There are strong rumours that Microsoft may start upgrading Windows 7 and 8.1 computers to Windows 10 automatically, as part of the regular Windows Update process. The next major issue of Microsoft updates is Tuesday, December 8 so automatic “push” of Windows 10 may start as early as that date.

If for any reason you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 10 unexpectedly in the near future, you may need to take some action as outlined below.

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By now everyone should be aware that Microsoft is offering to upgrade any Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computers, to Windows 10. This is a free upgrade and can be done any time prior to July 29, 2016.

As part of the regular Windows Update process for computers running 7 or 8.1, a “Get Windows 10” (aka GWX) update has been installed. This also has the Microsoft update number KB3035583.

If you don’t want to have your existing 7 or 8.1 computer upgraded unexpectedly, the most reliable thing to do is to uninstall that update, and “hide” it so it won’t reinstall.

There is a good YouTube video explaining how to do this at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4kiv6OL3L0 .

As the video explains at the end, it’s possible at any time to un-hide the update, re-download it from Microsoft and reinstall it, when you’re ready to upgrade.

NOTE: as the YouTube comments explain, there have been cases where Microsoft has un-hidden this update, so it installs again. If that happens you may need to go through the steps in the video again.

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Microsoft wants to move everyone from 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10. The consensus is that it’s a decent version of Windows, more like 7 than 8.1 (which makes it more familiar for more people).

I’m impressed by the upgrade process, it’s been painless for all the cases I’m aware of with one exception, where a driver update was required for a Canon MFP/scanner. All installed programs and data files continue to work as expected. Other than the scanner issue I haven’t had any calls for support from any of my clients who have gone through the upgrade. In fact, I wasn’t even aware some had done it.

Personally, by far the biggest issue I have with Windows 10 is privacy. By default Windows 10 gathers a considerable amount of information many would consider private, and sends it to Microsoft for their own unknown purposes. If you wish to use the new Cortana feature (Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s Siri) then you will need to allow Microsoft to gather some personal information, but Cortana can be disabled.

Here is an excellent article that explains the various issues. It has a somewhat negative/aggressive tone but if you’re privacy conscious that’s not a bad thing:

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/bitwise/2015/08/windows_10_privacy_problems_here_s_how_bad_they_are_and_how_to_plug_them.html

If you’re contemplating, or have already upgraded to Windows 10:

• Be aware of the privacy implications
• Carefully read the Slate article and follow all the steps/sections to make sure you set your privacy settings the way you want them, not as Microsoft sets them by default

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