Microsoft Ends Windows 10 Automatic Download Lawsuit

Microsoft has promised it won't download new Windows software to users without permission again. The promise staves off legal action in Germany, though is somewhat outdated with the changes to the way Windows is developed.

The legal case followed the discovery in 2015 that Microsoft had automatically downloaded Windows 10 installation files to users regardless of whether they had shown any interest in upgrading to the new system.

The idea was to make it quicker for people get up and running if they did upgrade, as well as spreading out the load of Windows download servers to avoid the prospect of thousands of users trying to download and install Windows 10 at the same time.

Six-Gig Shocker

The problem was that with the download being around six gigabytes, some users were upset because their hard drive space had been eaten up, or because the download had cut into monthly usage limits on their broadband service plan.

Microsoft was sued in Germany by Verbraucherzentrale Baden-Württemberg, a public body that's tasked with consumer protection in a region of the country. That case went back and forth through several rulings but was still active until Microsoft made a "declaration of discontinuance" - in effect, a legally binding promise. (Source: verbraucherzentrale-bawue.de)

No 'New' Windows On Books

The precise wording may be important as officially Microsoft isn't planning to release a "new operating system." Instead Windows 10 will be the last completely new version, with new features being added in major updates roughly twice a year. There'll also be more frequent updates that fix bugs and security holes.

This has two effects relevant to the case. One is that the size of update files will be considerably smaller - with a target of around 100MB each month. The other is that all the file downloads should be controllable in the standard Windows Update settings, including the option to only download updates manually - but only for business editions of Windows 10. (Source: redmondmag.com)

What's Your Opinion?

Were you affected by an unwanted download of Windows 10? Is Microsoft's promise enough to bring that matter to an end? Are you happy with the update process on Windows 10?