If you’re one of the people still holding on to Windows 10, then we’ve got some bad news for you. You’ve likely already suffered through a few less-than-subtle Windows 11 upgrade offers from Microsoft as you boot your PC. Now, it looks as though they could end up becoming more abrasive and frequent too.
According to WindowsLatest.com, an optional update from January 2024 has introduced pop-up ads. Not just any pop-up ads, mind you: four screens worth. Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 next year in October, so it’s probably trying to get ahead of things. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do things, though, and this errs on the side of impudent.
Not only are the pop-ups intrusive. The four screens tuck many of the “no thanks, I’m good” options in unusual places. The first screen, for example, has two buttons in the centre, prompting you to go for the latest OS. The ‘Keep Windows 10’ option is pushed to the bottom left of the screen. It’s a sneaky way to hide the option and could leave less tech-savvy users at a loss. Granted, this tactic is nothing new, but we’re not fans in the slightest.
You then have to fight through three more screens, which are slightly less devious but no less irritating. The only solace is that the fourth page is opt-in, meaning you must click to learn more. Still, a single page is enough to remind users, let alone quadruple. If anything, I’d prefer a dismissable tray notification instead of Microsoft hijacking my monitor. It feels a little like the brand is beating you down until you resign that Windows 11 is the lesser of two evils.
Whatever your reason for sticking with Windows 10, it’s not endearing to see Microsoft’s new aggressive tactics. It’s not too late for the company to walk it back, though. Currently, the pop-ups appear after you’ve installed the latest preview update. I don’t know whether it’ll make it into the February cumulative update due next week, but it’s likely.
