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Free Upgrade to Windows 10 after The Public Deadline

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Lsand241 on 02/08/2016 - 17:19 microsoft.com (5102 clicks)
Last edited 02/08/2016 - 19:26
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Free upgrade is officially for customers who use assistive technologies, but at the moment apparently works for everyone.

Microsoft FAQ: "We have not announced an end date of the free upgrade offer for customers using assistive technology. We will make a public announcement prior to ending the offer."

However, as pointed out by wintoand, Microsoft is planning to block it in the coming weeks and make it available only with Microsoft support:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsoft-to-block-free-windo…

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  • thelastnoob on 02/08/2016 - 17:25
    +11

    Remember to run antispy programs to prevent win10 spyware
    http://bgr.com/2015/08/14/windows-10-spying-prevention-priva…

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:26
      +3

      Thanks! Which one is best?

      • thelastnoob on 02/08/2016 - 17:28
        +2

        not sure but get a few free ones and check otherwise this link has a comparison table
        http://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/14/comparison-of-windows-10-pr…

        basic info regarding installation
        http://www.pcworld.com/article/3095284/windows/windows-10-up…

        • Dominus on 02/08/2016 - 20:02
          +6

          I'm using Shutup 10 from this list and I quite like it - good explanation of what each setting controls, and a safe/caution/not recommended system so you know which are likely to impact your system if you do turn them off.

          It's worth noting however that the anniversary update is already doing what we feared Microsoft might do with 10, and removing more and more user-defined controls from regedit and group policy…first rights to go are the ability to remove the lock screen, and not being able to stop Microsoft pushing ads at you in the start menu, and more controversially, pushing apps to your machine without your permission.

          http://www.ghacks.net/2016/07/28/microsoft-removes-policies-…

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 20:41

          @Dominus: It is deeply worrying but I hope that there are still other ways of doing it that these developers can leverage

        • AlexF on 04/08/2016 - 16:55

          @The Land of Smeg:

          It is deeply worrying …

          get used to it. $0.00 != free.

          The only sure way to block telemetry (and other malware) is using a network firewall. Sophos is free for Home use.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2016 - 17:24

          @AlexF: I'm using Sophos Home antivirus but I don't think that it has this option

        • AlexF on 08/08/2016 - 17:51

          @The Land of Smeg:

          You need to specify what you want blocked. Google says start here.

      • syousef on 02/08/2016 - 20:22
        +3

        Centos Linux.

        • Geekomatic on 02/08/2016 - 23:18
          +1

          I'm a Linux Mint person myself (since 2009- exclusively), but I agree Linux desktop is infinitely better for the majority of people running MS.

          Exceptions only being those for whom a very specific program will only run on MS by design & will not run in WINE.

          Otherwise, all the rest would be better off Linux.

          PS: not happy about the dropping of 32 bit Linux I read about. People count on Linux for keeping older hardware working. I hope that they change their minds- whoever decide this stuff.

        • retiredfeline on 03/08/2016 - 01:25
          +1

          @Geekomatic: It's just some distros that are dropping support for 32-bit Intel CPUs, Lots of other distros still support 32-bit, including Linuxmint. As the source is open, and there are developers working on it, 32-bit will continue to be supported.

        • retiredfeline on 03/08/2016 - 01:27
          +3

          Mmm, masochist are you? I support CentOS servers and desktops at a job (CAD software that requires RedHat or equivalent) but I wouldn't recommend CentOS for everyday use.

        • Unbreakable on 03/08/2016 - 08:00

          @Geekomatic:

          Some would say that linux is even better then Mac because these days they both suck…

        • BadGiraffe on 03/08/2016 - 10:51
          +1

          I'm a Xubuntu fan myself. I'd happily move over to Linux exclusively, but at the moment, I need Windows for my games. It's a damn shame we can't play Windows-based Steam games without doing some sort of workaround, some of which cost extra money, and they are not guaranteed to work 100%.

          Why Xubuntu? Love XFCE, and there seems to be lots more support for *buntu distros than the others.

        • Member 0230 on 05/08/2016 - 09:29

          @Unbreakable: I've not had the pleasure of using Linux. However I can tell you that Apple makes a Really Big Deal of protecting user privacy (often turning it into a differentiator), just ask the FBI, so in that sense if Windows really is misbehaving badly, then it's not really comparable.

        • Unbreakable on 05/08/2016 - 10:22

          @flaminglemon:

          I'm in the exact same boat!

        • Unbreakable on 05/08/2016 - 10:24

          @Member 0230:

          Basically Linux = Mac without the bloat and the stealing of resources, you should really check it out, especially if you get one that works out of the box, like Mint or Ubuntu.

          Yeah look i turned off all the spyware settings in Windows, but still only use it for gaming really!

        • Member 0230 on 11/08/2016 - 21:09
          +1

          @Unbreakable: Yes, locking down Windows - and just about any personal device where you can do so - is probably a Good Thing!

          As for the privacy difference between Apple and Microsoft, check out this new development: Oops: Microsoft leaks its Golden Key, unlocking Windows Secure Boot and exposing the danger of backdoors

          In February, Apple's chief executive Tim Cook issued a statement in response to FBI demands, writing that, "We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them.

          But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone.""the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone" - Tim Cook

          Cook concluded, "while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control."

          Sure enough, after Microsoft did create a backdoor for Windows Phone and other Secure Boot devices, it subsequently leaked the tools for unlocking that backdoor.

      • resisting the urge on 08/08/2016 - 15:43

        So to run a commodity OS you are planning to run some poorly supported securityware which MS will work overtime to defeat with every update or configuration change that they (can now) force onto your machine with tacit or no approval from you?

        The moment they defeat it all your data belong to them. ***No offence, just sayin' ***

    • magic8ballgag on 02/08/2016 - 18:50
      +13

      I would recommend changing privacy settings from the beginning instead of installing 3rd-party software to block it.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 22:57
      +2

      Scarey to read how bad just an operating system can be to your privacy.

      • Mumbles on 03/08/2016 - 02:36
        +3

        I grew up in the era before the internet when products didn't need the internet to be activated or registered. What used to be unnecessary or creepy slowly become the norm.

        Android used to switch on your GPS location by default.
        Photos taken on iPhone included your GPS location by default.
        Steam scans your computer and uploads the list of bought games plus hardware configuration.
        Antivirus programs with heuristics and anti-spyware can upload your system config.
        Cookies on your Internet Browser pass your information to advertisers.
        Search bars and plug-ins upload the sites you are viewing. These search bars and tools are now built into the operating system.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2016 - 12:20
      +2

      and those anti-spy ware apps install their own open candy or worse spyware in it's place.
      Be warned it's just one big messy circle of EVERY COMPANY trying to steal your data or redirect browser ads.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:25
    +2

    In before anyone says "This is piracy/only for those who use assistive technologies", Microsoft's FAQ paint a very liberal picture of who qualifies as using "assistive technologies". Even opening up the Onscreen keyboard counts as using assistive technologies. So just make sure you open that up to make sure you qualify "legally" even if you don't need to use it (not that they would know anyway).

    • aerona on 02/08/2016 - 18:35
      +7

      This is piracy/only for those who use assistive technologies

      • imcold on 02/08/2016 - 18:39
        +6

        I'm to stupid to install a keyboard so I've always used an onscreen keyboard. Am I eligible?

        • aerona on 02/08/2016 - 18:43
          +6

          No, This is piracy/only for those who use assistive technologies

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:53
          +2

          @aerona: Are you a pirate who uses assistive technologies?

        • muncan on 02/08/2016 - 18:58
          +37

          @The Land of Smeg: Don't all pirates use assistive technologies? e.g. eye patch, peg leg, parrot

        • A3Australia on 02/08/2016 - 19:53
          -5

          "I'm to stupid to install a keyboard so I've always used an onscreen keyboard. Am I eligible?"

          Did you mean to make those mistakes? Just to show your stupidity?

          I'm too stupid to install a keyboard.

        • Nukkels on 02/08/2016 - 19:56
          +6

          @The Land of Smeg: I'm a Pirate with a hook and a patch over one eye. Pretty sure I qualify for needing assistance to use a computer.

        • edrift on 02/08/2016 - 22:20
          +2

          @muncan: hahaha brilliant!

    • Mikeypants on 03/08/2016 - 09:30
      +1

      I'm a web developer who occasionally needs to test websites using a screenreader. That's the rationale I'll be using. :)

  • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 17:26
    +33

    No thanks. Win 7 FTW!

      • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 17:31

        Get into strife to make me, Alex. The answer is still NO!

        AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 17:31 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:48
          +2

          Axel

        • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 17:52
          +1

          @TightBottom: I know. Did it on purpose. :)

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:56

          OK TassieDaddy

        • Axelstrife on 02/08/2016 - 18:00
          +2

          @AussieDaddy: creepy part is my name is Alex. (not joking)

        • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 18:02

          @Axelstrife: Alexstrife already taken? ;)

        • Axelstrife on 02/08/2016 - 18:03

          @ryang: no idea i just like and use that name for gaming and websites that ask for a username.

        • retiredfeline on 02/08/2016 - 18:09

          @Axelstrife: Is your last name Efirst perhaps? :)

        • Axelstrife on 02/08/2016 - 18:16

          @greenpossum: Nope

        • AussieDaddy on 03/08/2016 - 18:22

          @Axelstrife: LOL! Well, I thought it was clear that you'd rearranged your name and used it as a username here. Don't worry, brah, there are way too many Alex's out there. :)

      • mycosys on 02/08/2016 - 18:39
        +1

        funny the OS usage figures say you are the one that is not in the know.
        Nearly half of web requests still come from windows 7
        https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share…

        • Diji1 on 02/08/2016 - 18:57
          +2

          Yeah you Windows 10 hipster!

        • Axelstrife on 02/08/2016 - 19:10
          +1

          hmm a new operating system only 1 year old isnt as popular as one thats been out for years 8 years?

        • newsynthetic on 03/08/2016 - 13:55
          +2

          @Axelstrife: Well windows 10 is more popular than Windows 8/8.1. Not a strong argument.

        • Axelstrife on 03/08/2016 - 14:19
          -1

          @newsynthetic: what does windows 8 have to do with the comparison between windows 7 and windows 10?

        • newsynthetic on 03/08/2016 - 14:21
          +1

          @Axelstrife: The point is being older does not automatic make it more popular.

        • Axelstrife on 03/08/2016 - 14:31

          @newsynthetic:popular no! but it makes it more widely used as lots of people and companies don't upgrade straight away when a new operating system comes out.

          windows 8 goes along with vista as a widely hated operating system

    • ahly92 on 02/08/2016 - 18:12
      +8

      not sure why your getting down voted…Windows 10 has been a disaster for my other laptop I have, why change soething that is not broken.

      • Axelstrife on 02/08/2016 - 18:30
        +27

        Windows 10 works ALOT better on both my pc and laptop then windows 7 before.

        windows 8 never worked properly at all.

        • itsfree on 02/08/2016 - 18:58
          +5

          Agreed. I resisted for many months, but have found my 6 year old desktop runs so much better on Windows 10. Fan doesn't constantly run; performance is no longer sluggish; even Plex doesn't buffer.

          And I've had no problems at all.

        • Namesareapain on 02/08/2016 - 19:51
          +5

          @itsfree: Pretty much all of that is because of a problem with some software on your Win7 install eating CPU time, not Win7 itself.

        • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 20:17
          +4

          @Namesareapain: Or the shitty Windows Update agent that MS essentially abandoned for the last 3 months… If you don't manually update to the latest version, it'll be eating CPU cycles every time it runs (and fails).

        • garage sale on 02/08/2016 - 21:04
          +4

          win 7 worked OK, win 8 worked better, win 10 is great on the 4 PCs in out household, only problem will be if in the future it becomes an advertising portal …….."i don't want office 365 subscription, I know it's the latest version, I have office 2103, it works fine and there is no annual payments GRRRRRRR".

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 21:19
          +7

          time travel?

          I have office 2103

        • StewBalls on 02/08/2016 - 21:25
          +5

          @TightBottom: Welcome to the Office Suite of Tomorrow!!!

        • nurbsenvi on 03/08/2016 - 01:37
          +1

          @TightBottom:
          By year 2103 people won't need Office suite…
          heck there won't be people even.

        • greatlamp on 03/08/2016 - 07:15
          +2

          @nurbsenvi: If there are no people, how will they make the soylent green?

        • Jupitarian on 03/08/2016 - 10:33
          +1

          Ditto my 7 year old Toshiba laptop with a Pentium duo-core processor and 4 GB RAM. Upgrade was smooth (although it did take a few hours for the software to download even with an ethernet connection) and the system seems to run faster now. Microsoft Edge is definitely much better than Internet Explorer.
          If you are concerned about privacy and spyware related to Windows 10, CHOICE has a very good article/review on how to configure your settings during installation of Windows 10.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:39
        +6

        Future-proofing, Windows 7 will be out of extended support on 4/1/2020, meaning no more security updates.

        • tanksinatra on 02/08/2016 - 18:58
          +9

          Sure… that means I have 3.5 years.
          What's the big deal? My machine will be dead before then anyway.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 19:04
          +5

          @tanksinatra: Machines are lasting long and longer. Even an old Core 2 Duo is powerful for most tasks (web browsing, office, etc.) and Windows 10 footprint is very small, same system requirements as Windows 7 but still manages to run faster.

        • GnarlyKnuckles on 02/08/2016 - 23:28
          +2

          @tanksinatra:

          "My machine will be dead before then anyway."

          Exactly right crooner. Sheesh, I myself could well be dead before then, at that…

          I suggest peeps should not concern themselves too much with anything 'tech-related' that may or may not happen in 3.5 years!!!

        • Mumbles on 03/08/2016 - 02:44
          +1

          In four years time desktops might not be around. Mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) with have enough processing power to business PC's.

          Hooray for Linux … oops I mean Android.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/08/2016 - 13:08

          @Mumbles: Well you're not wrong, Powerful Desktops are going to become Niche for Gamers and other GPU/CPU/RAM intensive tasks (3D CAD, media editing, etc.), so even more reason to hold on to what you've got while you can. In the future they will become less common.

      • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 20:10
        +5

        That's OzB for you, where people get fanatical with their views and if you happen to have different views then 'DOWN' you get voted. :)

        I have both operating systems installed in two different machines and I prefer the one with Win 7. If Win 10 works for others then good for them. In the end it all comes down to what works for who and on what applications/jobs.

      • StewBalls on 02/08/2016 - 20:58
        +2

        Agreed. My own test deployments have been problematic at best…

      • lplau on 02/08/2016 - 23:19
        +2

        Why go to ADSL when Dialup wasn't broken? lol.
        Its really interesting when I hear clients say "why change X if it isn't broken?"… If you don't change then you will always be stuck in the dark ages.
        Why switch to Smart Phones when the Nokia did perfectly?

        Why marry when single life wasn't broken?
        Why change to Windows 7 when Windows 98 wasn't broken?

        • StewBalls on 04/08/2016 - 08:38

          Just FYI, whilst that position does have some debatable merit, those are all really stupid analogies…

        • lplau on 04/08/2016 - 09:58

          @StewBalls: Lol i work in the IT industry, I hear that argument all the time about why change it if its not broken.

          Why switch systems if Siebel isn't broken?
          Why change from DB2 if the database isn't broken?

        • [Deactivated] on 04/08/2016 - 15:53
          +1

          @lplau: Siebel is always broken. The whole design is broken.

        • StewBalls on 06/08/2016 - 10:27
          +1

          @lplau:

          i work in the IT industry

          Then you would know that there's a time to roll out a new OS, and a time to hang back and keep testing & patching until it's globally stable enough…I don't know any IT professional who would recommend deploying Win10 in any corporate/critical environment at this point in time; and not too many who would advise home users to do the same for now unless they're willing to put up with some bugs.

          I've learned the hard way over the years, when MS gives you something for free, the customer is often the beta tester!!!

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:40
      +1

      Stick to Windows 7 then, this offer is not being forced down your throat, you should just rejoice that the Windows 10 notifications have stopped.

    • aveeno bb on 02/08/2016 - 19:49
      +4

      Win7 is not good for high res display laptop

      • fruit on 10/08/2016 - 14:47

        It works fine on my high dpi display in a virtual machine.

    • Ashy Larry on 02/08/2016 - 20:33
      +3

      I'd still be running 7 if I didn't leave my computer on while I went out to come home and find 10 installed without my consent.

      • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 20:39
        +1

        Damn, mate! That sucks. Yeah, I read about that when I Googled about Win 10 forced/unwanted downloads after getting some tricky updates from MS and straight away I disabled automatic updates (plus changed some other settings on my PC that I can't recall now). I can tolerate Win 10 on my laptop that I only use for uni, but now on my PC that I am on all the time when I am at home.

      • dadeadman on 02/08/2016 - 22:12
        +2

        If that happened within last 30 day, you can roll back to your old OS without losing your files. But if its more than 30 days than you are stuck with windows 10.

      • AlexF on 02/08/2016 - 22:24
        +3

        Trust me, they did it for their your own good.

    • rodinthink on 03/08/2016 - 18:19
      +1

      Windows 7 is new Windows XP , Windows 10 is the new Windows Vista
      Vista = Death!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:32
    +20

    "Get it fast, it's free for a limited time!

    …
    Well it's still free but we wanted to make you want it."

    • AussieDaddy on 02/08/2016 - 17:42
      +2

      Exactly! I knew the last day it was supposed to "expire" and I couldn't wait the hours to pass as Microsoft tried to sneakily give me one of those annoying updates that pave the way for Win 10 (though I later figured out how to stop them for good). My only regret is that it came installed on my new laptop and I can't be bothered to downgrade it and all that trouble. Well, you win some you lose some.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 17:44
      +2

      Entirely predictable

  • edshays on 02/08/2016 - 17:40
    +2

    I wrote to Microsoft via chat and they said they could give me a good will upgrade after the deadline.

    • chyawala on 02/08/2016 - 18:17
      +13

      That's too kind of them, to spy on you for free.

    • fruit on 10/08/2016 - 14:45

      link?

    • avgbowlofpho on 02/08/2016 - 17:55
      +4

      but it was past the deadline and it stopped being free to the public, now you have to pay like $90

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:01

      This is what you would be paying to upgrade if not for this deal:

      http://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=…

      • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:17
        -4

        It's a hack that takes advantage of the disabled community. I stand by my negative vote even more so now.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:35
          +4

          Assistive technology is not only for "Disabled" people. I use assistive technologies from time to time for convenience/comfort, even though I do not have any disabilities.

          It does precisely zero harm to those who require assistive technology, and the requirements are in the FAQ:

          Q: What assistive technologies are eligible for the extension?

          A: We are not restricting the free upgrade offer to specific assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology on Windows, you are eligible for the free upgrade offer.

          Meaning you only have to "use" assistive technology", not "need" it.

        • WhiteEvo6 on 02/08/2016 - 18:51
          +2

          If you have a Windows tablet you use the on screen keyboard

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