Are you still using Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 on your devices? It might not be much longer as Microsoft keeps pushing its new operating system as "an easy upgrade." Starting this week, the company has turned Windows 10 into a recommended update from an optional one. While Microsoft was already downloading bits and pieces of the new OS on users' computers, for users who have enabled "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates," the update process will start automatically for them. For those of you who don't want the new OS to download on their devices, it's super easy to avoid upgrading to Windows 10.
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How to stop Windows 10 from downloading on Windows 7, 8.1 machines:
If you aren't sure about installing Windows 10, you still have a few months to decide. In the meantime, for those of you who are worried about the latest steps Microsoft has taken, simply adjust the Windows Update settings to avoid any surprises.
Microsoft made it clear that users will still have the power to interrupt the installation once it has started since the operating system asks for permission. However, as the recommended updates are automatically downloaded and Microsoft is staying put to reach to its goal of 1 billion Windows 10 users by 2017 no matter how aggressive the push is, following are the steps to ensure the new OS doesn't download for you.
Here are the steps to check your Windows Update settings in Windows 7 and Windows 8, 8.1 devices to disable automatic update installation.
Windows 7 users:
- If you’re running Windows 7, go to Control panel > Windows Update.
- Select change settings on the left menu.
- Uncheck the box recommended updates.
- Click on OK to confirm the changes.
Stop Windows 10 upgrade on Windows 8.1:
You can either follow the above steps or use the Settings app:
- Go to Settings app.
- Click on Update and Recovery > Windows Update.
- Uncheck the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates box.
- Click Apply to confirm.
Remember that the Windows 10 will not install on your machines, the latest move from being an optional to a recommended update will only enable automatic downloading of the new OS. Before initiating the installation process, it will ask you for permission.
However, if you want to avoid nagging prompts, save space and bandwidth being used to download the new operating system, you can follow the above steps to stop Windows 10 from automatically downloading on your devices. It should be noted that if you disable recommended update installation, you will have to manually check Windows Update from time to time to ensure you are not missing any important security updates.
