(Photograph: Microsoft)Should you’re one of many unwashed plenty nonetheless utilizing historical variations of Microsoft Workplace, the corporate is about to search out out about it. In accordance with latest patch notes, Microsoft is pushing out a silent replace that can analyze what model of Workplace is put in in your PC. It would ship that information again to HQ; as the corporate states it simply needs to know the variety of customers nonetheless rocking Workplace 2007, 2010, and 2013. Assist for 2007 and 2010 ended ages in the past, however 2013 is because of be despatched into the cornfields in April 2023.
The “replace” is listed as a Jan. 17 patch on Microsoft’s support site and was flagged by The Register. Its description reads, “This replace is meant to assist Microsoft determine the variety of customers working out-of-support (or quickly to be out-of-support) variations of Workplace, together with Workplace 2013, Workplace 2010, and Workplace 2007. This replace will run one time silently with out putting in something on the person’s gadget.” Microsoft says the replace is secure, because it’s been scanned for viruses and saved on a safe server. You additionally received’t have to restart your laptop afterward.
For some individuals, older variations of Workplace are nonetheless greater than enough for typing textual content right into a doc or a spreadsheet.
Nonetheless, the lingering query is clear: what’s Microsoft going to do with this data? We don’t have the reply, as the corporate isn’t offering it. Additionally, what data is it gathering along with the model of Workplace you’re working, if any? Once more, Microsoft doesn’t state it explicitly, so we don’t know. It additionally doesn’t point out if it’s going to go away something in your machine after it’s accomplished its due diligence both.
Clearly, Microsoft needs its prospects to make use of the newest model of its software program. There’s a revenue motive there, but additionally a safety concern. As soon as merchandise are not supported, they may stay susceptible for all of eternity. A cursory seek for vulnerabilities in these older variations of Workplace turned up a long list of potential issues. Nonetheless, it’s additionally not exhausting to think about Microsoft utilizing this data to make a simple upsell. It was previously reported that Microsoft was testing adverts for its personal merchandise within the Home windows 11 sign-out menu.
It’s not exhausting to think about a pop-up advert or one thing integrating into Home windows admonishing you for utilizing older software program. After all, there could be a helpful hyperlink to accumulate the newest model for a tidy payment. If you’re not snug with this silent replace, you may at all times use Microsoft’s troubleshooting instrument for updates. It permits you to “present or cover” updates, although it’s not beneficial you stop Home windows from updating. You’ll be able to obtain the file right here, however use it at your individual danger.
Now learn:
- Microsoft Finally Unlocks Tabbed Explorer Windows, Other New Features for Windows 11
- Microsoft Will Change a Windows Security Default to Block Ransomware
- Microsoft Testing ‘Unsupported Hardware’ Watermark on Windows 11 Desktop
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