Windows 10 is now the second-biggest OS in the world

Microsoft has followed through with its plans to push adoption of Windows 10 by downloading it in the background to user machines running Windows 7 and 8 set to accept automatic updates, the Guardian reports. Start this week, Microsoft is re-categorizing Windows 10 as a “recommended update” in its Windows Update system.

Microsoft surprised people everywhere when they announced that Windows 10 would be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users. The prompts will be accompanied by an installer to facilitate the Windows 10 download for users who choose to upgrade their devices.

In common with most Windows Update deployments, the change from “optional” to “recommended” will be phased in, so Windows 7 and 8.1 users may not see the change immediately.

Microsoft continues to remind Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to upgrade to Windows 10 by displaying reminder pop-ups on their screens.

In related news, according to NetMarketShare data (via Petri), Windows 10 has overtaken Windows XP in active users.

Microsoft is continuing its quest to get Windows 10 installed on every PC on the planet. “Worldwide usage of Windows 10 after six calendar months (since August) was 13.7 percent compared to 5.0 percent for Windows 8 and 13.5 percent for Windows 7 at their initial half-year stage”, stated the firm. Microsoft is aiming to prove that the successor of Windows 8 is a user-friendly and likable operating system after its predecessor was poorly received in the market. However, Windows 10 still lags far behind Windows 7, which controls 52.5 percent of the market.

Battery issues, too, are expected to be fixed with the release of the new windows 10 mobile OS update for Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL devices. Windows 10 became available as a free upgrade on July 29 and will only remain free for a one-year time period. If it’s accidentally installed or you don’t like the update, you’ve got 30 days to roll back.

Nevertheless, in both cases the required files are already downloaded.