Newsletter Archives

• Keeping gadgets talking and secure

  Posted on November 27, 2023 at 02:43 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PRIVACY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  I admit to being a lover of gadgets, from streaming audio devices to IoT sprinkler systems to dog-minding cameras.

  I use all sorts of gadgets in my house. But when I do, I understand two things. First, I must choose the device carefully, read the entire end-user license agreement, and determine whether I will accept the risks.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.48.0, 2023-11-27).

  Privacy EULA, Gadgets, Internet of Things, Networking, Newsletters, Passwords, Patch Lady Posts, Privacy

• Malicious Software Removal Tool update, KB 890830, throwing weird WinXP (!) EULA prompts

  Posted on November 15, 2018 at 05:11 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  If I’d seen it once, I’d just disregard it as another bizarre Microsoft bug. But we have three reports now, like this one from @Morat:

  I’m running Windows 7 Pro 32-bit. MSRT Nov 2018 KB890830 popup notice says, “Prerelease Version of Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Home, Media Center, or Tablet PC Edition END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR PRERELEASE CODE”. What the heck… prerelease code for Windows XP?

  There’s confirmation from @bsfinkel and from an anonymous poster.

  Looks like there’s a bug in KB 890830 for 32-bit Win7 — Prerelease code for XP? Pshaw.

  Thx, @Microfix

  Windows Patches/Security EULA, KB 890830, Win7, Windows XP

• Does a EULA that comes with a free OS, have the same impact (in law) as one that is not free?

  Posted on January 24, 2016 at 10:36 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  This was just posted anonymously on AskWoody, and it poses a question every Windows 10 owner, er, licensee, should consider…

  Does a EULA that comes with a free OS, have the same impact (in law) as one that is not free?

  There is no seller and no buyer, which is what the law considers a price for implied service. If the service is not delivered as per the original agreement, there is no foul. The accepting party endured no loss. It does not mean that it can not be contested.

  Caveat: There are terms and conditions that one accepts in order TO USE the free OS, that are binding in law. Corporate lawyers exercise their right to litigate if these T+Cs are violated.

  W10 Upgrade EULA …

  The new license agreement preserves the longstanding transfer rights: OEM copies are locked to the device on which they’re sold, retail copies can be transferred to a different device as long as the old copy is removed first.

  Regional court exception: The Windows 10 EULA includes a specific exception for PC buyers in Germany, who are allowed to transfer OEM software thanks to a court ruling.

  So now I have put you all to sleep – what about the Skylake designated PCs that come with W7 that MUST upgrade to W10. – Nothing but FOG from MS.

  This is no doubt a licensing amendment being applied to a specific set of devices. The assumption is that the buyer will have to agree to a W7 EULA Amendment, otherwise MS will have to meet its own terms of the agreement – extended support to 2020.

   

  Other EULA, Windows 10