Windows 10 Upgrade will be Automatic in 2016

Microsoft’s Windows 10 debuted to positive reviews in July 2015. The new operating system won accolades for being intuitive and user friendly. Microsoft has now announced that all users of its older operating systems who have selected to receive updates will automatically receive the latest operating system next year.

Currently, users of Windows 7 and 8 needed to register to upgrade to Windows 10. The OS will soon be listed as an ‘Optional Update’ by the end of the year and from 2016, it will be a ‘recommended’ update that will automatically install itself if users have enabled automatic updates. Users have the option to opt out of the update but Microsoft strongly discourages it because of the constant risk of internet threats in the connected world. Users can also change the update settings to install critical updates but not recommended ones. Although installation can be avoided, the company is quite determined for everyone to be using Windows 10 in the near future.

The roll-out of reserved updates was initially staggered but, according to Microsoft, now Windows “will automatically kick off the upgrade process once you have made a reservation”. Microsoft says that it will soon publish Windows 10 as an optional update, which isn’t installed by default but which is accessible to all users.

The company also announced that it will shortly update its Windows 10 Media Creation Tool so that the same media image can be used to upgrade any PC, whether it’s running Windows 32-bit or 64-bit, Home or Professional. Microsoft said that “you can use this media to upgrade any number of Genuine PCs, and even do clean install wherever you have a Windows license”.
Microsoft is also keen to get users of “non-genuine” pirated copies of Windows 7 and 8.1 into its legitimate customer base, saying that it will offer a one-click opportunity to get Genuine via the Windows Store or by entering an activation code purchased elsewhere.