HardOCP News
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Microsoft To Provide Free Windows 10 Upgrades For 2 To 4 Years
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nightanole
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I still want to know if my retail key of 7/8 is consumed and turned into a 1 time use key for what ever mobo i had it installed on at the time, and how fresh installs work.
I'm pretty certain they mean that once you are upgraded to 10, you will get all Win10 updates for free (similar to how 8 users got 8.1). Not that Win7 will be eligible for Win10 free upgrade for 2 to 4 years.
These are clearly answered in the FAQ MS has posted.
Nenu
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Can you point to where it covers what happens to the old Windows key once the upgrade has taken place.
Can the old key be used if Windows 10 isnt preferred?
Does the Windows 7 home license - that allows me to install windows 7 on any machine I like whenever I like - get transferred to a Windows 10 license that allows the same?
All the articles point to the Windows 10 upgrade license being tied to the specific hardware at the time of the upgrade.
Due to this I believe that the new license is not transferable to a new machine and may also be invalidated if I upgrade my machine.
MisterHipster
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Not the most helpful statement. If you know something like this, it should have been posted. Not abrasively relayed.
It's worth mentioning that there are two Win10 FAQs:
Windows 10 FAQ & Tips, which is fairly simple and comes up first in an internet search
Microsoft Community Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10, which is much more in depth and comes up second in an internet search.
For example, the question of what happens to the original license isn't answered in the first, but is answered in the second:
Windows 10 FAQ & Tips, which is fairly simple and comes up first in an internet search
Microsoft Community Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10, which is much more in depth and comes up second in an internet search.
For example, the question of what happens to the original license isn't answered in the first, but is answered in the second:
Nenu
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It doesnt answer my question though.
No mention of what happens to the old Windows key is made.
Its all about rolling back to the old Windows, I wouldnt want to do this.
Edit to above: after reading more closely, I see now the real question is effectively "can I roll back to a previous version of Windows, then transfer that version of Windows to another device".
That last bit is interesting. It may be dependent on how, in a previous answer, it is revealed that "Windows 10 replaces your previous version of Windows by moving it to the Windows.old folder." The question of whether you can roll back to a previous version of Windows without the Windows.old folder remains to be answered.
That last bit is interesting. It may be dependent on how, in a previous answer, it is revealed that "Windows 10 replaces your previous version of Windows by moving it to the Windows.old folder." The question of whether you can roll back to a previous version of Windows without the Windows.old folder remains to be answered.
Nenu
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Its not clear at all, I'm still none the wiser.
I'm VERY skeptical of Microsoft effectively giving away Windows 10. No way a Corporate giant like Microsoft is just "giving it away" out of the goodness of their hearts. The question for me is if the consumer is not paying for it, who is? This should give you pause.
Given the revelations of Edward Snowden and Wikileaks, it's quite clear few things are of greater interest and priority to governments (which are to a great extent little more than thinly veiled "illusions" of self governance which in truth is owned and controlled at almost every level by multinational corporations, military industrial complex, & bankers). I wonder how much these organizations are chipping in to make Windows 10 "free" and if that buys them things like....
* Custom tailored O.S. for NSA and other spook agencies to spy & data mine all who use it with even greater ease and efficiency?
* Even better data mining of your browsing, interests, and general activities to be sold to anyone willing to pay for it?
Anyone else think or feel this way with regards to Windows 10?
/Discuss...
Given the revelations of Edward Snowden and Wikileaks, it's quite clear few things are of greater interest and priority to governments (which are to a great extent little more than thinly veiled "illusions" of self governance which in truth is owned and controlled at almost every level by multinational corporations, military industrial complex, & bankers). I wonder how much these organizations are chipping in to make Windows 10 "free" and if that buys them things like....
* Custom tailored O.S. for NSA and other spook agencies to spy & data mine all who use it with even greater ease and efficiency?
* Even better data mining of your browsing, interests, and general activities to be sold to anyone willing to pay for it?
Anyone else think or feel this way with regards to Windows 10?
/Discuss...
Did not complete my sentence, what I meant to say is...
Given the revelations of Edward Snowden and Wikileaks, it's quite clear few things are of greater interest and priority to governments than spying and profiling every citizen to the greatest of it's ability to get away with.
Shit. They said wiondows 10 would be "free for the lifetime of device". That means in 2 years I'll have to re-subscribe for support. So at most a license will last for 4 years.
Even if that $10000 computer you built will last nearly a decade (except for maybe a gpu upgrade) and still be relevant. Probably an extremely rare example, but I did like being able to transfer my paid for windows keys to new computers when I re built them.
Smart move microsoft. So even if you can't get a new OS out but every 7 years, I'll have to pay you every 4 or more.
Even if that $10000 computer you built will last nearly a decade (except for maybe a gpu upgrade) and still be relevant. Probably an extremely rare example, but I did like being able to transfer my paid for windows keys to new computers when I re built them.
Smart move microsoft. So even if you can't get a new OS out but every 7 years, I'll have to pay you every 4 or more.
CreepyUncleGoogle
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I'm not too worried about what Microsoft does with licensing of their OS. By the end of this year, I won't really have as much to worry about because I won't need 100% perfect Office file format compatibility for classes anymore and my workplace is going this BYOD thing where you log with your whatever (Tablet, Phone, Linux, OSX, Windows) device to a web browser based remote host for a virtualized session so the underlying computer pretty much doesn't matter. Both of those things are going to happen long before Windows 7 goes end of life and I can and have been using lots of Linux for most stuff at home already. I'll still play with Windows OSes just because it's nice to see what they're doing, but MS can do whatever they wanna with licensing and it's not a big deal to me.
If you upgrade from a retail version, your Windows 10 license carries the rights of a retail version, including transfer rights to another computer.
(source)
Nenu
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You keep quoting answers that arent answers.
I guess you need to re-phrase your question. Here were the questions I thought you were asking:
Q: Is my Win7/Win8 license consumed in the update?
A; Yes - but you can roll back if you want. You cannot reuse that key on an additional system in any way, shape or form (well, not legally). This is exactly how the Win7 to Win8 "cheap" upgrade was treated, and how the FAQ spells out this new limited offer.
Q: Is my "new" license single use?
A: If you had an OEM Key previously, you still have an OEM Key (not transferable to a new system). If you had a Retail key previously, you still have a Retail Key (transferrable to a new system).
If those don't answer your question(s), can you explain what you need in different terms?
sounds like there moving to an OS X type deal
with updates to Windows 10 over time ie 10.1, 10.2 etc for free or cheap
Nenu
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Sorry, I dont mean to ball ache you
The problem is it doesnt make it clear whether only one change of computer is allowed at the time of the upgrade or if it can again be changed later and if so, more than once.
It would also defy the way that Windows 10 is licensed as stated on that same page.
For example you cannot ever enter the Windows 10 key, it is automatically assigned.
If you change hard drive, you re-install windows and the your hardware is detected and the correct key automatically assigned.
So once a "device" has Windows on it, how do you move that windows install to another "device"?
Microsoft have made it abundantly clear at every opportunity that Windows is "tied" to a "device" for the life of that "device", so it doesnt look possible.
Nenu
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Those questions and answers dont appear on the previously linked pages.
I need clarity from Microsoft, an interpretation of statements that can be interpreted in more than one way isnt enough.
Yet again, King MS tried to install the "Important" Up-Date (KB3035583) onto my computer, which allows them to install Windows 10 on to my Computer!
This must be at least the third time they have tried to do that, but like the "Energizer Bunny", they just keep going, and going, hoping that I will be stupid enough to let them do it this time?
Wonder when I will fire up my Computer one morning, and find out that I am using Windows 10, instead of the Windows 7 Pro that I love, and plan to hang on to "Until Hell Freezes Over"!
ManofGod
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Please, just please stop with the FUD! No, Microsoft is NOT FORCING Windows 10 to install on peoples computer. Ah, forget it, carry on, I am sure it is fun for you.
Please, just please stop with the FUD! No, Microsoft is NOT FORCING Windows 10 to install on peoples computer. Ah, forget it, carry on, I am sure it is fun for you.
We are both entitled to our own opinions, which I have served my country for almost 40 years, to protect for you, but only time will tel which of us, if either one of us, is right, or closer to the way it will actually turn out!
ManofGod
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Yes, and I served in the USMC for 6 years, so? There is right and wrong, you are just spreading FUD when it comes to what you said. However, thanks for serving, although it has nothing to do with this topic at hand.
What I think about it is that the guy at Computerworld has ADD and is writing trash headlines for page hits. Thanks for reminding me why I avoid anything with "world" tacked on the end, like "Computerworld".
Poor guy...can't read...and what he is able to read he doesn't understand and misinterprets. Microsoft has made this plain as day in dozens of forums and there are still people who can't wrap their little-bitty heads around the fact that no "conspiracy" is taking place here... Free is free, and a legitimate qualifying upgrade license for Win8/.1, Win7, gets you Win10 free, for the life of the supported device. Retail 8/.1, 7 gets you a retail Win10 license which follows you, not your hardware; an OEM 8/.1, 7, license entitles you to a free OEM Win10 license which is tied to the hardware you upgrade, and not to you--ie, you change out the motherboard with an OEM you have to get a new license. If you have a retail Win10 license, you don't.
If memory serves, these are the same people that also found a conspiracy in Microsoft's free upgrade offer of Win8 to Win8.1! Best to ignore such drivel...
Poor guy...can't read...and what he is able to read he doesn't understand and misinterprets. Microsoft has made this plain as day in dozens of forums and there are still people who can't wrap their little-bitty heads around the fact that no "conspiracy" is taking place here...
Free is free, and a legitimate qualifying upgrade license for Win8/.1, Win7, gets you Win10 free, for the life of the supported device. Retail 8/.1, 7 gets you a retail Win10 license which follows you, not your hardware; an OEM 8/.1, 7, license entitles you to a free OEM Win10 license which is tied to the hardware you upgrade, and not to you--ie, you change out the motherboard with an OEM you have to get a new license. If you have a retail Win10 license, you don't. If memory serves, these are the same people that also found a conspiracy in Microsoft's free upgrade offer of Win8 to Win8.1! Best to ignore such drivel...
rezerekted
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That is not what they are saying. They are saying you only get updates to Win10 for the life of your device it is installed on which is determined by them and is about 2 - 4 years. That means after 2 -4 years you have to buy a new license.
There is the catch.
FU Microsoft, I will stay with Win8.1.
A response to the ComputerWorld article):
http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-reveals-accounting-trick-made-windows-10-free-upgrade
http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-reveals-accounting-trick-made-windows-10-free-upgrade
MrLonghair
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Which is funny, because as a Win7x64 user extending the free upgrade period makes me want to wait and study everything people can dig out of the OS before going in. I want to see full on packetlogs, I want to see everything that phones home, I want to see everything they block and hinder and obstruct. Chances are they really intend to unify everybody on the same (ish) OS but the mumblings on the internet leave me in need of a breath mint every time I look into Win10.
sliverjazz
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Does the update only happen if your system has the minumum specs? If not alot of unfair performance hits will be blamed on them.
ManofGod
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You do not have to buy a new license to continue to use Windows 10.
If I were forced to guess, it would be that you would not get Windows 10.5 in 2020 for free on that computer. However, you would get 10.1 through 10.4 without cost. This is only a guess but, no, you do not need to buy a new license.In fact, both my retail Windows 8 keys I bought for $40 in 2012 with be upgraded to retail Windows 10 Pro. Then when I purchase my computer upgrades sometime in early 2017, my retail Windows 10 Pro will transfer to the new builds, easy peazy.
ManofGod
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I would have to say that any machine that can run Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 is fully compatible with Windows 10. Either way, some folks will want us to do the upgrade for them, just in case.
I think the wording has thown people of the real point of the article
Basically after a short 2-4 (tbd) introductory period, Windows becomes a de facto subscription service. Technically you pay for updates which due to security issues is pretty much required.
Basically after a short 2-4 (tbd) introductory period, Windows becomes a de facto subscription service. Technically you pay for updates which due to security issues is pretty much required.
Thanks for your Service too.
Guess you are so sure you are on the side of "Gods Truth", any other view is "FUD", whatever that may mean?
I would guess that for some time the consecutive versions like 10.1, .2, etc will be free for the next 4 years and then they will charge a fee for the next iteration of updates. I am just curious how that is going to work vs. buying a $150 license from the get go.
OS as a service sounds like a subscription, but how much are we talking here? If they are moving towards a sub model then they think they will make more money that way, otherwise there would be no point in ditching the license model.
I really hope they dont turn it into a money pit, otherwise their already so so reputation is only going to get worse.
Nenu
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The 2 to 4 years represents the life of the hardware.
They are indicating that is how long your license will last because you will change your hardware enough to invalidate the key in that time frame.
They keep repeating that the license is tied to the "device" for the life of the device so the hat fits.
The key cannot be transferred to a new machine.
You have to buy a new one.
They are indicating that is how long your license will last because you will change your hardware enough to invalidate the key in that time frame.
They keep repeating that the license is tied to the "device" for the life of the device so the hat fits.
The key cannot be transferred to a new machine.
You have to buy a new one.