Microsoft's latest operating system Windows 10, has generally been well received by both critics and the public. It has however, caught some flak for its privacy issues and update policy, which automatically downloads and installs new patches onto your computer. Unlike previous iterations of Windows, these updates cannot be disabled.
This forced updating has already lead to a few issues. For example, earlier this week a new security patch caused certain machines to get caught in an endless reboot cycle that required tinkering with the OS' registry files in order to remedy. In July, a mandatory graphics driver update also caused complications with displays and monitors.
Now a new discovery relating to this controversial feature has once again cropped up. Forbes Magazine's Gordon Kelly notes that certain user options can no longer be toggled on or off by users. Kelly stumbled upon the discovery while combing through Microsoft's community forum. Users there realized that the option to update apps automatically had been greyed out, meaning they could no longer choose whether apps will download and install patches in the background.
A moderator on the forum by the name of Smittychat mentions:
"Because these builds have been coming through Windows Updates, Microsoft had sent out a message that Windows Update settings could not be touched. It appears this goes for apps, too."
Kelly says that this revelation sets a dangerous precedent for this already controversial update policy:
"Windows 10 is not just forcing feature, driver and security updates on users anymore, it is removing user control over Windows Store app updates as well."
He does mention that Microsoft's End User License Agreement (EULA) covers both apps and updates in its conditions.
