Simply clicking on the X in the top right corner to close the message is no longer an opt-out. It?s an agreement to let Microsoft carry out the Windows 10 upgrade on your computer at the time specified.
Should I Install It?
In our opinion, Windows 10 is excellent. It builds on the brilliant Windows 7 and delivers some Windows 8 features in a friendlier format. It has some genuine improvements to the whole Windows experience that we really love. It isn’t Windows Vista, It isn’t Windows 8, it’s much better, you’ve nothing to fear.
However, we get that some people don’t like change, or are happy with Windows 7 (surely if you’re on Windows 8 you have already updated to 10 though, right?). Windows 10 brings new features and improvements, but if you don’t want new stuff and like what you have already, then what’s the point of upgrading?
Well, here’s a few things to consider:
- It’s free. Windows 10 is free for 1 year from its release date, meaning you can only upgrade for free until July 29th 2016, if you discovered you wanted/needed it after that then you would have to buy a copy or get a new computer. It is possible that Microsoft may extend this past July 29th, but we don’t know this yet. http://www.zdnet.com/article/what-happens-free-windows-10-upgrades-after-july-29-2016/
- It’s quicker. It appears to runner quicker on most older computers than either Windows 7 or Windows 8. I say appears, I have no metrics to back this up, but it seems quicker and it definitely starts up quicker than Windows 7.
- It’s more secure. Windows 10 is more secure against threats such as ransomware and includes a very capable antivirus and security centre.
- Continued support. Upgrading to Windows 10 will afford you extended access to improvements and security enhancements. It will up to date and more secure for longer. OK, Windows 7 has security updates scheduled until 2020 and I suspect in 5 years time that Windows 7 PC may be past its best anyway. However, install Windows 10 and you may not have to replace your computer as quickly. Windows 7 extended support ends 14th January 2020, Windows 8/8.1 ends 10th January 2023. Windows 10 will remain updated long after support for these earlier versions ends.
- It isn’t the enemy. Windows 10 may throw you if you came to Windows at version 8 and didn’t use any of the preceding versions. Windows 8 was very different and famously tricky for casual users to find their way around. However, Windows 10 builds on 7 and previous versions and retains it’s key feature, the start menu. OK, so it looks a little different now but its similar enough to be familiar.
I’m not convinced. How can I stop Windows 10 Upgrade?
There are a number of methods which can be used, our favourite is an app called Never10. Never10 is an easy to use utility which gives users control over whether their Windows 7 or 8.1 will upgrade itself to Windows 10. Never10 does NOT prevent the installation of Windows updates, including the infamous Get Windows 10 (GWX) update KB3035583. Never10 simply employs Microsoft’s documented and sanctioned configuration settings to instruct it NOT to change the installed version of Windows. It can be downloaded from here : https://www.grc.com/never10.htm
It’s Installed Already. Can I Remove It?
If it has been less than 30 days since you upgraded to Windows 10, you can go back to your previous version of Windows. Click [Start Menu] > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Go back to Windows 7/8.1. This won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove any apps that you installed after the upgrade to Windows 10. If it’s been more than 30 days, this option won’t be available in Settings and you’ll need to use a different recovery option. We can help you with this. Typically it will require a backup of your precious data, a wipe and reinstall of Windows 7/8 and setting up again just how you like.
Since February 2016, Microsoft have changed the Windows 10 update from an optional update to a recommended update. The upshot of this is that it automatically downloads 6Gb of data to your system and installs it automatically unless postponed. Many people don’t read the message which comes up when Windows starts, close it off by pressing the X in the top right corner. The next thing you know, your computer is saying “Hi, Welcome to Windows 10”.