Windows 10: Microsoft and the Finnish Consumer Authority have reached an agreement following an investigation that began in mid-2016 due to reported forced upgrades on Windows computers.
The software giant agreed to no longer install applications without the consent of the Finnish Authority and also to maintain the original behavior of the options displayed on the screen.
Xinhua news agency reports that as part of the agreement, Microsoft must provide all necessary information to users whenever an installation upgrade is required and also wait for their consent before starting the process.
Microsoft released Windows 10 in July 2015, offering the operating system for free to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users who upgraded before July 2016. To help with the transition process, Microsoft released an app called “Get Windows 10” through Windows Update to all systems eligible for the upgrade.
As the app began the upgrade process, it automatically downloaded the necessary files in the background and prompted users to install Windows 10. Microsoft has also been accused of changing the function of the X button in the upper right corner from close to OK, which triggered the Windows 10 upgrade when users actually wanted to cancel the process.
The Finnish Consumer Authority claims that the “Get Windows 10” app was nothing more than a direct marketing tool and did not require users’ consent to install and download Windows 10 upgrade files.
Microsoft has not issued an official statement regarding its agreement, but the company has promised to be fair to local customers.
