I'm surprised! Win IT pro seems to be the only one with the story that I can find.

MS is supposed to post a fix as an optional update in Win8.
I haven't got anything in updates..... Jul and Aug updates were installed on the 13th.

Hell,maybe  I've got a scoop   :P

I have an extreme aversion to any software capable of accessing the network that is created by a large company or a company capable of partnering with a Big Data company.

I understand your position but I think you're pushing on the end of a wet noodle!  :D

Until you are in a position where you can get to the other end of the noodle where you can pull... go with the flow, and hang on to your end, as uncomfortable as it may be. When I sit down for supper, and chocolate pie for dessert, and momma says "go wash your hands before you can eat" you can bet that I'm on the way to the bathroom  :o

The system is bigger than both of us but it takes two to tango. If we object to and stop tracking then the freebies stop!
I'll take the free books, free software, free deodorants, or anything else that I can use and the donors can follow me around all day if they want. (I'll admit it was tough giving up the porno movies  :-[)

Your VM idea sounded good at the outset but I get all these free newsletters, book lists, freeware lists and deodorant samples streaming in via push technology, so I just go with the flow. Messing around with a VM takes effort and that puts a value on the freebies which I wouldn't pay very much... :huh:

It's a matter of perspective... like the 81 year old talking to his doctor. "Hey doc, I got married since my last visit. Met the cutest little 19 year old blonde I've ever seen. She makes a mean TV dinner and the sex is fabulous. I asked her to marry me and she said yes  ;D
On hearing the word "sex" the doc cocked his head and asked "you're 81, how often are you having sex?", to which the old codger replied "well we been having sex every night but I'm sure the excitement will wear off after a few years"  8)
and a rapid response from the doc, "every night  :o  you realize that could be fatal???"
The old newlywed thought for a moment and then replied "well, if she dies, she dies!"

I think he's on the right end of the noodle  :D
YMMV  ;)

http://kebooks.com/2014/08/16/109-free-kindle-books-45-kindle-book-deals-sat-aug-16th/

There was a discussion in another thread about free ebooks but there's information here that may interest people outside the U.S.A..
I don't know if this is a change, a big change, or even of interest to anyone.

There's lots of info in the page but at the very bottom is some info regarding people outside U.S. signing up for free ebooks, depending on the country where you reside. Some countries are listed by name and there's also an International area.
I get an email every day listing free ebooks and you can also get the list by genre.
If you sign up, I would suggest you select the genre you're interested in, but get a list for each genre. Scrolling through a long list of book titles every day where you may find nothing of interest gets old fast. Sometimes if I'm busy I delete the whole list without a glance  :-[
To get the free books you need an ereader for your PC program. All free, take your choice  :)
You need an account at Amazon... also free.
And a warning........... the list is daily and the books may only be free TODAY. When you select a book it opens in your Amazon account where it also shows the current price. If it's not shown as Free don't select buy unless you're prepared to pay the listed price.
Clear as mud but if you have questions or need help reply and I'll try. I've been getting the How-To list for a long time and I've accumulated a sizeable library  :D