If you are running a PC with either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you have already seen the prompts to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Now Microsoft is pushing even harder for those users to upgrade to the latest OS with new messages that, on the surface at least, don't appear to offer much in the way of options.

As noted by PC World, at least some users who click on the Windows 10 upgrade icon on the taskbar are seeing messages that show either an "Upgrade Now" or a "Download now, upgrade later" button. Windows 7 and 8.1 users can still simply click on the close window button to banish the prompt back to the taskbar, but Microsoft's message is clear: It really, really wants those people to upgrade to Windows 10.

In October, Microsoft's Windows and Devices head Terry Myerson stated that the Windows Update feature in Windows 7 and 8.1 would begin to label the Windows 10 download as an "Optional Update". In early 2016, that label will change to a "Recommended Update". He added:

"Depending upon your Windows Update settings, this may cause the upgrade process to automatically initiate on your device. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose whether or not to continue. And of course, if you choose to upgrade (our recommendation!), then you will have 31 days to roll back to your previous Windows version if you don't love it."

If users have a metered connection to the Internet, Myerson indicated they would have the option of turning off the automatic updates, but added that that in those cases users should manually check Windows Update on a frequent basis.

Source: PCWorld