Beware of the “Get Windows 10” prompt

Do you want to download Windows 10 now? If you are using Windows 7 or 8.1, you might be able to see this prompt pop up suddenly when you boot up the system. The “Get Windows 10” pop-up prompt has morphed to consume the majority of the display, and it only presents users with two clear options: Upgrade now, and Start download, upgrade later. There’s no immediate “No thanks” option whatsoever.

Having the only two large, clearly actionable options on a pop-up page both lead to a Windows 10 download feels like Microsoft’s trying to trick less-savvy computer users into downloading the operating system with tactics often used by spammers and malicious websites.

In 2016, the company plans to push the Windows 10 upgrade through as a Recommended update. If you use the default Windows Update option and automatically install all new Recommended updates (as most home users should), that means Windows 10 will start downloading to your PC once Microsoft flips that switch, rather than asking for your permission.

Fortunately, Microsoft says that you’ll be prompted to choose whether or not to continue installing Windows 10 when that automatic download happens. Let’s hope that there will be a clear “No” option displayed when that happens, at least. Windows 10 is Microsoft’s best operating system yet and it’s much better than Windows 8.1. But strong-arming people with forced downloads and spammer-like no-choice wording on upgrade prompts won’t win Microsoft any fans.

If you are sick of staring at the update prompt every time you boot your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC, you can click this link to stop the Windows 10 update offer from appearing—at least until the day it’s pushed through as a recommended update.