With Microsoft’s all-new Windows 10 due for international release tomorrow, many enterprise users of earlier versions of Windows, including many in Australia, are making it plain they will have nothing to do with the new version – at least for the time being.
They are concerned about Microsoft’s policy of introducing compulsory automatic updates which they believe will spell havoc for enterprise departments.
This follows an earlier outcry by home and small business users who fear Microsoft will use the system to force other products on them and to gain more information about users.
In the US, Forbes has reported that the policy has already run into its first major problem: early users with Nvidia graphics cards are complaining that Windows Update is automatically installing new drivers which break multi-monitor set-ups and SLI (dual card) configurations, causing second monitors not to work and can even stop PCs booting entirely.
In Australia Steve Beards, the recently appointed – and Melbourne based – APJ VP at Flexera Software is advising major enterprise accounts – which include a number of banks – to steer clear of Windows 10.
The automatic update policy, he says, means that each time a new upgrade or patch is introduced, IT teams will need to test for compatibility with the hardware and software on-premise or in the cloud and in virtualised settings, fix any problems, package and then deliver to end users
And he predicts that as more vendors follow the Microsoft example, adopting an “agile” software development mentality, already-stretched IT departments will need more and more bandwidth to manage multiple upgrades.
“One of the biggest issues is data security,” he told. “Enterprise users – including banks – need to ensure [after every update] that everything is up to date at maintaining security.” A six-step process is needed to ensure that everything is compatible with each change.
Consequently Flexera is advising its customers to stay away from Windows 10, at least in the short term. “They should see what the market reaction is before putting a toe in the water,” he said.
US-based Flexera produces software licensing, compliance and installation systems for application producers and mid- to large enterprises, It has a large presence in Australia, with a team of 70 software specialists in Melbourne, charged with updating an enormous library of enterprise software from all major vendors.
