Windows 10: Stopping Microsoft-related products from being downloaded without consent

Hello Windows community.


The problem


I am using Windows 10 Pro N.


This morning, I turned my PC on out of sleep. As soon as I logged into my session, I noticed something was being downloaded in the background.
After a few minutes, I found out the Microsoft "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" had been downloaded, without my consent:



To be clear: I did not restart my computer since yersterday, no update was made automatic updates are off, and I did not install nor ask for any Microsoft-related software to be installed on my computer. I do not use any Office-related products.

Removing the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" revealed that more had actually been downloaded and installed, many register keys were added:






This has happened to me countless times before, with other Windows 10 features and Microsoft Office softwares. I have tried in many ways to block this kind of intrusive behaviour, unsuccessfully. I have tried changing related rights and options through the Windows 10 settings, register keys editor, through command-line and PowerShell, and other tools. I noticed Windows Update sometimes changes some of those values, which does not help.



The questions


1. Is there a way to definitively prevent Windows from downloading/installing any Microsoft/Windows softwares without my explicit consent?


2. Is this legal? While I understand Windows users have a right touse Windows 10 through a paid license -which does not give them exclusive rights over their operating system-, it certainly is concerning that Microsoft is allowed to:

- force me to use my internet data to download its other products;

- download/install extraneous products on my system, which are most of the time unrelated to Windows the new Microsoft Edge, for instance;

- use the hard drive space of my computer to install those unasked-for products;

- overwrite user settings on updates, which helps such things happening.


Any idea is appreciated.

Although I opened this post as a question, I am open to discussing as well.


Please feel free to correct any grammar or spelling mistakes I may have made.


Thank you,

Nsurya

:)

 

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Also in Settings/Updates there is the tick box option to "Download updates for other Microsoft Products" . Any suggestions on ticking or unticking this option please. Would ticking it perhaps result in unwanted extras?
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Microsoft Edge has stopped woorking

Hello,

There may be a number of reasons why suddenly Edge would stop working. The first troubleshooting step that we can try is to run the troubleshooter for Windows apps. Check out
this link for more information and download link for the troubleshooter.

If the above step won't work, we also suggest resetting Edge. For this, follow the steps below:

• Close Microsoft Edge browser.
• On the Cortana search bar, type Default App settings.
• Click on Microsoft Edge (the list may not include Edge if your operating system is not on Creators Update.)
• Under Microsoft Edge, click Advanced options.
• Click the Reset button and confirm.
• Restart your PC.

Note: Your PC must be updated to the latest version of Windows for this troubleshooter.

Let us know how it goes.