Microsoft (sort of) backtracks on sneaky Windows 10 upgrade tactic

By Jon Martindale May 25, 2016

microsoft tweaks windows 10 upgrade still opt out windows10upgrade01 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft took a bit of flak recently when it made the Windows 10 upgrade a “recommended” one for Windows 7 and 8 users, and therefore one that automatically began downloading even if you closed the upgrade notice. While it hasn’t responded by reverting things to how they were, it has made it easier to avoid that potential pitfall.

Not that upgrading to Windows 10 is a pitfall. Indeed we do wonder why you haven’t upgraded yet if you’re still reading this story on a Windows 7 or 8 machine, but for those who want to stay on their old operating system, Microsoft has taken a step back from forcing it on people.

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Now if you click the X in order to close the window, and the update is still considered an important one, you will get another little notification to confirm whether you want to install it or not.

“We’ve added another notification that confirms the time of the scheduled upgrade and provides the customer an additional opportunity for cancelling or rescheduling the upgrade,” Microsoft said in a statement to the BBC.

“If the customer wishes to continue with their upgrade at the designated time, they can click ‘OK’ or close the notifications with no further action needed.”

Related: Windows 10 Anniversary Update launches new hardware requirements, but don’t panic

While that will let you get on with your day without installing, to resolve the issue permanently, you can click the little button that lets you change your upgrade scheduling. That way you can list the update as not important enough to warrant auto-downloading.

Remember though, if you are holding off upgrading to Windows 10 for whatever reason, you only have until July 29 to claim your free upgrade license. After that you will have to pay if you want to move over to Windows 10.

It might be worth grabbing your license before then even if you don’t install it.

Why haven’t you upgraded to Windows 10 yet?

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Evergreen writer

Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…

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