I remember that years ago I was one of the few who refused automatic updates. I did so for a number of reasons:
1. Having once been an early adopter, I didn't trust them.
2. The stability of my system was a priority.
3. Having limited bandwidth on a satellite feed, every meg counted.
4. A lot of updates were of minimal importance and aimed at other users.
5. I have always viewed allowing ANYONE open access to my system as a security risk.
It seems that the world is now catching up to me and my conservative values.
In the phone forum:
Android updating apps
In this forum, the "no space" BS of a windows update, and the regret over doing a BIOS update.
Last night I got stung again; I had repeatedly denied Firefox an update that was (primarily) to serve quad-core - which I don't have - and the auto-updates to my add-ons happened anyway, so that they would be compatible with that update I never took. Ad-block showed with far more limited functionality, and download helper just plain broke.
IMO, auto-updates are out of control. I was able to revert after some searching, but I am rethinking the old idea of a complete ROM system with added storage for downloads. Each and every day, the ROM would re-assert, wiping any threats, giving stability, presenting an optimized performance, while the storage area could be scanned for problems and then accepted.
Bluntly, what is happening at an increasing pace is that software is trying to optimize for new hardware and bloating, and new hardware straining older software. It is a type of b*tch fight that I want no part of. I am not going to upgrade hardware just because Windows or an app/program has a hard-on for quad core triple scoop mocha pistachio operating hardware.
I want to read relevant news stories, I want to have reproducibility in web pages, I want to not have to continually learn new work-arounds to do basic tasks.
I am at a point that I do not trust ANY program on Win 10 to act consistently for more than a month or two, much less a few years like some of my older programs have. The value to me of such unreliable hardware/software combos is zilch. At some point, if things continue, I will drop off computers completely and take up some occupation that has more stability, even if it is basket weaving. I see no point in wasting my brain trying to keep up and outwit systems designed to try to influence me to buy, change my opinions to idiocy, and irritate me and thwart the simplest of tasks.
"Update" my a** Write your dam programs properly like we all used to and be done with it. Otherwise, I'm happy to help update your sorry butt to the unemployment line and bankruptcy as I join the ranks of those walking away.