Will Windows 10 be the only Windows operating system?

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I read an internet article stating that Microsoft will make Windows 10 the only operating system, automatically replacing Windows 7 and 8 with 10. Is this true?

Thank you.

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Moon,

MS would certainly like to do that! But, legally, they know better. I’m sure they will use as much FUD as possible to get you to update though. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I read an internet article stating that Microsoft will make Windows 10 the only operating system, automatically replacing Windows 7 and 8 with 10. Is this true?

Thank you.

What I’ve gotten out of all the ‘talk’ is that Win10 will be the last major version, kept alive by updates/builds rather than Upgrades to another version.

There appears to be some truth to the replacing but I’ve not seen it yet, still using Win7 w/SP1 and the icon in the Notification Area, hasn’t been too ‘pushy’ yet. I’ve Upgraded all my Win8.1 computers to Win10, no more issues than when I updated from Win8.0 to Win8.1 except 1 Notebook needed new Bluetooth drivers.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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What Microsoft actually said:

Controlling the Windows 10 Upgrade
We understand you care deeply about what happens with your device. This is why – regardless of your upgrade path – you can choose to upgrade or decline the offer.

Early next year, we expect to be re-categorizing Windows 10 as a “Recommended Update”. Depending upon your Windows Update settings, this may cause the upgrade process to automatically initiate on your device. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose whether or not to continue.
Making it Easier to Upgrade to Windows 10

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What Microsoft actually said:

Controlling the Windows 10 Upgrade
We understand you care deeply about what happens with your device. This is why – regardless of your upgrade path – you can choose to upgrade or decline the offer.

Early next year, we expect to be re-categorizing Windows 10 as a “Recommended Update”. Depending upon your Windows Update settings, this may cause the upgrade process to automatically initiate on your device. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose whether or not to continue.
Making it Easier to Upgrade to Windows 10

But that’s only telling us part of what they’ve already done with Win 7. Saying it’ll happen next year is misleading, at best – maybe that applies to Win 8.1, but Win 7 users have already experienced the pain – and there was no choice given to opt out…

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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But that’s only telling us part of what they’ve already done with Win 7. Saying it’ll happen next year is misleading, at best – maybe that applies to Win 8.1, but Win 7 users have already experienced the pain – and there was no choice given to opt out…

Accidentally, allegedly?

But next year they get deliberate.

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What Microsoft actually said:
… Depending upon your Windows Update settings, this may cause the upgrade process to automatically initiate on your device. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose whether or not to continue.

My Win7 update settings were notify-only. Several months ago, a Win10 update that I had NOT seen or checked, started all by itself during a regular update, so I cancelled it. I didn’t notice for a few months that no more regular Windows update notifications arrived. So I manually started it, checked the items I wanted. Once again, the Win10 update appeared, and I cancelled it. I could not update anything without allowing the Win10 update to proceed. Maybe it would require authorization to run, but I was not willing to take that chance. After hours in the forums, I finally got rid of the Win10 taskbar icon by manually editing the registry (after a complete backup), but it took a few reboots to get rid of the nags. The download files are gone (I think).

GWX is a small program that does the job without digging into the registry (which I had to do). Read more and get it here:
http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/11/gwx-control-panel-new-features-in.html

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Also you can read all about Win 10 being included as an Optional Windows Update first, and then sometime after that being changed to a Recommended Windows Update on Woody’s AskWoody site. You can learn a lot there about it and other Win 10 nags and pushes.

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

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You will not be forced to upgrade. Eventually, Microsoft will cease support for Windows Vista SP2 (April 1, 2017),7 SP1 (January 14, 2020) & 8.1 (January 10, 2023). That does not mean that they will quit working just as XP has not quit working.

See Windows lifecycle fact sheet for details.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks Joe,

I’ve bookmarked that page! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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What, it took 3 months to ‘discover’ this mistake? In any event, my understanding is that the update was rolled out as a recommended one for Win 7 users, not as an optional one, checked or otherwise. So anyone with Windows configured to ‘install recommended updates’ had it inflicted on them. As I’ve said before, for me the ‘upgrade’ not only trashed two perfectly functional Win 7 systems, necessitating a complete rebuild of both, but also left me out-of-pocket for hundreds of dollars in excess download fees…

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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A lot of users got burned by that.

I’m not sure whether those users were able to roll back to Win 7 untouched (as in the 30-days to go back)…doesn’t sound like that was the case for @macropod.

Indeed, in my case there was nothing to roll back to. The Win 10 ‘upgrade’ failed repeatedly on both systems and neither could be restored to a pre Win 10 state. On one, even the recovery partition could no longer be accessed (something that’s been reported elsewhere, too), meaning I had to go and find a Win 7 iso plus whatever drivers etc. I could before I could get the system back up & running again. Then there were all the OS & app updates to reinstall. Of course, with my monthly download limit thoroughly blown away, I had to do all this at public libraries and the like. Oh, and did I mention all this went pear-shaped the week before I had three Uni assignments due?

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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Indeed, in my case there was nothing to roll back to. The Win 10 ‘upgrade’ failed repeatedly on both systems and neither could be restored to a pre Win 10 state. On one, even the recovery partition could no longer be accessed (something that’s been reported elsewhere, too), meaning I had to go and find a Win 7 iso plus whatever drivers etc. I could before I could get the system back up & running again. Then there were all the OS & app updates to reinstall. Of course, with my monthly download limit thoroughly blown away, I had to do all this at public libraries and the like. Oh, and did I mention all this went pear-shaped the week before I had three Uni assignments due?

Uni??
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uni_%28mythology%29

I almost got caught too. In my case I restarted into a Setup Screen which I cancelled. I still have 10.3 GBs in a $something Dir. (Where is a class action when you want one?)
:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Uni??
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uni_%28mythology%29…

“Uni” = University.

Nothing to do with mythology.

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They would not be able to legally do it since they have an end of life cycle specified in the EULA under which Vista, Win7 and Win8 are still operating in many a corporation. I am not certain how MS’ Win10 phone home and auto updating are playing out in the IT depts.

In theory Win10 is the end of the line. I am sure MS will rename it at some point. And certain updates (major upgrades) will cost from the MS Store. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Just don’t think it will be my thing.

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They would not be able to legally do it since they have an end of life cycle specified in the EULA under which Vista, Win7 and Win8 are still operating in many a corporation. I am not certain how MS’ Win10 phone home and auto updating are playing out in the IT depts.

In theory Win10 is the end of the line. I am sure MS will rename it at some point. And certain updates (major upgrades) will cost from the MS Store. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Just don’t think it will be my thing.

Well my opinion is they will bloat it up w/ help from others until you are forced to new h/w and a repurchase of whatever the heck MS calls their new os. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Or the browser will be the OS, with your apps and data hosted in the cloud somewhere.

Nightmare on Redmond….:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Nightmare on Redmond….:cheers:

Windows 10: A nightmare on any street.

The Twilight OS
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. A dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. You’re moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. Welcome to Windows 10.

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I have upgraded my win7 desktop and my win8.1 laptop to 10 after ‘imaging’ both.
Have had absolutely zero problems with either one.
All 3rd party apps, personal files (music collection and pics), device drivers, personal preferences, etc. are intact and use-able.
Only glitch is the non-ability to turn off win’s auto update as my updates are ‘Home’ edition, not ‘Pro’.
All said, I’m satisfied.
btw…I use no MS ‘cloud’ features except dropbox.

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I’d bet a couple of Benjamins that Windows 10 won’t be the “last” Windows. Sure, that’s Microsoft’s marketing message right now, but things change given enough time.

– remember when all Windows versions starting with Vista were going to be named rather than numbered? That lasted all of one release;
– MS themselves need a name for the “latest” version of Windows, whatever that is. And ‘Windows 10 Service Pack 7 Redstone Build 93625 Fast Ring Early Adopter Business Edition With Sparkles’ gets unwieldy and not-marketing-friendly real quick;
– every time Microsoft perceives a business or technology threat, or opportunity, they need a name under which to respond. Whatever that name is it becomes the unifying banner signalling that Microsoft Is Really Serious About This.

Eventually Microsoft will want and need to send a message that can be condensed into this: Here now is a shiny new Windows that isn’t your Dad’s Windows and it most certainly isn’t that stodgy old Windows 10! Get ’em while they’re hot!!

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May I suggest Nirvana as the new o/s name?

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Coochin,

That’s singularly corny…
35623-ROTFLOL
:cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I have two personal computers, both beginning to show their age. The desktop was self built using at the time, premium components, and running XP. It has been upgraded over the years with more ram, faster and larger hard drives, and the operating system moved to Windows 7 pro. I love my ancient, but still fully functional computer. I took the plunge and went for the upgrade to Windows 10 pro. Of course I did the full image of the hard drive before any upgrade but it turned out to be not needed as the upgrade has performed more or less as expected. Then I jumped on the HP laptop that I have. This was a Home version of Windows 7, and it was to be blunt a nightmare. It did go on and would boot up, but the resulting problems drove me nuts and I was about ready to throw the laptop away. So I rolled back to Windows 7, and it was so trashed that it would not even boot. I had to use the image to get Windows 7 home edition back on, and once again the computer is doing fine. So that way it will stay. By 2020, I will bite the bullet and buy a new laptop, It may or may not have Windows on it. Apple is looking good to me right now.

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If you turn off Windows Update (“Never check for updates”) you won’t have to worry about Windows 10 being forced on you – LOL.

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I may be wrong, but, in all of my readings about “bad” installations of Win 10 – It seems as though, it happens to the Home versions of previous Windows. The Pro versions, don’t seem to have much problems, at all, in the upgrading process. Yes, there will be an issue, usually with component drivers, but overall, the upgrade goes pretty well. It is also, my understanding that Win 10 will be the “last” OS from Microsoft. Of course, in 10 years Win 10 will not be the same OS, as it is now. Win 10 has been planned to be an ongoing OS, with upgrades all the time. This is not different than Chrome Browser, always being called Chrome Browser! Yet, there are earlier and later versions of Chrome Browser. Firefox has done the same thing. Facebook doesn’t have a named upgrade, either. Maybe, it is time, to stop numbering or naming the upgrades to Windows.

Windows in the past, has made some pretty dumb moves, in the OS. I am thinking of Win Millennium, then the wonderful Vista and who can forget Win 8. I read one reason MS decided on Windows be an ongoing OS, due to component developers being able to upgrade their products and not have as many problems with the OS, as they have had in the past. I don’t know if, this is true or not, but, it does seem logical.

I am still using Win 7 Pro. I have upgraded to Win 10 twice now and have been completely dissatisfied. I feel that Win 10 is NOT ready for prime time, yet. I personally feel, all of this FREE upgrade, for a year, is to use as many “Beta Testers” to get Win 10, up to snuff! In fact, MS is still using First Users in the new updates, before they are released to the public. So, Win 10 is and will be an ongoing process. One of my biggest concerns, is the usage of Torrent type method of updating everyone! This is not good, in my book, especially, for the limited internet users!!! This can be an expensive process for them, with every update.

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I may be wrong, but, in all of my readings about “bad” installations of Win 10 – It seems as though, it happens to the Home versions of previous Windows. The Pro versions, don’t seem to have much problems, at all, in the upgrading process.

I had failed updates with both the Home version and the Pro version. The only reason you’re less likely to hear problems about the Pro version is because fewer people use it.

Of course, in 10 years Win 10 will not be the same OS, as it is now.

Indeed, as soon as ‘updates/ugrades/service releases’ result in the OS no longer running the same software the original release could, or that software becoming ‘incompatible’, it’s no longer the same OS, regardless of what it’s called. Expect to see a whole raft of software that runs today becoming ‘incompatible’ over the next 4-5years, including currently-supported versions of MS Office.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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I had failed updates with both the Home version and the Pro version. The only reason you’re less likely to hear problems about the Pro version is because fewer people use it.

Indeed, as soon as ‘updates/ugrades/service releases’ result in the OS no longer running the same software the original release could, or that software becoming ‘incompatible’, it’s no longer the same OS, regardless of what it’s called. Expect to see a whole raft of software that runs today becoming ‘incompatible’ over the next 4-5years, including currently-supported versions of MS Office.

I agree with you. I also, am very concern about those who have limited downloads available. Now, the Torrent method may be the best for them, but, I personally don’t like the idea of sharing my Broadband with strangers. I have only used the Torrent method a couple of times and didn’t like it.

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The free upgrade intrigues me.

Not for technical reasons, more market positioning reasons I guess. You don’t give away something to billions of people all around the world for free. It costs you money, you get a lot of grief from it, it makes more work for you.

MS must be thinking they’re going to make $squillions out of the Cloud and they want to make sure everyone can get to it and they’re giving you the software so you can get to it, sign up for it and use it.

Windows really is bloatware & unnecessary for many people, but the world is now used to it, understands it and can’t be bothered or is too busy to try something else, so MS have a captive worldwide market of billions.

Now where’s that Linux ISO???

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The free upgrade intrigues me.

Not for technical reasons, more market positioning reasons I guess. You don’t give away something to billions of people all around the world for free. It costs you money, you get a lot of grief from it, it makes more work for you.

MS must be thinking they’re going to make $squillions out of the Cloud and they want to make sure everyone can get to it and they’re giving you the software so you can get to it, sign up for it and use it.

Windows really is bloatware & unnecessary for many people, but the world is now used to it, understands it and can’t be bothered or is too busy to try something else, so MS have a captive worldwide market of billions.

Now where’s that Linux ISO???

Not really, the next time you plan to move to newer hardware you will be buying Windows. That Retail W7 that you ‘upgraded’ to 10 will be useless on the new hardware. The question is how to convince the masses they NEED new h/w. And ask yourself, are those Apps portable or tied to the Windows install? Or is it the rental arrangement? MS ain’t stupid although I can’t say they have never done anything dumb

My portable Mint sits by my desk…….

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Having owned DOS and Windows computers for over 30 years, I’m pretty invested in MS Windows and the software that runs on it, but some of us with grey hair actually remember when “privacy” used to mean something and was respected. Just the fact that MS even tried to set up my W7 Pro machine to phone home to Redmond with details from my computer, or to download W10 files – without first notifying me and getting my express, fully-informed consent – tells me all I need to know about where MS is headed and what the Windows of the future is likely to mean for my privacy and freedom of choice.

I’ve already downloaded Linux Mint and loaded it into Virtual Box. Sure, it’s a bit different and may take me a little while to get up to speed, but by January 14, 2020, when W7 reaches MS’s “End of Extended Support” (if not much sooner) my wife and I should be able to wave goodbye to Windows forever. Likewise, as soon as the Linux OS becomes more common on mobile phones, we can ditch snooping Google and their Android OS too.

My privacy is not for sale.

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Well, sure as heck not on ALL streets! For myself & many others it’s the opposite of a nightmare.

MS stock and option holders perhaps??:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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MS stock and option holders perhaps??:cheers:

Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

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MS stock and option holders perhaps??:cheers:

Well said!

Being 20 something in the 70's was so much better than being 70 something in the insane 20's

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Win10 IS the last Windows OS. It will receive its Updates (on into the future), but, there will not be a Windows 11 or higher. In that sense, eventually, yes, it will be the only Windows OS (version) ultimately replacing previous Windows OSs.

Hmm…

According to the Windows lifecycle fact sheet (linked to upthread by @JoeP517), Windows 10 reaches end of mainstream support on October 13, 2020, and end of extended support on October 14, 2025.

So if, as you say, Windows 10 is the last version of Windows and there will be no Windows “11” after it — then what happens on October 15, 2025? Are all Windows users then going to be running an unsupported OS?

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Hmm…

According to the Windows lifecycle fact sheet (linked to upthread by @JoeP517), Windows 10 reaches end of mainstream support on October 13, 2020, and end of extended support on October 14, 2025.

So if, as you say, Windows 10 is the last version of Windows and there will be no Windows “11” after it — then what happens on October 15, 2025? Are all Windows users then going to be running an unsupported OS?

Turns into a Pumpkin of course. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Microsoft said it, not I. I only repeated what has been stated by MS.

Well then, it sounds like the MSFT right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. We are being told two seemingly incompatible things: that Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, and that it will reach EOS on 10/14/25. The only way to square them would be to posit that there will be no supported version of Windows as of 10/15/25; that doesn’t sound very likely unless they are planning to replace Windows by then with something else altogether (just not called “Windows”).

What do you believe (or have been given to understand) will happen on that date?

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Notice it says Windows 10, released in July 2015…not Windows 10.

That could be interpreted as Build 10240 only.

So then there could be a listing for [for example] “Windows 10, released in May 2018” that would have its own separate lifecycle? That would be stretching the meaning of the declaration that “Windows 10” is the last version of Windows. In any case it would then be simpler and clearer to specify the number of the build that’s going to be supported until X date.

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Notice it says Windows 10, released in July 2015…not Windows 10.

That could be interpreted as Build 10240 only.

Likely correct but I prefer the Big Orange Squash theory, just because.:^_^:
:cheers:

Come to think of it don’t preview builds time out?
And w/ forced updates we will all (in the consumer world) will be up to date. I am back to the BOS theory!

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Windows 10 *IS* going to be replacing all the other desktop operating systems whether users like it or not. They are already at work doing it underhandedly. They’ve been caught doing it red-handed (see attached link for article http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/computers/item/21586-microsoft-forces-windows-10-upgrade-even-when-users-refuse-it) And as for whether or not we can stop them that is unlikely. Even when you turn off microsoft update in Windows xp, vista, 7, 8.x etc… microsoft has and DOES use the capability to occasionally push out updates REGARDLESS of how your pc systems are set so the ONLY way to truly prevent an upgrade to windows 10.x is A. convert to MAC or some other Unix/linux based system or B. cut the lan cable.

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Interesting article here http://www.techrepublic.com/article/massive-windows-10-update-could-turbo-charge-windows-7-machines-says-microsoft/?tag=nl.e101&s_cid=e101&ttag=e101&ftag=TRE684d531

Of note is this:

“Users will still need to confirm the installation manually for it to continue. If they choose not to proceed, Korst said “the customer will have the ability to delay it for some period“. (emphasis is mine)

The implication from this I guess is that MS will lose patience with anyone not using Win10 and force them to use it regardless of their wishes after “some period” has expired.

For reference “Jeremy Korst, general manager of the Windows and Devices team at Microsoft” so I would assume he knows what’s going on

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”Users will still need to confirm the installation manually for it to continue. If they choose not to proceed, Korst said “the customer will have the ability to delay it for some period“. (emphasis is mine)

Isn’t that what delay means?

You want the ability to delay indefinitely?

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Isn’t that what delay means?

You want the ability to delay indefinitely?

Yes, as it seems clear that Microsoft will use every trick in the book to force it on to user’s pc’s

When Microsoft pay for my IT equipment they can do what they like, but until then it’s for me to decide what OS I use. I am frankly getting tired of the attempts to force me to use it, some of which is one step away from trickery (as per the forced downloads some have had).

Just to be clear I have much less of a problem with Win10 itself than I have with Microsoft’s attempts to foist it on me against my wishes. Win7 does all I need and I see no good reason to move from it.

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Looks like Business users get the major share of the update.

Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).

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”What do you believe (or have been given to understand) will happen on that date?”

Honestly, not sure and don’t recall what has been said about the date you mention. .

I see no date mentioned in the previous post. What ARE u talking about??

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I see no date mentioned in the previous post. What ARE u talking about??

You couldn’t guess that the “quote” was from six posts before the previous post?

Someday Drew may find the Reply With Quote button and we’ll all have less guesswork to do.

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You couldn’t guess that the “quote” was from six posts before the previous post?

I’ve been noticing it is real hard for some folks to read the Date and Time that’s on each and every post.
42623-Date_Time-of-post

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Hmm, feeling persecuted? Turn off Windows Update; problem solved.

Mind you, in the Pacific Northwest the invasive behavior of Microsoft is more insidious. Recently we caught them trying to spy on us down the chimney. Chimney is now fully bricked up and we wear our tinfoil hats ’round the clock. They’ll never take us alive …

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Resorting to insults does not prove a point, quite the opposite as it merely shows you have nothing useful to contribute to the discussion.

In any walk of life be it computing or anything else, once you give irrevocable control of your environment to another you have effectively opted for a form of slavery.

It’s not about paranoia, it’s about not being a doormat

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Resorting to insults does not prove a point, quite the opposite as it merely shows you have nothing useful to contribute to the discussion.

In any walk of life be it computing or anything else, once you give irrevocable control of your environment to another you have effectively opted for a form of slavery.

It’s not about paranoia, it’s about not being a doormat

Well, golly, are you suggesting that folks who use Windows and allow automatic updates are being a doormat? Gee whiz, now who’s being insulting?

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Well, golly, are you suggesting that folks who use Windows and allow automatic updates are being a doormat? Gee whiz, now who’s being insulting?

The point is with Windows 10 is that updates are enforced, the user has no choice unless they have an Enterprise licence, which most are unlikely to have. I would not say that someone who chooses to use automatic updates is a doormat as they have made a conscious decision to use that process as is their right.

It’s about having a “choice”, my apologies if I have not been clear.

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The point is with Windows 10 is that updates are enforced, the user has no choice unless they have an Enterprise licence, which most are unlikely to have. I would not say that someone who chooses to use automatic updates is a doormat as they have made a conscious decision to use that process as is their right.

It’s about having a “choice”, my apologies if I have not been clear.

Hey, no problem. I understand. In the past we’ve always had the option to simply turn off / disable Windows Update. Many users have chosen that option, for whatever reason, either temporarily or longer term. If, however, this isn’t possible with Windows 10 then we must either accept the Windows-knows-best approach or steer clear of Win 10.

We have four PCs, a laptop and an iPad. Since we use Windows Media Center to record and share TV programs we chose to continue using Win 7 and 8.1 mostly, allowing only the laptop to update to Win 10. Sadly, this didn’t go well. Windows 10 caused repeated problems on the laptop with a new challenging glitch or two appearing each week. After a month or so i got fed up. Using a Parted Magic disc i secure-erased the SSD in the laptop then restored a system image of Win 8.1. The laptop has been fine since then.

Maybe in a few more months i’ll make another attempt with Win 10. Maybe they’ll get past some of the hurdles that many of us have experienced early on. Maybe Win 10 will be worth having. It will remain an experiment for us. We’re not giving up Windows Media Center anytime soon. My latest thought is that maybe in a few months we’ll make system images for all the PCs, update to Win 10, make system images of Win 10, then revert to Win 7/8.1. This would in theory give us the option of jumping on the Win 10 bandwagon sometime in the future at no cost (just a ton of updates to endure!).

Personally, if it weren’t for the fact that i play several graphics-intensive games then switching to Linux would be a reasonable way to go, thus avoiding all the kerfuffle that accompanies Windows. I’ve had fun playing with Slacko Puppy Linux which handles all the everyday basics of computing (and it will run on almost any computer new or old). One can always boot into Windows for a project that involves our existing Windows-only software. For example, we can edit home video on our Serif MoviePlus software as well as Windows MovieMaker 2012. And, MovieMaker remains one of the quickest, easiest to use free programs (the video stabilize/anti-shake feature is invaluable!). What i’m tryin’ to say is that there’s more than one way to skin a cat, if you’ll pardon the expression.

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My latest thought is that maybe in a few months we’ll make system images for all the PCs, update to Win 10, make system images of Win 10, then revert to Win 7/8.1. This would in theory give us the option of jumping on the Win 10 bandwagon sometime in the future at no cost (just a ton of updates to endure!).

Sadly we (ok I) do not have proof of that. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Sadly we (ok I) do not have proof of that. :cheers:

Mmm, the theory i’m working with here is that Microsoft announced that Windows 10 is a free update for Win 7 & 8.1 users during the first year of release. So, presumably, we could update some PCs for free anytime up to August 29, 2016. Then a system image of Win 10 can be made and stored somewhere safe, and we could return to using Win 7 & 8.1 for a while. At an indefinite future date if we choose to retire Win 7 or 8.1 we could then restore that Win 10 system image and it should work like any other system image backup. After updating Windows 10 date & time then automatic updates should be able to proceed as though the PC has simply been without internet access for a while. And, if for any reason it doesn’t work, well, too bad!

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Mmm, the theory i’m working with here

And, if for any reason it doesn’t work, well, too bad!

Yup Theory it is! And yeh oh well! I am waiting for a while. Maybe I will let my backup W7 take the plunge. W7 Ultimate will stay Ultimate!

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Personally, if it weren’t for the fact that i play several graphics-intensive games then switching to Linux would be a reasonable way to go, thus avoiding all the kerfuffle that accompanies Windows. I’ve had fun playing with Slacko Puppy Linux which handles all the everyday basics of computing (and it will run on almost any computer new or old). One can always boot into Windows for a project that involves our existing Windows-only software. For example, we can edit home video on our Serif MoviePlus software as well as Windows MovieMaker 2012. And, MovieMaker remains one of the quickest, easiest to use free programs (the video stabilize/anti-shake feature is invaluable!). What i’m tryin’ to say is that there’s more than one way to skin a cat, if you’ll pardon the expression.

I’ve been thinking about Linux as well for day to day internet use. My main box doesn’t change much aside from maintenance updates so I could just simply move it offline when Win 7 is deprecated in 2020 if I really don’t like Win 10.

On a note of pure speculation, I wonder whether the August dealing will actually come about. I guess it very much depends on how MS have decided to recover the development cost of Win 10, a bit of an conundrum at present.

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I’ve been thinking about Linux as well for day to day internet use. My main box doesn’t change much aside from maintenance updates so I could just simply move it offline when Win 7 is deprecated in 2020 if I really don’t like Win 10.

On a note of pure speculation, I wonder whether the August dealing will actually come about. I guess it very much depends on how MS have decided to recover the development cost of Win 10, a bit of an conundrum at present.

I would not lose any sleep over MS balance sheets, w/ 125 billion+ in assets they can manage.

BTW Starvin just now making an image of my backup PCs W7. My insider W10 is not activatable (w/o a key) and will not allow any personalizations, may get back to this subject in about 9 months. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Resorting to insults does not prove a point, quite the opposite as it merely shows you have nothing useful to contribute to the discussion.

Where was the insult? :confused:

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Be aware that any individual (non-insider) release of Win10 may have a short shelf life. Microsoft will continue to release cumulative updates and then more substantial releases two or three times a year. Prior releases will most likely stop working fairly quickly. You’ll need to be on a current release. Restoring a Win10 image may result in an unusable OS. Why restore an old image anyway? Changes and additions you’ve made since the image will be lost.

Joe

--Joe

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Why restore an old image anyway? Changes and additions you’ve made since the image will be lost.

Joe

Because it’s an image of the free Win 10. If you re-read my previous post i spoke of:

Create Win 7 system image.
Update Win 7 to free Win 10.
Create Win 10 system image.
Reformat hard drive (secure erase SSD).
Restore Win 7 from system image.
Use Win 7 until wheels fall off.
Reformat hard drive (secure erase SSD).
Restore free Win 10 system image.
Use free Win 10 ….

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Be aware that any individual (non-insider) release of Win10 may have a short shelf life.

Joe

I thought it was the Insider ones that had an expiration. Can some who is off the grid for a year come back to civilization to find MS has made their computer unbootable? Sounds hard to believe even for our favorite OS provider. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Be aware that any individual (non-insider) release of Win10 may have a short shelf life. Microsoft will continue to release cumulative updates and then more substantial releases two or three times a year. Prior releases will most likely stop working fairly quickly. You’ll need to be on a current release. Restoring a Win10 image may result in an unusable OS.

Windows 10 (non-insider) will not stop working. You just won’t be able to get more recent upgrades or updates without all previous upgrades or updates.

Can some who is off the grid for a year come back to civilization to find MS has made their computer unbootable?

Absolutely not.

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It is the Insider versions that that have short expiration dates. If you run winver on an Insider build, you will see the expiration date along with the build number. Running winver on an RTM build (TH 1 or TH 2) just gives a build number with no expiration date.

Jerry

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…If you run winver on an Insider build, you will see the expiration date along with the build number…

That was true until late last week when my Win10 Pro Insider Preview upgraded to build “1511 10586.3”. Before that winver was showing the expiration date, but not in this build.

42683-winver

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But as with Windows 8, Microsoft can say that you have to be up-to-date to continue to receive updates. Not that it would make much difference as the first time Windows update is run you’ll get all the most current patches.

Joe

--Joe

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It is not last. Yes MS making it best to replace win 10 with all MS windows. Just don’t update it
‘

Can Windows Updates actually be turned OFF in Windows 10? I thought it was automatic – like totally, man ….

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Can Windows Updates actually be turned OFF in Windows 10? I thought it was automatic – like totally, man ….

Not easily.

Joe

--Joe

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Not easily.

Joe

Can you be more specific? I mean other than totally disconnecting from the internet ….

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OK, i understand. Two of our PCs are Win 8.1 Pro so we can take advantage of that … if and when we decide to move on from 8.1.

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The only way to not get updates is to disable the Windows Update service.

Joe

--Joe

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If you have Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can defer updates for up to 8 months…

http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread//172918-Windows-Update-for-Business-Explained

Upgrades. Updates only for 4 weeks.

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Upgrades. Updates only for 4 weeks.

I thought it was to be ONLY Updates.

:cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Yup, Pro only grants 30 days for updates. Whoopee.

I though Enterprise allowed complete blocking of updates forever otherwise the IT guys would tell Redmond to pound sand.

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http://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-to-discontinue-windows-7-8-1-on-new-pcs-in-one-year/

Microsoft to discontinue Windows 7 and 8.1 next November

c/Net

Not a secret, but something to keep in mind.

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All that is being discontinued is sales of Windows 7 & 8.1 with new consumer PCs, not support.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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Yes it is true. MS has a lot of plans for this. They want to make Window 10 only available OS from MS. Even if you don’t want it, Windows 10 will silently install in background process and prompt you to update to win 10.

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Even if you don’t want it, Windows 10 will silently install in background process and prompt you to update to win 10.

Not according to Microsoft.

Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

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