Your PC is about to automatically download and install Windows 10

[Little Tich]

Source: Metro UK

Windows 10 will now automatically download and install on PCs.

Microsoft suggested they’d be pushing the Windows 10 upgrades on to customer’s computers this year.

From February 8th, Windown Update will amend the upgrade to the operating system’s tenth version.

This means, if your Windows Update settings automatically install recommended items (the default setting) you should probably expect Windows 10 to make itself at home on your machine.



Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/03/your-pc-is-about-to-automatically-download-and-install-windows-10-5660712/

[yourout]

1. In this case free costs to much.....use this - gwx-stopper.

DON'T DO IT!

http://news.softpedia.com/news/remove-the-get-windows-10-icon-for-ever-with-gwx-stopper-490567.shtml

Way to much information gathering.

I will leave Windows 7 when they pry my cold dead fingers from the keyboard.

[CBGLuthier]

9. I am not sure that tool will block this. That is for the offer they have been making

They are going to make it part of the update system. People will need to turn off the options to automatically install recommended updates. Which is what i just did.

[starroute]

31. GWX Control Panel claims to block it completely

http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/

"This is a free tool that can remove and disable the 'Get Windows 10' notification area icon on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Recent versions can also disable 'Upgrade to Windows 10' behavior in the Windows Update control panel and do much more."

[yourout]

34. It's the same one I linked.

[hifiguy]

121. How can I migrate to Linux?

I can follow instructions but am not a real techie.

[hobbit709]

133. Find a Linux distro that you want.

download the .iso file and either burn it to a disk or create a boot flash drive.
That will let you boot it into memory and do a Live setup where you can try it out before actually installing it.

[GummyBearz]

72. Windows 7 is just as much a spy tool

Windows NT 4.0 is the only windows anyone should run

[jonno99]

85. Shucks - I'm still running NT 3.5!

[hobbit709]

134. Nowhere near 10. And in 7 you can turn off things 10 won't let you

[Lodestar]

79. Or....upgrade by buying an Apple. n/t

[pintobean]

137. Thanks for posting that link.

What a great tool.

And, shame on Microsoft for making it necessary.

[CBGLuthier]

2. I went out of my way to buy a Windows 7 computer when 8 was out. I don't see how they

can legally tamper with my computer like this.

I saw this was coming so now I guess I will have to block the fucking thing.

[DesertFlower]

11. so did i -- on the advice of my tech guy.

[RoccoR5955]

26. They can do this because you "signed" an agreement.

You know all that fine print that you just endlessly pressed the "next" button on when you first got your PC? That was the Microsoft End User Agreement. According to that agreement, you agree that you do not OWN the software, but it is leased for your use on only that computer.

[CBGLuthier]

51. Yeah, I knew that, but they are still doing something they have never done before.

They have never forced an OS upgrade before and they are going to really piss a lot of people off. The sad thing is there is only one piece of software that keeps me on Windows but there are no decent Linux alternatives for it and I despise all things Apple.

[kentauros]

60. Seems to me then that we can split hairs, too.

We signed the agreement for that specific version of their software, and not for any upgrades to higher-numbered versions

[RoccoR5955]

62. Nope, if you read it

You will find out that Mickeysoft OWNS the software, and can do whatever they want with it.'
You can find their EULA online if you search for it properly

[kentauros]

67. Well, that's still the excuse I'd use

no matter what their EULA says. So there!

[hedda_foil]

90. I did too. I don't care that it's old tech. It's stable .

[hobbit709]

3. Why I set Windows Update to "Notify But Don't Download Updates"

[pangaia]

28. How do I do that?

[arcane1]

33. For Windows 7, first click Start, then Control Panel. Locate the Windows Update link and click on it

Then click Change Settings.

There, you will have a drop-down menu for how you want to handle "Important" updates, and a few other settings.

[pangaia]

41. Thanks got it.

[pinboy3niner]

61. Note that you'll need to check available updates periodically and download ones you want

You do that by opening Windows Update and clicking "See all available updates." Be sure to expand optional updates and uncheck Windows 10 if you don't want it, because it is pre-checked and will download even if you have selected only important updates.

[KamaAina]

57. Would it even bother doing this to my six-year-old XP box?

[peacebird]

106. I highly doubt my ancient WinXP Home laptop could run windows 10.

[hobbit709]

37. Control Panel, Windows Update, Change settings.

[pangaia]

42. Thanks got it.

[Bjornsdotter]

30. Yep, me too n/t

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. Bugger that.

I already had to block it when it downloaded once and wanted me to start the install. Had to uninstall some update, demand control of some directory it was using, delete it, create a new one in its place that only I had access to, and NOT the updater.

[GoneFishin]

5. Screw that.

[navarth]

6. Might want to be looking into Spybot Anti-Beacon

and study up on how to disable a lot of the intrusive crap they try to shove down your throat when it installs.

I still haven't taken the time to check out some of the solutions, but it's going to take a bit of study.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Oh, that's just great. Fucking great.

I already had my IT guy removed Win 10 from my desktop to avoid this very scenario.

Guess it's time to get my laptop in to him so he can remove it from this one.

Goddamn Windows.

I love Windows 7, and like the poster above, they will have to take it from my cold, dead fingers!

Thanks for the heads-up, Little Tich!

[lpbk2713]

75. OK Microsoft, now you've done it.

You went and pissed off CalPeg. Good luck with that.


Hey Peg.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

78. I'm sure they don't give a flying fuck, sweetie!

It's great to see you tonight, my dear lpbk2713! I hope all is well in your world!

[madinmaryland]

119. OH MAN!! CalPeggy is REALLY pissed!! She dropped the "F-Bomb"!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

124. Sorry to say that it doesn't take much these days, my dear madinmaryland!

[KentuckyWoman]

128. You cussed !!! ??? !!!

Holy schamolie batman......... I would not want to be Bill Gates right now. Anyone bad enough to get CaliforniaPeggy to cuss has got to be headed for the lowest level of Hades....

Yikes.

[EllieBC]

8. I got Windows 10 and went back to 8.1 because it was forcing my PC to stay asleep.

And the only way to wake it was to restart (hard start by holding down the power button). My pc is only a year old, all drivers updated, and I even turned off the ability for it to go to sleep. Still did it. So I downgraded back go 8.1.

My husband didn't have this problem and is using Windows 10.

Anyone know what would cause this?

[DesertFlower]

10. i keep getting this message. i have windows 7.

even when i got a new computer my tech guy advised me against windows 8. i have to ask him about windows 10.

[hobbit709]

12. 8 is great compared to 10. And 8 sucks.

[DesertFlower]

14. thanks for the info. my tech guy

told me that 8 was terrible -- that people were returning their new computers.

[Egnever]

122. That guy is on a mission

I wouldn't take his ramblings too seriously.

So far 10 has been rock solid on my machines and every clients that had hardware newer than three years old. I have had to track down video drivers for a couple of older machines but those are stable as well. Of all the machines I come in contact with the only one that has had a serious issue is an 8 year old dell.

[Travis_0004]

64. I have to disagree

I love 10.

No issues with it at all. 8 was crap.

In fact every other operating system sucks.

95 crap, 98 good, Me crap, xp good, vista crap, 7 good, 8 crap, 10 good, 11 crap (you heard it from me first).

[hobbit709]

68. If they had a 9 it would have been good, instead they gave 2 crap versions in a row.

[tabasco]

123. I like 10.

Turned off as much of the spy stuff as they can tell me how to do on the intertubes. Also disabled & uninstalled a lot of the crap on the start menu I didn't want. Did that and enjoying 10 very much on laptop and desktop.

Your prediction on 11 is a very safe bet! LOL.

[backscatter712]

84. I do agree. Win 10 is better than Win 8.

Windows 8 is gawd-awful. Versions of Windows are like Star Trek movies - every other one sucks.

Though the seasoned IT guys I hang out with have been sticking with Win 7.

[Marrah_G]

13. I have not had issues with 10

[SusanCalvin]

58. That you know of...

My understanding is that it's into lots of data collection, and that it's a cumbersome process to even sorta mitigate it.

[brooklynite]

15. Wouldn't have this problem with a Macintosh...

[CBGLuthier]

16. Yeah because Apple has never given anything away for free.

[yourout]

18. Rimshot.....good one.

[brooklynite]

19. Apple stopped charging for OS updates years ago.

Not that it was a big issue before, because their OS worked...

BA-DUM-DUH!

[RoccoR5955]

24. Apparently you don't own a Mac.

Because if you did, you would know that the past 5-6 versions of OSX have ALL been free!

[begin_within]

125. They gave OS X "Mavericks" and "Yosemite" free, and

in October 2013 announced a policy of providing free OSX updates for all Mac computers over the lifetime of the hardware, whatever that means. I didn't have to pay for the upgrades to Mavericks or Yosemite, and won't as long as the new OS is compatible with my Mac. I think Windows 10 being free is a belated response to that.

[hobbit709]

17. I can build 5 PCs for what one Mac costs.

And they will do things faster and better.

[RoccoR5955]

22. Not with the bloat that comes with windows.

Besides, are you counting the time that it takes for you to build a PC? My build rate is $150/hr. I have built hundreds of PCs in my day, but once I bought my first Mac, I realized what a fool I was for building a "cheaper" computer.
Oh, and you cannot build a laptop like my MacBook Pro, which I have had for about 5 years now. I maxed out the RAM, and installed and SSD, since I got it. It STILL screams, and the battery lasts about 4 hours. Can you say that about ANY $500 Windows laptop? I didn't think so.

Look at the components that come on a Mac, and compare them to a PC. Then add the software that you have to buy for a PC in order to do word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and you have another $200.
For another couple of hundred bucks, I can have a refurbished Mac, with the same warranty that you get with a new one. The only difference is that it is not today's model, and it comes in a white box.

If you buy a cheap laptop for instance, you save no money, because in two years it will not hold a charge, and you have to buy software, and uninstall all the teaser-ware that comes with each and every laptop.

Windows may pay my bills (at least for the next couple of years until I retire) but at home, it's Mac and Linux all the way!

I can say this confidently, because I have 26 years of work experience with computers. I have built, and help manage a 5000 node network, and I support at least as many users.

I AM what you can call, the ORIGINAL PC Wizard!

[hobbit709]

35. My first build was a M.I.T.S. Altair 8800

I worked at TI repairing 960, 980, and 990 systems. I worked contract at IBM building prototype boards for their early PCs. I fix, repair and clean computer systems for a living. People are amazed how well they work after I tweak a few things and clean out the garbage.
Can't game worth a shit on a Mac. Limited amount of software available for a Mac.

99% of the software I use is free.
I do a clean install of Windows with no crapware added.

My main system out of the 5 I have here has an AMD FX-8350 overclocked to 5 GHz with 16 Gb RAM, SSD boot drive, Nvidia GTX650 ti graphics. Counting everything I have about $700 in it. It runs a heavily tweaked Win 7 that boots from a cold start to desktop ready to go in 14 seconds.

Two of my computers run Mint Linux and my laptop runs a tweaked 8.

[RoccoR5955]

40. So your labor costs are high

if you have that much experience. Probably higher than mine.
Add another $200 or so to your PC for your time to assemble it and install the software. I think it's conservatively fair.

Oh, do you build laptops too?
Just wondering.

Yeah, I don't have the experience repairing early computers, but I took a TI 99/4A out of the garbage, and rescued a PCjr early on. I didn't have much money then, so I had to do it on a shoestring. I just wish that I would have gone to the Mac sooner. I could be making a lot more money as a certified Mac repair tech, than repairing these cheap, crappy PCs.

Oh, and how many times have you cut yourself on those damn Chinese cases that are out there. I have a mind to wear leather gloves the next time I assemble one.

[hobbit709]

44. Laptops aren't really buildable. Motherboards and cases aren't exactly freely available.

I charge according to customer's ability to pay. Most of the people I do work for are lower working class folks. If I can provide someone with a solid, reliable, working computer for a reasonable price, I'm happy.

99/4As were junk to start with.

For me it's more a case of something for my mind and hands to do since I'm more or less retired.

[RoccoR5955]

46. I generally charge by what kind of car is in the driveway myself.

Not that I do any work on the side any more. I have a good regular gig, so there is no need for me to.
So if someone is driving a new BMW I charge a lot more than if they are driving an old Yugo.
I know what you mean, but you have to think of the price of your labor, even if your are building your own PC. Not to mention your cut up hands from those crappy Chinese cases these days.

My problems arise when people expect me to answer their newbie questions at 1 in the morning, and expect it to be free. I could not live with that. There has to be some value attached, so that they can learn how to use things like google, and learn how to read documentation. A little higher price gives most folks that incentive to learn about their computer.

(Clinton's voice is grating on me now.)

[hobbit709]

49. The computer gods must be appeased with a little blood sacrifice every now and then.

Anyone that calls me in the middle of the night won't do it more than once.

I work out of my converted garage.

[DustyJoe]

45. The old S100 bus, great for learning computing from scratch

I started with the IMSAI 8080, loved the huge beast

[Dragonfli]

39. SSD is the absolute best for speed.

I bought a great ASUS laptop online (sans drive for previous owners security concerns) and Opted for a SSD to replace it. Cost more than a physical drive but man it is the fastest loading PC I have ever had.

Even tho I loaded windows 7 by choice (my Cad programs won't run on Apple), from initial cold start-up to opening and using any program it takes less than a minute! I couldn't even believe it at first! Even with all the Windows bloat (much of which I disable anyway).

Will never go back to a physical HD again. It even blows away my four raptor HD set in Raid on my workstation, by more than a little.

No matter the platform SSD is the way to go. You have great taste in HDs

[RoccoR5955]

43. You can certainly run Windows on a Mac.

I have one with about 5 versions of Windows on it, from Windows 3.1 to Windows 7.
There are packages that allow you to run virtual machines. Things like VMWare Fusion, Virtual Box, and Paralells allow you to do this.
Oh, and a Mac can boot to Windows in Boot Camp, which is provided from Apple with OSX. You just have to buy Windows.

My MacBookAir can boot up in about 15 seconds from cold start to login.

You are correct about SSDs, but on newer Macs, like my Air, they don't use a SATA interface. They use a faster PCIe interface. It's a bit faster than SATA. They have been using for a while now in the new Mac Pro (what a killer machine!).

[Dragonfli]

47. I didn't know that, but wouldn't loading Windows on a Mac

Be exactly the same as loading it on any PC? Or is it something that runs on top of the Mac OS and if so does that not slow things down?

Sorry about the questions, but I have never owned or used an Apple Machine due to AutoDesk not wanting to make a version to run on it. I Like what I have heard about the reliability and security advantages it offers, but never really had the cash to have both at once and I need my Cad and Cam stuff for freelance gigs I get from time to time.

15 seconds is amazing! (but I am using a last generation laptop here (intel core i3))

[RoccoR5955]

50. Oh with Boot Camp

It's a Windows machine. It creates a separate partition, and you boot to Windows. Like I said, you have to buy Windows for it though. All the Apple drivers for Windows are very good. Much better than some of these fly by night companies that put out cheap peripherals, and don't update buggy drivers.

[Dragonfli]

55. To be honest I am envious, how much would I have to invest to get an air machine

with the faster interface and SSD of course.

If I ever come into the money, I want to try it and go with a duel boot set-up. I also use Photoshop a great deal and have heard it runs much better on an apple OS. The best of both worlds on a 15 second boot machine would put me in heaven.

[RoccoR5955]

59. Photoshop used to run better on a Mac.

Today, since both use the same CPU, there really isn't much difference. Also, Adobe used to develop for the Mac first and the PC later. Now they come out with a new version for both at the same time.

There are issues with the Air, in that you really cannot upgrade the hardware. The RAM is soldered in, and the SSD is propitiatory. Well that is of course unless OWC comes with something. (macsales.com) They have in the past. Their stuff costs a little more, but it certainly is worth it.

[Dragonfli]

69. Thanks for the info, If I do somehow get the scratch for a major buy

I will find (or at least look for) a Mac with the faster buss, but up-gradable memory, possibly with the ability of a dual drive to set up RAID (if that can be done with an SSD) Raid increases the speed on physical drives, imagine what it could do for a SSD system.

Now I really want to take my first byte of an Apple! (damn you )

[Egnever]

127. Wow talk about drinking the cool aide

Mac hardware is made by the same people that make pc hardware. There is no special sauce.

Sure they design aesthetically pleasing boxes but that is where the differentiation ends. The internal hardware is no different than in a pc since Mac moved to Intel architecture.

[dixiegrrrrl]

29. Not with a Linux, either.

[hunter]

89. Last Windows I used on my own machines was 98SE.

I don't even buy computers anymore.

People get rid of old machines that are choking on Windows updates, cruft, and malware.

These become my new machines, running Linux.

[dixiegrrrrl]

100. We have friends who have a small business.

They replace their Windows about every 2 years, and give the "old" machines to Mr. Dixie, who re-builds them into Linux machines for us.
We have 5 running puters at any given time.
But our dear friends won't use Linux, they are used to their software programs.

[RoccoR5955]

20. Not mine.

I have that crap turned off.
Want to find out how? Google is your friend here.
Oh, and the other computers run OSX and Linux.

[Agnosticsherbet]

21. I bought a new laptop, and it runs Windows 10

It isn't a mind sucking slim pit from hell, except for Microsoft Edge.

[RoccoR5955]

23. They changed the name of that browser.

We lovingly call it Microsoft Sledge, because it's about as slow as one running on dry concrete. I guess it's a little better than Internet Exploder though.

[Agnosticsherbet]

25. No, it is much worse that Internet Explorer. It crashes my graphics card.

And freezes my laptop if I leave it running in the background.
I don't use it anymore.

[RoccoR5955]

27. It's not Internet Explorer.

It's freakin' Internet EXPLODER, because it blows up all the time. Chrome, Firefox, and Opera are much better and they are free. Oh, and if you move up to a Mac, they look and feel exactly the same. They do even on Linux.

[Agnosticsherbet]

38. I've had a Mac. Worst computer and tablet I ever owned.

I will never go back.

[backscatter712]

113. IE and Edge are crap. Use Firefox or Chrome. n/t

[backscatter712]

80. The funny thing about Windows 10...

...is that under the hood, it isn't bad. Running on a modern system, it performs reasonably well, though I tend to run Chrome or Firefox rather than IE or Edge.

It's just that by default, Win 10 comes onto your system in Big Brother mode, and you have to go through all the privacy settings and turn shit off that's enabled by default.

And then you never know what's in there that the NSA snuck in there. If they have snoopware, it'll be completely invisible, and impossible to turn off. Though that's also the case if you're running Windows 7.

[backscatter712]

83. I might as well get the NSA watching this thread more closely...

by suggesting that you run Tails (https://tails.boum.org/) if you really want to lock your system down and protect your privacy.

Hi Agent Mike!

[moondust]

32. Prevent the download.

How to Prevent Windows 10 from Upgrading your System as a Recommended Update

Stop your Windows 7 or 8.1 PC from forcing Windows 10 on you with GWX Control Panel

You can stop Microsoft bugging you about Windows 10 upgrades

How to Avoid Windows 10 Automatic Upgrades on Windows 7, 8 and 8.1

Google "prevent Windows 10" for more information.

[2naSalit]

73. Thanks!

I just turned all that off again. I had it turned off until a couple months ago but I will be keeping an eye on that until I get a new machine. The next one just might have to go to a different OS. I have always had a bad feeling about Windows since they showed up on the scene... at this point I'm ready to pitch it.

[moondust]

74. I may also get rid of Windows.

It's funny how Microsoft used to charge a pretty penny for each and every upgrade to each and every product they sold. That and Wall Street sure made Bill Gates rich. Now they're actually giving away a major upgrade to their main operating system.

I don't much like their new automatic upgrade trick even if it's free.

[2naSalit]

81. Same here.

Like I said before, not a fan of Windows products but it's also all I've really had access to for years. My early experience with computers goes back to the 80s but I have been out of the loop at a time when change happens so often that I feel like I'd be starting all over again. I remember enough to not be entire;y lost but I haven't dealt with code or new adventures in hardware and/or software in some time. A little daunting at times.

but when I go out to find a replacement, I'll be studying.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

103. With every passing day, Linux gets more and more user friendly.

Really, the only reason I use windows at all anymore is to play an MMO.

[bowens43]

36. Not on mine..........

Linux is the anti-microsoft

[RoccoR5955]

48. And with Puppy Linux

You can run it on very old hardware. It runs EVERYTHING in RAM, so it's lightning fast!
The only thing is that it takes time to load your media, and open the squash file that you created when you last shut it down.

[PeoViejo]

108. I like Puppy too

Carry my computer in my pocket, everywhere.

[malokvale77]

115. I had to jump in here, when I saw Puppy Linux.

I run a highly personalized Slacko64 (full install). I love this Puppy!

[Marie Marie]

52. I owe you big time Little Tich!

Thank you so much for this heads up - changed my update settings because I did not want Windows 10. You save me untold heartache.

[MuseRider]

53. I like Windows 10

I came back to MS from a Mac and was not terribly fond of 8.1 but it was SO much better than the Mac.

I guess I mainly like it because we have very bad Internet speeds out here in the boonies and we just discovered if I use the Edge browser I can actually stream almost all the time when the other browsers have trouble even refreshing pages. It seems clean and light and it works for me. I wish the adblock was better but hopefully that will come.

That is probably not enough for those who can actually get the net easily but for me it is very important that I can get online.

[UTUSN]

63. Me, too. n/t

[SusanCalvin]

54. And that's why

I've always had my settings on "never install, never even notify."

Every computer I've ever had has run on the original version of its OS until the day it died or was given away.

Not one virus, not one hack.

Good firewall, antivirus, and browsing habits will get you a long way.

[hobbit709]

65. Out of all the patches and fixes on XP, I used about 12.

Never had a virus either. Used an activated Malwarebytes Antimalware. Got a copy on sale for $10 when it was a lifetime activation instead of the yearly subscription they went to later.

I doubt I installed more than 25 or so of the updates for 7.

Never a problem on either OS.

[kentauros]

66. That's how I have mine currently set,

because I was going to follow some instructions on letting my copy of Win7 do it's updates and then turn it off for another month. That was three months ago. I'm just lazy, yet haven't seen any issues that truly need attention

[DCBob]

56. I just installed Windows 10 and I like it.

Much much better than 8 and seems also better than 7.

[SusanCalvin]

70. Depends on how much you mind being tracked.

I mind.

(Yeah, I'm using a Kindle right now. But at least I know. This is my first tablet. I'm strongly considering something else.)

[CBGLuthier]

76. A serious question. In what way is it better than Windows 7?

I won't upgrade as everything works and works perfectly fine. What would I have if I upgraded to 10 that I don't have now?

[Humanist_Activist]

82. For me, it was having an aging laptop that was technically designed for Windows 8, downgraded to 7..

the setup is weird, its broken(no screen), that's hooked up to an HD TV. On Windows 7 and 8 it was slow as molasses. On windows 10, its much snappier. So there is some performance improvements, but your setup may be different and the difference more negligible.

[CBGLuthier]

86. The one I bought came with 7 even though 8 was out.

My experience in the past has been that new OS's require more power. It is possible that trend is no longer true.

The simple thing I wonder is why OSs have to be upgraded. I know that new tech comes along. They tried to do a touchscreen OS of course and some of that makes sense.

But eventually there should be a point of perfection. As long as they can fix existing security issues as they discover them and as long as some fancy new tech, like USB or any of the other things that required a newer design instead of clumsily inserting it into an existing OS doesn't come along.

The interface is the same. The software runs the same. Modern OSs are capable of addressing the larger amounts of memory, multiple core processors, HDMI, increased HD space. Most accessories use USB and all they need is a driver.

[Egnever]

129. For one thing easier access to everything

The search box in win 10 is incredibly powerful. By itself it is worth the upgrade. The notification icon in win 10 is helpful as well..

Another good reason to upgrade from 7 is the ability to reset the pc without losing files should something go wrong. You can do it in 8 as well but not in 7.

Those are a couple of things off the top of my head there are more though.

[IDemo]

71. Not on my machine

I took the steps to remove the updates which had already been downloaded, manually remove the 'gsx' folders and change my update settings. I still suggest clicking on the 'more info about this update' (or however it's worded). Anything related to Win10 will include verbiage like 'helps prepare Windows 7 and 8.1 systems for Windows upgrades'. You can right-click such updates and select 'hide this update' to prevent its download.

I'm curious why MS has been so frantic and frankly sneaky about getting everybody on board, much moreso than with past versions. Strange behavior, if you ask me.

[earthshine]

91. Eggs in one basket

My understanding (which largely comes from the programs at TWIT.TV -- Leo Laporte's website) is that Microsoft is looking to enlarge the documented user base for Windows 10 as rapidly as possible to make it more attractive for developers to focus on creating Win 10 apps.

Win 10 is intended to run on different platforms (smartphones, PCs, tablets, more), and the newly developed apps will theoretically run across the board.

[Rex]

77. The takeover is complete all hail Skynet 10.

Still too soon?

[Zorra]

87. Recommend. nt

[hollysmom]

88. is this the version that is free the first year and after that you have to pay for it every year?

[earthshine]

92. I have not heard anything to this effect

I doubt very much Microsoft will charge anyone for the basic use of the operating system. However, Win 10 is designed to be a moneymaking platform for apps.

[hollysmom]

95. found it

first let me say I think it was that this is the last version of windows number release, after this there is supposed to be something just called windows 365 and that was supposed to have an annual fee, but windows 10 is not to have it. Yet when 365 comes out all peopel with 10 will be forced to upgrade to it.
Read Microsoft’s lips: There will be no annual fee for Windows 10
Windows 365 will be Windows, plus a little bit more

There's been rumor and speculation about Microsoft switching the Windows operating system to a subscription-based model since it launched Office 365. When Microsoft unveiled the latest preview build of Windows 10, executives referred to it as Windows-as-a-Service. Now, Microsoft has all but confirmed that some sort of subscription model is coming, since it trademarked Windows 365. Some customers are vehemently opposed, but before you freak out, let's back up a step and consider what a Windows 365 subscription might entail.

I'll start by saying that I'm almost positive that there'll be a subscription-based model for the Windows operating system. I know that doesn't exactly rank me up there with Nostradamus. The only reason I bother putting that out is because of my next statement: I'm almost positive that you'll still be able to buy the Windows operating system the old-fashioned way as well. The combination of giving away Windows 10 for the first year and acquiring the Windows 365 trademark is not an indication of some evil conspiracy by Microsoft to force everyone to pay a monthly fee to use Windows.
...
It's much more likely that Microsoft will charge rates closer to Office 365, and a Windows 365 subscription will be like $100 a year or $10 a month. If it's anything like Office 365, though, you'll also get much more with that subscription than if you just buy Windows. For example, the Windows 365 subscription might provide licensing for up to five individuals just like Office 365 Home does. That brings the per-person rate down to $20 a year.

well it doesn't do me any good, I live alone and just own 1 real working computer.(my last lap top sputtered to it's death.last summer )

[earthshine]

97. I don't think we'll be forced to the subscription model.

>> all people with 10 will be forced to upgrade to it.

I don't see an indication of this.

It is likely they'll try to move us (like they keep trying with 7/8/8.1 going to 10), but force us, per se? C'est non.

In the future, but not now, new hardware could be sold with the Windows subscription.

As for my house, we have like six working computers serving different purposes. My main workstation runs Win 8.1 (with Classic Shell). The system is rock solid, super fast, and blocks the Win 10 upgrade every which way!

[peacebird]

107. Windows 365 is already out. Companies use it so everyone can a cess their crap in the cloud.

It doesn't totally suck, like Windows 8 did.

[hollysmom]

117. when I hear " the cloud" I think "the internets" and silently laugh at myself.

I am so falling behind.

[Quantess]

93. What is the reluctance about?

Curious. Is it a big deal or not?

[Orrex]

96. If it's an older PC, I imagine that Windows 10 will run like treacle

I have an older (5 or 6 years) but completely serviceable laptop running Windows Vista. I'm not confident that Windows 10 will work without grinding the whole thing to a halt.

[backscatter712]

109. Yep. What Intel giveth, Microsoft taketh away. n/t

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

105. Win 10 passes a LOT of info back and forth constantly to the net.

A lot of folks feel that's too intrusive, but others mainly object to it clogging the network, slowing down anything else you're doing (or just eating all your bandwidth if you're on a limited bandwidth platform that you pay 'per gb'.)

[earthshine]

94. Here is how to stop the spying in Win 7, 8, 8.1.

One of the sneakier things Microsoft did was starting back in June, they installed updates to 7-8.1 that backports some of the "telemetry" functions baked into Win 10.

Below is the list of updates as I have it (phrased in the form of the batch file). Perhaps there are now others that I do not know of. To restore your privacy, uninstall these updates, reboot, then "hide" those updates. Or, just run the batch file from an Admin-level command prompt.

Good luck!

For additional levels of privacy, I suggest we elect Bernie Sanders. (My opinion -- offered without proof -- is that Hillary would be friendlier to NSA types than Bernie.)

ECHO OFF
REM --- remember to invoke from ELEVATED command prompt!
REM --- or start the batch with context menu "run as admin".
SETLOCAL

REM --- (as of 2015-08-26):
REM KB3012973 - Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro
REM KB3021917 - Update to Windows 7 SP1 for performance improvements
REM KB3035583 - GWX Update installs Get Windows 10 app in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1
REM KB2952664 - Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7
REM KB2976978 - Compatibility update for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8
REM KB3022345 - Telemetry [Replaced by KB3068708]
REM KB3068708 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
REM KB2990214 - Update that enables you to upgrade from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows
REM KB3075249 - Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
REM KB3080149 - Update for customer experience and diagnostic telemetry
REM KB3044374 - W8,8.1 Nagware for W10
REM KB2977759 - W10 Diagnostics Compatibility Telemetry
REM KB3050265 - Windwos Update services update to upgrade to W10
REM KB3068707 - Customer experience telemetry point. W7,8,8.1
REM KB3075853 - update for "Windows Update" on Win8.1/Server 2012R2
REM KB3065987 - update for "Windows Update" on Win7/Server 2008R2
REM KB3075851 - update for "Windows Update" on Win7
REM KB2902907 - description is not available

REM --- uninstall updates
echo uninstalling updates ...
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3012973 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3021917 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3035583 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2952664 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2976978 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3022345 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068708 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2990214 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075249 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3080149 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3044374 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2977759 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3050265 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3068707 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075853 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3065987 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:3075851 /uninstall /quiet /norestart
start "title" /b /wait wusa.exe /kb:2902907 /uninstall /quiet /norestart

timeout 10

echo ... COMPLETED (please remember to REBOOT, and Hide the Following KB Updates)

sc stop Diagtrack
sc delete Diagtrack

[Iggo]

114. I knew about KB3035583.

But I thought if I uninstalled that, that was it.

Am I wrong?

[earthshine]

116. That will block only the upgrade to Win 10 ...

... but not the "telemetry" MS added to 7, 8, and 8.1.

One of the complaints about 10 is that it "spies" on users. Well, MS fixed it so that the other post-Vista versions spy as well.

Admittedly, "spy" is a strong word. But, I want no part of their gathering of my info for advertising purposes. I don't want them to monitor the websites I visit, nor the apps I run on the computer.

I am of the opinion that if I must receive ads, I want generic ads, as opposed to ads tailored to me. To provide tailored ads, they track you as you travel the net.

When you have a choice, never let them use your "advertising ID."

Good luck. Stay private.

[Iggo]

118. Thanks for the info!

[phylny]

98. I have Windows 8

It's run with no problems. I'm staying with it.

[Spider Jerusalem]

99. Meh

I've been using Windows 10 more or less since release; I notice no real difference from Windows 7 in function...and none in look and feel either, thanks to having installed Classic Shell (although Windows blocks installation of ClassicShell unless you rename the exe to something else like "ABC.exe&quot . I wouldn't recommend Win 10 if you're running an older PC (something like a Core 2 or earlier); it should be fine for an i3/i5/i7 with at least 8GB of RAM, though.

[hunter]

111. And then there are those of us who run things like a single core AMD Semprons with 1GB ram...

... or a Raspberry Pi

Linux with LXDE runs well on both machines.

I'm not a gamer and my internet connection is just fast enough for a single channel of DVD quality video. I'm good with that, although I was pressured by family to upgrade our internet speed so it was fast enough for television. (I've had a twisted pair of phone lines connected to a local ISP long before our local phone or cable company knew of "the internet" as anything beyond AOL dialup. I'm still using these lines.)

I drive a mid 'eighties car too.

Perhaps it's a personal philosophical issue, but I see so many people caught up in vicious upgrade cycles which I regard as consumerism, not progress.

Disparity of wealth and income cause a lot of suffering within the U.S.A. and throughout the world.

Microsoft is a big contributor to that vicious cycle.

I don't believe corporations like Microsoft are, overall, making the world a better place.

In it's own small way this Microsoft "upgrade" to Windows 10 will unnecessarily burden many households, it's just one more daily assault on those living near the edges of this economy, among many daily assaults. Microsoft will break their computers.

Alternatives? I don't know. I've recently been playing around with ChromeOS, in which every "app" is built using html5 and javascript, and lives in it's own sandbox (which is pretty close to what Microsoft is trying to do with Windows 10 Chakra...), but I'm not sure that's any closer to my utopia... although Google's V8 javascript engine is wicked fast and Open Source.

[polly7]

101. This happened to me last fall.

I kept getting reminded every time I turned on my computer to download Windows 10 for free .... and didn't know how to stop it so kept postponing it - an option they offered - I chose to postpone to 'next week' every time, believing it would leave me alone. Was out cutting grass and came in for a drink of water and it had not only downloaded - but was in the middle of installing itself. I had chosen to postpone once again to 'next week' just that morning. I was afraid to interrupt it for what might happen to my computer and files so let it. I searched, and thankfully found a way to get rid of it.

Made me angry though.

[DetlefK]

102. Better be safe than sorry. DON'T!

My "old" PC-games from ~2005 no longer run under Win 10. they straight-up crash.

That's really a minor problem, but at my workplace I use really old and specialized software and an upgrade to Win 10 could seriously shut us down completely.

[polly7]

104. That's what I had heard, that a lot of programs wouldn't be compatible with it.

Once mine installed itself I tried to use a few of my older ones - a 'Picture It' program, some genealogy software and a few games - I couldn't use any of them even though under Win 8.1 I'm able to using the compatibility function.

[backscatter712]

110. If you do upgrade to Win 10, one tip to make it more usable:

Install Classic Shell to replace the Win 10 Start Menu with a Start Menu that looks like Windows 7's.

Granted, the Windows 10 start menu is an improvement over Windows 8's start screen, but I still can't stand the tiles and angry fruit salad...

http://www.classicshell.net/

[Mr Dixon]

112. No worries

i have a chrome book love it

[Stuart G]

120. k and r..nt

[RKP5637]

126. Linux leaves Windows in the dust. n/t

[ladyVet]

130. No way would my old desktop PC run this. It can barely handle Vista.

In fact, I'd rather go back to XP, if I had my way. I liked how it was set up, and my computer ran faster.

I turned off the updates, so hopefully I won't be confronted with this crap.

[hobbit709]

136. Vista is a resource hog. 7 runs much faster on the same hardware than Vista.

And the main reason Vista runs slow is all the crap it thinks it needs to load on startup.

[Todays_Illusion]

131. Let's at least call the FCC, and our U.S. Rep and Senators and complain.Taxpayers built the inernet,

Not Microsoft, Google, Verizon, ATT, Comcast, Amazon, Ebay they just jumped on and decided it was theirs.

And the cable and telephone companies had to be bullied and bribed into getting on now they think it is theirs.


So everyone, at least complain.

[mnhtnbb]

132. The motherboard in my laptop conveniently died about 10 days ago

on a machine that was running Windows 7. My techie son ordered that computer for me
on-line when Windows 8 was just coming out.

So, this time, he has set me up with Linux Mint on my new laptop. He just brought it over
last night, so I'm getting used to this. He set up a virtual machine--inside of Linux--that
runs Windows 10 so I can continue to use TurboTax.

My only problem now is adapting to new editing software for my photography hobby. My old computer ran
the Canon software on Windows--which apparently won't run on Linux--and it just occurred to me overnight
to ask my son whether I can't run the Canon software on the virtual machine, too. I dunno. We started
to play with the new photo software last night, and it didn't seem to be nearly as easy as what came with
my cameras.

[B Calm]

135. My dish internet limits me to 5gb per month. The download is over 6gb's.