Why is Microsoft giving away windows 10?

originally posted by: dismanrc
Just kind of makes me think.

Microsoft never gives away free upgrade to new platforms. Why now? (OK MAYBE as a promotional item, but not like this.)

They are even talking about giving it away to people with pirated copies of 7 and 8.

Something smells here.


I understand that it is easier to maintain only one platform, but FREE?

Of course they aren't giving it away. You see what happens when someone tries to create a truly free OS. Linux happens. Now while Linux is somewhat usable (finally) even to a newbie, it still is a challenge to install and use on a daily basis. Especially if you don't care for the programs that are available to do things like view photos and listen to music. And Linux is buggy in ways that Windows hasn't been for years.

Literally, every time I try to install any version of Linux and use it for a while (thinking maybe things have improved since last time) I'll end up just giving up. I'll have problems like not being able to adjust the mouse scroll speed. Seriously? There is not a setting for that in Linux Mint that I'm aware of. And that's one of the most popular versions. It simply doesn't exist. So right away, you start trying to use Linux and your scroll speed is slower than molasses. You go looking for the solution to this seemingly simple problem and it simply doesn't seem to exist.

Anyway, if MS were really giving Windows 10 away free, they'd have to get money somewhere. Talented people don't work for free. And they especially are not going to be abused by the public for free. Anyone who thinks it's easy to work in customer service has obviously never worked with the public.

Anyway, nothing is free. Everybody knows that. Some people are in denial about it but I'll bet the people who run MS are not. They have plans. That's for sure.

a reply to: dismanrc
on a set date all windows 10 devices will trigger an take out the population to save the plabet by mass culling of pop only linuk and ,ac users will survive shesh didn't anybody watch KINGSMAN THE SECRET SERVICE watch out when billionaires give away something fore free

originally posted by: GetHyped
a reply to: Azureblue

Source please because this reads like absolute BS.

Somebody said this in a message to Jim stone in the Jimstone.com text box. JS also provides advise on how to get rid of the Win 10 pop up in Win 7.

Perhaps you might like to research it elsewhere as well and advise of the outcome.

a reply to: Azureblue

Not much of a source.

a reply to: BrianFlanders

Of course they aren't giving it away. You see what happens when someone tries to create a truly free OS. Linux happens. Now while Linux is somewhat usable (finally) even to a newbie, it still is a challenge to install and use on a daily basis. Especially if you don't care for the programs that are available to do things like view photos and listen to music. And Linux is buggy in ways that Windows hasn't been for years.

Have you seen Mint yet by chance?

If not, you should give it a look, Linux has come and incredibly long way and it's much easier for even the non computer savy to use an OS like Mint then it ever has been.

~Tenth

originally posted by: OccamsRazor04
a reply to: Azureblue

Not much of a source.

choose not to beleive it then mate. I really dont give stuff what you reckon about anything. I'm not here for that.

cheers a

The "free" model of Linux is where I think MIcrosoft is heading. But that requires understanding the reality of the "free" model of Linux.

If you are a home user, Linux is absolutely free. In all reality it should be considering that the vast majority of work being done on the kernel, desktop environments, flavors, programs, ports, and apps is being done by a worldwide army of volunteers.

However if you are a company or corporation and are using Linux for your servers - the free part comes with strings. The software is mostly free ( some variants do come with a rather large price tag, like Red Hat ) - but the support for any and all is not free.

Windows only generates about a quarter of Microsoft's revenue. That is, IMO, why they are changing tactics. They want to grow this number, particularly since their own opinion is that console gaming is facing some serious upcoming hurdles ( VR in particular - Oculus Rift has several companies scrambling and a bit scared ). It's only logical that they would have a brainstorming campaign to figure out ways to insulate themselves from a possible console gaming slump. The obvious place to start is the basics.

Several Linux companies make a LOT of money doing nothing but corporate level tech support. There is a lot more money in keeping a massive company running than there is trying to nickle and dime Joe Blow to death. Microsoft is finally realizing this - at least on one level.

Sadly the other new-ish and major phenomenon, thanks to mobile gaming mostly, is the "microtransaction" - something that a handful of companies are making billions of dollars in profit from. There are even people making games in their home offices that end up generating vast sums of money through microtransactions. The concept: Give the game away for free - but then charge for anything from tools that provide advantage, to extra play time, to extra lives ( Candy Crush Satan bah ).

My feelings are that Microsoft is looking at both of these realities and seeing the benefits. Not a lot of people buy Windows in store. Most use it because it came OEM on their system. And those OEM deals are definitely a LOT less expensive per unit than the $199 a consumer would pay at a store. So, why not change the approach, give away the O/S to home consumers, raise prices for support on the corporate clients who are locked in anyway, and then start toying with microtransactions to build an entirely new revenue stream.

They've already tested this with the Microsoft store, Xbox Live, etc. They know it works.

a reply to: dismanrc

Want to know why??

It's because Microsoft messed up soooo bad with Windows 8 that it is the only way to redeem themselves,.

Windows 8 basically applied a template scheme that was only really valuable for Touchscreens... I.e. the Windows Surface. Truth is they forgot that this would basically suck balls on desktops...

A move that made businesses turn away from 8 entirely, and drove standard home users to distraction.

So how do they win back support... they need to give Windows 10 away for free in the first year to get enough of a base out there for the market to say o.k. Windows is Good again.

And trust me I have been running windows 10 on a test machine for the last few months and it really is Awesome. It gives you the best of 7 with a few of nifty things about 8... it is better in ways like being able to snap more than two windows to the edges of the screen and includes DX12... a Boon for gaming with more efficient CPU usage and VRAM stacking.

Windows 10 is also scale able... if you load Windows 10 on a Phone or a Surface or a Desktop machine it will load the correct version of Windows onto that device... one install... no messing.

No real conspiracy here other than Microsoft attempting to stay on top.

Korg.

I have a question for those in the know, This give away is only for those running windows 7 and 8...correct.

So for us Vista users would it be worthwhile buying a copy of Windows 7 on ebay for around £30 and waiting for the upgrade offer ?

Could that be a viable workaround.

There's this thing called, "linux" ...

regards

originally posted by: ken10
I have a question for those in the know, This give away is only for those running windows 7 and 8...correct.

So for us Vista users would it be worthwhile buying a copy of Windows 7 on ebay for around £30 and waiting for the upgrade offer ?

Could that be a viable workaround.

Sorry to say that Windows 10 only has an upgrade path from 7 upwards.

But...

In your case it would be worth noting that the Free Windows 10 upgrade is open to all instances of 7 service pack one and Windows 8.1 whether it is a genuine copy or not......

I shall let you draw whatever conclusions you may want to from the above statement..........



Korg.

a reply to: korg trinity

whether it is a genuine copy or not......

I understand....thanks

a reply to: ken10

The "non-genuine" upgrade, at this point, only applies to China.

Relevant

originally posted by: hefficide
a reply to: ken10

The "non-genuine" upgrade, at this point, only applies to China.

Relevant

Total Rubbish!!

It available to everyone World Wide!

Upgrade to Windows 10 for free

a reply to: korg trinity

Not rubbish at all. Microsoft policy. More relevance.

ETA - Ten days ago from Microsoft themselves: Link

originally posted by: hefficide
a reply to: korg trinity

Not rubbish at all. Microsoft policy. More relevance.

ETA - Ten days ago from Microsoft themselves: Link

Fixed...

"SLMGR -REARM"

Learn to CODE!

a reply to: korg trinity

From your link:

Our lawyers made us say this:

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Security and features are kept automatically up-to-date which is always enabled.

The last official announcement was that the only region receiving amnesty on the "non-geniune" restriction would be China. That is mainly due to two things. First, most software in China is pirated anyway and, second, China's government is pushing hard for a nationalized operating system that would be the mandatory and only choice for Chinese citizens.

a reply to: korg trinity

In your case it would be worth noting that the Free Windows 10 upgrade is open to all instances of 7 service pack one and Windows 8.1 whether it is a genuine copy or not......

Does not appear to be the case, they are back tracking:
Originally only China was to be allowed to upgrade illegal copies now it appears that no one will be allowed.

blogs.windows.com...

Microsoft and our OEM partners know that many consumers are unwitting victims of piracy, and with Windows 10, we would like all of our customers to move forward with us together. While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we’ve always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state. In addition, in partnership with some of our valued OEM partners, we are planning very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers for their customers running one of their older devices in a Non-Genuine state

originally posted by: hefficide
a reply to: korg trinity

From your link:

Our lawyers made us say this:

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates. Security and features are kept automatically up-to-date which is always enabled.

The last official announcement was that the only region receiving amnesty on the "non-geniune" restriction would be China. That is mainly due to two things. First, most software in China is pirated anyway and, second, China's government is pushing hard for a nationalized operating system that would be the mandatory and only choice for Chinese citizens.

You're wrong...

Microsoft will offer Upgrade path from version 7 upwards... whether that is a genuine copy or not... Though it is worth noting that If you upgrade to Windows 10 from a non genuine copy of windows 7.. then Windows 10 will also be non genuine in the eyes of Microsoft...

But as I have already said.... this only applies to those copies of windows that are showing as not activated... and this is easy to get around as you can reset the timers from CMD using SLMGR -REARM

Validating a product key using Slmgr

originally posted by: interupt42
a reply to: korg trinity

In your case it would be worth noting that the Free Windows 10 upgrade is open to all instances of 7 service pack one and Windows 8.1 whether it is a genuine copy or not......

Does not appear to be the case, they are back tracking:
Originally only China was to be allowed to upgrade illegal copies now it appears that no one will be allowed.

blogs.windows.com...

Microsoft and our OEM partners know that many consumers are unwitting victims of piracy, and with Windows 10, we would like all of our customers to move forward with us together. While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we’ve always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state. In addition, in partnership with some of our valued OEM partners, we are planning very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers for their customers running one of their older devices in a Non-Genuine state

So much misunderstanding...

you are also wrong...

Windows 10 upgrades will remain 'non-genuine' for pirates, Microsoft says