Windows 10 now RECOMMENDED update

... in your face and downloads, too.

[tangor]

From Monday, Windows Update will start making the upgrade to version 10 of the operating system a recommended update, rather than an optional one, a spokesperson for the software giant confirmed. So if you've got automatic updates set up on your computer, expect to download and install a few gigabytes of code for the move to Windows 10.

Also be aware that if you have switched to manual updates you still may end up downloading the new OS anyway. Windows Update is automatically preselecting the optional download as desired, so there's no need to click on the box to get it.

[theregister.co.uk...]

Getting more difficult to avoid Win 10, even with MANUAL updates.

[bill]

My home machine has been pre-selecting the Win10 update from the Optional updates tab for a while now. That's a bit more insidious as people don't expect Optional updates to be selected. I'd prefer it in the Recommended list as I can see it right from the start of the upgrade process.

[engine]

This move is going to annoy many that have been putting it off for varying reasons. Not least, if the download occurs while they are on a limited bandwidth plan. I also think the risk of it automatically installing is going to aggravate many users that will be sitting at their machine ready to type a letter or an e-mail, and they find that their life is now taken over by an update they didn't plan.

Oh, Microsoft, when will you learn!

[tangor]

There are a number of registry changes which can be made that will kill the updateos key (disable it). Look for those on the web, most relate to "gwx" as an identifier. Since these are registry changes be sure you know what you are doing, else you can make your system inoperative. Because this method is far more intrusive than others I will not post the "fix" in public because

a. Don't want to be blamed if it doesn't work for you
b. Every system is slightly different
c. You need to have existing image backups just in case
d. You need to know what you are doing.

Aside: I did this months ago and have lived in blissful silence re: Win10 malvertising. :)

Secondary aside: You will have to let the Win10 files download and remain on your system to stop the continual downloading. About 2.5 gb.