Chinese users expressed their irritation after Windows 10 upgrades were made from being optional updates to becoming required ones. (Photo : Twitter)
Chinese users blasted IT giant Microsoft over the company's aggressive push to have them upgrade to Windows 10.
The outrage came after Microsoft changed the upgrading process for their new Windows 10 operating system. Unlike before, where users had the option to decline the offer to upgrade to Windows 10, it is now a recommended update.
Users now only have the option to either temporarily cancel it or have it rescheduled for another time.
On the other hand, those who use older Windows versions have no choice, as the update will automatically start the upgrade at the specified time if the notification is ignored for too long.
Irate netizens took to popular Chinese microblogging site Weibo to express their anger, the Global Times reported. Over 1.2 million complaints have been reportedly posted on a thread about the issue. One user, a graphic designer who uses the handle 3jinyeshixin, said that he lost so much work when the upgrade automatically started during an inappropriate time.
The comments online were echoed by Beijing-based public relations officer Yang Shou, who said that the update interrupted his work for a client. Shuo also remarked that, just because he didn't notice the update notification, it does not mean he allowed it.
Microsoft refused to comment when asked about the matter. However, the company's technical staff have reportedly posted instructions for users on how to switch back to older Windows versions.
The software giant's aggressive push to get Chinese users to move to Windows 10 is said to be part of its efforts to secure and maintain its share of the market against competitors like Google and Apple.
However, Internet Society of China legal adviser Zhao Zhanling said that Microsoft could be held liable for the forced upgrades, adding that the company violated users' rights to be informed and choose, Reuters reported.
