We know that Microsoft has recently made some changes to their Windows 10 upgrade prompts for Windows 7 and 8.1 users after the company received a lot of criticism about the methods they were using.
Well this week, in an effort to make sure all of those users know that the free Windows 10 upgrade offer is expiring on 29 July, Microsoft has released a new update for users on those systems that will provide final reminders about the expiration of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.
KB3173040 should be available on Windows Update for those systems and once installed will display the following full screen dialog when the user logs in:
According to the KB3173040 article the user has multiple options for controlling this reminder when it is first displayed.
- Click Upgrade now to begin the upgrade to Windows 10.
- Click Remind me later to be reminded three days later..
- Click Notify me three more times to get just three additional reminders about the upgrade expiration..
- Click Do not notify me again to complete shut off future reminders.
Users will not see this reminder message under the following conditions on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 systems:
- You have a recent version of the "Get Windows 10" app installed.
- You have selected the Do not notify me again option.
- Your computer is detected to be incompatible with Windows 10.
- You have previously uninstalled Windows 10 after you upgrade.
- Your Windows 10 installation failed and rolled back.
- You have hidden the "Get Windows 10" app notifications.
- You have disabled the Windows 10 upgrade or you have disabled the offer screen through registry key settings.
After taking a look at this update, you have to wonder if this method might have been less intrusive to encourage users to take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer over the last year. Users might have also been more responsive to the upgrade through a series of reminders with the option to schedule the upgrade as opposed to having it scheduled for them.
In the long run, the more control you offer users is more likely to result in more positive results.
Of course, you can fully expect those who will not like this additional reminder but I have no doubt that after 29 July there will be a large number of users who will have never heard of the free upgrade. In turn, that will become an issue and fingers will be pointed at Microsoft for not making sure all users knew about it.
This reminder update is an attempt to make sure everyone on Windows 7 and 8.1 has the opportunity to upgrade for free if they want it or just stay where they are at.
One last note - this upgrade notice is for everyday users - it is not targeted at those of us who keep up to speed on tech every day.
These everyday users are those folks who use their computers like an appliance and just expect things to work when they hit the power button so they can get their email, access social media and browse the web.
So do you agree or disagree with Microsoft's effort to make sure all users know about the expiring Windows 10 upgrade offer?
Source: Softpedia
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