Microsoft denies forcing Windows 10 upgrade

Redmond — Microsoft says Windows users still can opt-out of upgrading to the latest version of the software despite claims the company has made it exceedingly difficult to do so.

Tech blogs and media reports say when users are shown a pop-up box asking them to upgrade to Windows 10, there's no clear option to decline the upgrade.

The reports say when users click the red "X'' button in the upper right-hand corner of the pop-up, which normally would end the dialogue, they're automatically scheduled for an upgrade.

Microsoft tells the BBC in a statement that Windows 10 is a recommended update for some users of older Windows versions. It says customers still can choose to accept or decline the new operating system.