Moved to Forum: Original Link
Free in 1st year after release.
no link available yet.
Release date will be announced later.
source:http://m.au.ign.com/articles/2015/01/21/free-upgrade-to-windows-10-for-first-year-after-release
Mod: Announcement with no pricing, dates, link, or confirmed availability to Australia.
Agree not a deal as such, but worth passing on to us tightarses who hate paying microsoft too much money
I thought that was what Linux was for…
Certainly worked for me.
Some of us actually have work to do on our computers.
@nmachine:
Yeah, cause Linux is all about playing all those awesome linux games.
For 95% (probably more) of people Linux can do everything they need.. That is Browse internet, send/receive email, play music/video, view PDFs and write the occasional spreadsheet/report/letter.
I say this as someone who has gone across to Linux with no training or skills and who is more than a little unsure what all the command line gibberish means.
@scubacoles:
I don't disagree, I've switched to linux too on multiple occasions and distros. What matters to me is that almost none of the programs is use for work have linux ports, running them in wine sucks, and the alternatives are usually pretty poor. Also, the vast majority of games dont run, although steam is making significant headway there. Overall, linux is good for basic users but its often just not an option for professionals.
@nmachine: Indeed. I've run Linux multiple times over the last 15 years, and returned to Windows. Linux has got a lot better, probably even better than Windows, but in the end, I run an OS to run apps on it, and Windows has the most Apps.
Still, most people who run Android don't know it is actually based on Linux.
Linux is too fragmented which is why it will never gain acceptance in the wider community.
Honestly if Android supported extended desktops, I'd just start buying android tablets as my primary home and work machine, and just remote desktop to windows VMs for work etc. I'm genuinely sick to death of hardware based desktop os's and their overhead, need to rebuild due to slowdown, and how destructive and intrusive that is (especially for development environments).
This thread though has mad me consider looking at some basic linux though just for basic use and remote desktop/vpn to VMs use for work and the few windows apps I use. But I really the ease of something like Android OS, and some of the HW you can get, and the price…
Amazed that there still fans of OS's nowadays. The truth is OSX/Linux/Windows are all stable and work just fine. You use a computer to run applications and not to play with the OS.
@scubacoles: I used linux as my primary desktop for a long time, and I do development work, but OSX is my choice now. Too often I need tools that aren't available on linux - it's sad but true.
Plus, dependency hell, re-compiling drivers and kernels and hardware that doesn't work without custom settings and xorg.conf file…
eek
@abc:
"Linux is too fragmented" - That's a pretty uneducated statement..
"why it will never gain acceptance in the wider community" - wanna tell that to all the people that run Android phones/tablets?
@yargnairod:
I agree, I don't care about the OS, and for that reason, I made the decision to switch and stop paying… why pay for an OS when you can (as you point out) get one that does everything you need (most likely) for free?
The only reason is fear - fear to have to relearn everything - but it's actually not that different.
I was referring to the OS in its "pure" form, not in any shell forms it decides to masquerade as :P
@Mobe1969: I agree. Desktop OS are way too high maintenance.
You can run Android on your desktop - look here:
http://www.android-x86.org/
I think the future will be like Ubuntu Edge, where you could use your phone as a desktop:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Edge
@scubacoles:
I think what he was trying to say was that Android is not comparable to desktop linux. Android has Google apps, services, app store backing it, desktop Linux doesn't.
@scubacoles: Windows was built for consumers. Linux is definitely not built for consumers, it was built for computer scientists.
for those who don't follow the news they may still pay for Windows 10?
or if don't update 1 year after release they have to pay?
I was going to sell them for $500 a pop, but you've ruined my plan!
I was thinking the same thing, but it's probably good to know for anyone looking to buy a new system who was on the fence as to whether to wait until Windows 10 dropped, or wanted confirmation of any upgrade promotions like is normally offered in the months prior to a new release.
Interesting. At first I read this as being like a free 12 month trial period but I get the impression now that it might be an upgrade that free if you do it within 12 months of the Windows 10 release.
Microsoft must have one hell of a strong reason why they would want to get people onto Windows 10.
"During Microsoft's Windows 10 live event today, a Microsoft executive said many Windows users will have a free upgrade to the new operating system for a year after its release.
The upgrade will be applicable for all devices running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, executive vice president of Operating Systems Group Terry Myerson said. This includes users with Windows Phone 8.1. Microsoft is also promising full support once the upgrade is complete –– it's worth mentioning that this upgrade is only applicable for the year after release. After that, the deal runs out."
Yep, to get people off the older platforms and onto the new stuff, where we are subject to their current views on how computers need to be used…
I'm wondering if we can use this for company environments… It'll be a cheap upgrade then :)
That's what I'm also wondering .. are company environments eligible. I wouldn't be surprised if they exclude Pro editions from this deal, or they only allow upgrade to a Home Edition Win10 equivalent.
Yep, to get people off the older platforms and onto the new stuff, where we are subject to their current views on how computers need to be used
Sounds like Apple to me
It'll be a cheap upgrade then
The software cost is probably the smallest cost in an upgrade for a company
most our OS comes as OEM with the machines we purchase, servers is where we pay and we dont get those upgraded for free thats for sure.
I imagine the biggest cost would come in the man hours needed to actually do the upgrading. Yuck.
It shouldn't happen in company environments. Prudent companies goes thru a thorough process in testing for software compatibility, including security and configuration settings to protect company assets before a new OS is rolled out. The risk is too great just to gain a few $ in upgrade. That is the reason why some companies and government still stay with XP.
This part concerns me from a different article on TechRadar
"Microsoft's chief blogger Brandon LeBlanc also confirmed that Microsoft will support those who scored a free upgrade to Windows 10 with security and system updates for the lifetime of those Windows 8.1 devices."
For the lifetime of those devices, so does that mean when support for 7 or 8.1 stops, updates for 10 stops because it was a 7/8.1 device? Or do they mean, until the device dies or is replaced?
Until the device dies.
Users rarely pay for upgrades and instead opt to buying new machines. By giving it away free they are building some brand loyalty and giving Windows 7 users a reason to stick with him.
Yeah, I agree. I'm still on windows 7. All of our commercial clients are on Windows 7, and none will touch 8/8.1, same as none or them touched Fista. If they didn't include Windows 7 in this, it'd be yet another reason to stay on 7 even longer, or look at other options.
Including win7 as a target for free upgrade is probably a strategic decision.
micro$oft is probably trying to avert another wave of "I'll stay with XP, thanks"
Truth is, Windows is JUST an OS, it SHOULD be pretty much invisible and just work,
somewhat like the BIOS in a desktop computer.
If this news is true Microsoft isn't gonna earn much on the new Windows10 for the first year. All the existing Win7 and 8.1 users get it for free. All those who wants to buy Win 10 will buy rather cheap Win 7 and upgrade to Win 10 for free.
Why do you assume Windows 7 will be cheap? Microsoft always introduces the new OS at basically the same price as the previous OS anyway.
They'll be losing out on a lot of upgrade purchases, but I assume they're wanting to make up for it with better up-take of an OS with access to the Windows Store.
Belongs to forums.
Moved to forums. Yeayyy. Neggers, take that.
Not for those with the budget version Windows 8.1 with Bing otherwise aka as the free 1 year office 360 version Windows.
I'm not sure if this should be a deal - yet. Maybe it should be a discussion topic instead. You can't do a link to the deal and the date is unknown.
I was getting breakfast for my kids with a half completed comment and was well beaten to the comment by binary-zero.
No start date
If Windows 10 is free, then why buy a new computer now, when Windows 8.1 or 7 adds 50 to $100 to the cost?
It's a free upgrade for those that have purchased an earlier version of Windows. They haven't said anything about being free for OEM or retail customers.
They give it away free for the first year to get everyone on it and change to a Office 365 type deal and make it subscription based 12 month activation…
As evil as they are, I doubt they would do this … it would bring another level of hate towards the organisation.
lol ok buddy
More people use XP because a lot of people already have that installed and don't upgrade, that's like saying more people use dvds, internet explorer, etc.
lol the precious start button… love it! Rebel against the mainstream my man.. REBEL!
all good i think you should not take up the free upgrade and pay for it… that'll show M$!
Your ideas intrigue me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
A little too much sausage each day for you…
@scud70: It's not exactly rebelling against the mainstream when the mainstream (and evidently Microsoft themselves) all agree that removing the start menu was a bad idea…
Like I was saying above, Android is not Linux, at least in terms of the ecosystem. When Google backs Linux with services, apps, a store etc, then we might see some adoption. But Google doesn't care about other linux distributions, they want everyone to use Chrome OS.
Hope they don't go down this path or they can get **************
Apparently there are over 5000 15 letter words, can you give us a clue? Starts with? ;)
It's 14 letters.
Here is a list of 14 letter words. Let's get to work and solve this.
http://www.litscape.com/words/length/14_letters/14_letter_wo…
That's confused a lot of people, but it isn't the case. The upgrade will be free for Win7/8 for a year, but after the year if you want Windows 10 you will have to pay for it.
Not sure if it is a bargain yet.
Not a bargain really seeing it isn't available yet and no idea when it will be. good news though
seems the mods are all sleeping in this morning….
So after one year does your device 'revert' back to Windows 7/8.1 ?
No, license is perpetual. Once upgraded it stays upgraded.
You have 1 year to claim your upgrade license, afterwards it's no longer a free upgrade.
Microsoft doesn't charge for service packs either.
No they're free, just like on OS X, Android, and iOS.
Unsure what you're trying to prove? Since 2013 they've been on a steady climb.
You clearly have a bias against Microsoft and that's ok however facts are facts - they are still one of the largest IT companies in the world with a huge user base. Google and Apple are still in the same camp when it comes to security issues and the larger they grows the more prevalent it becomes.
@yoyomablue: I'll just leave this here: http://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/os-201…
Heat added because it's worth knowing about, personally I think I'll wait as long as possible (364 days probably so I can still get it free) because it will no doubt be riddled with problems when it's first released.
what about 8.0 how many non-tech heads havent upgraded from 8 -8.1
Loads actually.
https://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/os_share_oct…
53 percent use Win7
17 percent use XP
16 percent use Win 8x
Most businesses still run IE8 too which is a pain to deal with.
LOL at Windows Vista.2.82 percent.
There's even more Windows 8.1 user's.
My PC came with Vista and as soon as 7 came out i had to change over because vista was so dam crap.
Yeah I would like to know too although I suspect its only for 8.1
I believe 8 stopped receiving Windows Update and they've been pushing people to upgrade to 8.1 for a while now with notifications.
No, 8 receives updates. 8.1 Pre "Update" (KB2919355) has stopped receiving updates.
I'm not the only tech head who still sees no purpose to downgrading from 7 to 8. All I have is reasons not to.
Mature software & tech is king for me.
I tried upgrading from 8.0 to 8.1. After about 3 hours it said upgrade failed, reverting to previous version, or some such.
This deal wont be good for PC manufacturers and retailers. A lot more people will be holding onto their old PC for longer.
It may stop sales dropping off in the months leading up to Windows 10 though, so it could go either way.
Hopefully they've added Media Centre back in to home/standard, or Win7 users upgrading will still feel ripped off.
Once you upgrade the license only lasts a year. So MS guarantee a sale. Smart move Microsoft.
No. Once upgraded, you stay upgraded, there is no such thing as a Windows OS whose license only lasts a year.
The free upgrade is only available for the first year. Microsoft has yet to announce the software's price for the upgrade after that one-year window.
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/microsoft-to-deliver-free-window…
Some people are assuming it is a subscription model and that the license only lasts a single year. There is no evidence to suggest so — basically, once you've upgraded your machine in the 1 year period, you should continue to receive OS updates minor and major without having to pay M$.
Edit:
See Jeworge's comment.
That means that in the first 12 months, anyone can move to Windows 10 for free as part of a limited time promotion. After 12 months the upgrade presumably has a cost associated with it. The 12 month window is to encourage people to migrate and migrate early.
Windows 8 had a similar promotion where for a few months after release anyone could upgrade for about $28 dollars, and then the price went up to closer to $120 to do an upgrade from 7. The only difference is that instead of it being a far lower cost, this time it's free and for a longer period. In both cases once you upgrade there isn't any cost associated with the move at a later date.
"Update: In a Q&A with press following the event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella clarified that Microsoft's vision for Windows as a service doesn't mean the company is changing its business model for Windows to a plan with an annual fee, or any kind of subscription.
All customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free within a one-year period following the operating system's launch later this year. After that period, users will have to pay for the upgrade as they would have with previous versions of Windows. Those who get the upgrade during the free period will have Windows 10 on their device permanently."
Source: http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/21/7866935/windows-10-upgrade-…
I'm amazed anyone genuinely thought they'd go to a subscription-based model.
Someone got excited. Anyway,good on them. I shall be upgrading all my household PCs to Windows 7.
Maybe I'm missing something.
7 -> 8 -> 10?
No, they just skip win9
Not sure how this is a deal yet ?