WINDOWS 10 FREE UPGRADE!!!!???

After removing the update, hide the update and it will never install. Unless you set yourself on download and update automatically.

Home users are not forced into automatic updates from what I have read. What does happen is that home users cannot pick and choose which updates to install. If a home user wants to get future security updates, they have to install past updates whether it's security related or not. Business and enterprise gets the option to "opt out" of updates while still retaining the ability to receive security updates and other future updates.

 

I agree with you, but I was trying to single out the home user that neglects ALL patches and is running around with 5 Bonzi Buddies on a pre-service pack version of XP and is trying to ask Jeeves how to find clipart. Granted, patches won't solve even half of what I just mentioned, but you get the picture of who needs updates forced upon them in a 'greater good' fashion to add stability and protection.

The KB is only available to those who have updates set to automatic:

For those who want auto updates, you are forced to have it unless you do the reg hack I would assume?

I read that Home users didn't get to delay updates, rather than the way you explain.
As for business and enterprise, it's the same thing. I think you meant business and pro versions, which can opt out or delay.

 

From my perspective I have no qualms about upgrading my PC's to Win 10 when it hits. I've been running the Windows 10 Preview on one of my home PC's and in a VM on my home server for quite some time now. Aside from the Windows store still not working reliably, the OS seems to be very stable and all of the apps I typically use seem to run well on it.

My only concern at this point is that Microsoft has not yet officially verified that there will be an ISO image of Windows 10 available to those who upgrade. The last thing I want to do is to rely on my PC hard drives in the event I need to re-install Windows.

 

I have been in IT since the DOS days, used and developed on every version of Windows and Windows NT up through Windows 7. Many times with very high-end add-in cards and drivers that the mainstream user would never come across. I have never seen an update screw up a PC. I have seen issues where either the user or the company decides it knows better which updates to install or not install, and over time things can get wonky because they are out of sync and become a wacky combination of patch levels that were never intended to be used together and were never tested. I have also seen instances where older programs that are no longer supported get screwed up by an update. Or, the user does something in the process of patching that screws things up. But, if you keep ALL things updated, including using the latest versions of all the programs you love, you should rarely run into problems. Having reliable power helps, too.

 

I will wait at least 2 years before I upgrade from 7. Mainly because 8 was such a disaster.

 

WTF happened to 9?
Lost to the White album no doubt...
Dissed like Pluto? No longer a planet or an OS. wtf! Outrageous!
I'm running 8, and would like to go back to 7.

 

The short and dirty answers:

1. There's a shit-ton of legacy code still banging' around that will see 'windows 9' as 'windows 95' or 'windows 98' and Bad Things will happen. But going through and FINDING all of that, plus cleaning it up correctly, would be 47 pains in the ass and 13 fucktons of money.

2. There's the competition/marketing...both in keeping up the 'competition' (Apple is cool, Apple is on OSX [OS10], we don't want to be less than that), and in making it look to the consumer like this 'new' OS is a hugely different thing than the shit sandwich that was the Win 8 flop release...."we're so responsive and innovative, and you hated 8 SO much, that we skipped a version making it so much gooderer for you!"...when in reality, its going from kernel version 6.1 (Windows 7) or 6.2 (Windows 8) or 6.3 (Windows 8.1) to kernel version 6.4 as 'Windows 10'.

 

Here's a new wrinkle:

I have USB installers for Win 7, 8.1, and a couple flavors of Linux that I carry around (I made them read-only). So, this morning I'm nuking an old HP lappy for repurposing as a wall display when I get THIS new screen in the middle of the install!



So, FYI, if the installer has built-in drivers that'll light up the NIC, the installer WILL phone home and try to upsell you Win 10, even if you haven't even gotten 8.1 installed yet!

 

The Win 10 upgrade notification supposedly is initiated from an update associated with KB3035583

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583

 

3. Marketing was concerned that consumers would be confused that "Windows 9" might mean "Windows 98" or similar.

 

I bow to those that know more about computers than I do with a couple questions. Would they be pushing this upgrade to get everybody's computer on the same page instead of retrofitting numerous versions with endless band aids? They also say there may be internet access fees. Is that if you have a data plan that's exceeded with this big download? If so, would that be a one time deal or monthly overage charges?

 

Office365 has shown them that, given enough persuasion, they can make a shit-ton of money off of small monthly subs. Lots of folks aren't willing to shell out $149 for a legit Office disk, 6.95 a month for a full 'office suite' with email support is just ducky. A lot of folks grew up and went through school on the subsidized Office price there....and Office is already at work, so now it only makes sense....


This is the model they want to move the OS to. They've been trying to secure the OS from the pirates out on the net since the net has been a thing, and they've had shit and shi-nola for success at it, overall. If they can move to a sub model cheap enough to be widely adopted, they not only make just a smuch cash, but can guarantee all the users actually AREN'T on pirated versions any time they want. It's a win-win-win for them.

As far as download size and bandwidth goes, they pretty much assume 'everybody'* is on a broadband plan of some kind where the DL size or bandwidth cap is manageable, and there's ways to order a disc or an ISO at starbucks and download it onto a USB stick to take home and run the install.

 

This is legal CYA for people who are trying to download with a tethered mobile phone or something like that.
I worked with a guy who lived in a cabin and had to use cell internet because no one wanted to haul cable out that far.

 

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I think I may reserve the download, but wait for a bug or two to be sprayed before I install it.