Windows 10 - free upgrade to those with PC using Windows 7 or 8

[ApK]

Originally Posted by kacir

Or frightening.
It is *not* a job for an operating system to collect info about programs that I am using. Especially when it didn't ask for permission in advance and when there is not possibility to opt-out.

That's EXACTLY the job of an operating system. How else could it manage processes, resources and tasks?

But this isn't an OS task, it's an application service pushed on by the OS's vendor, so I agree in this case.

(By way, regarding the "0% cpu" usage mentioned earlier....y'all realize that's rounded down, right? There has to be a decimal value there somewhere or the program couldn't do anything. And the "< 1MB of memory" describes the total amount of memory many computers had for a good many decades! So I'm with eschwarts. Watch your kilobytes and the megabytes will take care of themselves.)

[eschwartz]

@kacir,

I'm not sure I see the problem of an optional-to-use upgrade checker checking the programs you use.

It would be a problem if that information is sent back to MS, but I haven't heard any indication that it is. Either way, that doesn't seem to be the objection you have...

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ApK

That's EXACTLY the job of an operating system. How else could it manage processes, resources and tasks?

But this isn't an OS task, it's an application service pushed on by the OS's vendor, so I agree in this case.

Seriously? You don't want an o/s upgrade to tell you that a program or driver isn't going to work after you upgrade? You'd prefer to have to check everything yourself? Why?

[ApK]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Seriously? You don't want an o/s upgrade to tell you that a program or driver isn't going to work after you upgrade?

Sure I do. If I told to, or told it that I was considering an upgrade.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by ApK

(By way, regarding the "0% cpu" usage mentioned earlier....y'all realize that's rounded down, right? There has to be a decimal value there somewhere or the program couldn't do anything.

So not true. Unless you’re talking about 0.04% or lower usage. And if anyone is fretting over 0.04% or lower CPU usage, well then I don’t know what to say. (Actually I know what I’d say but I don’t want to get banned.)

Here is a screenshot of my Task Manager. I’ve sorted by the CPU column. As you can see, Windows measures usage down to 0.1%.

And the "< 1MB of memory" describes the total amount of memory many computers had for a good many decades! So I'm with eschwarts. Watch your kilobytes and the megabytes will take care of themselves.)

Not sure exactly what you’re trying to say there, but it’s also not true. Maybe you misunderstood or I didn’t make myself clear, but my point was that GWX (which is the W10 update program and its associated notification icon) consumes <1mb of memory usage on my system. Below is another screenshot of my Task Manager showing what it’s normally doing. See? GWX is using just 0% CPU, 0.3mb of memory, and zero network and disk space.

IMO, if one plans to update, then I recommend keeping GWX enabled. It’s such a miniscule hit to system resources that it’s not going to slow down your computer.

Of course, if someone wants to disable it because they don't like the icon, that’s another matter, but then I would recommend using one of the 2 options outlined at tenforums.com which doesn’t require you to uninstall it. Keep in mind, there have been a few people who uninstalled GWX and then couldn’t get it back in Windows Update afterwards. They had to download it separately and manually install it.

--Pat

[eschwartz]

Your pictures don't work...

[John F]

Originally Posted by PatNY

So not true. Unless you’re talking about 0.04% or lower usage. And if anyone is fretting over 0.04% or lower CPU usage, well then I don’t know what to say. (Actually I know what I’d say but I don’t want to get banned.)

...

I just checked, and Task Manager says there are 101 things running. Those little percentages add up.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ApK

Sure I do. If I told to, or told it that I was considering an upgrade.

I'm pretty sure that it only does this after you've told it that you do want to upgrade.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Your pictures don't work...

Check now. They should work. I used MobileRead's hosting in my account last night and it was working in Firefox but I saw this morning they did not show up in Chrome or IE. Have no idea why. But I uploaded the pics to Imgur this time and they now show up in all 3 browsers.

--Pat

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by John F

I just checked, and Task Manager says there are 101 things running. Those little percentages add up.

Yes, but in this case you are talking about most likely 0% CPU usage and something like 0.3mb memory usage. It's miniscule. Obviously with anything you leave running, you have to weigh the cost-benefit ratio. And IMO, the benefit far outweighs that tiny cost.

But to each their own. If you intend to do the big upgrade and uninstall GWX beforehand, you may have to jump through extra hoops to get it back and/or download the actual W10 upgrade later. Personally, I'd rather have the convenience of not having to find and download separate files from the web. I'd rather my PC do that for me.

--Pat

[ApK]

Originally Posted by PatNY

Obviously with anything you leave running, you have to weigh the cost-benefit ratio. And IMO, the benefit far outweighs that tiny cost.
--Pat

I don't think anyway is arguing about that. The argument is against the philosophy of leaving it running and ignoring its miniscule resource drain if you get no benefit from it.

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by ApK

I don't think anyway is arguing about that. The argument is against the philosophy of leaving it running and ignoring its miniscule resource drain if you get no benefit from it.

But there are benefits -- it will periodically check your hardware and software to make sure it's compatible with W10 before you make the big upgrade. Even if you checked initially, if later you install some new software or add new hardware, an incompatibility could arise later. It will also let you know in a timely manner when the update is available. And there is no assurance if you uninstall it that you will automatically get the official upgrade download -- even if you've officially reserved it.

But hey, if saving 0.3mb RAM (or even less) on your system is important to you, then by all means uninstall GWX. To me, saving 0.3mb ram is not worth having to later track down the separate file and reinstall it manually.

--Pat

[ApK]

Your argument reminds me of salesmen who try to pressure you into an up-sell with comments like "Heck, it's only a few dollar a month more. That's nothing. Are you going to let this get away over a just a couple dollars?"
My response is usually. "Yes. Are you? If it's nothing to you, don't charge me."

[PatNY]

Originally Posted by ApK

Your argument reminds me of salesmen who try to pressure you into an up-sell with comments like "Heck, it's only a few dollar a month more. That's nothing. Are you going to let this get away over a just a couple dollars?"
My response is usually. "Yes. Are you? If it's nothing to you, don't charge me."

Except that 0.3mb (or less) memory usage on a PC is more like 5 cents in monetary terms. So if it's for something of value to me, sure, I'll take it for 5 cents. I'm sold!

--Pat

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by PatNY

Check now. They should work. I used MobileRead's hosting in my account last night and it was working in Firefox but I saw this morning they did not show up in Chrome or IE. Have no idea why. But I uploaded the pics to Imgur this time and they now show up in all 3 browsers.

--Pat

My $0.02 -- why not just use the Attachments feature in the advanced Editing mode?

I believe MobileRead's hosting has permissions issues to deal with, and might not show up at all to people who aren't logged in.

Attachments "Just Work". Plus they are the quickest way to inline a picture.