{"id":8606,"date":"2015-09-11T11:38:16","date_gmt":"2015-09-11T15:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.nccomputertech.com\/?p=8606"},"modified":"2015-09-11T11:38:16","modified_gmt":"2015-09-11T15:38:16","slug":"didnt-ask-for-windows-10-your-pc-may-have-downloaded-it-anyway-pcworld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nccomputertech.com\/techtalk\/2015\/09\/11\/didnt-ask-for-windows-10-your-pc-may-have-downloaded-it-anyway-pcworld\/","title":{"rendered":"Didn\u2019t ask for Windows 10? Your PC may have downloaded it anyway"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you want Windows 10 or not, Microsoft says it may download the files to your PC regardless.<\/p>\n

In a statement to the Inquirer, Microsoft confirmed that it automatically downloads Windows 10 installation files on eligible PCs, provided automatic updates are enabled through Windows Update. The download occurs even if users haven\u2019t opted in through the Windows 10 reservation dialog.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they\u2019ll need if they decide to upgrade,\u201d Microsoft told the Inquirer.\u201cWhen the upgrade is ready, the customer will be prompted to install Windows 10 on the device.<\/p>\n

\u201dWhen reached for comment, Microsoft told PCWorld that the downloads occurred around the time of Windows 10’s July 29 launch.<\/p>\n

Why this matters: Microsoft appears to have crossed a line in its zeal to move people onto its latest operating system. Several reports indicate that the Windows 10 files take up as much as 6GB of storage in a hidden folder, potentially hamstringing machines that don\u2019t have much free space left. Even worse, users who have strict data caps could face hefty overage charges for a massive download that they didn\u2019t even ask for.<\/p>\n

Bye-bye bandwidth<\/h2>\n

PCWorld has also heard from several readers on this issue, including one whose data plan has been affected by the automatic download. The reader, who runs a small computer repair shop, did not reserve Windows 10, yet recently noticed 6GB missing from his main desktop.<\/p>\n

Upon further investigation, the reader\u2019s daughter\u2014who lives in an area without wired Internet and relies on Verizon Wireless for connectivity\u2014had also automatically downloaded the installation files. \u201cThey do not wish to upgrade at this time, as they prefer to stay with Windows 7,\u201d the reader said. \u201cBut they\u2019re four days into their wireless plan, and have used more than half of their allowance because of the Windows 10 download.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Inquirer also spoke to a reader who said Windows 10 tries to install itself every time the machine is booted. It\u2019s unclear if this is typical behavior for those who haven\u2019t opted into the upgrade.<\/p>\n