Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 will automatically install itself on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Thankfully, the upgrade is still not mandatory. Confused? We’ll explain the details below.
Microsoft actually outlined this on the Windows 10 roadmap as far back as October 2015. The schedule indicated Windows 10 would eventually become a Recommended upgrade. This will prompt it to become an automatic update.
In plain English, this means if you continue to use Windows 7 or 8 with default update settings will get Windows 10 installing in their computer automatically. If it does start installing on you and you don’t want it, you have the choice to interrupt and cancel the installation process. Our source recommends you change your Windows settings for upgrades here and install GWX Control Panel to take control of Microsoft’s upgrade messages here.
Windows 10 was only released last July 29, 2015. As of October 2015, Windows 10 is running on 110 million devices, including desktop, laptop, tablet, and even smartphone devices. However, Microsoft’s ambitions are broader, hoping to get the OS in one billion devices by 2017. So, Microsoft plans to increase Windows 10’s install base to almost one hundred times as much, and they’ve pulled every trick in the book to get there. They already pulled official support for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.
For us gamers, of course, it’s an unpopular choice. It may not steer gamers away from Windows to a SteamOS machine, but it may mean they’ll favor Steam over Windows store, no matter how many Xbox One games they bring over.
How do you feel about Microsoft’s Windows 10 tactics? Have you already updated, or are you sticking with your OS of choice? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.