Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Microsoft/Press Association Images

Microsoft is downloading Windows 10 to PCs even when the user doesn't want it

The new version of Windows is downloaded through Windows Update, which is normally set to run automatically.

WINDOWS USERS WHO have Windows Update, the software that downloads patches and fixes for software, enabled have stated to notice that a large file — between 3.5 and 6 gigabytes — has mysteriously been downloaded to their PC, and is linked to the installation of Windows 10.

The Inquirer was the first to pick up on this, with users complaining of a file called “$Windows.~BT” alongside a message that reports a failure to “Update to Windows 10″ in the Windows Update settings.

Windows 10 is an optional, free download for Microsoft customers with Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 but it seems strange that Microsoft is preemptively downloading large amounts of content related to an update that a user has not explicitly accepted.

Over a fast internet connection on a high-end PC this may not be a problem, but The Inquirer notes that some people with either a slow or metered internet connection could be blindsided by a multi-gigabytes update installing on their PC.

Beyond this, the unwanted files could take up valuable storage space, especially on lower-end machines.

Microsoft provided The Inquirer with the following comment: “For individuals who have chosen to receive automatic updates through Windows Update, we help upgradable devices get ready for Windows 10 by downloading the files they’ll need if they decide to upgrade. When the upgrade is ready, the customer will be prompted to install Windows 10 on the device.”

Max Slater-Robins

Read: This is how you take control of your privacy on Windows 10 >

Read: The billionaire hoping to send men to Mars says we’ll need to nuke it first >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 43 comments
Close
43 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Unitedpeople
    Favourite Unitedpeople
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:31 AM

    R.I.P.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ziggy722
    Favourite Ziggy722
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:35 AM

    When Bowies creative output started to suffer in the 80′s, Prince came in and filled that void magnificently. I always viewed Prince in similar terms to Bowie in the way they challenged the mainstream constantly with their music and image. One crumb of comfort can be taken from his premature demise and that is the thousands of unreleased material he wrote over the years and which fans can look foward to hearing in the future.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BroadSideSkid
    Favourite BroadSideSkid
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:36 PM

    On probably his worst album ‘Never Let Me Down’, Bowie sang the line : “The Little Red Corvette has passed me by” …

    7
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Pope
    Favourite The Pope
    Report
    Apr 23rd 2016, 12:18 AM

    ‘Least greatest’ album I think is more appropriate :)

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:35 AM

    What is the obsession with celebrities when they pass away?We should be mourning scientists,Doctors,professors and not musicians.A note in a newspaper is worthy,but countless stories one after the other is not on.We are taught to worship these people now and obsess.Sad day man passess away,hey over it.it Sums up society today,willfully ignorant and brainwashed by tv and radio.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Bliss
    Favourite Charles Bliss
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:42 AM

    You didnt have to pay attention to the article’s on him you know, you have a choice here Lee.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elma Phudd
    Favourite Elma Phudd
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:45 AM

    Says Lee Oswald

    36
    See 11 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:48 AM

    Yes but you know I have to give my 2 cents here…if I don’t highlight the pure ignorance and lack of common sense who else will?

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:48 AM

    What’s up Elma?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daimhín De Naois
    Favourite Daimhín De Naois
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:58 AM

    Musicians of this magnitutde are mourned simply because music means so very much to people; we grow with it, it grows with us, it relieves our stress, it gives us emotional release and it has very positive influences on our energy, body and brain. Prince was a musical genius, many people are upset, obviously not you Lee but thats okay. Maybe you’ve never heard music before

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:00 AM
    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Moore
    Favourite Paul Moore
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:36 AM

    The reason for this is that more people would find Purple Rain to be more emotional and uplifting than Panck’s Constant.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gareth Cooney
    Favourite Gareth Cooney
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:36 AM

    Says the lad called after a dead Assassin????

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:47 AM

    I think if you did a wee bit of research you would realise I was not an assassin.I had a poor shot ,I could not off pulled of the assassination due to this fact.But you believe the Warren commission,which in itself was flawed from the day it was set up.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elma Phudd
    Favourite Elma Phudd
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 1:15 PM

    Back and to the left, back and to the left.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 1:39 PM

    I sense a slight bit of sarcasm there Elma…The fact is shots could not be done in the time scale suggested.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elma Phudd
    Favourite Elma Phudd
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 3:01 PM

    I’m actually with you on this one tbh.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 3:04 PM

    Thank you Elma,I’m not saying I was not involved.But I certainly did not act alone.I never got the call…

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Lawler
    Favourite Gavin Lawler
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:28 AM

    Is this worthy of a separate news story?

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:32 AM

    Maybe not, but the people who own the website think so, and it’s a free world.

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matty Reese
    Favourite Matty Reese
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 1:40 PM

    Using your thumbs as a guide, it would appear about 80% thinkn yes it is.

    “One day of seven we’ll die”

    17
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Screaming Toddy
    Favourite Screaming Toddy
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 2:44 PM

    Gotta get those clicks

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Murphy
    Favourite Dan Murphy
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 12:13 PM

    Goodnight sweet Prince

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:24 AM

    RTE government and cronie buddies would not represent the independent freedom loving Prince. They might like his music but they certainly wouldn’t be down with his stances on position on certain things. Might I suggest that PrimeTime do a piece on Chemtrails a subject which Prince was vocal about ???

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Pepper
    Favourite Ken Pepper
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:31 AM

    Maybe they could have played ” something in the water does not compute”…

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lee Oswald
    Favourite Lee Oswald
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:50 AM

    I agree Mr mango…but as you can see from all the red thumbs you are gettingn most people like to be spoon Fed from the likes of rte news.They hold comfort in their Irish independent,rte news and mor ing Ireland lol.Over educated but lack independent thought and the will to question authority.

    13
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Pope
    Favourite The Pope
    Report
    Apr 23rd 2016, 12:21 AM

    Mass media educated sheeple, fleeced of free thought, and totally oblivious to the wool being pulled down over their eyes.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jarrett moon
    Favourite Jarrett moon
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 5:41 PM

    Good work RTE. good work

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Domhnall O'Sullivan
    Favourite Seán Domhnall O'Sullivan
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 6:56 PM

    Thats cool,Prime Time taking a leaf outta Newsnight’s book with a lighter credits and a nice music tribute. Too many rte shows are too stiff and serious

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scandalasdog
    Favourite Scandalasdog
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:53 AM

    Prince, like most of us like minded, would spit on Rte and it’s lie through omission policies. Prime time is a gate keeper like the war on drugs. They proclaim to be tackling the problem when they really are helping guide the outrage which is the brainwashed masses goto first emotion in reaction to the corruption of their overlords. But even Prince’s soul can’t replace the ones Rte & it’s minions already sold to the devil.!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:37 AM

    Surprised anyone in RTE has enough soul to appreciate Prince. Disturbing to realise I have something in common with the government droids in Donnybrook

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Juan Franc
    Favourite Juan Franc
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 12:41 PM

    I wonder did David McCullogh manage to stay awake to hear the tune?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Byrne
    Favourite Liam Byrne
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 10:40 AM

    They should have faded the music in rather than just blasting it straight out. It’s a nice sentiment all the same.
    Pity RTE is shite for the vast majority of the time.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Williams
    Favourite Charles Williams
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:57 AM

    Last weekthe bodies of two more young males were fished out of Galway Bay and Leo the Loo Head has decided he can afford to tske €14m from mental health.There are plenty more tragedies closer to home Prime Time could theme song, maybe “Suicide is Painless”.but of course it’s not, neither is is victimless.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 11:19 AM

    Prince was a fan of Dick Gregory. He had strong opinions about society and politics and would not have been a fan of state owned and government controlled propaganda tv.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matty Reese
    Favourite Matty Reese
    Report
    Apr 22nd 2016, 1:38 PM

    And I’m sure he would appreciate you hijacking the fact they played his music to commemorate his death as an excuse to have a rant. Not.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.