Very recently, we covered that Microsoft was pushing Windows 10 on everyone aggressively. Now they have taken more steps to make sure all Windows 7 and Windows 8 systems get Windows 10.
- Windows 10 might be silently downloaded on your computer.
- It might directly show you the prompt to install it as it is being aggressively pushed via deceptively described updates.
- Windows 10 will become a recommended update.
Even if you followed all the tricks mentioned in the articles above to avoid Windows 10, you can't relax. The update which prepares your computer to install Windows 10 gets automatically unhidden every few days even if you have hidden it. If regular updates are set to be automatically installed, it will be installed too. Even if you manually approve each update, it won't stay hidden for long. What's also extremely deceptive of Microsoft is they are describing the update which makes it possible for them to install Windows 10 as "an update to resolve issues in Windows".
Users noticed that the state of systems running Windows 7 or Windows 8 was reset from their choice to not upgrade to Windows 10, to the default option which presented the update to them again.
Patches for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 which Microsoft released in December 2015 changed the settings secretly.
The update has the following description on the Support page:
This update enables support for additional upgrade scenarios from Windows 7 (or Windows 8.1) to Windows 10, and provides a smoother experience when you have to retry an operating system upgrade because of certain failure conditions. This update also improves the ability of Microsoft to monitor the quality of the upgrade experience.
Once installed, the update analyzes the target PC and if it fits Windows 10 requirements, it will reset all options which block the Windows 10 upgrade offer.
This strategy is a bit disrespectful to the user. It is probably a part of Microsoft's plan to make Windows 10 an almost mandatory change which only people keeping a continuous watch on their system will be able to circumvent. For all others, Microsoft would install it on all systems where recommended updates get installed automatically.
Microsoft continues to use all possible ways including such dirty methods to make the user migrate to Windows 10, regardless of the fact that the average user might prefer to stay on Windows 7 for various reasons - some features are present only in Windows 7, Windows 10 is slower and changes every few months via forced Windows Updates. It looks like desperation on Microsoft's part. If you want to avoid Windows 10, you need to track and inspect every single update which installs on your OS and not let any updates install automatically.
I would like to hear your opinion: what do you think about this upgrade strategy Microsoft has adopted for Windows 10? Do you think that Windows 10 is worth all this and that Microsoft should force it on Windows users so aggressively? Let us know in the comments.
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Well, now I’m panicking a bit. I’ve been using Group Policy to block the wretched thing on my customers’ computers as described here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3080351
Is this now being overridden by an “important” update or are we safe for now?
I think it’s best if you approve and install all monthly updates manually because any one of them can suddenly enable to you “upgrade with ease to Windows 10”.
How long before they start labelling it as a “Security Update”?
Hello!
I have Windows 7 Enterprise. I think in this version will not have a problem, right?
Yep, you are right.
its funny, because after year after win10 release upgrade will no longer be free.. so these nagging updates should get quiet then
No, they’ll still force you to have it and then automatically deduct the cost from your PayPal (or whatever) account because they’ve already downloaded and decrypted all your account info and passwords!
Is WHS2011 in danger?
I doubt that.
so for me its time to leave windows – after 25 years. If i cannot control my machine because Microsoft does it, there is nothing left for me to use such a system. So I will change to Linux Mint or to OSX. Let’s see. Bye Microsoft …
I totally agree with you : these are really dirty methods as a user should be able to decide whether he installs something on his computer or not ….. :-(
I’ve started advising family members to fully disable automatic updates, and invite me around to dinner every month or so to update their PCs.
I see a lot more of my family these days, so thanks Microsoft. :-)
If Windows 10 is as good as Microsoft claims, why is it necessary to use such aggressive methods to get it installed? Windows 10 is very inquisitive about your private life and browsing habbits. Could it be that Microsoft is aiming to make more money selling your personal data to advertisers than they ever did selling software? There is certainly something underhand going on. I have enjoyed Windows 7 very much, but I now distrust Microsoft and am considering other options.