Windows 10 is Now a Recommended Update

To reach a billion installed devices in 3 years, Microsoft is rolling out its next strong arm tactic for its Windows 10 rollout. Yesterday, the company flipped the switch causing the Windows 10 upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs to be categorized as a recommended update over Windows Update and in patching systems based on Windows Update.

As a recommended update, the Windows 10 updater that is already installed on applicable PCs will automatically download the necessary pieces required to perform the full update. Users still have the option to decline the update or to rollback within 31 days after upgrading.

Mary Jo Foley captured a confirming quote from a Microsoft spokesperson. They said…

As we shared in late October on the Windows Blog, we are committed to making it easy for our Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers to upgrade to Windows 10. We updated the upgrade experience today to help our customers, who previously reserved their upgrade, schedule a time for their upgrade to take place.

The change in status of the Windows 10 upgrade is being offered under the guise of making it easier for customer to upgrade.

January was a good month for Windows 10. Thank new PC purchases over the holidays or thank the company’s next phase of its pandemic strategy, Windows 10 has now surpassed both Windows XP and Windows 8/8.1 in Windows market share – that’s just 6 months after launch. The free upgrade to Windows 10 expires in July of this year.