No, because following major software updates is the right thing for 99% of people, not staying behind on a previous major version with security updates.

You have to think about UX for 99%, not just for HNers who might know what a 15.7.3 is.

Having a default choice is not itself a dark pattern. Offering a free update to the latest version of the project, and a choice to update a branch release instead, does not constitute a dark pattern.