Windows 10 Test Version Comes With its Own Keylogger - Update

[RicoADF]

Speaking from a purely aesthetical point of view, I do not like that UI at all. It's just so... so bland! That and I never liked the tile system, but that's just my view on it.

Agreed, I much prefer Windows 7's looks esp the Aero on the windows and sidebar and it'll continue to be my main OS, just got Windows 10 because I work in IT and need to keep upto date on software etc.

 

[RicoADF]

At least you have an understandable reason for it. I only started using windows 8 because I needed to get a new desktop as the old one had essentially become unworkable. I guess I will have to wait and hope someone makes an addon that gives the UI a better look. I don't understand Microsofts obsession with this bland tile stuff and I probably never will.

You can still get Windows 7, I plan to grab Windows 7 Pro soon for this laptop that 10 is installed on although I must admit the performance of 10 is good so if Stardock or someone else gives some nice visual improvements I might be more open to switching, as you can see in my screen shot tiles aren't a big issue as you can just get rid of them.

 

[likalaruku]

The first things I do when I get a new computer:

*Install software that removes bloatware & adware.
*Disable UAC & install 3ed party firewall & other security software, including a better defragger.
*Install better browser.
*Install AdBlock.

 

[RicoADF]

I saw. Still hated the UI due to the aforementioned blandness, but thats just personal taste. We'll see if someone improves it. Kind of sad I have to go third parties for it though. Then again being a TES fan makes me used to that sort of thing.

Now that I think about it Stardock did do the graphical upgrade for Windows 8 so I would bet good money they'll upgrade it for Windows 10 (Windows FX which you can find here - http://www.stardock.com/products/windowfx )

 

[CrystalShadow]

Many live tiles need 'em by design. If the store app is advertising apps I might use instead of crap I don't care about, that's really an improvement.

P.S. Thanks

Logistically, how does that make sense? Should they not be able to function without such a system?

I'm genuinely curious.

And more to the point, even if such "ads" have to exist within the core system, shouldn't they be under the control of the end-user and not Microsoft?

invasion of privacy aside I actually don't think personalised adds are the worst thing ever at least in principle

I mean...if I have to put up with bullshit adds it may as well be for things I have a chance of being interested in?

Ads, or let's face it here...adware, built directly into a paid to use OS is NOT acceptable in any rational sense whatsoever.

I'm sorry, but this is inexcusable. I don't give a flying fuck if the ads are for things I might want[footnote]And really, isn't it unsettling enough that Microsoft would know what things to advertise to you?[/footnote], they don't belong in the core of my premium priced OS.

I don't actually think it means ads in the OS...

The TOS gives them the right to show ads, but I'm fairly certain Android (or at the very least, the code that supports google play) has core features that enable advertising on a system-wide level.
This doesn't mean android devices show ads in the OS, but rather that the OS contains basic features that make it possible for apps to show ads, and probably to have a generic shared pool of ads that can be shown in all apps that have them, even while the device is offline.

Having this as an API feature in the OS (meaning there are components built into the OS that help support it) means there can be a standardised way of delivering these ads that is consistent between different programs that use them, and can reliably share data. (meaning an ad only has to be downloaded once, even if 20 different apps show it.)

That, I think is what is going on, rather than actually having anything to do with ads in the OS itself...

I could be wrong of course, but that seems a likely reason to do it...

 

[RicoADF]

Will have to take a look at that in the weekend when I have time. Just hope I actually remember to do it.

Start 8 by Stardock allows you to return the start menu to Windows 8/8.1 which frankly Microsoft should have had as an option from the get go.

 

[Vigormortis]

I don't actually think it means ads in the OS...

The TOS gives them the right to show ads, but I'm fairly certain Android (or at the very least, the code that supports google play) has core features that enable advertising on a system-wide level.
This doesn't mean android devices show ads in the OS, but rather that the OS contains basic features that make it possible for apps to show ads, and probably to have a generic shared pool of ads that can be shown in all apps that have them, even while the device is offline.

Having this as an API feature in the OS (meaning there are components built into the OS that help support it) means there can be a standardised way of delivering these ads that is consistent between different programs that use them, and can reliably share data. (meaning an ad only has to be downloaded once, even if 20 different apps show it.)

That, I think is what is going on, rather than actually having anything to do with ads in the OS itself...

I could be wrong of course, but that seems a likely reason to do it...

This was one possibility I'd considered. But even so, I'm not sure I can accept such a system built into the core of an operating system I have to pay for.

Though, given Microsoft's propensity for bad decisions lately, adding such a system for reserved ad space doesn't seem beyond them.

 

[Poetic Nova]

My skeptical-alarm for W10 is already going off.
Then again, it also did for W8 but I ended up liking it.

 

[O maestre]

Then the people signing up for beta testing have thoroughly misunderstood and completely ignored the point of beta testing. It is not meant to give you a free preview and give you an exclusive experience. Primarily it is you doing a service to the company about letting them not only monitor your usage, but also assess how you interact with their product and any bugs you find. Notice the word find, as in actively searching the product for flaws. They are essentially volunteer workers. I am doubtful any beta testers would not be able to comprehend this.

When I have beta tested products, I have always self-reported. Never has a condition of helping a game designer improve their game been to let them record video inside of my home, or to install spyware on my computer.

Games don't need to know about how you use your computer, an OS developer does. You will find similar "spyware", as you call it, when beta testing browsers, where they monitor your online usage.

Would you also be horrified to know that the test version records audio, for the ver so nefarious reason to asses how you use the new voice input, and text to speech software.


I don't get it, people said windows 8 was the worst OS ever, the test version needs as much information in order for the next OS not to fuck up. The information collected is relevant to optimize their product. They even state on their faq that the preview is only meant for computer literate people, and lay out what they are using the data for, so they are hardly even trying to fool anyone. I could understand the outrage if it was included in the finished version, but as it is, this is a non story.

Let me ask you this, how else are you going to improve an spellcheck and auto-correct without samples and real world use?

 

[Grumman]

I don't get it, people said windows 8 was the worst OS ever, the test version needs as much information in order for the next OS not to fuck up. The information collected is relevant to optimize their product.

/Feedback/ is what was needed to make Windows 8 not suck, not usage monitoring. Usage monitoring would not tell you that people like the Start menu better than the Start screen, because people can't use the Start menu if it doesn't exist. It is the assumptions baked into the OS that annoy people about Windows 8, and those assumptions cannot be contradicted merely by noting that people use them when they have no other choice.

 

[Sigmund Av Volsung]

This is what I was afraid of. It's bad enough that ads are integrated into Windows 8 and the Xbox Dashboard, but this is going even further than that.

If they go along with this... Apple may finally win the OS wars D:

Unless something drastic happens on the Linux side of things...

GabeN, Gondor sends for aid!

 

[somonels]

So, not only are they taking money by never making their products safe, selling data, and accepting US intelligence agency monies, giving encryption keys to known human rights violating countries, but now they are selling us a marketing platform with even more built-in privacy invasion functionality?

I almost vomited on my new raspberry pi
/brag

 

[Candidus]

I plan on sticking to Windows 7 until there's some gaming-specific reason that I should upgrade, such as a version of DX incompatible with Windows 7.

If there's a keylogger or other extensive user surveillance in the finished Windows 10 product, I'll stick with Windows 7 regardless of the above. Simple as that.

Well...

At least until a user cracks and modifies Windows 10 to disable said "features".

 

[Something Amyss]

invasion of privacy aside I actually don't think personalised adds are the worst thing ever at least in principle

I mean...if I have to put up with bullshit adds it may as well be for things I have a chance of being interested in?

I don't know. I'm yet to see targeted ads that target me.

 

[Baresark]

Windows 7 had the same "feature", and like in Windows 7, you can probably turn it off. I love the freak out on this. They are telling you exactly what it's for.