Windows 10 free for all Windows 8.1 and 7 users for first year after release

[ninaholic37]

IMO Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Basic shouldn't exist, esp. Windows 7 Starter. Stupidest OS version ever.

I found that Windows 7 Starter had everything I needed, without the things I didn't need. To me it was a great idea to make an even cheaper/lighter OS version for netbooks.

 

[RampantAndroid]

That's kind of interesting to. Quite the deviation from 7. How many versions were there? Starter, basic, premium, pro, ultimate and enterprise was that all of them? Then Win8 went to just basic, pro, and enterprise. Now 10 will be just pro and enterprise? If they make it one platform for all users I guess that makes sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_8_editions

Not really a surprise.

 

[Eug]

I found that Windows 7 Starter had everything I needed, without the things I didn't need. To me it was a great idea to make an even cheaper/lighter OS version for netbooks.

It did have one redeeming trait. Windows 7 Starter on a machine was a big red flag saying "Don't buy me, because I'm probably junk".

 

[gsaldivar]

The OS subscription model concerns me. What happens when a newer version of Windows comes out, and for whatever reason I want to keep using the one that I currently have? At some point will I be forced to upgrade? Will my version of the OS stop working when MS decides to stop selling it as a service?

 

[ninaholic37]

It did have one redeeming trait. Windows 7 Starter on a machine was a big red flag saying "Don't buy me, because I'm probably junk".

Ahhh, I fell in love with those Windows 7 Starter netbooks. In fact, the only reason I joined this forum was because I wanted to learn more about future netbooks and talk about mine, then in 2012 the whole fad just faded away, and my interest in new technology fell apart with it. The world has never been the same for me since. I wonder if I'll ever find true love with a computer again.

 

[bbhaag]

Any idea if Windows Media Center will be in Windows 10?

I don't think so. Windows Media Player should be included but I think WMC has been cut.

 

[escrow4]

Ahhh, I fell in love with those Windows 7 Starter netbooks. In fact, the only reason I joined this forum was because I wanted to learn more about future netbooks and talk about mine, then in 2012 the whole fad just faded away, and my interest in new technology fell apart with it. The world has never been the same for me since. I wonder if I'll ever find true love with a computer again.

Bay trail brought them back. HP Stream. Display is meh but still.

 

[ArisVer]

Interesting link. Sign up to get an email for the free upgrade offer. Pressing the link brings me back to the same page, not sure if it's working.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about


What makes me wonder is why they have this one year only offer. It shouldn't make any difference to them, unless they want users on one version for easier maintenance.

 

[Black Octagon]

Interesting link. Sign up to get an email for the free upgrade offer. Pressing the link brings me back to the same page, not sure if it's working.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about


What makes me wonder is why they have this one year only offer. It shouldn't make any difference to them, unless they want users on one version for easier maintenance.

Link seems to be working for me, but when I click the sign up button I cannot get any further without a Microsoft/Live account (which I deleted many years ago on account of the fact that Hotmail was a horrendous email experience and that my friends and I had long-abandoned Messenger).

As to why it's only a one year offer: I assume they want to ensure a much faster and more significant uptake in the early months compared to what happened with Windows 8. Higher uptake means more customer experience data to identify and fix bugs early, and it also means that developers have more incentive to actually develop software around the new OS.

 

[Sword-of-Kings]

I'm still sticking with Windows 7. Windows 10 is a step in the right direction, but I hate the UI.

 

[quikah]

Link doesn't seem to work for me, it opens a new tab then closes. Maybe I am signed up.

Interesting that they are excluding Windows RT devices.

 

[postmortemIA]

Link doesn't seem to work for me, it opens a new tab then closes. Maybe I am signed up.

Interesting that they are excluding Windows RT devices.

Because Windows RT just got abandoned.

 

[ArisVer]

The OS subscription model concerns me. What happens when a newer version of Windows comes out, and for whatever reason I want to keep using the one that I currently have? At some point will I be forced to upgrade? Will my version of the OS stop working when MS decides to stop selling it as a service?

Any answers on this one?

 

[mikeymikec]

The OS subscription model concerns me. What happens when a newer version of Windows comes out, and for whatever reason I want to keep using the one that I currently have? At some point will I be forced to upgrade? Will my version of the OS stop working when MS decides to stop selling it as a service?

That's what I've been wondering with Office 365.

 

[Black Octagon]

It seems pretty clear to me from the Windows blog that Microsoft doesn't want you to have that choice...

 

[gmaster456]

Any answers on this one?

With the direction MS is going, I don't think you'll be subscribing to the OS itself, just the services like office, onedrive etc. Much like it is now with Windows 8.1. I don't see it being too much different.

 

[Shamrock]

I found this, and he states there will be no additional fes. It will NOT be subscription based.

http://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-windows-10-will-not-be-sold-as-a-subscription/

 

[JimKiler]

With the direction MS is going, I don't think you'll be subscribing to the OS itself, just the services like office, onedrive etc. Much like it is now with Windows 8.1. I don't see it being too much different.

I concur, MSFT could change their minds but it seems like they are really trying to be consumer friendly.

 

[therealnickdanger]

I concur, MSFT could change their minds but it seems like they are really trying to be consumer friendly.

They have to be. Not only was W8 a massive flop, but Android/ChromeOS and iOS/OSX took advantage of that to make further inroads. When Microsoft released Windows 8.1 with Bing, I had a hunch that the next OS would be free - or at least significantly cheaper.

Microsoft's enterprise and OEM business has always dwarfed direct consumer sales, with the exception of its Xbox brand. A free OS that makes it easier to consume Microsoft products will be a huge win for them.

 

[JimKiler]

They have to be. Not only was W8 a massive flop, but Android/ChromeOS and iOS/OSX took advantage of that to make further inroads. When Microsoft released Windows 8.1 with Bing, I had a hunch that the next OS would be free - or at least significantly cheaper.

Microsoft's enterprise and OEM business has always dwarfed direct consumer sales, with the exception of its Xbox brand. A free OS that makes it easier to consume Microsoft products will be a huge win for them.

It is funny to think a company with near desktop dominance is now the underdog, but they are really doing things because their marketshare/business model is in jepoardy.

 

[ArisVer]

Another good question is what the OEM manufacturers will say about this and if they will support the free upgrade. I am thinking of driver compatibility issues.


Cortana reminds me of Dr Watson....

 

[JEDIYoda]

Another good question is what the OEM manufacturers will say about this and if they will support the free upgrade. I am thinking of driver compatibility issues.


Cortana reminds me of Dr Watson....

do the words "no choice" mean anything...

 

[Hugh Jass]

Link seems to be working for me, but when I click the sign up button I cannot get any further without a Microsoft/Live account (which I deleted many years ago on account of the fact that Hotmail was a horrendous email experience and that my friends and I had long-abandoned Messenger).

I use a Gmail address to get an MS Live account.

 

[game_boy]

Hope Win10 will worth it, because Win 8.1 isn't what people want, but what MS wants. :X

 

[ralfy]

After installing Classic Shell, Win 8 looks like 7 to me.