When Microsoft decided to start preloading Windows 10 onto every eligible computer, not all users were impressed. The Get Windows 10 app first made an appearance a year ago, letting users sign up to get Windows 10 for free at launch and simplifying the upgrade process.
According to Microsoft, the app guides you through preparing your computer and installing the update. It alerts you when the free upgrade is ready and schedules a time to install it, keeping you informed as the upgrade progresses.
In practice, the app has plagued Windows 7 and 8.1 users who don’t want to upgrade with continual nagging reminders, prompts and alerts. It has steadily grown in size since its first version, coming to dominate the display in a bid to convince people to upgrade. Recently, it ruined a live weather broadcast by appearing while on air.
In some cases, the app has started Windows 10 installations on its own, or used deceptive button labelling to try to get people to upgrade. Microsoft’s tactics have been likened to those used by malware to get you to install dodgy software. With Windows 10 now installed on the PCs of all those who requested it, the Get Windows 10 app has been degraded to annoying nagware designed to pester Windows 7 and 8.1 users until they cave in and upgrade.
Come July 29, Windows 10 will no longer be free though. The originally promised year of free upgrades will come to an end, taking the app with it. Get Windows 10 will become completely redundant, unless Microsoft starts displaying adware for a $119 commercial product.
Microsoft confirmed the free upgrade offer ends at the end of July yesterday. To the relief of users of older Windows versions, it has since stated that the Get Windows 10 app will be “ramped down” in the following weeks.
“Details are still being finalized, but on July 29th the Get Windows 10 app that facilitates the easy upgrade to Windows 10 will be disabled and eventually removed from PCs worldwide,” said Microsoft to news site WinBeta. “Just as it took time to ramp up and roll out the Get Windows 10 app, it will take time to ramp it down.”
The news is good for Windows 7 and 8.1 users who have been pestered by the app’s frequent notifications for months. However, Microsoft has already suggested the free upgrade offer could be extended past July 29th, telling ZDNet it is only “currently slated” to end on that date. If it continues, it is likely Get Windows 10 will stick around for a while longer.
