windows 10 to be free

sulky_uk · January 21, 2015, 10:19:08 PM

As reported here for win 7 and 8 users for the 1st year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30924022

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2825116/free-at-last-after-windows-10-consumers-wont-pay-for-updates-or-upgrades.html

smilodon · January 21, 2015, 10:33:31 PM

QuoteIt marks a change in strategy from Microsoft's previous policy of charging for major updates, and could help avoid a repeat of the relatively slow uptake of Windows 8.

I love this quote, it was always the price that stopped people upgrading and nothing to do with the car crash of a UI.

The truth is people use Windows for one reason, they have to. What people really want is to own a computer/laptop and use applications or play games etc. Windows is and always has been the thing they have to have in order to have what they want. It's the price we pay to get access to apps and games and suchlike. Increasingly we don't need PC's and laptops, we have tablets and phones. I'm sure this scares the **** out of Microsoft as they know full well they don't have a 'loyal customer base' in the way Google, Apple etc do.

I'll probably do what I did with Windows 8. Grab it early for peanuts, or if the report is right for free. Then I'll spend a few quid and a few hours getting rid of all the Metro/Bing/Cortana/Windows App Store rubbish and get to a vanilla desktop operating system that works and allows me to run the applications I want. Then I'll go back to utterly ignoring Microsoft until Windows 11.

Gorion · January 21, 2015, 10:40:52 PM

I'll use it if I can change the UI to an exact copy of W7, same goes for all the settings locations and all that, plus the removal of the rubbish smilo mentioned.

Otherwise, I'll wait for DX12 to be a minimum requirement, and seeing that we're still using DX9/10, its gonna be a while.

GhostMjr · February 08, 2015, 04:55:13 PM

Anyone feeling brave?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso

Sneakytiger · February 08, 2015, 05:57:56 PM

already using it

smilodon · February 08, 2015, 06:56:49 PM

As the disclaimer says

QuoteRemember, trying out an early build like this can be risky. That's why we recommend that you don't install the preview on your primary home or business PC. Unexpected PC crashes could damage or even delete your files, so you should back up everything

So I'm waiting for the full version and the comprehensive reviews that confirm it has fixed the car crash that was Windows 8. Alternatively if like Windows 8 it requires 3rd party apps to fix it then I might well miss this one out completely.

Windows 8.1 + Display Fusion + Start is back - all the Metro and Microsoft Store Apps nonsense = a very nice looking OS that still works well.

Sneakytiger · February 09, 2015, 06:20:22 PM

working fine for me and it it goes belly up for some reason I just reinstall win 7 as only windows is on my ssd.

Obsydian · February 11, 2015, 08:10:29 AM

Quote from: Sneakytiger;394942working fine for me and it it goes belly up for some reason I just reinstall win 7 as only windows is on my ssd.

How are you finding it? Can you switch off the Metro interface completely . If so, is it easy, and does it stay off?

TeaLeaf · February 11, 2015, 08:40:16 AM

Anyone installed it on a VM to try? I might give that a go to take a look at it. What's the currently recommended and free VM software?

Tutonic · February 11, 2015, 08:42:33 AM

Quote from: TeaLeaf;395010Anyone installed it on a VM to try? I might give that a go to take a look at it. What's the currently recommended and free VM software?

Oracle VirtualBox.

BrotherTobious · February 11, 2015, 08:42:38 AM

I use virtualbox for my vm's but no not installed on a vm yet.

TeaLeaf · February 11, 2015, 04:17:31 PM

Thank you both! I'll give it a whirl.

sulky_uk · February 11, 2015, 04:39:06 PM

ive had it running for a while on my asus n55sf and it runs well. Havent had too many issues, mainly gfx drivers (now sorted) and av programs that didnt work (dont like defender), now using nod32 and its good..rough round the edges but good

edit:

forgot to mention that the sub doesnt work with the laptop under this build, but hopefully soon as there seems to be a few sound issue reports going in

GhostMjr · March 17, 2015, 01:39:46 PM

More details and signup for free upgrade offer:

QuoteFree Upgrade Offer*
Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year! And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time â€" for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwindows.microsoft.com%2Fen-gb%2Fwindows-10%2Fabout&ei=TC0IVengFNGO7Qbp0IG4Dw&usg=AFQjCNHS0XHtXBQ39XmHJkDpGACRrlsMpA&sig2=Yj6ictwEl3aw_atgOwZk0g&bvm=bv.88198703,d.ZGU&cad=rja

sulky_uk · March 17, 2015, 03:06:14 PM

can you upgrade your computer as long as your os hard drive doesnt change? Or will putting a new gfx card in the computer null and void it as the device has changed (slightly)?