One of the most controversial things about Windows 10, is its strategy in pushing updates.
On the version of the popular operating system, Microsoft went the opposite extreme of previous Windows updates strategies, and forced users of previous Windows versions to upgrade, and pushing updates that can be sometimes buggy or problematic.
For example, Windows 10 users had experienced problems with Windows 10 updates, such as systems freezing, refusing to install if USB drives are present. Others experienced dramatic performance impacts on essential software, deleted files, and even unable to boot.
These faulty approach has given users headaches, that eventually made Microsoft in being ridiculed.
But still, Microsoft wants everyone to use Windows 10 operating system with the latest build, as soon as the company releases it.
On January 2019, the company had even introduced 'Reserved Storage' on build version 1903 to ensure all Windows 10 operating systems can get any future updates no matter what, by automatically reserving disk space.
But things are changing a bit.
For example, there is the 'Download and Install Now' option in the usual page for Windows system updates.
This option allows users to postpone Windows 10 in installing updates until the very last moment. What this means, users are longer forced to immediately update their system as soon as an update is available.
When users to click on that option, Microsoft gives users another option, and that is to “pause" the update from 7 to 35 days. This could give users a chance to, again, wait for the final day before finally updating.
So here, it can be seen that Microsoft has soften out.
But it should be noted that Microsoft in forcing updates down everyone throats is for reasons. While it has indeed soften out a bit, the company is getting more aggressive on the version of its operating system that is nearing its end of its life.
On Windows 7, Microsoft, in one way or another, is forcing all of the users to upgrade, whether they like it or not.
What every Windows users must know is that, all Windows product has two important expiry dates:
- End of mainstream support.
- End of extended support.
When a Windows version leaves mainstream support, Microsoft no longer adds new features to it, and warranty claims end. Usually, this period lasts for five years after a product’s release.
For the next five years, the Windows product is in extended support. During this time, Microsoft continues to provide bug fixes and security patches but doesn’t actively develop the operating system with new goodies.
With Windows 7, Microsoft is offering users a compromise. Launched on July 22, 2009 and became generally available on October 22, 2009, Windows 7 was introduced less than three years after the release of its predecessor.
Businesses who want to still use Windows 7 Professional or Enterprise, can pay Microsoft for extended support until 2023, thanks to the Extended Security Updates program.
This can cost users up to $350 for all three years of support, a price that is much expensive than a Windows 10 license for a home user.
But for Home users, there is no option.
What this means, before Windows 7 is reaching its end-of-life, Microsoft has to 'force' everyone to upgrade, because post January 14, 2020, the company won't be supporting Windows 10 Home users anymore. And as for Enterprise users, they have to pay for the "extended security support".
There are plenty of reasons why people are reluctant to upgrade to Windows 10.
From the less powerful hardware requirement, to the less problematic updates, for example. But the biggest reason would be their simple dislike on the Windows 10 operating system.
This is similar to the Windows XP case. When the version reached the end of its life, there were a huge number of XP users that hung onto that obsolete operating system for years and refused to upgrade to Windows 7.
So knowing that haters "gonna hate", Microsoft is doing whatever it can to make users upgrade.