Microsoft's Windows 10 to 'automatically download' from next year

Windows 10 was released in the UK on 29 July (Getty)

Microsoft users will have Windows 10 automatically downloaded onto their computers without their knowledge, the software giant said this week.

As part of a plan to roll out the latest update, already installed on millions of devices, customers using Microsoft 7 or 8 could opt in for the upgrade but from next year the system change will become a “recommended update” and automatically download.

As a recommended update any Microsoft user with automatic updates enabled – the default setting and promoted by Microsoft as an effective preventative against security threats – will download the new software.

“Depending upon your Windows Update settings, this may cause the upgrade process to automatically initiate on your device,” the firm explained in a blog post.

“If you are on a metered connection on Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, then you have the option of turning off automatic updates.

“We strongly discourage this in today’s connected world because of the constant risk of internet threats.”

The firm says users will be able to decline the upgrade in a prompted message but many have voiced concern users will inadvertently agree to the new operating system.