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

[Mem]

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

Half the people don't know what they really want,I was in a different forum and a Win7 user was moaning about Win10 etc,first it was a lack of Start menu in Win8 which is easily fixed by third party version, then Win10 gets one and he is still moaning due to hating the look of preview UI,some people should stay away from PCs period.

For the record 8.1 with Start8 is excellent,Win10 will be just as good or better due to building on strengths and weakness of Win8/8.1 IMHO.

 

[lifeblood]

I helped my sister buy a new windows laptop. We got one with Win8.1 and a touch screen. It was awesome. On a laptop with touch screen I didn't need the start menu or a mouse, the standard metro start screen was perfectly functional. However, if I had tried to use Visio or some other CAD program on it, things would have changed. I would have needed a mouse. On my home PC without touch screens, I use a mouse and have Start 8 to make it usable.

That's what I hope MS has learned. One interface does not rule them all. Depending on my form factor, input device, and specific application, I need a different interface. It looks like MS has learned that lesson and Win10 will benefit from it. Just, please MS, no subscription model for Windows.

 

[JimKiler]

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

I installed the tech preview on my secondard PC last night, so far so good. Start Menu is there and everything i need is there. The file explorer ribbon auto hides but the ribbon in explorer is nice. I have an dual core Athlon 64 and it took a while to install but the boot time is fast once i get out out the BIOS.

 

[quikah]

I helped my sister buy a new windows laptop. We got one with Win8.1 and a touch screen. It was awesome. On a laptop with touch screen I didn't need the start menu or a mouse, the standard metro start screen was perfectly functional. However, if I had tried to use Visio or some other CAD program on it, things would have changed. I would have needed a mouse. On my home PC without touch screens, I use a mouse and have Start 8 to make it usable.

That's what I hope MS has learned. One interface does not rule them all. Depending on my form factor, input device, and specific application, I need a different interface. It looks like MS has learned that lesson and Win10 will benefit from it. Just, please MS, no subscription model for Windows.

Win8 on a tablet is very nice. The charms bar is a bit confusing at first though. Once you get used to it I don't see any reason to hate on it. This is on a tablet though, swiping from the left/right is pretty easy to do. On a laptop it becomes a bit convoluted even with a touchscreen. If you only have a mouse, forget it. Having hot corners is just a dumb interface design.

With that said, I REALLY hope they don't change the tablet experience too much. It is very good in Win8.

 

[Shamrock]

I found this regarding after the one year. He says it will be only a 1 year "trial".

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2615862#post2615862

 

[ViRGE]

I found this regarding after the one year. He says it will be only a 1 year "trial".

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2615862#post2615862

As the immediate reply correctly notes, for consumers it will be free. No ifs, ands, or buts.

 

[FrankRamiro]

As the immediate reply correctly notes, for consumers it will be free. No ifs, ands, or buts.

i red this some where.



Windows 10 Technical Preview will expire on April 15, 2015. If you decide to remove/uninstall Windows 10 Technical Preview in future, you'll need to re-install previous Windows version using setup disc or recovery media.

 

[ViRGE]

i red this some where.



Windows 10 Technical Preview will expire on April 15, 2015. If you decide to remove/uninstall Windows 10 Technical Preview in future, you'll need to re-install previous Windows version using setup disc or recovery media.

I don't know what this has to do with Windows being free. But yes, if you want to remove the Tech Preview you have to reinstall the old OS.

 

[JackMDS]

I found this regarding after the one year. He says it will be only a 1 year "trial".

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2615862#post2615862

Only that the OP in the link...

Quote: "Through work I'm a registered Microsoft Partner and according to MS Partner support the reality is that everyone that signs up will get a one year TRIAL of Windows 10 and after that year you either roll back to your previous OS or outright BUY a Windows 10 license.

I.e., Mr. OP there does not have a Regular Consumer Lic. for Windows.

Windows when issued to Partners/Enterprise/etc. has a different price, support, and Legal structure than Windows for consumers.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I don't know what this has to do with Windows being free. But yes, if you want to remove the Tech Preview you have to reinstall the old OS.

Yeah; there might be a recovery image, but it'll incur data loss. This shouldn't be surprising. I think the expiration was extended though - the previous build was set to expire in April.

Either way, no one should be using Win10 tech preview as their primary build. It's a tech preview - and while a lot of game publishers these days (cough ubisoft cough) basically release a beta and call it "finished" and then patch it later...MS isn't doing that. MS is being quite clear: this isn't finished.

 

[slag]

I'm fine with that if thats the case. Not really using those Vista VMs anymore. Upgrading them would be pointless. Just might send those VMs to the archive

I have a 3 pack Windows 7 family license. I want to upgrade one of my computers but keep the other two at windows 7. How would that work?

 

[escrow4]

As the immediate reply correctly notes, for consumers it will be free. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Still haven't said HOW. I run OEM 8.1. 2 licences for 2 boxes. Normally I'd fork out $200 yet again for the next version (which is why I'd prefer a subscription Win 365). How will Win 10 "free" work? 2 free FULL licences or upgrade only? I don't upgrade I only clean install. The Win 8 $15 thing was upgrade only and it was irritating to fiddle with.

 

[Shamrock]

As the immediate reply correctly notes, for consumers it will be free. No ifs, ands, or buts.

Only that the OP in the link...

Quote: "Through work I'm a registered Microsoft Partner and according to MS Partner support the reality is that everyone that signs up will get a one year TRIAL of Windows 10 and after that year you either roll back to your previous OS or outright BUY a Windows 10 license.

I.e., Mr. OP there does not have a Regular Consumer Lic. for Windows.

Windows when issued to Partners/Enterprise/etc. has a different price, support, and Legal structure than Windows for consumers.

That immediate reply was me (Shamrock). I said it may be different for corporations.

 

[ViRGE]

Still haven't said HOW. I run OEM 8.1. 2 licences for 2 boxes. Normally I'd fork out $200 yet again for the next version (which is why I'd prefer a subscription Win 365). How will Win 10 "free" work? 2 free FULL licences or upgrade only? I don't upgrade I only clean install. The Win 8 $15 thing was upgrade only and it was irritating to fiddle with.

It will be an upgrade. It will always be an upgrade. (though that hasn't stopped us from doing clean installs in the past)

 

[RampantAndroid]

There's registration - so maybe (hopefully?) the plan is to issue product keys to people - much like you get when you buy Office products without physical media these days. I mean, we can hope, right?

 

[JimKiler]

There's registration - so maybe (hopefully?) the plan is to issue product keys to people - much like you get when you buy Office products without physical media these days. I mean, we can hope, right?

MS if giving this away for free, they are incentivizing us to upgrade why would they make it difficult? The only thing I see MS doing is trying to prevent us from downgrading but so far i see no reason why i would downgrade from 10 to 7 and i certainly will not go from 10 to 8.

 

[escrow4]

It will be an upgrade. It will always be an upgrade. (though that hasn't stopped us from doing clean installs in the past)

FFS stupid MS. So installing twice from the upgrade key, and if that doesn't work regedit the OOBE key? Seriously in 2015? I may as well just pay for the OEM.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

The fact that you had to be a Windows 7 or 8 user to get in for free sorta implied that it would be an upgrade from Day 1.

Either way, the deals Microsoft publishes for early adopters (OEM and Upgrade) are usually pretty good.

 

[VirtualLarry]

There's registration - so maybe (hopefully?) the plan is to issue product keys to people - much like you get when you buy Office products without physical media these days. I mean, we can hope, right?

That would be absolutely horrible. I hope that they don't have forced registration. The MS ID garbage is bad enough. (And is essentially the same thing.)

 

[abukwaik]

I've read somewhere that it will be trial only a 1 year?

 

[Ketchup]

I've read somewhere that it will be trial only a 1 year?

Where did you hear this? Again, what Terry said:
""Once a device is upgraded to Windows 10, we'll be keeping it current for the supported lifetime of the device," said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Operating Systems Group."

 

[Mem]

I've read somewhere that it will be trial only a 1 year?

Pretty clear that Win7/8/8.1 users can upgrade to Win10 for free if they do it within the first year,then it's free for life for them,if you wait too long ie over a year before upgrading then Microsoft will charge you,Enterprise users obviously have to pay for Win10 and are not included in the deal.


Basically good move by Microsoft to get 7/8/8.1 users to jump on to Win10 for nothing when it's released,after a year well that would be your fault if you have not upgraded to Win10 by then.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Pretty clear that Win7/8/8.1 users can upgrade to Win10 for free if they do it within the first year,then it's free for life for them,if you wait too long ie over a year before upgrading then Microsoft will charge you,Enterprise users obviously have to pay for Win10 and are not included in the deal.


Basically good move by Microsoft to get 7/8/8.1 users to jump on to Win10 for nothing when it's released,after a year well that would be your fault if you have not upgraded to Win10 by then.

That's my understanding too?if not screw MS,i don't want to hear about them no more.

 

[RampantAndroid]

That's my understanding too?if not screw MS,i don't want to hear about them no more.

So unless MS gives you something for free you don't care? OK.

 

[Ketchup]

So unless MS gives you something for free you don't care? OK.

Well, when people always buy computers that includes the OS, I could see how some people might feel "screwed" in believing they never paid for it before.

But that's the only explanation I can think of.