Microsoft plans to change the Windows 10 update prompt to make it clearer and easier for Windows 7 and 8.x customers to schedule or decline the offer.

Microsoft officials said late on June 27 that the new update experience -- with clearer "upgrade now, schedule a time, or decline the free offer" -- will start rolling out this week. Microsoft will also revert to making clicking on the Red X at the corner of the Windows 10 update box dismiss the update, rather than initiate it, as it has done for the past several weeks.

Microsoft officials said they are making the change "in response to customer feedback".

Update: Here's the full, updated statement from Microsoft about the coming change, attributable to Executive Vice President of Windows and Devices Terry Myerson:

"We started our journey with Windows 10 with a clear goal to move people from needing Windows to choosing Windows to loving Windows. Towards this goal, this week we'll launch a new upgrade experience for millions of PCs around the world. The new experience has clearer options to upgrade now, choose a time, or decline the free offer. If the red-x is selected on this new dialog, it will dismiss the dialog box and we will notify the device again in a few days. We continue to recommend all of our customers upgrade to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer expires on July 29. Thousands of engineers have been working on making Windows 10 the most secure version of Windows, helping to protect people from viruses, phishing, identity theft and more. We'd like our customers to upgrade and improve their experience with Windows and Microsoft."

Take note: Clicking the Red X will dismiss the box. It won't automatically commence the Windows 10 update (contrary to what's been happening for the past few weeks, when clicking the X started the update). But the dialog box isn't gone permanently; it will come back some number of unspecified times to nag users about moving to Windows 10. Still not ideal, but better.

Microsoft will also provide free tech support to those having problems with their Windows 10 update, according to a Microsoft senior director for Windows, including support in rolling back from Windows 10 to their previous version of Windows.

Microsoft has been criticized by many, including me, for making onerous the process of postponing and/or declining the free update to Windows 10.

It's great that Microsoft has made Windows 10 a free update for many Windows 7 and 8.X users since last July, but it's been anything but great that the company has made opting out of the update so difficult. It should be up to users -- not Microsoft -- if and when they take advantage of the free update. Microsoft should have made opting out a clear and easy choice from the get-go, but better late than never, I guess...

The offer to move to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 and 8.X will end July 29, a month from now. Microsoft officials said they'll start phasing out the "Get Windows 10" update prompt starting July 29.

The news of the change in the Windows 10 update prompt wording comes days after Microsoft paid a disgruntled Windows 10 updater $10,000 rather than appeal the case in court.