Microsoft's week: Brexit opinion, Windows 10 upgrade prompts, and Surface Phone rumours

All the key events in the world of Microsoft this week

Microsoft had a fairly busy week, finally throwing its weight behind the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU.

Elsewhere, the Windows 10 saga rolled on as Microsoft changed the way it alerts people to the Windows 10 installation download, in response to claims that there is no obvious way to stop the upgrade. The firm also pushed out another update for the upcoming Windows 10 Redstone release, this time for smartphones.

There was also a blast from the past as Microsoft was party to a number of related deals that could see the Nokia brand appear on smartphones again in the near future, years after the firm was swallowed by Microsoft for its Lumia handsets.

Brexit: Microsoft supports Britain remaining in the EU

Microsoft has thrown its corporate weight into the Brexit debate and come out in support of Britain staying in the European Union for the benefits it offers the business world.

Microsoft changes tack on Windows 10 updates as free upgrade deadline nears

Microsoft has changed the way it alerts Windows users to the Windows 10 installation download, offering more detailed information and the ability to cancel the upgrade. The changes have received a mixed reception among industry commentators.

Microsoft brings Windows 10 Mobile in line with PCs in Build 14342

A week after Microsoft released a new preview build for the upcoming Redstone update to Windows 10 for PCs, the firm has followed suit with a matching release for smartphones. Like the PC version, the most notable aspect is the removal of the WiFi Sense feature.

Nokia brand to emerge from Microsoft's shadow as Surface Phone rumours grow

Nokia smartphones and tablets could soon be back on the market thanks to a licensing deal between the Finnish firm and a startup called HMD Global.

At the same time, Microsoft is apparently offloading the rump of the Nokia phone business it acquired in 2013 to China-based Foxconn, and may develop a Surface Phone to complement its tablet devices.

Microsoft and SAP join forces to put HANA on Azure cloud platform

Microsoft and SAP have expanded their working relationship to allow the HANA platform to be run on the Azure cloud.

SAP also announced a new version of HANA with improved data features and the ability to help IT teams better manage a HANA maintenance lifecycle programme.