Microsoft may be downloading Windows 10 to your computer without your consent.

[m654321]

OldGuy...

The title of this thread is what I find misleading as if it happens if you do not reserve your copy.

I agree, the title appears to be a statement (though somewhat tentative) rather than an open question. 
Either way, I wouldn't worry at all.  I reserved my win 10 upgrades for both win7 & 8.1 VMs on setup (1),
indicated in the footer below, though have since cancelled them.  For the UEFI win8.1/LL2.6 dual-boot in the
same setup, I have let Win 8.1 run with the upgrading process.  The win8.1 part of the dual-boot now seems to be ready
for upgrade as a file of 2,706 MB is now present in my Windows Update window.  However, the OS appears to
firmly remain as win8.1, and will not update to win10, until I click on this file to trigger the download and install process
of this file and its contents.  Microsoft doesn't appear to be adopting an upgrade-by-stealth tactic, at least from what I gather...

Regards
Mike

[avj]

From the link provided in the first post of this topic: "The download appears to be coming to users on Windows 7 and 8 who have opted to receive updates from Microsoft, a setting that needs to be active for critical security patches to come through.

Addressing the reports, the computing giant said that the files are downloading to help users prepare for the OS switch "if they decide to upgrade".

The firm said in a statement: "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.""

According to that if you have automatic updates on it will download the installation files to your computer.

[Wirezfree]

There are/was number of steps...

1. You click notification to reserve
2. At some point you then get the offer to install
3. You then can accept to install
4. You then proceed with what is like a Window install


So you have had to make 4 concious decisions to proceed with update.
I'm not defending M$, but it certainly did not just install Win10 in my case.



So there are/was 4 steps to Install,
and even at the install step you can cancel install on first screen
That is how it was on my tablet.
On my VM's I just removed the noted Update to remove the notifications.

[avj]

This topic does NOT say installing windows to your machine it says "downloading".

Another quote from the link in the first post of this topic.

"Although Windows 10 is not installing itself once the files are in place, the download demands between 3.5GB and 6GB, placing demand on disk space and bandwidth."

That is the concern addressed in this topic.

[Wirezfree]

That happened for me at step 3, According to what was shown on screen,
This may have been smoke and mirrors then, but the download took(appeared to take) about 20mins
Then I was prompted to install, Step 4.

This was on a tablet 8.1 with Bing, maybe it depends on version/device..??

[rbdflyboy]

Read about this on How to Geek newsletter last week...it's true. They're doing it as automatic updates for Win7 +. Microsoft says if one doesn't want it just delete the updates. Lucky for me my boxes and OSes are to old ...lol.  Poor MS can't even give it away. Setting a target of one billion...maybe over reaching somewhat.  Guessing auto update is about the only way they can even come close to that kind of a target and then it's a bad stat...don't really know if they can track how many updates are dumped. Typical.

[N4RPS]

Hello!

People get automatically upgraded to WIndows 10, and their drivers no longer work - even after they uninstall it. Then they call me. By then, they're QUITE interested in having me to reinstall the drivers and remove the privacy-compromising 'telemetry' that has been placed into 7 and 8.x by way of these updates.

Windows 10 infestation is certainly not the only thing Microsoft has planted into 7 and 8.x. I never chose automatic updates in the past, and now read about EVERY update they push - BEFORE it gets installed...

I'm about to get a new Windows 10 PC. First thing I do is back it up, then put Windows 7 and LL on it. No way I'd run 10 after all this...

73 DE N4RPS
Rob

[Valtam]

I'm about to get a new Windows 10 PC. First thing I do is back it up, then put Windows 7 and LL on it. No way I'd run 10 after all this...

Or just put LL on and put win in a VB