Windows 10: tiny Microsoft button arriving on computers, whether users like it or not

The button will let your register to receive Windows 10 as soon as it comes out

Alex Kipman, who led the invention of Microsoft's hologram headset, at the Windows 10 launch (Microsoft)

A tiny button is arriving on people’s desktops, bringing with it Windows 10, the new version of Microsoft’s operating system.

The button — the installation of which has been described as “creepy”, but gives you free access to Microsoft's update — puts a little Windows logo into the system tray at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Clicking on it begins a registration process, which will mean that computers will be updated straight away when Windows 10 is released.

Clicking on the small icon lets users register their email address. When that’s done, the copy of Windows 10 is reserved and will automatically be downloaded.

Microsoft revealed this morning that Windows 10 will be released on July 29. It’s not clear whether pre-registering will be a requisite to downloading it on that day — although Microsoft is sending the update digitally, and so there’ll be no limit to their stock, it could be that it will restrict downloads initially to keep its servers going.

The upgrade will be free for Windows 7 and 8 users, who are the people seeing the button arrive today. Pricing options for those on older and other versions of the operating system are yet to be set.