Don't want to upgrade to Windows 10?

You'll download it WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

[tangor]

Microsoft would really, really, really like you to upgrade to Windows 10. So much so that even if you've opted not to request the upgrade, you'll get it anyway, even if you never intend to install it.

The software giant confirmed to The Register on Thursday that it's been pushing out the necessary files for the upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 systems via Windows Update, even if you haven't bothered to "reserve" an upgrade using Redmond's adware app.

[theregister.co.uk...]

Note: you will still get the files even if you "hide" the Win10 upgrade in your Win7 Update screen (I know. Been there, done that, still getting it, even after deleting it!)

If you are mobile/wifi, this might have an impact on your billing.

[Leosghost]

Define "malware"..
Quack..Quack..Quack..

I rest my case m'lud..

[IanCP]

Curiously I was reading a slightly different take on it just now.

How to Stop Windows 7 or 8 from Downloading Windows 10 Automatically

"Microsoft hasn’t exactly been endearing themselves to tech geeks everywhere lately, with all the privacy concerns and other issues. And now they are automatically downloading all of Windows 10 to your Windows 7 or 8 PC, whether you asked for it or not.

To be clear, they aren’t automatically installing Windows 10, but they are downloading the entire installer, which is at least 3 GB, which takes up a lot of drive space, and also wastes your network bandwidth. For people that don’t have unlimited bandwidth, this can seriously cost you a lot of money..."

[howtogeek.com ]

[tangor]

And (conspiracy time) at some future date, all those machines that have the installer loaded might get an instruction to do the deed...