back to article Microsoft is checking everyone's bags for unsupported Office installs

Microsoft wants to know how many out-of-support copies of Office are installed on Windows PCs, and it intends to find out by pushing a patch through Microsoft Update that it swears is safe, not that you asked. Quietly mentioned in a support post this week, update KB5021751 is targeting versions of Office "including" 2007 and …

  1. Paul Crawford Silver badge
    Trollface

    Good job I use windows 7 in a VM for my out-of-date copy of Office. Far more reliable and private and not much chance of this sort of thing appearing.

    1. 43300 Silver badge

      You don't think they might do the same with OS versions then, and plague you with pop-ups encouraging you to buy a new computer with the shiny, Exciting Windows 11?

      1. Paul Crawford Silver badge

        Why would a VM for office need the internet?

        I sure ain't browsing or emailing on Win7

      2. NoneSuch Silver badge
        Big Brother

        Do You Think...

        ... they'll be offended when they see my LibreOffice and no MS Office version at all?

        Yes, I think they will be.

        1. Adam Oellermann

          Re: Do You Think...

          Just wondering how I can install this update on my Linux PCs.

  2. neilo

    Death to subscriptions

    Maybe - just maybe - they will discover that people are sick of subscriptions. And maybe they will learn that we want something that will run stabily and not subject to constant change. Like, for example, Outlook 365 seems to have UI changes on a daily basis: the calendar button is at the bottom of the Accounts / mailbox tree - nope; it's now taking up room in it's own column on the LH side - wait a minute, it's back at the bottom of the screen. Etc.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Death to subscriptions

      Maybe they could spend some time having Outlook to show appointments notifications using the Windows notification mechanism, instead of using its own - which if you use multiple desktops won't show on a different one. That's something you never understand through telemetry - although the very reason for telemetry is not improving products.

      1. I could be a dog really Silver badge

        Re: Death to subscriptions

        Not to mention doesn't cope with monitor changes (e.g. switching between home and office where the monitors are different), so it's easy for it to "appear" underneath the windows you're working in and then you completely miss a mtg ...

        As to using the windows notifications, I don't think that would work well as (AFAIK) that doesn't have the options for joining a mtg, or sleeping the alert (I tend to set up events for things like mandatory training with a 4 week reminder, so sleeping for a week if it's not convenient now).

        Apart from all the above, the thing that really pees me off is that while I'm struggling to cope with different keyboard shortcuts between Mac (home use) and Windows (work) - Outlook has it's own shortcuts that bear no resemblance to those Windows ones I've managed to learn.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          "I don't think that would work well"

          I don't really know how much the notification windows is customizable - but if there is someone who could make that more customizable is exactly the company that writes the OS <G>. But under Nadella I'm afraid the orders are to make Windows dumber and dumber so dumber (and cheaper) developers can work on it.

          Still the notification message could be clicked to bring you to the full notification window - instead of seeing nothing especially if you're somewhere where you can't keep audio notification on and don't wear headphones.

    2. Triggerfish

      Re: Death to subscriptions

      I really think the best things to do would be to have the UI developers sit next to a busy PA or similar.

      The PA has a mallet, and everytime one of these groovy changes fucks their work flow they are allowed to hit the UI dev.

      1. Twanky
        Pirate

        Re: Death to subscriptions

        The PA has a mallet, and everytime one of these groovy changes fucks their work flow they are allowedencouraged to hit the UI dev.

        1. Triggerfish

          Re: Death to subscriptions

          Let's be honest we've all dealt with those changes, no encouragement is going to be needed.

          Probably the opposite....

          1. MrDamage

            Re: Death to subscriptions

            So, we're gonna need 2 UI devs. One to "take one for the team" for all the past changes that fucked us up.

        2. UCAP Silver badge

          Re: Death to subscriptions

          Why wait until their work flow is screwed up - just hit the devs anyway. Even better, nuke 'em from orbit - its the only way to be sure.

      2. Great Southern Land

        Re: Death to subscriptions

        I'd be more inclined to borrow the BOFH's cattle prod......

    3. Plest Silver badge
      Unhappy

      Re: Death to subscriptions

      I'm with you but "there's gold in them there hills" and we can moan all we like but the greedy sods have seen the subs are the real money makers once they have you on a treadmill, squeezed from all sides. Avoid the treadmill as all costs but sooner or later it'll get most of us.

    4. Potemkine! Silver badge

      Re: Death to subscriptions

      Thanks to Office 365 I switched to Libre Office at home, and advise everyone needing an Office suite to do the same.

      1. Bitbeisser

        Re: Death to subscriptions

        I am using LibreOffice exclusively (Ok, might have OpenOffice initially) for at least 15 years or so.

        Much less frustration...

    5. JBowler

      Re: Death to subscriptions

      >Maybe - just maybe - they will discover that people are sick of subscriptions.

      I know they know that already. Office was pretty much the last past the post in that regard and, indeed, Microsoft as a whole (such as it isn't) was last past the post in many things that are hateful, like abandoning customer service in favor of social media.

      What's most likely to happen is that they will find out that hardly anyone has out-of-date subscriptions that work and so the whole hateful charade will be reinforced. Subscriptions make more money and not paying for customer support does so too.

      I guess it's a vindication for GPL; that's the whole point of subscriptions. With GPL you don't pay for the software, you pay for the support, and the subscription is that payment. So Microsoft quite reasonably ask whether people actually pay for the support. This is a test of GPL; if the number of unsupported Office installations (ones where the subscription has expired) is small then GPL is vindicated and Microsoft can stop fictionalizing that its software is proprietary. Not that I believe Microsoft does that; Libre Office does exactly the same thing, right? And how many people pay for Microsoft Office support (via the subscription) compared to how many people pay for Libre Office support?

  3. b0llchit Silver badge
    Flame

    Seeking out competition

    Would it not be obvious that it also seeks to find any (unauthorized) copy of LibreOffice in the same process?

    Then they can bombard you with more boilerplate how much you are jeopardizing your computer with programs that are not designed for and not authorized by Microsoft. It will also direct you to the Microsoft solution to all your needs and will ensure future adworks directed at your convenience to convince you that you misbehaved by preventing Microsoft from providing you with the proper Solutions to all your problems.

    1. John Brown (no body) Silver badge
      Joke

      Re: Seeking out competition

      Ans once they're ready, they can "update" Windows Defender to auto-delete anything they don't like. The shortcuts debacle was a only a test run which failed.

      Icon only half in jest ------------>

      1. hayzoos
        Joke

        Re: Seeking out competition

        Just do not mention StarOffice. The defender sigs might then contain a match string of *office for execution.

        Sadly, I choose the same icon for the same sentiment------->

    2. Dave Null

      Re: Seeking out competition

      I think you need to up your meds

    3. Bitbeisser
      Devil

      Re: Seeking out competition

      Well, if they do that, this is likely to increase the people so fed up with Microsoft and Windows that we might finally see the year of Linux on the desktop...

  4. MatthewSt Silver badge

    Virus free...

    So you're telling me that Microsoft's antivirus scanner using Microsoft's signature definitions hasn't detected any viruses in a utility... That Microsoft has written/built/deployed?

  5. Andy Non Silver badge

    Microsoft said has been scanned to ensure it's not infected by malware.

    An odd thing for Microsoft to say. Kinda like going into a cake shop and being told the cream cakes have been checked for salmonella.

    1. Gene Cash Silver badge

      Re: Microsoft said has been scanned to ensure it's not infected by malware.

      No kidding. They usually JDGAS and regurgitate updates regardless of if they'll break your printing or delete all your icons.

      The lawyers must be worried about this one.

    2. stiine Silver badge

      Re: Microsoft said has been scanned to ensure it's not infected by malware.

      You neglected to mention that the person telling you there's no salmonella is bloody to the elbows from plucking and gutting chickens with his bare hands.

  6. mark l 2 Silver badge

    Of course they will never use the information gathered by that update looking for people using cracked Office versions, alternative Office suites etc to push you ads to sign up for Office 365, This is Microsoft, they are the good guys now.

    1. Bebu

      MS Spyware

      I was also thinking they might be fishing for openoffice/libreoffice installs as well. This would be for me a gross invasion of my privacy (if I used Windows.)

      If it were discovered that 30% of Windows installs had libreoffice as the default office suite one could fairly easy see how MS marketing could sow FUD around security etc and that running office365 in their cloud is much safer.

      If they were pinnochio their collective nose would be prodding them in their backside by now.

  7. tangentialPenguin

    I'm really confused. They want to know how many people are using old versions of Office, so they want people to go to their website to download an utility that will scan their computer for Office. Why not just ask them what version they're using?

    This is like Jehovah's Witnesses coming to your house and asking to install webcams in your house to see if you pray.

    1. cookieMonster Silver badge

      only creepier

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Is there anything creepier than religious zealots, really?

        1. Twanky

          Yep. Ed Miliband sniffing Laura Tenison...

          http://web.archive.org/web/20141229144614/http://order-order.com/2014/03/24/watch-weird-ed-sniffs-female-guest-on-the-agenda/

          The proper video seems to have been removed - but some kind soul has left us a GIF,

          1. Wayland

            You got a down vote because you said something bad about a leftist.

        2. cyberdemon Silver badge
          Gimp

          > Is there anything creepier than religious zealots, really?

          Yes: Corporate Zealots

          1. Bitbeisser
            Black Helicopters

            Re: > Is there anything creepier than religious zealots, really?

            >> Is there anything creepier than religious zealots, really?

            >Yes: Corporate Zealots

            In which category does Scientology then fall under? Or would that be Corporate religious zealots?

    2. martinusher Silver badge

      The utility turns up as part of one of their regular updates.

      I wouldn't trust them myself. Too much form....too tempting to degrade.....

    3. Mage Silver badge
      Coffee/keyboard

      Re: webcams

      This is like <any religion> coming to your house and secretly installing webcams in your house to see if you pray.

      1. A.P. Veening Silver badge

        Re: webcams

        They might see me praying (or not), but not to whom or what (unless I dress up to my full priestly function).

  8. Pete 2 Silver badge

    More to follow

    > Ultimately, it's expected to phone home to Microsoft to let the mothership know if you're running an old Office.

    While this may not fall under MS's definition of "malware" it is undoubtedly spyware.

    We should also expect that there will be consequences!

    Once this has detected old - and legitimate - versions of Office, that will not be the end of it. I can reasonably expect that it will be followed by more probes for other legal but old software. Maybe MS will even sell the ability to detect out of date software to third parties, so (for example) my old version of Photoshop might get flagged, if Adobe pays for a similar payload to be installed.

    And after that, will come the inevitable nags, telling me I *have* to upgrade. Maybe getting more urgent and annoying as time goes on.

    My only hope is that the biggest benefit of running out-of-support versions of Windows: no more unwelcome updates, means that my VM's W7 and earlier instances will not fall foul of this surveillance.

    1. ThatOne Silver badge

      Re: More to follow

      > While this may not fall under MS's definition of "malware" it is undoubtedly spyware.

      Not for Microsoft. For them it's certainly considered totally legal and justifiable self-defense: Hard times are coming, you have to crack down on those potentially criminal egoists who don't give you as much money as they should.

    2. Steve Hersey

      "Malicious software removal tool"

      Those of us still using Windows 7 won't escape this nagware. W7 still gets updates to the "Malicious Software Removal Tool," though it gets no other updates. Anyone want to bet that this tool won't be weaponized to disable old Office versions under the guise of malware removal?

      1. David 132 Silver badge
        Mushroom

        Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

        I'm running Windows 10 and *will* escape this.

        That's because several months ago, after my PC "helpfully" rebooted overnight to install updates - despite me repeatedly telling it not to, and losing me a ton of open documents and hours of work - a red mist descended in front of my eyes and I f*cking nuked the Windows Update subsystem with extreme prejudice (hence ---> icon). Can't even remember what I did now (like I said - red mist), but it involved removing all file ownership/read/execute permissions to the WU stack, obliterating chunks of the Registry, and probably threatening the PC with a baseball bat too. Probably an over-reaction but I was not in a mood to ask nicely.

        Now I'm sure some of the holier-than-thou types reading this will tut-tut "but your PC is now vulnerable and out-of-date!" and probably downvote me, as if I care. But I will say that my Windows 10 install has been trouble-free ever since, rock-solid, and still gets Defender definition updates anyway. It stays out of my way and doesn't pester me at all. Almost like Windows 7 of fond recollection.

        1. Lost Neutrino
          Thumb Up

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          I am totally with you on this. I had my "red mist" moments, too, especially after some arbitrary post-update reboots.

          But with all the other "enhancements" it does not feel like my computer anymore. Instead, it feels more like some propietary Microsoft device which I am "allowed" to use...

          I have started to do most of my stuff in a VirtualBox Ubuntu VM. Once I get rid of my few remaining Windows OS dependencies, Windows will go into the a VM and Linux will move into prime, bare metal position. On ALL my Windows devices. Gawd, that company knows how to suck...

          1. RegGuy1 Silver badge

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            ... and then finally you will achieve pure bliss when you ditch the Windows VM and simply run Linux.

            But then the smart party people already know this. I wonder how many downvotes I'll get from the other lot.

            1. Dimmer Silver badge

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              No downvote from me.

              Some of us have to support customers that are Microsoft shops and the best way to stay up on the changes and damage they do is to run our desktops on the latest and buggiest product.

              Some days I can't get anything done.

              I have not heard Microsoft tout "Cost of Ownership" for a long time now. I guess even the marketing department could not stomach that lie anymore.

          2. Jellied Eel Silver badge

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            I am totally with you on this. I had my "red mist" moments, too, especially after some arbitrary post-update reboots.

            But those are important! Those are supplied by MS, a well known OS expert, and for your own safety!

            Strangely, they're so important it seems virtually impossible to ignore them, only attempt to delay the inevitable. Which then means putting your computer to sleep, going to sleep, then waking up to discover your PC has awoken, updated, and is merrily chugging away doing nothing other than wasting electricity.

            But such is Microsoft. Ok, being able to schedule updates to a time where it's not just going to suddenly shut down and reboot while you're in the middle of something is a slight improvement. Doiing an update and then not returning your PC to the state it was in before is just fecking annoying. But that's MS for you. Every improvement to their (not your) OS isn't usually an improvement at all.

            1. ThatOne Silver badge
              Devil

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              > Every improvement to their (not your) OS isn't usually an improvement at all.

              Hey, don't be ungrateful, after all they allow you to play with their OS as long as daddy Microsoft doesn't need it himself. As for why he needs it right now, on the spot, that's grown-up stuff you wouldn't understand anyway so there is no point in explaining. Just wait till he's finished and you might get it back...

              Always keep in mind, daddy Microsoft knows better!

            2. Antron Argaiv Silver badge
              Linux

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              > ...MS, a well known OS expert...

              You owe me a new keyboard.

              If they're so much of an expert, why do we get a new version every year? The only thing they appear to be expert at is planned obsolescence...by design, of course.

              My preferences lie elsewhere.

          3. ChrisC Silver badge

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            The behaviour that particularly annoys me about Windows these days, in keeping with the theme of this article, is the utterly ludicrous way Office 365 deals with updates - namely the way it seems to think that, just because you've stopped interacting with an Office app for a split second, that's enough of an indication that you'll be happy to then see it suddenly and without any warning disappear from view, with no indications as to *why* it's disappeared, no helpful messages to let you know why trying to manually reload it isn't working, and no post-restart apology for completely derailing your earlier train of thought as you try to resume working again.

            Seriously MS, would it really be too much to give us even a "hey, we need to update your copy of Word/Outlook/etc, so we're gonna close it down in 60 seconds" warning that can't be overridden but at least lets us know what's about to happen rather than hitting us with it totally out of the blue, let alone a "hey, we need to update your copy of Word/Outlook/etc, please shut it down at your earliest possible convenience so this can be done" prompt that leaves US in control of OUR systems?

            1. Lost Neutrino

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              Maybe this will ease your pain a little: You can disable updates under the File | Account | Update Options in Office.

              I wish that would also be possible for Windows OS updates. Being able to pause updates for 35 days just doesn't cut it.

              1. ChrisC Silver badge
                Thumb Up

                Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

                That's useful to know, cheers. Although, having now done it (and being pleasantly surprised that our IT policy actually allowed me to do so), I note with dismay that it doesn't merely disable the annoying *automatic* updates, but the *entire* update mechanism - i.e. there's no way to prod it manually to do an update check at a time that's more amenable to my work schedule, without re-enabling the whole shebang, hoping it picks up any updates there and then, and then remembering to disable it all again afterwards... Still, given how much control the Nadella-era Microsoft has taken away from its users, I'll take this small victory

          4. David Hicklin Bronze badge

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            >> it does not feel like my computer anymore. Instead, it feels more like some proprietary Microsoft device

            That's why windows 7 will be only taken away from my cold dead hands, yeah I have windows 10 VM's for where I need to but that is the only place it exists

        2. 43300 Silver badge

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          "That's because several months ago, after my PC "helpfully" rebooted overnight to install updates - despite me repeatedly telling it not to, and losing me a ton of open documents and hours of work"

          To be honest, I can't understand why anyone would have hours of unsaved work on a computer, especially one running Windows. It's only a matter of time before it crashes / reboots / does something else annoying. Always best to assume the worst will happen with Windows, then when it does (when, not if!) you won't get caught out.

          1. Dimmer Silver badge

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            "It's only a matter of time before it crashes"

            I have a ups on my computer. It is also a solid device with mirrored drives. It is a damm shame the weak point is intentional sabotage of the use of it.

            How about the hidden EDGE update? I still use IE on control systems that will only respond to it. A stealth update forced IE to open any tab in EDGE, even when you called IE via the command line with the page url. (Firefox, chrome will not work with this piece of equipment, only IE). Oh, by the way updates were turned off.

            That took me an hour to find and implement the fix. Who at Micro$ft do I send the bill to? They sure bill me for everything they can.

            Micro$ft has always stolen ideas from Apple and usually implement it in the worst way possible. This is no exception.

            My wife complained that here IPhone app no longer worked after an update. Being the "tech guy" it was apparently my fault. It was difficult to make her understand that she may have paid for it, but she did not own it. When I gave it to her, I told her it was an expensive piece of jewelry and should be considered as such.

            1. Wayland

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              The reality is you need to install Linux and get a firm grip of Windows by running it in a VM. One that you've cloned so you can wind it back if it screws up.

          2. James Hughes 1

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            "To be honest, I can't understand why anyone would have hours of unsaved work on a computer, especially one running Windows. It's only a matter of time before it crashes / reboots / does something else annoying. Always best to assume the worst will happen with Windows, then when it does (when, not if!) you won't get caught out."

            I run Linux in a VM, where I do most of my work TBH. I often leave stuff open in code editors etc, but occasionally Windows reboots itself for updates, doesn't check there is a VM running, so that get splatted without saving first. It's a PIT fecking A with no obvious way to turn it off

            Windows itself, not had a crash in that for years. However, when I no longer need Windows (that day must be quite soon), I'll go bare metal Linux. Maybe run Windows in a VM...hmmm...

            1. Sp1z

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              You might want to check what you've done to your VM software or your VMs because Hyper-V, VirtualBox etc will all either pause the VM or save the state by default when the host OS is shutting down for any reason.

              Might save you some headache in future.

            2. 43300 Silver badge

              Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

              Depends which hypervisor you are using, but so far as I recall Hyper-V has an option in the settings for each VM allowing you to specicy what to do with it on a host reboot - and one of the options is to save the state and then load it again after the host has rebooted.

          3. Lost Neutrino

            Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

            > "To be honest, I can't understand why anyone would have hours of unsaved work on a computer, ..."

            It happens. Never pulled an all-nighter to meet a deadline, stretched out for just a wee while to clear the fog, only to pass out for a few hours? Meanwhile, Windows was happily updating and rebooting itself... :-(

            If there are unsaved files and there happens to be a crash, that's just bad luck and can happen anytime. But there is a HUGE difference when the "crash" (reboot) is initiated willy-nilly - and on purpose - by a third party, in this case Microsoft.

        3. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Remarkable restraint

          I had much the same experience with overnight updates and then midday reboots and...

          I ended up nuking Windows once and for all. The forced application of updates was the last straw for me and Microsoft.

          I have been 100% MS free ever since and do not regret it one little bit.

          For those who are running 'life expired' versions of Office... they should tell MS to F-off and that this detection tool could be regarded as illegal tampering with their system.

          1. Lost Neutrino

            Re: Remarkable restraint

            You got me thinking... I wonder if all the other invasive Microsoft actions (forced reboots, telemetry, unable to disable/remove MS software, unwanted advertising etc.) could be construed as illegal tampering, too?

            1. Jellied Eel Silver badge

              Re: Remarkable restraint

              I wonder if all the other invasive Microsoft actions (forced reboots, telemetry, unable to disable/remove MS software, unwanted advertising etc.) could be construed as illegal tampering, too?

              We need brave lawyers willing to take on Mr Clippy's Army of Darkness. I keep thinking there's potential under the UK's Computer Misuse Act 1990 (Remember Robert Schifreen?), which makes these offensive. I mean offences-

              unauthorised modification of computer material, punishable by twelve months/maximum fine (or six months in Scotland) on summary conviction and/or ten years/fine on indictment

              And then amended in the Police and Justice Act 2006 to include-

              Section 36. Unauthorised acts with intent to impair operation of computer, etc. punishable by up to ten years in prison or a fine or both.

              Section 37. Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in computer misuse offences, punishable by up to two years in prison or a fine or both.

              and Serious Crime Act 2015 to include-

              Section 41 (new Section 3ZA of the Computer Misuse Act 1990). Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage – punishable by up to 14 years in prison or a fine or both, possible life imprisonment where human welfare or national security were endangered.

              And seeing as the government's currently mindful of locking up tech execs, there's possibly some scope for creative lawyering, fame, fees and if successful, the gratitude of millions of software sufferers. Challeng I suspect would the dear'ol agreements we click on when we install stuff. Software is supplied as is/as was/as might be so good luck sucker, all your bits are belong to us! But Computer Misuse is now a serious crime, so there's perhaps some scope for unfair contracts.

              I'm thinking potentially simple things. So we install software, configure it the way we want (and the OS/application permits) and then an update resets those changes. We then have to waste time and energy* recovering from those unauthorised modifications. It should be possible to find examples where bad software caused serious damage and/or risk to human welfare, especially as that includes mental health. Anyone unfortunate enough to have to wrangle NHS IT systems should be able to provide copious evidence. Or there's perhaps more mundane annoyances that could get fixed. Back in the good'ol days, clicking on that X in the top right of a window used to close the application. Now, it just closes the window, and the app ends up lurking in the tray. Then sometimes hitting 'exit' in the tray closes some of the app, but leaves stray processes running. Strangely, those often tend to be rather chatty, telemetry-type processes, and that change in behaviour was intentional to support personal data harvesting.

              There's also scope to de-cruft Windows by accepting that carp like 'MyPhone' or XBone stuff really doesn't need to be re-installed and re-enabled every update. Especiall when we have to jump through hoops to try and kill them in the first place. MS is remarkably chatty and insecure, so constantly tries to discover new friends on your networks, clogging up bit pipes with fat turds. A useful remedy would be to order an 'Anti-Social' install or config mode that stops all that junk from wasting memory, CPU and energy. And while they're at it, an anti-Alzheimer's mode that doesn't constantly search your drives and network. Then if/when you do actually want to find something, it defaults to trying to find it online..

              *On energy, I dread to think how many Watts could be saved if apps minimised all the junk they install & run. Or just 'requiring' a new PC with a 500W+ PSU, mobo, memory, storage etc just to run what should be a simple OS, that launches an app that we want to use.

        4. Coretz

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          I did the same thing. My windows 10 hasn't been updated since v1703. Haven't had issues related to killing Windows Update other than a couple PC Settings stuff not working properly but that's obviously circumventable.

        5. Chet Mannly

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          No downvote from me. Had one of those forced updates reboot my system and corrupt windows hello in the process - so it locked me completely out of my own system. The only solution was to nuke the whole system and start again. Had all my docs backed up so no problem there, but all my settings and app preferences etc were toast.

          Set my connection to metered and now WU wont download any updates unless I say so...

        6. RLWatkins

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          That's hilarious.

          My Win10 box is a constant source of update-borne grief. A colleague observed, "I never had any problems. You must be doing something wrong." Then he discovered why: his company had never sent any patch updates to his computer.

          What I did wrong? Allowing patch updates.

          Makes sense, sort of.

        7. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          I did better, I block access to microsoft at my firewall. I've also blocked the company's MDM server as well. If i'm on the vpn, it gets access, otherwise they can fuck off, too.

        8. Wayland

          Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

          You could start using programs that run on Linux and Windows. Once you are happy with those then you can switch to Linux. Simple programs and older XP programs generally work fine on Linux if you install WINE. MS has obviously put some effort into to making sure newer versions of Office don't work on Linux, but the older ones do. The ones this update is trying to stop you using. Everything else will have to go in a VM until you can stop using it. If it requires hardware access then you have a bit more work to do.

          MS might be screwing more money out of people but ultimately all their wokeness will make them go broke one day. Already the majority of PC games run on Linux. Not all but the majority.

      2. Raton que Ruge
        Linux

        Re: "Malicious software removal tool"

        What people have failed to realize is "Malicious" is an adjective for Tool, not Software. With that recognition, it all makes perfect sense.

  9. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    WTF gives them the right to do so?!?

    What on Earth gives them the right to audit your software use? I'd say that's a grade one privacy violation - it is absolutely none of their business.

    It has a very "thin edge of the wedge" feel to it IMHO.

    1. gerryg

      Re: WTF gives them the right to do so?!?

      I'd suggest reading that licence you agreed to. (Disclaimer, I don't use Microsoft)

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: WTF gives them the right to do so?!?

        Neither do I, and frankly I can't be asked to start digging into Terms as it's Not My Problem, and hasn't been for almost two decades now :).

  10. Boris the Cockroach Silver badge
    Windows

    I suspect

    theres a couple of things here

    1. its looking for old copies of office with the idea of spamming you with "Subscribe to 363&3/4 office" ads

    2. Its looking for old copies of office licence keys that are invalid/duplicates/not paid for............. and then it will disable office on that machine.

    Looking for libre office or versions thereof so to spam you with office 362&5/8 ads.... you never know but I doubt it

    Wonder what happens when its run on a Linux box?

    1. cookieMonster Silver badge
      Coffee/keyboard

      Re: I suspect

      Re: Wonder what happens when its run on a Linux box?

      See icon

    2. Pascal Monett Silver badge
      Coat

      Re: Wonder what happens when its run on a Linux box?

      If you have managed to get Windows Update to run on a Linux box you are one sick puppy.

  11. nobody who matters Bronze badge

    I would not be surprised in the least if, having detected an out-of-support version of Office, it subsequently, discreetly disrupts or disables it.

    Or is this perhaps actually designed and stated publicly to be looking for out-of-support versions as a smoke screen, and is actually to detect and disable all the copies of Office Plus currently infesting eBay listings (as well as many other online outlets) which are being sold to and run by people who don't realise it is a volume licence subscription version, and not the standalone lifetime licence that they are being conned into thinking it is?

    1. David 132 Silver badge
      Happy

      Or helpfully installs 365 and sets it to be the default for .doc/.xls/.ppt files, in the same way that they keep inveigling Edge back onto systems of people who've had the temerity to install an alternative browser.

      "We'll be delighted to allow you to edit your document! But first, let's take you through the product purchase and activation wizard..."

  12. MJI Silver badge

    I use Libre office

    It works fine for me.

    Got latest MS stuff at work and it keeps changing and they knobble simple things like file saving.

    1. David 132 Silver badge
      Thumb Up

      Re: I use Libre office

      I like "knobble" as a portmanteau. Usefully combines the sense of both "knobs", which is what they are, and "nobble", which is what they're doing.

    2. John Tserkezis

      Re: I use Libre office

      <It works fine for me.>

      Of course, what are they going to do? Disable it if you haven't paid for it?

      1. Lost Neutrino

        Re: I use Libre office

        Since when do you have to pay for it? Isn't Libre Office Open Source software?

        1. David 132 Silver badge
          Happy

          Re: I use Libre office

          I think you missed the sarcasm.

          1. Lost Neutrino
            Pint

            Re: I use Libre office

            > "I think you missed the sarcasm."

            I probably did. Sometimes I lapse into this twilight state of actually taking others seriously...

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: I use Libre office

        Pure and vile communism. You are robbing from the rich. Be a good consumer and get your Orifice license today!

      3. Steve Davies 3 Silver badge

        Re: Disable it if you haven't paid for it?

        Nah, I would not put it beyond them to make the .exe's all initiate a download of MS Office in the background.

        The MS can say 'Hey look... we have found an unlicensed copy of Office on your machine. You owe us $100,000. Will that be a check?

    3. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: they knobble simple things like file saving

      Exactly.

      Want to enable autosave in word? Then login to your MS account first.

      That way, they get a copy of your document on their servers.

      I wonder how many government sites are aware of that little security hole. Top Secret docs on MS servers located where exactly?

      MS is climbing new heights with their recent levels of scumbaggery.

    4. _olli

      Re: I use Libre office

      I use an old MS Office version and it works fine for me. It's at least 10 years ago, legally acquired and does everything+more that I have ever needed to do with Office.

      For basic user the Office kit was perfected already 15 years ago. Thus I don't see what value I'd get by paying $80/year for Office 365 subscription.

  13. karlkarl Silver badge

    There is something more to this. That Windows update does *not* just check office software. Afterall, the office software already phones home, including during the mandatory activation; Microsoft already has access to this inventory information.

    I would take precautions to block this update (and all other automatic ones frankly), use the cumulative enterprise rollups if you want to be responsible.

    My guess this is either adware to recommend you to install Office 365 instead; or is an anti piracy measure (as most Windows updates are), in the hope to push a few more mugs into their DRM cloud rental system.

  14. Will Godfrey Silver badge
    Linux

    Not something I need to worry about.

    See Icon ->

    Oh, and I don't even have WINE installed.

    1. ITS Retired

      Re: Not something I need to worry about.

      Best move I have done was from Windows 7 to linux.

      Microsoft could learn some lessons here. But where's the money on that?

  15. Lorribot

    Why do so many people that hate Microsoft use their software?

    I get at work you have no option but for home use?

    Please jump ship to Mac (then you can complain about Apple) or Linux so you gloat about how you made the change and never looked back/FOSS is just as good as that MS BS software etc or just do the rest of us a favour and never read any post on The Register about MS or its software. (feel free to complain about Oracle, Google, BT/Openreach etc even if you never use thier services)

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      I made the switch to Apple in 2006, and my last gripe with LibreOffice is in the process of being resolved as we speak, nearly 12 full years after it was filed.

      Meanwhile, I tried starting an old iPhone 6 I had lying around which is now 8 years old and it immediately picked up a security update. Yes, eight years old and it still gets security updated from Apple, even though it can't run iOS 13 - instead, it now runs 12.5.6.

      So no complaint from me, especially noteworthy because in the office we have been running beta versions of both iOS and MacOS on some phones and machines for at least 5 years now and literally none of those betas have been as low on quality as what Microsoft deigns to push out as a production update.

      It appears we're saving quite a lot on downtime and wasted stafftime, it's easier to keep safe too and we now apparently also avoid a massive mandatory intelligence grab or privacy invasion, take your pick, yet still have commercial grade desktops on nice machines with a more sane approach to license management. What's not to like?

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Because its the best and they're unable to admit that their buggy free software on minority (and becoming more minority) platforms isn't quite there and probably never will be - because M$ lol wtf bbq (insert random made up problem with ms software here)

      Every year has been 'the year of the Linux desktop' or the 'year of the mac' - it's never happened. And it never will.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        We're OK with it never being the year of the Mac - by their own admission, Microsoft being more "popular" (in quotes because it more feels like Stockholm syndrome from where I sit) means they get far more attention of the criminals of this world than Macs. Which is, of course, another argument to for Macs but the geniuses in Microsoft marketing haven't worked that out yet :)

    3. Lost Neutrino

      Get it right, please. People are not complaining/hating Microsoft's software here. Some of their products (e.g. Excel, Visual Studio, etc) are very good. Only some, though...

      But (speaking at least for myself) we do hate the arrogant, invasive, disrespectful and aggressive way that Microsoft handles customer relationships (e.g. forced upgrades, ignoring users, etc), marketing (forced adverts, push to 365, etc) and of course the total SNAFUs called Windows.

      Anyway, do tell - what are you using that makes you think that you are so superior? And what makes you think that YOU are entitled to YOUR trolling post, let alone qualified?

      P.S.: No downvote from me as you are not hiding your post behind the AC handle.

      1. Pascal Monett Silver badge
        Trollface

        Re: ot hiding your post behind the AC handle

        That is not an impediment for me.

        1. Lost Neutrino
          Pint

          Re: ot hiding your post behind the AC handle

          LOL! You meanie!

    4. Ian Mason

      Why do so many people that hate Microsoft use their software?

      Well using their software is a necessary precondition for developing a deep and justified loathing for them. The question you should ask is why they continue to use their software.

      I dumped them for any personal use in 2004 and haven't looked back. Every now and then to earn a crust I'm forced to use Microsoft software on someone else's behalf and every time the experience gets worse than it was back in 2004 when I jumped ship.

      1. James Anderson

        Why keep using MS.

        Because there is always one or two obscure apps which are essential to your work/hobbies which are only avalable on MS.

        In my case it’s a best of breed enterprise architecture suite and Visio.

        There is literally nothing comes close to Visio for diagraming short of a full fat CAD/CAM suite, the current version is eye watering lay expensive - so I run a ten year old version on a twelve year old laptop. All of which is years out of support but does the job.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          I used Visio before Microsoft got its hands on it (and when I still used Windows) and it was a fantastic bit of software. And then Microsoft happened and turned into something abysmal (read: applied Microsoft UX principles to it which appear to mainly mandate stuffing it so much with unneeded "features" that it becomes pretty much as unusable as the rest of their software).

          That said, providers of much better alternatives for Mac also occasionally need to be wistled back for giving in to featuritis.

          As for Excel, we're in the process of taking on a new CFO and he or she (haven't decided yet) will have to be pretty convincing about "needing" Excel. If what they want to do is easy they can use Caldera's verion of LibreOffice, if it's difficult they'll have to explain how a complicated spreadsheet will pass review cycles and audit as we have a couple of extremely competent people there. Only if the business case stacks up (which will include network segretation, changes to the firewalls and network analysers and tha accompanying labour to keep all of that maintained) would we stick a copy on an isolated Mac with no other data on and no access to any of the other infrastructure. If we can make it work it will only even be operating in guest mode.

          What we have seen by clients we secured over the years has pretty much confirmed we will never allow Microsoft code anywhere near our systems again if we can help it and yes, we're aggressive about it.

          1. FirstTangoInParis Bronze badge

            Interesting (or actually quite annoying) that Office on an iPad is so crippled that it is useless for anything other than looking at office files. Loads of features are missing. Here’s hoping Apple silicon versions are full fat, meaning iPad version should also be.

        2. Lost Neutrino

          > "In my case it’s a best of breed enterprise architecture suite ..."

          If your EA suite happens to be from Sparx, they do say that "Mac/Linux users can install Enterprise Architect under WINE.", just FYI.

          > "... and Visio."

          Visio is great! Love the programmability and SmartSheets. Plus you can have one shape link to various targets. Just try and link a Draw.io shape to a local file - that's a no-no (due to sandbox security). It's obvious that Visio is not an original Microsoft product. Same story with FoxPro - take a good product, buy the company, and then turn it into a complete pigs' breakfast...

          > "... I run a ten year old version ..."

          Just watch out for the Microsoft update scanning old Office apps - as per this very article... :-)

    5. Boris the Cockroach Silver badge
      Flame

      Its because

      their software/updates are cack

      I've used windows all the way back to win95 (.dll hell anyone? been there, done that, wasted a day re-installing windows)

      By managing to get themselves on 90%+ of PCs (by fair means and foul) their attitude to quality is "Who cares? its not like they have a choice now is it" after all its now got to the situation where no one gets sacked for buying m$.

      And its a time consuming PITA to have to keep updating windows, especially when it locks you out of your PC because the update is taking 6 hrs to complete and you turned your PC on at 9am to get a day's work done (been there done that one too and had to fend off a screaming boss at the same time) and just how much time is wasted by everyone because of a m$ foul up(bet they'd change their tune if we all billed them for the time)

      The best thing that should have happened to m$ is that the OS and application divisions should have been split off from each other and made individual companies... that way we could have had office that ran on linux.. with the result that people would buy the best OS rather than whatever shitpile m$ has forced on us.

      And I'm dreaming of the day our CAD software gets a linux version.... we're be off m$ faster than you'd expect

      As for home.... I use win10 at home....but only for playing games.. work is done on the Linux dual boot which hardly ever gets put into win10 because IT TAKES TOO F'ING LONG TO UPDATE EVERY TIME I BOOT IT<thinks about that baseball bat>

      1. Pascal Monett Silver badge

        Re: Its because

        You only wasted a single day in your life ?

        You lucky bastard.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Its because

        "and its a time consuming PITA to have to keep updating windows, especially when it locks you out of your PC because the update is taking 6 hrs to complete"

        That's why I moved to Gentoo Linux... 6 hours is so unambitious, before I had 8GB of memory and an SSD I could make a big update to Gentoo take over 24 hours... :-)

  16. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I use a paid version of Office 2013

    MS knows this as I am logged in via their own Office account.

    Why do they need to scan me?

    1. Pascal Monett Silver badge

      Re: I use a paid version of Office 2013

      Because it's not your computer anymore, it's Nadella's and he'll do as he pleases with it.

    2. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: I use a paid version of Office 2013

      You just answered your own question: they don't. So it's clearly about something else. They want you to get used to surveillance in your own machine, i.e. more to come if they get away with this one.

    3. 43300 Silver badge

      Re: I use a paid version of Office 2013

      2013 is no longer supported for use with Office 365 services (and 2016 and 2019 only until later this year), 2013 is complely out of support soon - what are the chances that they then break 365 compatibility entirely?

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: break 365 compatibility

        Bring it on...

        Orifice 365 is a marketing scam that is up there with the best.

    4. ThatOne Silver badge
      Devil

      Re: I use a paid version of Office 2013

      > Why do they need to scan me?

      Because that's faster than requesting the information from their telemetry department I guess...

  17. M.V. Lipvig Silver badge

    You people are IT pros

    for the most part YOU can fix this! Start an anti-M$ movement at your company. Bring up spyware updates like this one. Make it clear that the software phones home repeatedly. Add in that the information phoned home includes web caches showing browser histories, both private and regular, from all MS machines. Point out that proprietary information is regularly accessed by these machines, and push a Linux alternative. It can't be THAT hard to switch, can it?

    ONLY YOU can make this happen. Reduce the power of Redmond by reducing their reach and scope! I can't do it at my job, as I'm not in the IT department but if I were I'd be pushing this hard! I will be doing what I can though, as soon the only M$ under my roof will be the work supplied machine. Just waiting on a new hard drive to replace a corrupted one.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: You people are IT pros

      We're in the process of spinning up something rather large, and MS doesn't get to play. That comes straight from the founders and investors too, so there's no budging, no gladhanding, no expensive lunches or dinners, no golf course talk and no WSL excuse that can change that.

      That said, I'll probably let it slip that I can be talked to because I want to see those MS sales people desperately try, not for any other reason that that it will entertain me.

      Those BOFH genes cannot be denied..

  18. Death Boffin
    Linux

    Eunuchs not Unix

    My wife has threatened to give me a soprano voice if I ever delete Excel 97 from her computer. It does everything she needs to do and she is comfortable with it.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Eunuchs not Unix

      My kids are happy using FreeCAD, Blender and inkscape on my Linux box, but I can't wean them off MS office.... :-(

      At least they get a licence through school so I don't have to pay for it. I wonder what's going to happen when they have to pay for it themselves? :-)

  19. gerryg

    Nothing new to see

    There's an ancient anecdote about Bill Gates telling a student that the reason he won't autograph a Windows CD is because the student doesn't own it, he [Bill Gates] does.

    Anyone who doesn't understand this has been asleep longer than Rip Van Winkle.

    Something about anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither and will lose both would spring to mind but for the security bit.

    This isn't news it's business as usual.

  20. Simplicity is good

    the answer from an IT officer in Taiwan military and defense ministry

    Last time when I reiterated on my mobile phone the importance of IT security to an officer serving in IT department of Taiwan military and defense ministry and mentioned that rumor circulates that "Windowz 10 is a spyware or malware", he replied, "We purchased special edition of Windows."

    1. ThatOne Silver badge
      Devil

      Re: the answer from an IT officer in Taiwan military and defense ministry

      > "We purchased special edition of Windows."

      I guess that must be the special "military version" all armies worldwide buy of anything (exact same item, but 10x more expensive).

  21. NewModelArmy

    Is it Legal ?

    If someone other than Microsoft decided to install a program to collect specific user data on their device and send it back to themselves, that would probably be illegal ?

    So what gives Microsoft the right to, without the users consent, to install a program onto their PC and do the same ?

    Using software to monitor a person without their consent is definitely a computer misuse action. What programs a user uses is nothing to do with Microsoft. Maybe Microsoft thinks it owns you or your machine.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Is it Legal ?

      You will find that somewhere in the terabytes that is the Microsoft License you will have agreed to supply wife, children and your dog if Microsoft demands it.

      The fact that it is in principle in breach of, for instance, the UK Computer Misuse Act is therefore neatly sidestepped, and if it isn't you will find that whoever gets to decide that is suddenly lunching/dining/golfing a lot with the Microsoft people in Bracknell, or even in Redmond after being shipped with VistaJet or similar luxury operation.

      Yes, I'm cynical. I've seen them get away with quite a lot since the days of MS DOS, and as far as I can tell the company hasn't changed its MO one bit. That's also why I am extremely wary of WSL. Not happening here.

      1. Twanky
        Alert

        Re: Is it Legal ?

        Not the dog!

      2. Peter Gathercole Silver badge

        Re: Is it Legal ?

        I'm not arguing against your viewpoint, but if is not possible to put a clause in a contract or license that runs contrary to legislation, and expect it to survive examination by the courts. This is a fundamental aspect of almost all mature legal systems. Legislation trumps contract law every time.

        But unfortunately, it's not that easy to get a legal review of these things without spending a lot of money. And having strong sounding clauses, even if they are ineffective, will increase the FUD for those people who bother to read it, and will act as a misleading backstop for those who only read the license after the fact.

      3. Mage Silver badge
        Holmes

        Re: Is it Legal ?

        Just because MS wrote something a so called licence doesn't make it a legal contract. In fact a licence you only see at install time after purchase is probably illegal in many countries. Also in most countries a contract can't remove legal rights.

        This action may break Computer Misuse laws in many countries.

        1. A.P. Veening Silver badge

          Re: Is it Legal ?

          This action may break Computer Misuse laws in many countries.

          Since that scan will log and send IP address, user name and computer name, it will break GDPR.

        2. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Is it Legal ?

          Oh, I agree with you, but until someone is willing to invest both the time and the money to fight this it will remain a threat, exactly because most do NOT have the time or money for lawsuits.

          Also, don't expect any government in the world to touch this. Ain't gonna happen.

          1. A.P. Veening Silver badge

            Re: Is it Legal ?

            Max Schremm might take this on just for the fun of it.

  22. Xon

    I now use Linux for email/web etc. For work, I have a Windows machine which now stays offline to avoid this nonsense of forced updates, spyware, and constant surveillance.

    I also decided to have a separate machine for games as the anti-cheat in games is quite intrusive. Scans contents of RAM and basically the entire file system to make sure you aren't cheating...but also to see what else you have there. :)

  23. Steve B

    I'm still using Office 2000

    If O2K doesn't accomplish the task I want, I use openoffice etc.

    Already paid for 2K so no need to spend more!

    1. Korev Silver badge
      Trollface

      Re: I'm still using Office 2000

      I read that as I paid for 2K so no need to spend more! and thought WTF

  24. original_rwg
    Happy

    Security Rules

    When you let someone else run a program on your computer, it's not your computer any more.

    1. Lord Elpuss Silver badge

      Re: Security Rules

      It can still be your computer if you let them.

      It becomes not your computer when it runs regardless of whether you let it or not.

  25. Cliffwilliams44 Silver badge

    Turn off Automatic Updates

    Then install PSWindowsUpdate.

    Then you can list all available updates and pnly installtghe ones you want.

  26. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Heh. I still have copies of the Win 3.1 release knocking about.

    Surprisingly useful not being bloated to the high heavens.

    1. Mage Silver badge

      Re: Win 3.1

      I have an archive of Word 2.0 on goldish CD, copied of MY floppies. Has a printed manual too.

      You need old versions of MS programs to read old Word, Word Pad and MS Works. However I have them on a "just in case" basis. I changed to Libre Office a few years before mostly abandoning windows (I used MS Disk2VHD to convert my old Windows laptop into an image for VBox on Linux).

      Four versions of Word doc file. Current MS Word can't read older ones.

      Word for DOS

      Word for Windows 1 and 2; Word 3 and 4 for Mac OS

      Word 6 and Word 95 for Windows; Word 6 for Mac OS

      Word 97 and later for Windows; Word 98 and later for Mac OS

      It's none of MS right to know what old MS Software anyone runs.

  27. Lord Elpuss Silver badge

    Fuck. Off.

    What I run or don't run is none of your business.

  28. Mage Silver badge
    Mushroom

    None of their business

    My computer.

    My legitimately purchased MS Office and MS Word versions

    If they want to know they can ask nicely in a survey that can be ignored.

    This is unethical even if it doesn't hurt anything.

  29. Sedge

    A quarter-century ago, this was a joke. Today, not so much. :(

    https://dilbert.com/strip/1995-12-29

  30. navarac Silver badge

    Spyware

    So Microsoft is inserting spyware onto MY PC now?

    1. A.P. Veening Silver badge

      Re: Spyware

      So Microsoft is inserting spyware onto MY PC now?

      No, Microsoft is inserting more spyware onto Nadella's PC you are using.

  31. ComicalEngineer
    Pint

    Office 2010

    A while ago I bought several licenses for Office 2010. I still have 2 or 3 left unused. 365 does nothing for me that 2010 doesn't already do.

    Most of the time I use LibreOffice (on both Win & Linux boxes) but some of my customers are wedded to M$ :(

  32. blainehamilton

    I always said to myself when I purchased Office 2013 Pro Plus on a HUP almost 10 years ago it would be the last copy I would ever pay for.

    Still holding true to that.

    Microsoft set a dangerous precedent giving windows 10 free to anyone who wanted it. And still does. They tried to stop that with the sudden about face with artificial raised hardware and security requirements on windows 11, with comically low uptake results.

    The result: windows 10 will likely be the last windows version I use on any PC hardware. Too many matured IOT devices now with full blown PC replacement capabilities to make Windows and Office relevant anymore.

    And Microsofts market share is only going to shrink further from this point.

    Windows 95, windows XP and Windows 10 were the 3 pinnacles for Microsoft users. It's all downhill from here.

  33. Anonymous South African Coward Silver badge
    Thumb Down

    Piss off

    They can piss off. What business is it of theirs whether I'm running an old copy of Visio 2010 or not?

  34. Graham Cobb Silver badge

    Just the next step in Microsoft's plan

    I've said it several times in comments here: Microsoft have a clear strategy that the future of their business is web-based apps.

    They have prepared for the eventual disappearance of the desktop Windows licence (completely for consumers, and largely for enterprises) by adopting Chromium as the basis for their browser so that they can just ship that, running on anything (Windows, Linux, IOS, Android, ...).

    Their business will eventually be enterprise and personal software. Of course, it won't be a software business: it will be a services business. Tiered to target several different types of users. Consumers will have no upfront charge - they will make their money from ads and from upselling additional features on a pay-as-you-use basis. Businesses will have various different business models available - but all of them will involve remote use of an MS-provided service, not locally installed software.

    Devices which need local storage and real keyboards and screens will eventually all be Linux PCs. Consumers and executives will use phones and tablets. Nothing of importance will be running locally. All will be using Microsoft SaaS apps.

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Just the next step in Microsoft's plan

      This seems accurate, but are subscription services what people want?

      I certainly do not want that trash anywhere near my business. Then again, if ChatGPT gets it's way it's probably not going to be that long before turning over human glue to robots is a thing.

      I'm almost curious to see what such an engine makes of our policy suite. Can it spot the inconsistencies that arise from different elements of policy being issued on different dates? Or even pick up on the organisational sentiment and shifting corporate objectives driving certain policies?

      The answer, perhaps worryingly, is not yet.

      And in a world where such things CAN be turned over to machines, what do we do then? Turn everyone into consumers not working while AI labours? Insert Sci-fi robots gone wrong trope here.

  35. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Lol Microsoft

    This grubby company is already deleting office 365 from PC's

    I tried to use mine on an old operating system in which they are still taking a subscription for,

    One used to be able to run a repair with a few work arounds but instead this time they just deleted it from my system just grubby behaviour.

    went and installed LIBRA OFFICE life is grand and no more issue with controlling my like by grubs

  36. Jou (Mxyzptlk) Silver badge

    Will it detect Office 97 on Windows 11?

    Word works, Excel throws a few messages but works, Powerpoint works. Access nope, Outlook nope.

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