Despite Windows 10 continuing to roll out at quite a pace, Microsoft is reported by the Register to be planning to increase the pressure on users of previous versions of Windows to upgrade next year.
Instead of the current process, where Windows 10 upgrades are offered through an app, it is reported that Windows 10 will now work its way into the general Windows Update stream. Windows 10 will first appear as an “optional” upgrade, but by early next year, Windows 10 will be a “recommended” update. Microsoft has long pushed users to set their machines to automatically accept “recommended” updates, and those for security, so many users have their systems set to automatically accept and install these “recommended” updates, which will now include Windows 10.
As the Inquisitr reported, Microsoft had previously ramped up pressure on users to install Windows 10, with the update process starting automatically on many machines, but later confirmed that this was a “mistake .” It now appears that a more forceful approach to encouraging users to migrate to Windows 10 will become part of their broader strategy.
For those of you wondering, Windows 10 adoption has continued at a strong pace, with WinBeta reporting the current count at 120 million Windows 10 installs. Against that backdrop, it might seem surprising to see the continued “high pressure” approach adopted by the software giant. However, in their previous experience with XP, where users refused to upgrade, they were forced to extend security upgrades and support. This consequence, no doubt, has played some part in the strategy to get everyone upgraded more quickly.
Users will be able to decline the “recommended” Windows 10 upgrade, even after it has automatically been downloaded, and the upgrade installer has popped up on screen. It will also be possible, for now, to prevent the Windows 10 download from finding its way onto your system by manually blocking the download in Windows update.
The Guardian voiced concerns, however, that many users will not be prepared for the magnitude of the update, as it’s much more significant than those they are usually provided with via the Windows Update system and not fully consider the implications of accepting the Windows 10 update .
“But the propensity of users to simply hit ‘OK’ or accept when faced with a prompt in the middle of doing something else, will likely see users just blindly hit OK and unknowingly installing Windows 10, preventing access to the computer while the [installation] completes.”
Windows 10 itself has been criticized for excessive use of users’ data, through Microsoft’s plan to “share” bandwidth with users when providing the Windows 10 download to other users. The update process within Windows 10 is also afflicted with the same problem, with users being required to manually configure metered connections to avoid updates being downloaded when the bandwidth used could cause them to exceed limits.
Hard drive space is also limited on some Windows 8 tablets, and the substantial Windows 10 download automatically arriving will cause some users problems as it will not automatically be removed if users decline the new “recommended” Windows 10 upgrade.
There was some good news this week for Windows 10 users. The automatic update process had previously been shrouded in some mystery, with most receiving only modest descriptions as to what they actually did to your PC. Softpedia reports that Microsoft will start providing more detailed information about the updates to Windows 10 it is rolling out to users. Unfortunately, however, no set timescale for the change to the Windows 10 update process is yet available.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQXE4_CB3ts
Windows 10 has many strengths and advantages over previous versions. These forceful moves could well be part of the reason some users are holding off on upgrading, and much like with the Edge browser, many would say that the best way to get Windows 10 on as many machines as possible is to listen to users, and deliver the best product possible, instead of taking shortcuts like this.
[Photo by Microsoft Press Center]