One way or another, you WILL use Windows 10

[OldAirmail]

In my life, I've gone from DOS, to Windows 3.0, and all the way up to Windows 7. The loss of a program here or there was not a real problem.

So far, I've skipped two - Microsoft Bob & Vista.

If I do move to Windows 10, it WILL NOT be via the "free" upgrade. I'll buy Windows 10 Professional.

Why?

From Microsoft - Reinstalling Windows 10 after upgrade

Q: What happens if I change the hardware configuration of my Windows 10 device?

A: If the hardware configuration of your Windows 10 device changes significantly (e.g. motherboard change) (also network cards, or multiple small changes such as hard drive & memory) Windows may require re-activation on the device. This is the same experience as prior versions of Windows (e.g. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1). The free upgrade offer will not apply to activation of Windows 10 in such scenarios where hardware changes reset Activation.

There are many people who never change the parts inside their computer.

I'm not one of them. Under normal circumstances Microsoft makes re-activation as simple as can be , and I can't count how many times I've had to do so.


That re-activation problem also applies to building a new computer. Most don't build a computer, I do.

When I buy a copy of Windows I can install it on a new build (retiring the old one of course). Again, I never had a problem from Microsoft when I did so. .



So you took the bait on the "free" Windows 10 upgrade.

Some time later you decide to replace the video card and clone your system over to a nice, fast, SSD.

You're now staring at a screen that says Windows 10 is de-activated. Do you want to buy a software license from Microsoft?

"Free", yeah. Right.



I mentioned all this back on July 4th 2015 - Free Windows 10 upgrade GOTCHA

The "free" upgrade isn't all that bad for some people. But most will find a bill to pay some time latter.

[chuckiejoh]

Just buy the new iMac 27 5k.

[OldAirmail]

Just buy the new iMac 27 5k.

It might be nice to try a Mac again.

I know that they can run some Windows programs, but will it fit my two 10.5 inch EVGA GeForce GTX TITAN X video cards?

I'd hate to toss them out if it couldn't.

[Webb]

Linux is looking better every day.

[EVVFCX]

Hi guys,

Thought I'd better clarify what I put, basing my thoughts on that FSX or P3D is just the base of your simulator.
Your favourite addon is what may have a conflict caused by win 10, just think back to the simple scenery problem when 'we' changed to win7.

I'm trained on a fixed base simulator used by a few airlines. I purchased the same for home use, mainly to speed up my learning and it has a problem with win10, it's being worked on for win10 and that's why I saw it's not compatible.

Regards

Steve

[OldAirmail]

Linux is looking better every day.

Jim, the way that the news is going today I think that you might be able to sell your XP computer for BIG BUCKS!



Forbes - Jan 14, 2016 - Microsoft Changes Windows 10 'Free Upgrade' Rule

Taking to its TechNet blog, Microsoft has announced it will step up the intensity of its ‘Get Windows 10’ campaign for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. The nagware has already been heavily criticised for its persistent attempts to push consumers to upgrade (including automated downloads and reducing choices) but now business users are going to get the same treatment.

There will be some limitations on pushing Windows 10 to businesses, but that limit is pretty much for really large businesses. Basically businesses that have already paid to exclude windows updates.

If small & medium sized companies are smart they'll treat this the way that the Y2K problem was handled. And for those who laugh at the Y2K problem let me tell you: it was real, and we did a tremendous amount of behind the scenes work to mitigate it.

The point is that you don't want someone in your company hitting the OK button until everything IS OK.

So how does it all break down? Microsoft says the rollout will begin in the US later this month followed by additional markets “shortly thereafter” and will impact devices which meet the following criteria:

* Running and licensed for Windows 7 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro
* Configured to receive updates directly from the Windows Update service (i.e. updates are not managed by WSUS or System Center Configuration Manager on those devices)
* Joined to an Active Directory domain

And a small bone to companies that are a little more savvy.

Also worthy of praise is the fact Microsoft will offer businesses a method to block Windows 10 upgrade notifications. But this method is still not being offered to consumers running ‘Home’ versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8 (the vast majority).

Little people do have some protection though.

Few may remember Dave Ts post about . GWX Control Panel.

Just read it and say Thank You Dave T.

And don't forget to click on Enable Monitor Mode





But don't forget how I started this post:
Skylake users given 18 months to upgrade to Windows 10

And next generation processors, including Intel's Kaby Lake, won't be supported in old Windows.

The Forbes article ends with this:
Consequently only one thing looks certain: if you want to continue using Windows for the foreseeable future, then it is going to be on Microsoft’s terms and that means Windows 10…

Their words, not mine.