Windows 10 automatic updates are mandatory for Home users

July 18, 2015 – 8:18 AM

Microsoft has always struggled to get consumers to install important Windows updates, but it’s pulling out the big guns with Windows 10. The company has confirmed that Home users of Windows 10 will have to agree to receive system updates automatically as part of the terms and conditions. So you’re going to be up-to-date whether you like it or not.

Windows 10 is supposed to be the last distinct version of Windows, so Microsoft wants to get everyone upgraded. This is probably why it’s making the upgrade free at first (it’s a trap!). Once Microsoft has you on the new version, you can be kept current forever with the automatic updates. Automatic updating was the default behavior in past versions of Windows, but now the updates will just happen in the background. Business users and IT departments will have the option of disabling that, though.

The sting of the Windows XP era is still fresh for Microsoft. It tried several times to end support for the now-ancient OS, but had to push the date back because there were still so many instances of XP running. Microsoft finally managed to leave XP behind a few years ago, but it still runs paid custom support programs. Upgrades to Windows 8 have been sluggish as well. In fact, most Windows users are still on Windows 7.

Microsoft hasn’t mentioned if the update scheme will be improved at all in Windows 10. One of the reasons everyone shut off automatic updates in past versions is that so many updates require a restart. If Microsoft starts forcing everyone to restart constantly with no way to opt out, it might have some very upset customers on its hands. On the plus side, there will be fewer vulnerable computers out there.

Source:
http://www.geek.com/microsoft/windows-10-automatic-updates-are-mandatory-for-home-users-1628305/