When Microsoft began distributing Windows 10 in the days leading up to July 29, every user had the possibility to "reserve" a copy of the operating system, giving Windows Update the green light to download files in advance. As expected, a significant number of users decided to postpone the update, but in recent days something very interesting has come to light: Windows Update downloads the Windows 10 files anyway.
My complaints about the quality of the internet service my local provider offers go to India and back twice, but at least I'm not trapped inside a data cap, a despicable technique that seeks to milk consumers until they're dry as a bone. The problem is that many users out there are forced to fight every month with those caps, since they have no other connectivity alternative. Besides having to watch warily what they download and what they don't, those users also have to deal with spontaneous and unsolicited downloads. This detail is what threw Windows 10 Home into the storm with its mandatory updates. As if the risk of a broken hotfix weren't enough (and I'm not exaggerating, this already happened), the user can delay a download, but cannot prevent it from taking place, unless they accept the nuclear option and deactivate the Windows Update service.
However, that's not all: In recent days, several reports emerged of users who discovered on their hard drives a folder called "$Windows.~BT", which occupies several gigabytes. That folder contains the installation files for Windows 10, which wouldn't be anything strange if it weren't for the fact that the affected users never reserved a copy of Windows 10. Why is this happening? Microsoft's decision, nothing more, nothing less. Company spokespeople confirmed that those users using the automatic updates function in Windows Update on compatible operating systems and computers will receive the Windows 10 installation files to facilitate the process in case they decide to perform the update later.
The portal The Inquirer, which apparently had the exclusive on this information, compared this incident with U2's album "Songs of Innocence" which was distributed free (and certainly unwanted) on iTunes with the launch of the iPhone 6. Although we understand the reasons why Microsoft took this route, unfortunately it's not one of its brightest decisions. "Option" means "liberty or faculty to choose", and if, when faced with the option of installing Windows 10, the user said "not now"... it's "not now".
The Inquirer
