Microsoft wants you using Windows 10, like it or not
NEW YORK (AP) — If you're running an older version of Windows, you might suddenly find Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade already downloaded on your machine.
The automatic download is part of Microsoft's aggressive push to get Windows 10 on as many devices as possible.
Since last July, Microsoft has distributed the free upgrade on request.
Microsoft is reducing reliance on software sales in favor of services such as the Bing search engine, OneDrive storage and Skype for communications.
Microsoft makes money from ads and premium features that cost money — such as additional OneDrive storage.
Microsoft can also encourage app makers to write more software for Windows 10 if a lot of people are using it.
App developers know they can enable the latest features without worrying about abandoning too many users of older devices.
System upgrades aren't always smooth, especially on older machines with slower processors, less memory and less storage space available.
Older machines also might have software that won't work on Windows 10, so you'd have to spend money upgrading those programs, if upgrades are available at all.