Question about Windows 10

Firetastic

Hi do you have to upgrade to Windows 10? Is it something Microsoft are forcing on people?

I haven't reserved my copy and am quite happy with Windows 8.1.

grumpycrab

Firetastic wrote: »

Hi do you have to upgrade to Windows 10? Is it something Microsoft are forcing on people?

No. And no but they are providing more opportunities for you to accidentally upgrade to Windows 10.

Firetastic

I've been reading threads on here which made me think they are forcing people to upgrade. Thought maybe when I next update it will be downloaded or something.

ThemeOne

If you can avoid the upgrade, which is difficult the way it's being done, no you don't have to. But as with all older versions of operating systems, if you don't upgrade it eventually you'll be running an unsupported and vulnerable system.

If you're determined to stay with 8.1, look up when it's scheduled to have support dropped (it won't be for a few years). Up to then you'll get all the necessary security updates, beyond that point running it won't be such a great idea.

Oblivion

Firetastic wrote: »

I've been reading threads on here which made me think they are forcing people to upgrade. Thought maybe when I next update it will be downloaded or something.

Change your Windows Update settings from Automatic to Notify Me When Updates Are Available. You can then select which updates you want to install. The huge file size, around 4GB, will be a visual indication of the Windows 10 [STRIKE]upgrade[/STRIKE] downgrade and you can always click on each update in turn and read the More Information that is available.

Firetastic

Well got back this afternoon and the message popped up saying upgrade. I hit later and it starts downloading. However I managed to stop it and it crashed. When I go in my updates it is now saying upgrade to Windows 10. GRRRR. LEAVE ME ALONE MICROSOFT!!! Sorry for shouting.

ThemeOne

I understand how frustrating you're finding MS's rather aggressive upgrade tactics, but to be honest W10 isn't that different to use from 8.1, so it might be easier just to upgrade.

Of course if you're running hardware or software you're worried about the new system running that's a different matter. Though if something runs on 8.1 it's a fair bet it would run on 10.

Neil49

This appears in some other posts within Techie Stuff but for those who haven't seen it there is a program called GWX Control Panel which you can run to prevent Win 10 from installing and also stops the download.

Details are in

http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/08/using-gwx-stopper-to-permanently-remove.html

It is reversable should you wish to update in the future.

I've run it on my partners Acer Aspire netbook which has Win 7 Starter and is not supported with driver updates from Acer for Win 10. Reading some other posts users trying to update a similar netbook have encountered problems so it was important that I prevented Windows 10 installing itself.