Microsoft is delivering Windows 10 via Windows Update for Windows 7 users

Microsoft recently launched the Windows Technical Preview to begin conducting feedback for the upcoming Windows 10 operating system. The first build of Windows 10 to be issued via the Windows Technical Preview was build 9841, which can be clean installed or upgraded with an ISO. There’s also another way Microsoft is testing the distribution of Windows 10, and that’s natively via Windows Update.

We’re not entirely sure if this has been openly covered, or if many people know about it, but Microsoft is currently delivering the Windows 10 Technical Preview to Windows 7 users via Windows Update natively for thos who have signed up for the Insider Program and are on Windows 7. Much like any normal update, Windows will see it as an update and install it, and depending on whether you’ve got automatic updates enabled, Windows 10 could just be installed without the user needing to do anything.

Microsoft hasn’t talked about this update process at all, and it’s not entirely clear if Microsoft is planning to use this as the official distribution method for Windows 10 when it launches next year. These tests are currently not being conducted for users running Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, but we imagine it would work in a similar fashion to that on Windows 7.

Of course, for Windows 7 users to actually see the Windows Technical Preview as an update in Windows Update, they need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program and download a small file. Still, it’s interesting to think how Microsoft will handle this update process when Windows 10 hits retail.

This isn’t the first time Microsoft has distributed an operating system via Windows Update. For the last few months, Microsoft has been issuing Windows 8.1 via Windows Update for Windows 8 users. The most interesting thing about Windows 10 being delivered via Windows Update is the fact that it’s happening on Windows 7 too — is this a sign that Windows 10 will be free for existing Windows 7 users?

Microsoft is currently conducting feedback and other data for this update method, meaning you can test it out yourself. Let’s hope Microsoft sticks with this update method, it’s fast and reliable and it simply works. This will also be the best way to get all users updated to Windows 10, and by offering them a simple and clean way to update how can anybody say no?