Microsoft, why do you do it?
I just read this piece about how Microsoft just pushed out an update to XP and Vista users, whether or not they wanted it. That is to say, even if their preferences were set to not update, they got the update - but beyond that there was no notice that the files were updated at all. Most people, I’m sure, would have no idea that Microsoft simply decided that they could do whatever it wanted without notification or consent of the computer’s owner. When asked what the updates were, they give this helpful tidbit:
“Windows Update Software 7.0.6000.381 is an update to Windows Update itself. It is an update for both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Unless the update is installed, Windows Update won’t work, at least in terms of searching for further updates. Normal use of Windows Update, in other words, is blocked until this update is installed.”
It boggles the mind a little bit that they’d do this. All they had to do was put that cryptic little bit in a dialogue box and ask, but they decided to circumvent their own security (how’s that for a raging endorsement?) and do it all without the owner knowing, hacker style. Sweet. That’s how Microsoft behaves when you buy and own their software, how do you think they’ll behave if you’re just a subscriber to a service?
UPDATE: Well.. Microsoft responds, here’s the good part:
One question we have been asked is why do we update the client code for Windows Update automatically if the customer did not opt into automatically installing updates without further notice? The answer is simple: any user who chooses to use Windows Update either expected updates to be installed or to at least be notified that updates were available. Had we failed to update the service automatically, users would not have been able to successfully check for updates and, in turn, users would not have had updates installed automatically or received expected notifications.
What? Yes, they expected it to be installed or notified before installs were made. If you failed to update the service because they said no to it even though you told them that they would no longer be able to get automatic updates, then that’s the exact behaviour they are expecting. Just like if you pass along a critical security patch and they elect to not have it, they are dealing with the fact that they won’t be secure.
It isn’t even a reason. They basically say, we did it because we felt like it. Oh and we’ve done it a couple other times, too, that you didn’t even notice. So it’s all fine.
September 14th, 2007 at 7:12 am
I totally noticed this but forgot about it until I read your entry. When I rebooted my machine it said something like “Installing updates” and I was like WTF? I was worried my machine had been hacked or something (which I guess you could say it had been). I never auto-update, I always have it notify me. I didn’t approve no updates! Sneaky bastards…it’s time to order my mac! Where’s my mac?!
September 14th, 2007 at 7:39 am
LOL you were hacked. Just by Microsoft. :)
Let me know which one you want and I’ll order it up!
September 14th, 2007 at 9:59 am
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