Microsoft explains Windows 10 upgrade nags as 'playful, light approach to informing customers'

Says the messages can easily be turned off

Following rising customer ire over the multifarious methods Microsoft has deployed to "encourage" Windows 8 and, especially, Windows 7 customers to embrace their free Windows 10 upgrade, Computing has finally received an update from the software giant on how it views the situation.

"We're taking a playful, light approach to informing customers about the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 and providing helpful product information about why we think it is the most personal and most secure Windows version we've ever shipped," a Microsoft spokesperson told Computing.

They were commenting specifically on the cases in which customers are complaining about consistent, insistent pop-up windows that - users say - can only be switched off via the Windows registry.

Microsoft, however, disagrees. "Customers who wish not to receive notifications may click ‘Customize' in the System Tray and turn off the 'Get Windows 10' app notifications in the menu that comes up," Microsoft offered as a solution.

But referring to the accusation from users that Microsoft is renaming and re-releasing Windows 10 components that download automatically in the background, the company remained tight-lipped. "We have nothing to share," was the Microsoft spokesperson's reply.

Opinions about Microsoft's increasing keenness that home users upgrade has been mixed among Computing's productivity-focused audience.

"For those with serious music applications, with hundreds of plug-ins optimised for low-latency, upgrading is about as attractive as dunking one's sack in sulphuric acid," said one reader.

However, another seems happy with the new operating system, following the shift. "I haven't looked back and, since I recommended it to friends, most have changed and are happy. Windows 10 is 7 but better and 7 was great, but Windows 10 is well worth the install," they said.