It appears that Google is trying to inflate the number of Google+ users as quickly as possible.  Users that now sign up for a Google account are automatically opted into the Google+ social network.  Users must manually opt out after the creation of their Google account.  I think this means that we will se a rapid increase in the reported number of Google+ users, but how many of those who create a Google account will even be aware that they have be default become a Google+ user?

http://www.geek.com/articles/news/google-now-an-opt-out-service-for-new-google-accounts-20120120/

This is an attempt to catch up with Facebook (another useless social network, in my opinion).

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_set_new_pc_right_way?page=0,1

http://support.microsoft.com/mats/Program_Install_and_Uninstall/en-us