Windows 10 is about to drop at the end of the month. When the new OS comes out, it looks like Microsoft will be making some changes to its update policy. The ability to turn updates off entirely will be completely removed.
As Ars Technica points out, the new Windows 10 EULA includes a statement that implies users agree to “automatic updates without any additional notice.” Home users will also notice that they will have only two options for dealing with updates: installing them and rebooting automatically, and installing, then choosing when to update. Here’s the relevant section of the EULA:
Updates. The software periodically checks for system and app updates, and downloads and installs them for you. You may obtain updates only from Microsoft or authorized sources, and Microsoft may need to update your system to provide you with those updates.
By accepting this agreement, you agree to receive these types of automatic updates without any additional notice.
Emphasis added. Of course, until Windows 10 is officially released, anything could still change. It wouldn’t be the first time Microsoft announced a new policy for a product, then reversed the decision later. In fact, Microsoft hasn’t announced this at all, yet. However, given Microsoft’s new Windows-as-a-service approach, this may be inevitable. Most other software we use is subject to frequent updates, but the ability to permanently delay Windows updates has made it hard for Microsoft to keep its platform secure and up-to-date with other contemporaries.
Windows 10 updates to be automatic and mandatory for Home users | Ars Technica