After upgrading to Windows 10, most users won’t have to think about updating again.
Windows 10 will automatically download updates and install them when the computer is not in use, according to the latest preview version’s end user license agreement, as first spotted by The Register.
Users will have the option to delay the install, but not the downloading of the updates. The auto-install function will also be on by default, restarting the computer when not in use, but users can disable that and have the computer ask before installing the update.
The license agreement reads, in part, “The Software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates. By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.”
The fear is that a bad update could cause bricked systems around the world, but most problems will likely be spotted by the millions of beta testers enrolled in the preview program. And having people on the latest system by default will help eliminate problems caused by out-of-date systems owned by less tech-savvy people.
Updates will include both security patches and new features. The upgrade system will allow Microsoft to advertise any of those new features as something is available across its platform, rather than worrying about how many people have updated. It’s part of Microsoft’s shift to delivering “Windows as a service.”
A new tool for enterprise users, Windows Update for Business, will allow IT departments to hold off on updates until maintenance periods, but “need to consume that feature update within the allotted time period of approximately eight months or they will not be able to see and consume the next security update,” according to Microsoft senior product marketing manager quoted by the Register.
Apple currently asks users to restart to install automatically downloaded updates on Mac OS X, but also allows users to turn off the automatic downloads, much like Windows 8.1. Chrome has a similar update system to Windows 10, automatically upgrading the browser after it is restarted.
Windows 10 is slated to start rolling out on July 29.
