Microsoft changes Windows 10 upgrade strategy after huge user uproar
After months of forcing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to upgrade to Windows 10, Microsoft has finally relented after huge user outcry. Microsoft was virtually forcing Windows 10 down the Windows 7/8.1 users throats in past few months as its free Windows 10 upgrade offer will be coming to an end in July. Â It is no hidden fact that the tech giant has been aggressively marketing its new operating system, Windows 10 to its older OS users, with some people even reporting that they are being upgraded to Windows 10 without their permission.
Recently, we had reported how a woman in Seattle had won a $10,000 case against Microsoft for forcefully updating Windows 10 on her work computer without her permission. However, it seems like now the tech giant is going to tweak the way it is going to ask its users if they wish to take advantage of the free offer or not.
Releasing a statement on the matter to The Verge, Terry Myerson, who heads Microsoft’s Windows and Devices group said:
“Since we introduced a new upgrade experience for Windows 10, we’ve received feedback that some of our valued customers found it confusing. We’ve been working hard to incorporate their feedback and this week, we’ll roll out a new upgrade experience with clear options to upgrade now, schedule a time, or decline the free offer.”
Microsoft will also revert to making clicking on the Red X at the corner of the Windows 10 update box dismiss the update, rather than initiate it, as it has done for the past several weeks.
Talking about the changes made Myerson said:
“We started our journey with Windows 10 with a clear goal to move people from needing Windows to choosing Windows to loving Windows. Towards this goal, this week we’ll launch a new upgrade experience for millions of PCs around the world. The new experience has clearer options to upgrade now, choose a time, or decline the free offer. If the red-x is selected on this new dialog, it will dismiss the dialog box and we will notify the device again in a few days. We continue to recommend all of our customers upgrade to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer expires on July 29. Thousands of engineers have been working on making Windows 10 the most secure version of Windows, helping to protect people from viruses, phishing, identity theft and more. We’d like our customers to upgrade and improve their experience with Windows and Microsoft.”
However, the dialog box isn’t gone permanently, as it will come back some number of unspecified times to nag users about moving to Windows 10. While it is not ideal, but it is still better.
According to a Microsoft senior director for Windows, Microsoft will also provide free tech support to those having problems with their Windows 10 update, including support in rolling back from Windows 10 to their previous version of Windows.
The free Windows 10 upgrade offer will expire July 29. So, those on Windows 7 and 8 have just a month to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. You will need to fork out to update your PC after the upgrade offer ends.
