Woody Leonhard wrote Windows patch KB 3139929: When a security update is not a security update. In it he discusses that Microsoft included a GWX non-security update in security update KB3139929. That non-security update is KB3146449 and is uninstallable. Here is the breakdown:
Updated Internet Explorer 11 capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
About this update
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. Before you install this update, see the Prerequisites section. For more information about Windows 10, see Windows 10.
So yes this doesn’t sound good. In fact it sounds like yet another low-down, underhanded, sneaky, dirty-rotten trick by Microsoft. A giant middle finger to Windows 7 users if you will.
But the thing is sites around the web parroted the fact that this update produced a “blue banner” promoting Win10 when using IE despite the fact that none of them are able to reproduce the issue.
I’ve poked around on a couple of my Windows 7 machines and I can’t find anything nefarious related to this update. The only thing I can find is the picture below when you go to MSN:
On its face this seems outrageous. I really can’t believe that MS would pull this kind of stunt again? And, there seems no proof of egregious behavior this time. At least not yet.
So, I dunno. I wonder if Microsoft is trolling Windows 7 Geeks?
Spybot Anti-Beacon will block MS Telemetry
Microsoft is a dictatorship. They are not a public service or charitable organization. They own Windows and will do whatever they want to it. Their business model is “Go and get them”.
Thanks Eric, you just saved me a whole load of time.