[Unverified?] Microsoft buried a Get Windows 10 ad generator inside this month's Internet Explorer security patch (KB 3139929) for Windows 7 and 8.1

[PatrikStar24]

Source: http://www.infoworld.com/article/3042155/microsoft-windows/windows-patch-kb-3139929-when-a-security-update-is-not-a-security-update.html#comments

 

Disclaimer: I have no association with infoworld.com or any of its authors, I am spreading this around because I feel like it.
 

This latest wave of insanity makes want to switch to linux, if only the games I play supported it.

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If Microsoft's documentation is correct, installing Patch Tuesday's KB 3139929 security update for Internet Explorer also installs a new Windows 10 ad-generating routine called KB 3146449.

From KB 3139929's description:

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This security update resolves several reported vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. The most severe of these vulnerabilities could allow remote code execution if a user views a specially crafted webpage in Internet Explorer. To learn more about these vulnerabilities, see Microsoft Security Bulletin MS16-023.

Additionally, this security update includes several nonsecurity-related fixes for Internet Explorer.

Emphasis mine. These so called "nonsecurity-related fixes" are basically stealthy attempts to get more people on Windows 10.

Spoiler

 

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If you then look at KB 3146449, you see:

This update adds functionality to Internet Explorer 11 on some computers that lets users learn about Windows 10 or start an upgrade to Windows 10.

According to one of my sources, this new

user education works like this:

On non-domain joined machines this adds a blue banner when a user opens a "New Tab" saying "Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 10"

It's important to note that KB 3146449 is not installed separately. You can't remove it. If you look in your installed updates list, KB 3146449 doesn't appear. Instead, it's baked into the IE security patch KB 3139929. The only way to get rid of the new advertising inside Internet Explorer 11 is to remove the security patch entirely.

I don't use IE, but I know many people that STILL do, including a family member who clings to it like it's the last Vinyl LP on Earth.

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AskWoody.com poster Annemarie explains it like this:

On Dutch security-forum http://www.security.nl user Spiff states:

Overigens, na installatie van KB3139929 is geen individuele KB3146449 te vinden in Geschiedenis van updates en in Geïnstalleerde updates. Het na installatie van KB3139929 verwijderen van KB3146449 is dus geen optie.
 

Which translates as: after installing KB3139929 there is no individual KB3146449 to be found in Installed Updates nor in Update History. Installing KB3139929 and then afterwards removing KB3146449 does not seem to be an option.

Despite the clickbait, the author couldn't trigger the banner ad himself, and wants people who can manage to verify these claims to email him screenshots. For obvious reasons, you will have to dig for the email address yourself.

As for my opinion. Regardless if this is true or not, I find it ridiculous that Microsoft is showing higher and higher levels of what seems like desperation to get as many people on Windows 10 as humanly possible.

[TheKDub]

I've been seeing the popups on a bunch of windows 7 computers at my school on internet explorer, pretty damn shitty that microsoft is pushing this hard for people to move to windows 10, not even considering that some people might not want to move to it.

 

I've essentially just stopped updating windows, because who knows what shit they're gonna throw into an update and not say anything about. (On 8.1 Pro)

[derick90]

Who uses internet explorer? Or, is this thread from 2004 and it finally uploaded from IE? 

=]

[derick90]

Also, I just wanted to add... I absolutely hated windows 8 and 8.1, horrid OS. Don't mind win 7 but to be honest, Windows 10 feels like a love child between 8.1 and 7, a child that digs into your personal life but i digress.... All of those personal info leaching techniques can be turned off. 

[PatrikStar24]

5 minutes ago, TheKDub said:

I've been seeing the popups on a bunch of windows 7 computers at my school on internet explorer, pretty damn shitty that microsoft is pushing this hard for people to move to windows 10, not even considering that some people might not want to move to it.

Or even worse, their computer doesn't support it.

5 minutes ago, TheKDub said:

I've essentially just stopped updating windows, because who knows what shit they're gonna throw into an update and not say anything about. (On 8.1 Pro)

I've been continuing to update, and periodically removing any Windows 10 BS using this: https://github.com/th3power/aegis-voat

Uninstalls any (known) Windows 10 Upgrade KBs, Telemetry KBs, and more. Whatever isn't hidden by this, I check each one and hide it myself.

[BuckGup]

Hahha didn't MS say not to use IE anymore? All this pushing stuff is making me not want to upgrade. MS fix yourself before we ditch you are self. I don't know

[derick90]

1 minute ago, SamStrecker said:

Hahha didn't MS say not to use IE anymore? All this pushing stuff is making me not want to upgrade. MS fix yourself before we ditch you are self. I don't know

Check yoself fo you wreck yoself?

[BuckGup]

3 minutes ago, derick90 said:

Check yoself fo you wreck yoself?

Nah, if MS doesn't change and see it then their brainwashed army of restricted peasants held down by the fists of devs only making games for Windows will flee to Linux and MacOSX even though that sucks but better then spyware.

[suicidalfranco]

good guy ms remembering you who owns the pc you're using 

[derick90]

3 hours ago, SamStrecker said:

Nah, if MS doesn't change and see it then their brainwashed army of restricted peasants held down by the fists of devs only making games for Windows will flee to Linux and MacOSX even though that sucks but better then spyware.

Linux, while opensource is nice, the game/software support is awful, If every MS compatible app/program becomes available for linux, only then would i consider switching.

 

And it would be a cold day in hell before i ever go to MacOS 

[iwasaperson]

26 minutes ago, derick90 said:

Linux, while opensource is nice, the game/software support is awful, If every MS compatible app/program becomes available for linux, only then would i consider switching.

 

And it would be a cold day in hell before i ever go to MacOS 

Which is why I do all of my gaming in VMs. Debian + iGPU is my host OS, and it's where I do all of my main computing (internet/video/email/etc.), and I have three VMs for specific use cases: Ubuntu for games that work on Linux (AMD 7870), Windows 10 for games that don't work on Linux (AMD 7870), and Windows 7 for retro gaming with CRT_EmuDriver and RetroArch (ATi 4350)

 

Obviously you can just go with a Windows 10 VM for gaming, but make sure your CPU has support for VT-d if you're going to go this route.

[HPWebcamAble]

5 hours ago, PatrikStar24 said:

As for my opinion. Regardless if this is true or not, I find it ridiculous that Microsoft is showing higher and higher levels of what seems like desperation to get as many people on Windows 10 as humanly possible.

What do you expect them to do? Not advertise?

 

I completely agree with MS here. They are promoting their own product. On their own (older) product.

[byalexandr]

Why don't you guys just quit fucking complaining and upgrade already? Windows 10 is awesome, I haven't had any bugs over the year that I've had it already, it's better in every single way in comparison to Windows 7 or 8.1. There is literally no reason not to upgrade unless you like living in the past and/or are too fucking lazy to upgrade. I doubt it's the second reason since you guys spend so much time trying to get rid of the upgrade banner.

[Nexxus]

1 minute ago, byalexandr said:

Why don't you guys just quit fucking complaining and upgrade already? Windows 10 is awesome, I haven't had any bugs over the year that I've had it already, it's better in every single way in comparison to Windows 7 or 8.1. There is literally no reason not to upgrade unless you like living in the past and/or are too fucking lazy to upgrade. I doubt it's the second reason since you guys spend so much time trying to get rid of the upgrade banner.

but but but my privacy D: 

[byalexandr]

Just now, Nexxus said:

but but but my privacy D: 

Just turn it off if it's so worrying. Honestly, what is MS going to do with it even if you don't disable it? Sell your email address to porn sites and credit fraud companies or something? They said they only use it to improve their own tools like voice recognition and stuff, and they will not sell it or share it. I doubt a human even sees any of the information they receive, it's all processed by machines. If they go against that, they are going against a legally bound contract, and I doubt MS has time to deal with that crap and give Windows 10 an even worse name then it already has. It is really a good OS, it just has so much circlejerking hate to it, most of the people that don't switch do it just because one person doesn't and they can't take action for themselves.

 

Just pisses me off. I like Windows 10, can't believe people make all of this crap up about it.

[Nexxus]

Just now, byalexandr said:

Just turn it off if it's so worrying. Honestly, what is MS going to do with it even if you don't disable it? Sell your email address to porn sites and credit fraud companies or something? They said they only use it to improve their own tools like voice recognition and stuff, and they will not sell it or share it. I doubt a human even sees any of the information they receive, it's all processed by machines. If they go against that, they are going against a legally bound contract, and I doubt MS has time to deal with that crap and give Windows 10 an even worse name then it already has. It is really a good OS, it just has so much circlejerking hate to it, most of the people that don't switch do it just because one person doesn't and they can't take action for themselves.

 

Just pisses me off. I like Windows 10, can't believe people make all of this crap up about it.

dont have to tell me i was being sarcastic 

[byalexandr]

Just now, Nexxus said:

dont have to tell me i was being sarcastic 

Oh sorry, I'm just fired up

[handymanshandle]

8 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

Why don't you guys just quit fucking complaining and upgrade already? Windows 10 is awesome, I haven't had any bugs over the year that I've had it already, it's better in every single way in comparison to Windows 7 or 8.1. There is literally no reason not to upgrade unless you like living in the past and/or are too fucking lazy to upgrade. I doubt it's the second reason since you guys spend so much time trying to get rid of the upgrade banner.

Privacy and Control of basic OS functions are a problem for quite a few people. Though yeah it is pretty unlikely that Microsoft is doing anything against the grain (still it's a bit of a slippery slope)  I guess maybe even myself included because while I don't mind the UI/UX of W10, I am pensive about how Microsoft restricts a lot of options in the Home edition which can be fixed but they can sometimes be undone by an update.

[byalexandr]

Just now, wcreek said:

Privacy and Control of basic OS functions are a problem for quite a few people. I guess maybe even myself included because while I don't mind the UI/UX of W10, I am pensive about how Microsoft restricts a lot of options in the Home edition which can be fixed but they can sometimes be undone by an update.

If you're able to remove the 'Upgrade to Windows 10' banner, then I'm sure you can flip a couple of switches during the upgrade process. Simple as that, several people have even made install guides if you're so worried about privacy.

 

I don't see how people openly post thousands of pictures of themselves on things like Twitter and Instagram and what not for thousands of people to look at, and then they complain that MS looks at how they search something or listens to how they say a word so they can add it to their database, where a human doesn't even see it in the first place. MS wants to see my stuff, all they're gonna find is dank memes

[Delicieuxz]

If you're able to remove the 'Upgrade to Windows 10' banner, then I'm sure you can flip a couple of switches during the upgrade process. Simple as that, several people have even made install guides if you're so worried about privacy.

 

I don't see how people openly post thousands of pictures of themselves on things like Twitter and Instagram and what not for thousands of people to look at, and then they complain that MS looks at how they search something or listens to how they say a word so they can add it to their database, where a human doesn't even see it in the first place. MS wants to see my stuff, all they're gonna find is dank memes

 

Flipping a couple of switches during installation doesn't resolve the privacy issues with Windows 10.

 

Who are you to tell people which aspects of their privacy (like photos vs data) matter to them - or to tell people who don't like data collection that they even do something such as upload thousands of photos online. And who are you to say that because you don't possess anything you regard as valuable, that nobody should be concerned regarding data collection and their privacy?

 

It's pretty silly for you to say that because you don't give a sh!t, that that's somehow an argument on the matter. It rather just means that your input is not very relevant, because you aren't an example of for whom privacy, and prevent data collection is important, and that you aren't with experience or insight to contribute a meaningful perspective of the matter.

[handymanshandle]

14 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

If you're able to remove the 'Upgrade to Windows 10' banner, then I'm sure you can flip a couple of switches during the upgrade process. Simple as that, several people have even made install guides if you're so worried about privacy.

 

I don't see how people openly post thousands of pictures of themselves on things like Twitter and Instagram and what not for thousands of people to look at, and then they complain that MS looks at how they search something or listens to how they say a word so they can add it to their database, where a human doesn't even see it in the first place. MS wants to see my stuff, all they're gonna find is dank memes

I think it's mostly the fact that those people know what they're sharing and are okay with it being public. 

I'd suspect that if you turned off Cortana that already disables a big portion of that "Spyware" though it's not much different than Google Now or Siri. Actually it's kind of creepy that Google stores voice searches and even allows users to listen to past voice searches (Google will track (and show you) where you went and even if you don't have location turned on for photos it'll still probably geotag those photos) though I'm sure Google mostly does that to improve their service which I guess isn't horrible but I don't know.

I just know I already dislike the way Windows handles updates and now by the sounds of it has made updates even more annoying. I've considered updating to Windows 10 but I've grown to like W8.1 and with no real want or need to upgrade I'll stick to sometime I'm content with... Though I do eventually want to have W10 Pro as my daily driver but I want to stick to W7 and 8.1 for a little bit longer.

Edited March 10, 2016 by wcreek
Fixed spelling

[byalexandr]

3 minutes ago, Delicieuxz said:

 

Flipping a couple of switches during installation doesn't resolve the privacy issues with Windows 10.

 

Who are you to tell people which aspects of their privacy (like photos vs data) matter to them - or to tell people who don't like data collection that they even do something such as upload thousands of photos online. And who are you to say that because you don't possess anything you regard as valuable, that nobody should be concerned regarding data collection and their privacy?

 

It's pretty silly for you to say that because you don't give a sh!t, that that's somehow an argument on the matter. It rather just means that your input is not very relevant, because you aren't an example of for whom privacy, and prevent data collection is important, and that you aren't with experience or insight to contribute a meaningful perspective of the matter.

I value my privacy, but I don't believe Microsoft is going to do anything harmful with my data and that people are blowing it way out of proportion. I have sensitive documents on my PC, passwords to all of my accounts, thousands of precious photos that I've taken over the years, etc. I trust MS enough to not fuck shit up, since they have a lot to lose as well, probably a lot more than I do.

[PatrikStar24]

36 minutes ago, HPWebcamAble said:

What do you expect them to do? Not advertise?

 

I completely agree with MS here. They are promoting their own product. On their own (older) product.

There's promoting it, and then there's shoving it down people's throats.
This is a list of the KBs (so far) that involve Windows 10 upgrade and/or its backported telemetry.
Source: https://github.com/th3power/aegis-voat
 

Spoiler

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kb971033 update for windows activation technologies

kb2882822 update for adding itracerelogger interface support

kb2902907 description not available, update was pulled by microsoft

kb2922324 description not available, update was pulled by microsoft

kb2952664 update for upgrading windows 7

kb2976978 update for windows 8.1 and windows 8

kb2977759 update for windows 7 rtm

kb2990214 update that enables you to upgrade from windows 7 to a later version of windows

kb3012973 upgrade to windows 10

kb3014460 update for windows insider preview / upgrade to windows 10

kb3015249 update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7

kb3021917 update for windows 7 sp1 for performance improvements

kb3022345 update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry

kb3035583 update installs get windows 10 app in windows 8.1 and windows 7 sp1

kb3042058 update for cipher suite priority order (contains winlogon spying elements)

kb3044374 update that enables you to upgrade from windows 8.1 to windows 10

kb3046480 update for migrating .net when upgrading to later version of windows

kb3050265 update for windows update client for windows 7 june 2015

kb3050267 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 june 2015

kb3064683 update for windows 8.1 oobe modifications to reserve windows 10

kb3065987 update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 july 2015

kb3065988 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 july 2015

kb3068708 update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry

kb3072318 update for windows 8.1 oobe modifications to reserve windows 10

kb3074677 compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10

kb3075249 update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in windows 8.1 and windows 7

kb3075851 update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 august 2015

kb3075853 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 august 2015

kb3080149 update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry

kb3081437 august 18, 2015, compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10

kb3081454 september 8, 2015, compatibility update for upgrading to windows 10

kb3081954 update for work folders improvements in windows 7 sp1 (contains telemetry elements)

kb3083324 update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 september 2015

kb3083325 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 september 2015

kb3083710 update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 october 2015

kb3083711 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 october 2015

kb3086255 september 8, 2015, security update for the graphics component in windows (breaks safedisc)

kb3088195 october 13, 2015, security update for windows kernel (reported to contain a keylogger)

kb3090045 windows update for reserved devices in windows 8.1 or windows 7 sp1 (windows 10 upgrade elements)

kb3093983 security update for internet explorer: october 13, 2015 (ie spying elements)

kb3102810 windows 10 upgrade elements

kb3102812 windows 10 upgrade elements

kb3112343 update for windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2 december 2015

kb3112336 update for windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2 december 2015

kb3123862 updated capabilities to upgrade windows 8.1 and windows 7

kb3135445 windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2: february 2016

kb3135449 windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2: february 2016

kb3138612 windows update client for windows 7 and windows server 2008 r2: march 2016

kb3138615 windows update client for windows 8.1 and windows server 2012 r2: march 2016

kb3139929 security update for internet explorer: march 8, 2016

kb3146449 updated internet explorer 11 capabilities to upgrade windows 8.1 and windows 7

 

Many of these KBs try to hide themselves as "Important" or "Recommended" updates.

[byalexandr]

Just now, wcreek said:

I think it's mostly the fact that those people know what they're sharing and are okay with it being public. 

I'd suspect that if you turned of Cortana that already disables a big portion of that "Spyware" though it's not much different than Google Now or Siri. Actually it's kind of creepy that Google stores voice searches and even allows users to listen to past voice searches (Google will track (and show you) where you went and even if you don't have location turned on for photos it'll still probably geotag those photos) though I'm sure Google mostly does that to improve their service which I guess isn't horrible but I don't know.

I just know I already dislike the way Windows handles updates and now by the sounds of it has made updates even more annoying. I've considered updating to Windows 10 but I've grown to like W8.1 and with no real want or need to upgrade I'll stick to sometime I'm content with... Though I do eventually want to have W10 Pro as my daily driver but I want to stick to W7 and 8.1 for a little bit longer.

I liked 8.1 too, but when I tried 10 I couldn't go back to 7 or 8.1, I even tried and there were so many 'missing' features that I became accustomed to in 10, most of which were extremely useful and time saving.

[Delicieuxz]

8 minutes ago, byalexandr said:

I liked 8.1 too, but when I tried 10 I couldn't go back to 7 or 8.1, I even tried and there were so many 'missing' features that I became accustomed to in 10, most of which were extremely useful and time saving.

When I use Windows 10, I find it's missing too many features that Windows 7 has, including important time-saving ones like pinning items to the start menu (as opposed to live tiles). And Windows 10 is a big step backwards from Windows 7 and 8.1 in a number of ways: Reduced control over updates, reduced control over privacy, in-OS advertisements, data collection and telemetry, reduced-functionality start menu, reduced visual customization, pay-to-unlock features such as Solitaire, a bunch of bloat software comes pre-installed...

 

There aren't really any advantages to Windows 10 over Windows 7 or 8.1 DirectX 12? Windows 7 and 8.1 are getting Vulkan. Also, Windows 10 has technical issues, and overall has been far buggier than Windows 7 or 8.1 ever were. I think that there are a great number of reasons why a person might not want to install Windows 10, and I know that for me I prefer using the Windows 7 installation on my PC, rather than the Windows 10 installation.

 

Windows 10 is a for-Microsoft rehash of Windows 7 and 8.1, which reduces user control, takes away some big features, and inject lots of data collection and monetization annoyances. Anything that Windows 10 does usefully is available on Windows 7 and 8.1, but things that Windows 7 and 8.1 do usefully are missing on Windows 10. There are more important features missing in Windows 10 than there are new useful features.