Windows 7: Jan. 13 marks the end of mainstream support for Windows 7

I'd have thought just making the upgrade available to people with qualifying product keys would have been pretty simple, you submit your key and receive a W10 license. Maybe I'm oversimplifying it, I don't know. Microsoft have been so tight on piracy in the past I personally don't see the benefit of them allowing pirated copies to be 'upgraded'.

And this isn't a dig at Windows 10 being free either, I think it's a great move for all the legitimate copies out there.

That makes far more sense than M$ deliberately allowing pirated copies to upgrade.

Simple:

Microsoft offers windows 10 for free. Anyone that know about it upgrades. The savvy users who know about it are mostly pirates with malware. Upgrade to free version of 10, malware (possibly) gone. Less malware-more happy customers everywhere.

For every pc infected, it usually effects 5 others. It is a malware war essentially.

It also is a way to monitor the pirated users, as windows 10 has super tracking built in. Eula states it, and even not signing up for microsofts stuff you will still be tracked now more then ever before.

Windows 10 is the starting of a locked garden like apple. To reduce malware, as official stores are where common users will get there apps. Those apps will be screened and less prone to inducing malware.

This is not a bad thing entirely, less malware is always a good thing.

Privacy however has not existed for awhile on the internet, but now OS themselves are now starting to implement spyware like behaviors in the name of making things more convenient.

Windows is also struggling in the market as a whole. They want users on a single version, as it is easier to deal with. They want to get away from the similar issues android is facing with fragmentation.

Honestly, windows 10 is a important step for Microsoft. IT will increase the companies reputation as a whole with the general public, and hopefully will draw some users back to windows.

IMHO, it will not matter. Most Users have discovered there cell phones do everything they can and need, and will not likely have pc's capable of running windows 10. And they will not upgrade. I know plenty of people that just got rid of all there actual computers and just have phones now.

And until malware increases mega jumps on the mobiles more often, they will keep using those instead.

Andrew this is a good point to a point.

Tracking the thieves and then telling them. Things are cool, please get another counterfeit copy of Windows 7 and upgrade to Windows 10.
Because in my mind that is exactly what is going to happen.
The damn thieves and crooks are smart.

If Microsoft has to promote counterfeiting to get Windows 10 on the street their is a problem. It's that simple to me.
It's nothing against Windows 10, it's just Microsoft's methods.

I suspect that when pirate versions of W10 "hit the market" all of the "official spyware" will be disabled/redirected.

Some may not know their system is not genuine. Their buddy down the street, friend, family member etc, "fixed it up for them". They'll upgrade thinking all is good. They may get peeved, but then again they may go legal when they figure out what was done. Lots of different scenarios good or bad can happen. On the plus side I would think it makes upgrading easier. And as mentioned, systems that were compromised before the upgrade, will likely be more secure after. I'm sure exploits will be scanned for and killed during the upgrade. Compromised system files will be replaced with the new Windows 10 system files. Then let those users buy into Windows 10 for a low price and get legal and safe systems.

Let me see if I understand this plan of attack by Microsoft that some are posting about.

Some people will find out their W-7 is counterfeit and they didn't know.
That for sure can and does happen.
What does Microsoft say? We no longer care about counterfeit, here is a free counterfeit copy of Windows 10 to replace your counterfeit copy of Windows 7.

A counterfeit copy of W-10 is going to make the internet safer compared to a counterfeit copy of W-7 because their will be less infection. Well that would be true if the people that new they had a counterfeit copy of W-7 and now have a counterfeit copy of W-10 would stop downloading and stealing programs, movies, music and games and getting infected.
Does that sound like something that going to happen.

I like this one.
Once people have a counterfeit copy of W-10 they will start buying apps. from the Microsoft app store. I don't think that need any more comments.

**So now, all the people that stole Windows 7, programs, movies, music and games are going to have a life changing experience to being as honest as they can be because they now are using a counterfeit copy of Windows 10 that was given to them by Microsoft.

I really do wish that that happens but I'm not putting any money on it happening.

I wish Microsoft would of given Windows 7 away.
We would have less operating system thieves.
The computing world now be safer from malware and virus because Windows 7 was free.
Now the computer world be as happy as young children at Disneyland.

This has nothing to do with how good or bad Windows 10 is now or will be.
This has nothing to do with the price or being free for a year.

This has everything to with Microsoft putting their stamp of approval on counterfeiting.

Smell test :/

It's not a counterfeit version of Windows 10. Where did you get that from? The way I read it, it will be just like any other install except not activated. Trial mode with a generic key that won't activate is my bet. You will eventually have to buy a license to make it genuine and activated to keep using it.

Kari posted this quote,
Jan. 13 marks the end of mainstream support for Windows 7