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According to recent reports, Windows 10 installation files are pushed out on machines running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 via Windows Updates service regardless of their users’ option for an upgrade.
Some users reported that they found buried deep within their OS’s system files a folder called $Windows.~BT which was silently downloaded during a routine automatic update. And, the file isn’t tiny – it has between 3.5 GB and 6 GB.
Microsoft confirmed that Windows Update installs upgrade files on your system “just in case” you ever decide to switch to Windows 10. Several users, however, noted that Windows 10 is trying to push the upgrade every time they boot their machines.
Installation files are being downloaded even if a user didn’t reserve an upgrade to the new OS, recent reports reveal. And that may be a problem especially for people with low disk space or for those with metered Internet connections.
Some Windows users have complained that the unwanted download forced them to go beyond their data cap last month, while users with slow Internet connections said that they noticed their connection was throttled for a week but they didn’t know why.
When Microsoft was reached for comment, it said that:
“[…] we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files users will need if they decide to upgrade” every time those users decide to use the WU service.
The company also confirmed that users will be prompted to upgrade to Windows 10 whenever they restart the system.
Microsoft is already rushing to install the new OS on 75 million devices by the end of the year. Recent reports has shown that 10 percent of Windows users still use Windows XP or Vista, while 40 percent reported they had Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and their plans to upgrade to Windows 10 were rather hazy.
But installing an unwanted 3 GB/6GB image file of the new operation system on a 32 GB hard-drive may make some users increasingly frustrated especially if they don’t plan to go for the upgrade ever.
Some said that the move was made to dodge unnecessary fragmentation when the new OS is installed, while other users suspect that Microsoft may have plans to spy on them. But one thing is for sure – such move may someday blow up in the company’s face.
Fortunately, you can remove the big system file through Disk Cleanup utility, Microsoft announced. But it is unclear whether WU would try again to download it on your system. And, switching off WU is not a good idea either, since you may deprive your computer of precious security updates and put the system at risk.
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