Microsoft is going to force software updates on Windows 10 Home systems without giving users the option to decline.
This means that unlike previous editions of Windows, you’ll always have the latest version of Windows 10 downloaded and installed, assuming your machine is connected to the internet.
That’s according to a clause that appears in the end user license agreement of the final pre-release version of Windows 10 that was distributed earlier this week.
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It continues: “You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorised sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates.”
The notice concludes: “By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”
So with Windows 10, the OS will download, install, and reboot your machine when it’s not in use.
There will, however, be an option to download, install, and choose when to reboot.
By contrast, Windows 8.1 offered four options, namely automatic reboots, rebooting when you choose, downloading and installing when you choose, and never check for updates.
Related: Windows 10 Features: What’s new?
There are good and bad points to Microsoft’s move. As a negative, for instance, forced downloads could be a problem for those with data-capped internet plans.
However, having updates download automatically will keep machines up-to-date, secure, and functioning properly.
What’s more, updates shouldn’t be buggy when they arrive because Microsoft will continue to test Windows 10 builds on the 5 million Windows Insider members.
As such, automatic updates seem, on the whole, to be a good idea.
Related: Windows 10 Free Upgrade: Will you have to pay for it?
Windows 10 will begin rolling out to Windows Insiders starting on July 29. If you want a device to run it on, check out our video review of the Microsoft Surface 3 below:
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
