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[Winaero] Microsoft locks some Group Policy options to Enterprise editions in Windows 10 Anniversary Update

18K views 236 replies 106 participants last post by  MicroCat 
#1 ·
Quote:
Today, we surprisingly discovered that Microsoft has secretly changed the availability of some Group Policy options in Windows 10 version 1607. Windows 10 version 1607 "Anniversary Update" has reduced the control via Group Policy that you have in Pro edition. Pro edition users have lesser options available compared to version 1511, so many behaviors of the OS cannot be controlled.
Quote:
  • The ability to disable the Lock screen
  • Do not show Windows tips
The same applies to the Group Policy "Do not show Windows tips" which could be used to disable help tips and introductory toast notifications in Windows 10. These can get very annoying for experienced users.

  • Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences
Using this option, you could prevent Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing promoted apps like Candy Crush Soda Saga, Flipper, Twitter, NetFlix, Pandora, MSN News and many other potentially unwanted apps and games.
Source.

You read it right, the Pro version of Windows 10 is going to be dumbed down, neutered, forcefully ad-injected, all in all, made unfit for professional use or for anybody who still had the illusion that the Pro version would shelter them from the more inane things that the Home version forces on people. Tips in general (remember the Edge instead of Chrome notification?), tips on the lock screen (aka as ads, that's what they've used if for since the beginning), and all the microtransaction ad-filled crapware like Candy Crush Soda Saga that you could prevent from installing, not anymore.
 
#2 ·
Well, that seals the deal for me. I'm never, repeat NEVER installing Windows 10. The profanity I could use right now to express how this makes me feel would probably get me banned from here.

Y'know, I was honestly considering trying it out yesterday - but not anymore. This is the last straw. My camel's back is now broken and I'm just walking away. Forget Microsoft. Windows 10 looks to me like it would irritate the living hell out of me every day - and I live at my computer. So, I can't have that.
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tpi2007 View Post

Quote:
Today, we surprisingly discovered that Microsoft has secretly changed the availability of some Group Policy options in Windows 10 version 1607. Windows 10 version 1607 "Anniversary Update" has reduced the control via Group Policy that you have in Pro edition. Pro edition users have lesser options available compared to version 1511, so many behaviors of the OS cannot be controlled.
Quote:
  • The ability to disable the Lock screen
  • Do not show Windows tips
The same applies to the Group Policy "Do not show Windows tips" which could be used to disable help tips and introductory toast notifications in Windows 10. These can get very annoying for experienced users.

  • Turn off Microsoft consumer experiences
Using this option, you could prevent Windows 10 from automatically downloading and installing promoted apps like Candy Crush Soda Saga, Flipper, Twitter, NetFlix, Pandora, MSN News and many other potentially unwanted apps and games.
Source.

You read it right, the Pro version of Windows 10 is going to be dumbed down, neutered, forcefully ad-injected, all in all, made unfit for professional use or for anybody who still had the illusion that the Pro version would shelter them from the more inane things that the Home version forces on people. Tips in general (remember the Edge instead of Chrome notification?), tips on the lock screen (aka as ads, that's what they've used if for since the beginning), and all the microtransaction ad-filled crapware like Candy Crush Soda Saga that you could prevent from installing, not anymore.
Maybe upgrading to W10 isn't the smartest thing to do after all?

applaud.gif
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#6 ·
I had Windows 10 installed for a few weeks. I went back to 8.1 yesterday.

There really is no point for me to use 10. I'm not a "gamer" and I couldn't care less about what version of directx my computer has. The few games that will actually use DirectX 12, will likely be derivative AAA trash anyway.
 
#11 ·
As a gamer, I'm really disappointed with the direction windows 10 has gone.
New GPU's won't be supported by windows 7
DX12 not available for windows 7.

I dislike not having full control of what my computer is doing, and I certainly don't want additional bloatware installed without my permission. I didn't buy a SSD to have it filled with Candy Crush and other useless crap.

My one true hope is that this paves the way for something else to fill the gap. If only gaming companies supported Linux...
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Kaz View Post

As a gamer, I'm really disappointed with the direction windows 10 has gone.
New GPU's won't be supported by windows 7
DX12 not available for windows 7.

I dislike not having full control of what my computer is doing, and I certainly don't want additional bloatware installed without my permission. I didn't buy a SSD to have it filled with Candy Crush and other useless crap.

My one true hope is that this paves the way for something else to fill the gap. If only gaming companies supported Linux...
you must be a relatively new gamer if the bolded part is a problem for you. Direct X versions has always been tied down to operating systems. It's the reason why some games are still DirectX 9, simply so that developers can let users that are still running windows XP play (as XP cannot officially use DX10/11/12). Vista got DX10, 7 got DX11, 8.1 got a few more features for DX11, 10 now has DX12.
 
#14 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disharmonic View Post

So, since Vista is always now? In fact, iirc the only 2 versions tied to a specific release of Windows have been DX10 and DX12. The fact that in both cases users seem to have very good reasons not to upgrade the OS, is quite telling really.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX#Release_history

history will tell you if an OS got exclusivity. its been historically done by Microsoft for a LONG time. PC gaming wasn't as big back then, so it wasn't as big of a problem since more modern times.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Disharmonic View Post

So, since Vista is always now? In fact, iirc the only 2 versions tied to a specific release of Windows have been DX10 and DX12. The fact that in both cases users seem to have very good reasons not to upgrade the OS, is quite telling really.
There is no Windows 11. Windows 10 is the last versions. They will just update this one. If people have problems with certain feature of Windows 10 then complain.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChevChelios View Post

you cannot seriously believe that
Yes. Its super hard to get people to change from OS to OS but if you keep updating people have no control.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZealotKi11er View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChevChelios View Post

you cannot seriously believe that
Yes. Its super hard to get people to change from OS to OS but if you keep updating people have no control.
Not to mention MS has said win 10will be the last "version".
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZealotKi11er View Post

Yes. Its super hard to get people to change from OS to OS but if you keep updating people have no control.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald View Post

Not to mention MS has said win 10will be the last "version".
Which makes me hate the direction MS is going. I'm not liking where the CEO is taking MS.
 
#22 ·
^ you can stop reading. THE CHOICE. which w10 doesn't give
tongue.gif
 
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#24 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RadarOne View Post

Oh fer...

What do operating systems these days have against making me flip past a screen before I can input my password? There is not a single thing that this accomplishes other than adding an extra input.
It is so irritating. I guess I won't be updating Win10 ever on my Surface 3 Pro until I can figure a way to disable the lock screen again.
 
#25 ·
And I just upgrade all my PCs....

Hopefully I can downgrade. So sick of this....Windows 10 has become exactly the nightmare I knew it would become. Next is subscription based....

Back to Windows 8.1 with disabled updates I guess.....
 
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