Windows 10: The next chapter - 21st Jan Live event Discussion

[whs]

Here is a CNET recap in case you missed it. I suggest full screen. The introduction is a bit langthy, but those CNET guys are funny. If you don't care for that, skip the video forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-...&feature=player_detailpage&x-yt-ts=1421782837

 

[z3r010]

It's not, and you can upgrade from windows 7 & 8.1 for free in the first 12 months of release.

What happens after a year if I upgrade for free?

Nothing, It's free for the life of the device once upgraded.

 

[Wordsworth]

From the link that groze supplied in his post, "I asked Myerson for clarification after the presentation, and he confirmed that there will be no additional fees attached to Windows 10, whenever you buy it."

That muddies the waters again, "whenever you buy it." The context we're all talking about is the free updgrade offer from Microsoft, not us buying it. Did they mean to say, "after you download the free upgrade" there will be no subscription fee one year later?

 

[bigmck]

It's not, and you can upgrade from windows 7 & 8.1 for free in the first 12 months of release.

What happens after a year if I upgrade for free?

Nothing, It's free for the life of the device once upgraded.

My concern is that if I install Windows 10 and don't like it, can I go back to Win 7. It is hard going from Win 8 back to Win 7. Will this be the same thing?

 

[Kaktussoft]

From the link that groze supplied in his post, "I asked Myerson for clarification after the presentation, and he confirmed that there will be no additional fees attached to Windows 10, whenever you buy it."

That muddies the waters again, "whenever you buy it." The context we're all talking about is the free updgrade offer from Microsoft, not us buying it. Did they mean to say, "after you download the free upgrade" there will be no subscription fee one year later?

Source: Microsoft: Windows 10 will not be sold as a subscription - PC Gamer

Update: It seems there's still confusion. It is very clear from this post that for the first year it's available, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you have Windows 7 or 8. You will not pay for it. After that year is up, nothing will happen to your Windows 10 license. If you do not upgrade within that year, however, you will have to pay for an upgrade. The offer expires after a year, not the upgrade.

 

[Wordsworth]

I'm still thinking Myerson misspoke, or was misquoted since no one is talking about "...whenever you buy it" unless he's talking both about those that take advantage of the free offer within the year, and those that buy it afterwards. In both cases there will not be a subscription model that MS is going to.

 

[Brink]

What happens after a year if I upgrade for free?

Nothing, It's free for the life of the device once upgraded.

My concern is that if I install Windows 10 and don't like it, can I go back to Win 7. It is hard going from Win 8 back to Win 7. Will this be the same thing?

Yep. Just format and reinstall as usual.

 

[whs]

Nothing, It's free for the life of the device once upgraded.

My concern is that if I install Windows 10 and don't like it, can I go back to Win 7. It is hard going from Win 8 back to Win 7. Will this be the same thing?

Yep. Just format and reinstall as usual.

How about restoring an image.

 

[Brink]

My concern is that if I install Windows 10 and don't like it, can I go back to Win 7. It is hard going from Win 8 back to Win 7. Will this be the same thing?

Yep. Just format and reinstall as usual.

How about restoring an image.

Yep, you could do that as well at boot using a Windows 7 installation DVD/USB or system repair disc. That would be the easiest way to restore if decided to.

However, I think Windows 10 will be a hit.

 

[whs]

However, I think Windows 10 will be a hit.

Like "Hit you in the head".

It looks like a nice OS. Not sure though whether it's for everyone. I doubt whether mom and pap will use holographic facilities.

 

[Seffrid]

If the free upgrade is offered through the monthly updates it should be fun for those with automatic installation checked !

 

[whs]

If the free upgrade is offered through the monthly updates it should be fun for those with automatic installation checked !

I don't think that's the way it will work.

 

[RoasterMen]

10 isn't going to be subscription based. Plus, We Windows 7 Users will get a free upgrade to 10.

 

[DavidE]

What i think i'm hearing is
for someone that buys a new OEM PC with Win 10
or updates the OS to Win 10 on an "old" PC
as long as they keep using the PC, there will never be an end-of-life for the OS.
It's a one time fee for someone that uses the device for 5, 10, 20 ... years.

For the tech enthusiast that builds a PC
there will be no retail license that can be transferred to a new build or motherboard
If they upgrade the motherboard or build a new rig every year, they need to purchase a new license every year
Hopefully it's only a new motherboard that is considered a new device, and we can still upgrade the SSD, HD, CPU, GPU, etc.

 

[andrew129260]

....there will never be an end-of-life for the OS.....

I highly doubt it. It is Microsoft after all. They are not going to keep 1 OS supported forever, they have to make money somehow. (and they never want to experience xp nightmare again.) They are a business, I do not see how they would do it. Unless involving ads *shiver* like they do with windows 8 and xbox. I still don't think that would be enough though. I see a subscription later.

If the free upgrade is offered through the monthly updates it should be fun for those with automatic installation checked !

I don't think that's the way it will work.

Idk it is possible. That was one way you could load windows 10 preview when you have 7 already.

 

[whs]

....there will never be an end-of-life for the OS.....

I highly doubt it. It is Microsoft after all. They are not going to keep 1 OS supported forever, they have to make money somehow. They are a business, I do not see how they would do it. Unless involving ads *shiver* like they do with windows 8 and xbox. I still don't think that would be enough though. I see a subscription later.

That is an interesting aspect. My guess would be that they count on their store apps to make up for it. Don't forget that their biggest money maker is Office - not Windows. And maybe they also get some kick-back from the device manufacturers. The OS will become a facilitator to sell all the other stuff.

It's like your printers - they cost nearly nothing but they get you on the cartridges. In Germany they have a tougher time with that. There are a couple of ink companies (like Faber Castell) who have been around for more than 100 years and sell their compatible cartridges for half the money - and they always come out better in the tests than the original manufacturer cartridges.

 

[cluberti]

I think the use of the word "service" was a horrible choice of words, and "clarifying" it later didn't make things any better. I'd wager Microsoft will come out with a definitive statement on this prior to Windows 10's release, and ... it'll come from someone else.

 

[gregrocker]

I installed 10 the first week of October and have not been back to Windows 7 since. And I still support Windows 7 six to eight hours per day, waiting for activity to heat up over at Ten Forums.

Ten so far nearly perfectly balances the best of Windows 7 desktop with Windows 8's touchscreen interface. With Continuum if you install to touch it will push more of those features including apps, without touch it will give what I have which is a real, perfectly-functioning Start Menu with sample apps pushed over to the side to trial, ignore, hide, or uninstall. I like having my five web mail boxes in one Mail app with large reading pane, the Contacts and Calendars that merged, Skype, OneDrive and Reader. I may not want any more but I've promised to try them all.

I'm waiting to see how they resolve the even split between Win7-type Control Panel and Win8-style PC Settings since I always reach to get the more familiar 7 interface. They may and probably should keep both.

I've always believed SIW2's theory that they stuck so long with WIndows 8 because they'd rewritten their business plan for subscription apps including the OS, but from what I saw at MVP Summit they are trying to strike the right balance without blinders (like not recording metrics of those installing Start Menus in Windows 8). They are actively reading your feedback, especially that channeled into the Insider Hub in build 9879.

As one of Windows Eight's strongest critics brought into a special Focus Group at last year's MVP Summit along with other top Forums' producers to tell MS Execs where they went wrong, I am thoroughly pleased with MS's new direction with Windows 10. A big part of that was due to our former MVP lead and Brazilian wunderkind JP Clementi who was so instrumental in speaking truth to MS powers about this that he was promoted as our liaison to the Windows 10 Product team. Things have really changed since we whispered between ourselves about Windows 8 at past Summits, having been told they didn't want our feedback.

In order to mess this up now, the extremely bright and motivated Windows 10 Product Team would have to take so many left turns that we'd all fall off. Instead I look for steady improvement, although that's hard to imagine since settling into this Preview it feels already like a finished OS and I will not go back.

 

[Wordsworth]

That is an interesting aspect. My guess would be that they count on their store apps to make up for it. Don't forget that their biggest money maker is Office - not Windows. And maybe they also get some kick-back from the device manufacturers. The OS will become a facilitator to sell all the other stuff.

I think you have it. Did not Apple go to a free model for its most recent OSs? Both companies then will make money from other products and services while, as you say, their OS will be the facilitator for selling and implementing those products and services.

 

[whs]

There is an additional aspect to their one OS with continuous updates. That is less development pain.

Right now with XP, Vista W8 and W8.1 out there they have to constantly worry about backwards compatibility which is a real pain for a developer. Worrysome because the customers will not move away from their old OS if their programs do not work in the new OS. Especially large companies have a big investment in own programs. And also in training of their personal.

Once they have rounded them all up to the new W10 with continuous upgrades, most of that problem goes away. I think it is a smart strategy.

After 35 years in mainframe OS development I know how painful backwards compatibility can be - plus the pain and cost of maintaining several operating systems that are 'current' at the same time.