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

If the Genuine Advantage check fails, WGA will block access to most Windows Update features, only allowing you to download critical patches as automatic updates. The system will also change your desktop wallpaper and provide regular pop-up notices on your desktop informing you that the software is not genuine, offering links to correct the problem. The above is for Windows 8 etc but I would expect the same sort of conditions to happen to Windows 10. You will end up with reduced functionality until you go genuine. IMHO just because your previous OS was hacked to be usable forever doesn't mean Windows 10 will continue to work that way after the upgrade. What ever exploit was used will be killed by the upgrade. It only makes sense for Microsoft to do that. IMHO that's is.

I'm sure it's just a numbers game

"The Plan" is exactly the same as W8, make people pay for services and Apps.

Some people are drawing a fine line between counterfeit and non-Genuine.

To me and I think most of legal users of Windows 7; using a counterfeit Windows 7 and converting it to a non-Genuine Windows 10 is a play in words.
To me non-Genuine is counterfeit that just happens to be approved by Microsoft.
To me Microsoft is being a fence for illegal merchandise.
Not but a few weeks ago a counterfeit Windows 7 was illegal now the change the wording to non-Genuine and some how it's suppose to be less illegal. B/S.

Layback Bear said:

Some people are drawing a fine line between counterfeit and non-Genuine.

To me and I think most of legal users of Windows 7; using a counterfeit Windows 7 and converting it to a non-Genuine Windows 10 is a play in words.
To me non-Genuine is counterfeit that just happens to be approved by Microsoft.
To me Microsoft is being a fence for illegal merchandise.
Not but a few weeks ago a counterfeit Windows 7 was illegal now the change the wording to non-Genuine and some how it's suppose to be less illegal. B/S.

OK, I see where your coming from. To me counterfeit, is a system that is illegally activated or has activation bypassed so you can use it indefinitely and never have to pay for a legit license. It's also non genuine but may not be flagged as such.

My logic is once said system is upgraded to Windows 10, the counterfeit aspect is gone. It's not illegally activated anymore. It's not activated at all. You'll only be allowed to use it for so long before you have to make it genuine by buying a product code and activating it. I personally wouldn't call that system counterfeit. Your not cheating anything, your basically in trial mode. You can do the same thing with Windows 7 and 8. It's a simple ei.cfg edit to alow installs without entering a product code and run for 30 days with no restrictions.

When the thieves have to pay for Windows 10 to be properly activated they will just steal it like they did windows 7. They are just getting a Microsoft free ride for a year.
Teasing crooks with a free sample is not going to change them into honest people.

All Microsoft cares about is Upgrade numbers,

To think someone doesn't have another clone of an already illegal copy of win-7 is silly.

Layback Bear said:

When the thieves have to pay for Windows 10 they will just steal it like they did windows 7.
Teasing crooks with a free sample is not going to change them into honest people.

Some are going to try, nothing will change that. I still think its a good move. It will get rid of the systems where the owner doesn't know it was hacked. Those that know their system is hacked likely won't upgrade if they know it will break the cheat. Same old same old. I was just trying to piont out that those that take Microsoft up on the free upgrade aren't going to get a free ride if their system was counterfeit to begin with.

You got it right. If the crooks like using Windows 10 in a year they will just steal it. (hack_

If they don't like Windows 10 they will just pop their clone of Windows 7 in and be happy little camping thieves.

I really don't see how any of this Microsoft foolishness is any good for legal users.

It's like putting a sign in a bank window.
Bank robbers are welcome Mondays and Fridays between
10 and 2 but no other time.

Layback Bear said:

You got it right. If the crooks like using Windows 10 in a year they will just steal it. (hack_

If they don't like Windows 10 they will just pop their clone of Windows 7 in and be happy little camping thieves.

I really don't see how any of this Microsoft foolishness is any good for legal users.

It's like putting a sign in a bank window.
Bank robbers are welcome Mondays and Fridays between
10 and 2 but no other time.

If it stops a system from being erroneously flagged as counterfeit and makes the upgrade process easier, I'm all for it. I think that's the real intent. Get ride of all the extra checks and balances that can and have gone wrong in the past. Think back to those rash of not genuine glitches that cropped up on Windows 7 systems and the pain in the but that was to sort out.