Microsoft: Difference between revisions
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==Office 365 Suite issues== | ==Office 365 Suite issues== | ||
''Main article: [[Microsoft Office 365]] | ''Main article: [[Microsoft Office 365]]'' | ||
The Office 365 program has been facing a number of issues in recent years, with allegations of forced upsell and forced implementation of OneDrive | The Office 365 program has been facing a number of issues in recent years, with allegations of forced upsell and forced implementation of OneDrive | ||
Revision as of 12:02, 30 January 2025
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Basic information | |
---|---|
Founded | 1975 |
Type | Public |
Industry | Information Technology |
Official website | https://www.microsoft.com/ |
Microsoft Corporation is a large American technology company founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Initially focused on developing BASIC interpreters, the company rose to prominence through its MS-DOS and Windows operating systems, which became fundamental to the personal computer revolution. Under successive CEOs Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, Microsoft expanded beyond operating systems into diverse technology sectors, including cloud computing, gaming, and hardware. Notable acquisitions include Skype, LinkedIn, and GitHub. Microsoft's recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion made it the third-largest gaming company globally.
As one of the Big Five American tech companies, Microsoft maintains market dominance in PC operating systems and office software, while offering a wide range of products and services, including the Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming consoles, Surface computers, and enterprise solutions. The company has faced criticism for monopolistic practices and software security issues.
Controversies
Court cases up to the early 2000s
In a major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001),[1] Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The District Court stated the following in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."
The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were considered problematic:
- The prohibition upon the removal of desktop icons, folders, and Start menu entries
- The prohibition for modifying the initial boot sequence
- The prohibition of otherwise altering the appearance of the Windows desktop
The case was eventually settled,[2][3] and did not result in a company breakup.[4]
Section III.H of the Consent Decree[5] required Microsoft to "allow end users and OEMs to enable or remove access to all middleware products, including web browsers, e-mail clients, and media players through a readily accessible, centralized mechanism." End users and OEMs should be able "to specify a non-Microsoft middleware product as the default middleware product to be launched in place of the corresponding Microsoft middleware product."
In the case United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000),[6] Microsoft's conduct taken as a whole was described as a "deliberate assault upon entrepreneurial efforts that, could well have enabled the introduction of competition into the market for Intel-compatible PC operating systems". Further, "Microsoft's anti-competitive actions trammeled the competitive process through which the computer software industry generally stimulates innovation and conduces to the optimum benefit of consumers."
Windows
Forced Updates
Beginning with Windows 10, end users can no longer selectively choose updates. Instead, updates are automatically scheduled when a computer is inactive, or before the system is shut down.[7] This has also led to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.[8][9] Some users have resorted to disabling updates in Window's registry editor,[10] though this prevents them from receiving security updates, which can make their systems vulnerable to attacks.
Resetting preferences during updates
During some Windows updates, the preferences users have set on applications that they have installed, will end up being reset to their default settings.[11][12][13] Users have reported this to go as far as resetting permissions for apps,[14][15][16] which can be extremely risky for insecure software.
Edge
Microsoft Edge is a Chromium-based web browser that comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and later. It is the successor to Internet Explorer.
Controversy | Year started - Year Ended | Background Info | Aftermath | Related Article |
---|---|---|---|---|
Inability to delete | 2018 – Present | During major updates for Windows, users have been reporting their installations of Edge being reinstalled to their devices without their consent.[17] | No change | |
Importing content from other browsers without consent | 2020 – ? | Users have reported on frequent occasions that Edge has imported user data from browsers such as Chrome and Firefox without first requesting consent from the user.[18] | Unknown if it still occurs | |
Resetting primary browser | 2017 – Present | Windows has frequently been resetting the default browser to Edge[19] without consent.[14] While there are methods to disable this,[20] it is tedious to achieve, especially for users who are not tech-savvy. | Continues to happen |
Windows 11
TPM 2.0 chip requirements
While reasonably circumventable,[21] Microsoft's decision to lock down Windows 11 to computers with Trusted Platform Module 2.0 chips (TPMs) has forced the hands of both consumers and companies alike to dispose of hardware that would otherwise be perfectly acceptable to use.[22] This has also caused Microsoft to frequently remind Windows 10 users to upgrade their hardware to be compatible with Windows 11,[23][24] which has caused many users frequent agitation.[25]
Recall
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled Recall,[26] marketed as a way to search through what you have done on your computer by recording your screen. This sparked controversy,[27] especially among security experts[28] who worried about the security of screenshots,[29] since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A Python script was developed, called "TotalRecall", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,[30] proving the danger of Recall.[26] This feature was delayed after backlash from users.[31]
Microsoft account dark patterns when installing Windows
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Numerous dark patterns have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface, which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. The dark patterns in the Windows installation menu have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015, and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.
Removal of games
In early September 2016, Microsoft shut down Xbox Live Indie Games,[32] and in late July 2024, Microsoft shut down its storefront for Xbox 360 games.[33] These shutdowns have made it impossible to obtain new copies of, or in some cases, even play, hundreds of games.
Office 365 Suite issues
Main article: Microsoft Office 365
The Office 365 program has been facing a number of issues in recent years, with allegations of forced upsell and forced implementation of OneDrive
Minecraft account migration
Main article: Minecraft account migration
Following Microsoft's acquisition of Minecraft, they have started forcing account migration to users who already had a Mojang account to a Microsoft account. The company gave users a grace period for account migration, after which users would have to purchase Minecraft again if the Mojang account was not migrated.[34]
References
- ↑ "U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)" - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Final judgment of US v. Microsoft" - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ex Rel., Appellant, v. Microsoft Corporation" - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Long antitrust saga ends for Microsoft" - seattletimes.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft Consent Decree Compliance Advisory - August 1, 2003 : U.S. V. Microsoft" - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000)" - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?" - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now" - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?" - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "How to Stop Windows 10 Update Permanently – 7 Ways" - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES" - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences." - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!" - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ Jump up to: 14.0 14.1 "Windows 10 Update Reset my Computer Settings." - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Why are my settings changed after every update?" - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Why do Updates Remove Personalization Settings" - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10" - windowscentral.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft caught importing data before you give the OK" - komando.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Default Browser Keeps Changing to Edge" - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Default browser keeps changing to Microsoft Edge after every PC restart. Win 11, tried everything" - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Bypass TPM and Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware" - starwindsoftware.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Windows 11’s TPM 2.0: Free Software Foundation Fights Forced Upgrades and E-Waste" - securityonline.info - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft Revives Pop-Ups in Windows 10 to Push Windows 11 Upgrades" - pcmag.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes" - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Any way to disable the "upgrade to Windows 11" ads?" - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ Jump up to: 26.0 26.1 "Microsoft reveals AI-powered ‘Recall’ feature to transform Windows 11’s searchability, while confirming hardware requirements" - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water" - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall" - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots" - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?" - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns" - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "After seven years, Xbox Live Indie Games is closing down for good" - polygon.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ "The Xbox 360 Store Will Close July 2024, But You Can Keep Playing Your Favorite Games" - news.xbox.com - accessed 2025-01-29
- ↑ https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account
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