emergency recovery mode. The fault lies in a conflict between Windows Update and Nvidia’s own driver and software management tool the ‘Nvidia GeForce Experience’. The driver version 353.54 is available only via Window Update and the problem is that the Nvidia GeForce Experience may try to downgrade to the previous version while claiming the previous version was actually newer. Windows Update doesn’t reveal driver version numbers prior to install or even warn users in advance, so pinpointing something that has suddenly caused problems can be very difficult to identify.

Many PC components and peripherals come with bundled software that automatically manages driver updates and Windows 10 updates may clash with existing driver management and update software. This can result in an ongoing battle of upgrading and downgrading between Windows and existing programs.

The good

The good thing about Windows 10 automatic updates this is that it enhances overall security and fixes problems that can occur from obsolete and outdated drivers and software. Forced Windows 10 updates mean that everyone will have to be up-to-date with the latest security patches and accessible drivers.

The control Microsoft has over a Windows 10 PC and Windows 10 updates has generated a lot of complaints. Many users are stating that they are fine using Windows 7 or Windows 8 and do not wish to upgrade to Windows 10 because of this. It should be noted that if you are a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 user you will not be forced to upgrade to Windows 10.