In light of this weekend’s Nvidia driver as well as today’s automatic updates causing Windows Explorer to crash, Microsoft has pushed out the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter tool aka KB3073930. KB3073930 is a standalone (not available from Windows Update) patch for the Windows 10 Insider Preview. From the support document on Microsoft’s site:

In Windows 10 Insider Preview, your device is always kept up to date with the latest features and fixes. Updates are installed automatically, with no need to select which updates are needed or not needed. In rare cases, a specific driver or update might temporarily cause issues with your device, and in this case you will need a way to prevent the problematic driver or update from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed.

Not only does this support document provide instructions on how to uninstall an “unwanted driver” but also provides instructions on how to remove an “unwanted update” and then goes on to explain:

To prevent the driver or update from being reinstalled, a troubleshooter is available that provides a user interface for hiding and showing Windows Updates and drivers for Windows 10 Insider Preview. You can obtain and run the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter by downloading it from the Microsoft Download Center.

 

So Microsoft at least admits there may be a problem with force feeding Windows 10 Updates to users. The good news is this gives the user the ability to remove and hide updates they didn’t want installed. The bad news is this is for the Windows 10 Insider Preview only (no word yet if this will be available for the final release of Windows 10). The really bad news…this doesn’t stop updates from being forced fed and will only work if said updates don’t break the functionality of your system (mouse, keyboard, display, etc.) to interact with Windows 10.

But, wait doesn’t this violate Microsoft’s EULA in regards to Windows 10 and updates?

“The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”

For that matter what about senior Microsoft product marketing manager Helen Harmetz’s comment in April in regards to users who did not install updates within allotted time periods “will not be able to see and consume the next security update”? Microsoft still won’t give an answer on what will happen to users who refuse to keep their system updated.

via Forbes