'Free Win 10 upgrade?'
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If I had Windows 7, I would probably stay put - but Windows 8 is a royal PIA and I cannot get rid quick enough. I see the free upgrade as being as close to an admission by MS of a c0ck-up as anyone is ever going to get.
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We are still selling Windows 7 Pro machines, new from Dell with 3 year next business day, on site, warranty. Why anyone would buy Windows 8 is beyond me.
If MS don't get a grip real soon, Win7 might be the last version of windows with a big user footprint. They are driving businesses and people away, and Apple might just be the next big thing.
The two main drivers for retaining windows are:
Familiarity and the ability to run applications like SAGE.
New user interfaces make the next Windows as foreign as an Apple device so there's no difference between learning Apple or learning new Windows.
With multi OS development languages coming on stream and more web based applications, the strangle hold of windows is being broken.
If MS don't get a grip real soon, Win7 might be the last version of windows with a big user footprint. They are driving businesses and people away, and Apple might just be the next big thing.
The two main drivers for retaining windows are:
Familiarity and the ability to run applications like SAGE.
New user interfaces make the next Windows as foreign as an Apple device so there's no difference between learning Apple or learning new Windows.
With multi OS development languages coming on stream and more web based applications, the strangle hold of windows is being broken.
As someone on Windows 8.1, I probably have little to loose, but do fear that whilst the software may always work on my current machine, things like security updates may become a) unavoidable to take, and b) not free, and subject to e.g. a new annual subscription service.
https://redmondmag.com/articles/2015...ion-model.aspx
"windows 365" trademark has been registered, noting it might be for defensive purposes only.
interesting times, a subs based model would annoy me enough to make me go elsewhere.
https://redmondmag.com/articles/2015...ion-model.aspx
"windows 365" trademark has been registered, noting it might be for defensive purposes only.
interesting times, a subs based model would annoy me enough to make me go elsewhere.
I have a laptop with W7 and another,secondary one,with W8.1
I installed 'Classic Shell' on the W8.1 laptop and now it works just like the W7 unit.
Not a problem for me.If I had tried to persevere with the original MS 8.1 layout then I would also be tearing my hair out.
I installed 'Classic Shell' on the W8.1 laptop and now it works just like the W7 unit.
Not a problem for me.If I had tried to persevere with the original MS 8.1 layout then I would also be tearing my hair out.
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JFZ90
You could go to OpenOffice, as I have done. It includes a text editor, spreadsheet, slide-preparation / presentation, etc. All compatible with MS and OO runs on the various incarnations of Windows, Apple, and Linux. Known to work on Win XP, 7 and 8/8.1, as well as OS X and Ubuntu/Mint Linux. I can show you OO* running on all these.
Its user interface doesn't change every time there is a wind-shift at Redmond.
And it's free.
* Ubuntu/Mint use LibreOffice, which is a 100% clone.
a subs based model would annoy me enough to make me go elsewhere.
Its user interface doesn't change every time there is a wind-shift at Redmond.
And it's free.
* Ubuntu/Mint use LibreOffice, which is a 100% clone.
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Also note Terry Myerson, chief of Microsoft’s operating system group, said shortly around the time of the trademark filing: “With Windows 10, we think of Windows as a service. Windows 10 is so much more than the latest version of Windows. Windows 10 changes the rules of the game and redefined the relationship between us and our customers.”
However Microsoft no doubt know what side their bread is buttered, and I'm not entirely sure we'll be seeing a wholesale shift to subscription Windows just yet.
Spoon PPRuNerist & Mad Inistrator
I'm not entirely sure we'll be seeing a wholesale shift to subscription Windows just yet.
There is already a subscription model in place, in a sense, for corporates with a select / volume agreement with software assurance, where the subscription component allows upgrading to the latest version.
Contrast that to the consumer model, where MS provides updates and service packs, but to upgrade to the next version costs ££ (present give-away excepted!).
While MS do seem to want to push all important updates & patches out to consumers without option, apparently, this won't include the next release of Windows. Whether the mandatory update push is the precursor to a subscription model for the next OS, only time will tell.
SD
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I kind-of see where Microsoft is coming from here. Supporting older versions such as XP and Vista is taking up resources that could be better spent elsewhere.
- XP is officially dead and M$ will pretty much ignore you if you're still on that.
- Vista is dying, which is no less than it deserves.
Windows 7 took years to establish a foothold in the corporate world, and businesses are in no hurry to change again so "soon". (Microsoft's definitions of terms like "recent" and "old" are not the same as those used in the corporate world of "change control"!)
For "consumers", on the other hand, it's in M$'s interest to get them on Windows 10. If they do it right, the reasons why people held off from Windows 8 won't be a problem. The new Start menu is a hybrid of old and new: it appears to suit the hunt-and-peck user and the Win 7/8 "Windows key, start typing" method I've gotten used to by now.
I'm waiting to see how they cater for the granny who got a XP PC back in 2005 and only needs it for email with the grandkids and a spot of browsing. It's an "appliance", why should she spend any more time or money on an "upgrade" she never asked for?
- XP is officially dead and M$ will pretty much ignore you if you're still on that.
- Vista is dying, which is no less than it deserves.
Windows 7 took years to establish a foothold in the corporate world, and businesses are in no hurry to change again so "soon". (Microsoft's definitions of terms like "recent" and "old" are not the same as those used in the corporate world of "change control"!)
For "consumers", on the other hand, it's in M$'s interest to get them on Windows 10. If they do it right, the reasons why people held off from Windows 8 won't be a problem. The new Start menu is a hybrid of old and new: it appears to suit the hunt-and-peck user and the Win 7/8 "Windows key, start typing" method I've gotten used to by now.
I'm waiting to see how they cater for the granny who got a XP PC back in 2005 and only needs it for email with the grandkids and a spot of browsing. It's an "appliance", why should she spend any more time or money on an "upgrade" she never asked for?
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I have a laptop running Windows 7 and a 7" tablet running 8.1. I think I'll leave the laptop as it is.
On the tablet I can't see any windows icon related to 'Get Windows 10'. Just wondering where I should be looking!! (no keyboard attached to the tablet, if that makes a difference).
On the tablet I can't see any windows icon related to 'Get Windows 10'. Just wondering where I should be looking!! (no keyboard attached to the tablet, if that makes a difference).
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Pelikal....... "On the tablet I can't see any windows icon related to 'Get Windows 10'. Just wondering where I should be looking!! (no keyboard attached to the tablet, if that makes a difference)."
Don't want to burst your bubble, you must remember a tablet is NOT a computer, in the sense of a laptop or pc capabilities. Your 8.1 Windows op would be a 'cut down' version designed for a tablet. I doubt Windows 10 (cut down software) will not be available for maybe eight/twelve months at best.
Don't want to burst your bubble, you must remember a tablet is NOT a computer, in the sense of a laptop or pc capabilities. Your 8.1 Windows op would be a 'cut down' version designed for a tablet. I doubt Windows 10 (cut down software) will not be available for maybe eight/twelve months at best.
Gosh, the ms bashers are out in force.
Win 10 is aimed at everything. Windows 'proper' will work on everything down to 8". Yes, everything. Quite how it will work on Win7 devices I don't know, but at the moment it looks promising.
Below 8", contrary to opinions expressed earlier, is Windows 10 Phone. Which is, as near as possible to the full version. It is also to be launched this year.
From what I've heard from beta testers, it is truly impressive in the way that all Win devices talk to each other. You will be able to run full, proper Office on your 'phone.
MS have been left standing in that respect, but seem to have more than caught up.
It also fits loosely into the 'make one good one and then one terrible one' that MS seems to have as a proven track record.
Oh, and. It's free.
Win 10 is aimed at everything. Windows 'proper' will work on everything down to 8". Yes, everything. Quite how it will work on Win7 devices I don't know, but at the moment it looks promising.
Below 8", contrary to opinions expressed earlier, is Windows 10 Phone. Which is, as near as possible to the full version. It is also to be launched this year.
From what I've heard from beta testers, it is truly impressive in the way that all Win devices talk to each other. You will be able to run full, proper Office on your 'phone.
MS have been left standing in that respect, but seem to have more than caught up.
It also fits loosely into the 'make one good one and then one terrible one' that MS seems to have as a proven track record.
Oh, and. It's free.
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There are some basic minimum requirements (as always) for 10 to be offered up in the free giveaway. If your device doesn't meet those specs you won't get the little icon inviting you to "the party".
Here is what MS says Windows 10 Specifications ? Microsoft
And here is a bit of a Q & A Windows 10 FAQ & Tips ? Microsoft
I had the icon pop up on my desktop unit, but it wasn't showing up on my laptop, which as far as I could see met the specs as per what it says in that above link. It wasn't until I had downloaded an insider preview image and started loading it on the laptop that it then came up and said it couldn't continue because the processor didn't have NX capability, which wasn't stated anywhere obviously in the required specs.
So if there is something that doesn't meet specs, you won't get the invite to the party.
Here is what MS says Windows 10 Specifications ? Microsoft
And here is a bit of a Q & A Windows 10 FAQ & Tips ? Microsoft
I had the icon pop up on my desktop unit, but it wasn't showing up on my laptop, which as far as I could see met the specs as per what it says in that above link. It wasn't until I had downloaded an insider preview image and started loading it on the laptop that it then came up and said it couldn't continue because the processor didn't have NX capability, which wasn't stated anywhere obviously in the required specs.
So if there is something that doesn't meet specs, you won't get the invite to the party.
Hippopotomonstrosesquipidelian title
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NX, SSE2 and PAE are also requirements for Windows 8/8.1. Intel started shipping compliant CPUs in 2004, a little after AMD. So I'm guessing your notebook is quite old.
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He, he, he.
What ever makes you think that!
Yes, by most standards it is indeed. However it seems to be running 7 SP1 within reason for most all I need, which isn't a lot. Certainly nothing processor or graphics intensive.
I bought it new with XP home on it and a 40GB HDD and 256meg RAM just about 10 years ago.
I have since put in a 160GB HDD and stacked it up to the limit of 2GB RAM. Other than those increases I have only bought another battery as the original doesn't last long - not that it really lasted very long when it was new (by current standards). It is not my main PC.
What ever makes you think that!
Yes, by most standards it is indeed. However it seems to be running 7 SP1 within reason for most all I need, which isn't a lot. Certainly nothing processor or graphics intensive.
I bought it new with XP home on it and a 40GB HDD and 256meg RAM just about 10 years ago.
I have since put in a 160GB HDD and stacked it up to the limit of 2GB RAM. Other than those increases I have only bought another battery as the original doesn't last long - not that it really lasted very long when it was new (by current standards). It is not my main PC.