Be wary of Windows update KB3035583 .. It's a Win10 downloader

[Bambooz]

Since I couldn't find anything about this on hexus:
Be wary of installing windows update KB3035583. It was "optional" at first, now it's marked as "important" by MS so it might automatically be installed.

Microsoft describes it as "enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1" (link).

What it actually is? A Windows 10 downloader that phones home all the time and displays nag screens.

Heise did a report on this already (in german ; link ; google translator version ; bing translator version)

Seems like MS wants to shove Win10 down our throats by all means possible..

[Tumble]

they are releasing it for free... and the take up for 8 was abysmal so they need to get their platform out there again. I'll be trying it eventually I think, but I hope it's better than 8 was....

[Splash]

Is it *actually* a Win10 downloader, or is that baseless conjecture?

Regardless: if an update isn't critical or security related I *very* rarely approve for install.

[satrow]

http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2952664 check the files changed by this one, telemetry and more. Yes, another pre-requisite to upgrading to W10.

Are either 'bad'? I really don't know, hopefully we'll get a real breakdown soon - they're not critical, no need to install them until you've made the decision to upgrade.

EDIT: re. KB3035583, there's a partial breakdown here http://www.myce.com/news/windows-upd...nloader-75647/

My guess is that they're testing the waters for adding W10 to the Optional updates side of Windows Update ready for Release.

[Splash]

Atop my initial response: even if this does turn out to be the downloader which facilitates the free upgrade to Windows 10 is this such a bad thing? Is it consuming your disk space and bandwidth without your knowledge?

[excalibur2]

Well as long as this download (which I have) is not doing anything secret then I don't mind as after using Win10 for about 3 months (on a spare 1800mhz computer) like it, and will upgrade even though it annoyed me in getting my X1950 pro card to eventually work with it.

[HalloweenJack]

Article ID: 3035583 - Last Review: 27 March 2015 - Revision: 1.0


Applies to
•Windows 8.1 Pro
•Windows 8.1
•Windows 7 Service Pack 1, when used with:
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Starter



Keywords:
kbfix atdownload kbsurveynew kbexpertiseadvanced KB3035583

[Macman]

Is this free to upgrade to Win 10? Or a trial?

[TheAnimus]

It's free for now.

[shaithis]

Is this free to upgrade to Win 10? Or a trial?

It will be free for up to a year after release.

Whether that means anyone can claim a free upgrade, with a deadline of 12 months after release....or whether it means you get the first year free and then its a yearly subscription afterwards, no one yet knows (in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft still didn't know!)

They also have said you can claim that upgrade even if you had a pirated version previously.

[scaryjim]

... Whether that means anyone can claim a free upgrade, with a deadline of 12 months after release....or whether it means you get the first year free and then its a yearly subscription afterwards, no one yet knows (in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft still didn't know!) ...

That's not strictly true - Microsoft stated very clearly when they made the announcement that once you'd upgraded there'd be no additional cost for the lifetime of the device.

What isn't clear is exactly what existing components of Windows will remain in the basic version of Win 10 (i.e. whether there will be anything that is currently included that will become a "paid for" extra), and what they consider the "lifetime" of a device.

But once you've upgraded you won't have to pay anything extra for the basic Win 10 experience.

[shaithis]

That's not strictly true - Microsoft stated very clearly when they made the announcement that once you'd upgraded there'd be no additional cost for the lifetime of the device.

What isn't clear is exactly what existing components of Windows will remain in the basic version of Win 10 (i.e. whether there will be anything that is currently included that will become a "paid for" extra), and what they consider the "lifetime" of a device.

But once you've upgraded you won't have to pay anything extra for the basic Win 10 experience.

Windows Explorer £10pm

[TheAnimus]

Windows Explorer £10pm

Would actually be a fair thing, and in many ways a huge boost for the ecosystem. There are alternative file explorers out there, but most suck.

[scaryjim]

Meh, how many people actually use Windows Explorer nowadays?

[Allen]

Meh, how many people actually use Windows Explorer nowadays?

I do. Dozens of times per day, each and every day I use a PC.

Unless you meant Internet Explorer? Then I wouldn't pay 10p for it, let alone £10.

And as to the OP, why is this update bad? It doesn't install it for you, it's to help upgrade to 10 when it is released, from what I can tell. And from what I have seen of 10 so far, it's actually pretty good.

[Ferral]

I use windows explorer virtually every day, have done since the days of 95. One of the reasons I haven't upgraded to 8 is that I actually use the start menu in the same way as 10 years or more ago.