Microsoft changes Windows 10 update strategy ahead of upgrade deadline

Microsoft is scheduling Windows 10 to install, but making it easier for users to cancel

Microsoft has amended the way it alerts Windows users to the Windows 10 installation download, offering more detailed information and the option to cancel the upgrade.

The software giant has updated the 'Get Windows 10' notification app delivered to existing Windows users, giving them more detailed information on the pending upgrade (see below), and allowing them to cancel it, but also scheduling a time for when the upgrade will start, unless the user takes action.

These are the latest changes in a long saga that started last year when Microsoft delivered an update to users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 informing them of the impending Windows 10 release and offering them the chance to reserve an upgrade.

Since then, Microsoft has stepped up its promotion by several gears, making the Windows 10 installation available via the Windows Update service normally used for distributing patches and security fixes, and then making it a recommended update so that the new operating system was automatically downloaded and installed unless users altered their default Windows Update settings.

The latest change is detailed in a Knowledge Base article on Microsoft's site, explaining that the Windows 10 upgrade will happen at the time indicated in the prompt, unless the user selects 'Upgrade now' or 'Click here to change upgrade schedule or cancel scheduled upgrade'.

This change of approach has had a mixed reception. Some view it as the software firm taking steps to address user complaints that the Windows 10 upgrade was seemingly happening without their permission, or that there was no obvious way to cancel it.

However, others, such as Computing sister site The INQUIRER, have taken the view that this is yet another attempt by Microsoft to foist Windows 10 on users by scheduling it to install automatically unless they are smart enough to dodge the download.

Microsoft has given users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 with valid licences a period of one year following the launch to claim a free upgrade before the price rises to £99.99 from 29 July.

The latest move can be seen as part of a final push to get as many people to upgrade as possible before the offer ends.