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Windows 10 Now Runs On 300M Active Devices; Upgrade To Cost $119 After July 29

On Thursday (May 5), Microsoft announced that Windows 10 is now running on 300 million active devices, up from 270 million monthly active devices as of March 30. The feat comes nine months after Microsoft released Windows 10, the latest version of its desktop operating system, after offering it for months to developers. The company also announced today that Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 (as well as Windows 8) users with a valid license wouldn't be eligible for the free upgrade starting July 29. After July 29th, Microsoft says, users will be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for $119.

Windows 10 offers a range of interesting features including virtual digital assistant Cortana. While these features and a substantial boost to performance and speeds could be a big reason for the fast adoption of Windows 10, it's also no secret that Microsoft continues to push Windows 10 update to computers ... sometimes even when users don't want that.

33 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. After the 29 will the simi forced updates come wit by Joe_Dragon · · Score: 2

    After the 29 will the simi forced updates come with a bill? Stop working and say you needed to pay after updating and the time to go back is over as well.

  2. The Real Question: Will they stop the nagging? by thebes · · Score: 3, Insightful

    They damn well better issue a patch to remove all the nagware then. Yes I know it can be disabled, but it shouldn't be there to begin with.

    1. Re:The Real Question: Will they stop the nagging? by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 4, Informative

      They damn well better issue a patch to remove all the nagware then

      Here's a datapoint: I did not qualify for an upgrade so had to pay full price for Win10. It nags me about Office 365 all the time. I don't want to rent software, and have no need for that software, but it keeps doing it.

      I wouldn't hold my breath.

  3. Fast Adoption? EH? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You mean FORCED adoption. Microsoft doesn't give you much of a choice. It's either 'Stick with what you have, but we ain't supporting it anymore' or 'Get the new operating system.'

  4. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I personally doubt that Microsoft will actually follow through with that, which would obviously stipulate an end to the forced 10 upgrades. Since when has Microsoft been known to stop doing something incredibly annoying once they start?

  5. no wonder by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    they're pushing windows 10 so fucking hard right now... NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would actually pay $119 for this shit after july.

    hell, even free it's been so tough a sale they've had to resort to using malware-like deceptive windows, and forced installs when you still decipher them properly.

  6. In Other News... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Microsoft has removed the capability of even system administrators to block/remove the Windows App store in Windows 10, even in the Pro version. Whereas previously it was possible to use registry edits or GPO to remove/block the app store and other forced start menu tiles in Windows 10, a recent Microsoft update has eliminated that capability and re-enabled these features.

    Some smart people said; just block the update. But, that's not an option in Windows 10 either. With this new "feature" the only way to prevent users access to teh app store and the willy nilly installation of apps is to use teh MUCH more expensive Enterprise version of Windows 10.

    1. Re:In Other News... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 5, Informative

      Why the fuck would you remove an app store?

      In a controlled computing environment, system administrators don't allow unauthorized software to run on the network without being tested first. An app store would be a huge security risk if users were able to download and install their own software.

    2. Re:In Other News... by LichtSpektren · · Score: 5, Informative

      I hate these fucking system administrators removing anything they please. Fuck them. Why the fuck would you remove an app store? Are you fucking nuts? Better hand out fucking chromebooks to users if you do not want them to be able to use their laptops.

      The Windows Store has been plagued with malware for years now: http://www.howtogeek.com/19499...

      A sysadmin would be a lunatic to let anybody on his network into the WinStore!

    3. Re:In Other News... by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 2

      That's not "Malware". That's just useless overpriced shitware.

      The whole point of the Windows Store is to sandbox applications from acting as malware. An IT Manager should prefer them finding shitware that is sandboxed than shitware on Downloads.com that probably actually does have viruses.

      Also that story is 2 years old. Thankfully Microsoft purged the store of shitware ages ago.

  7. For me, the upgrade will be free after Jun 29... by QuietLagoon · · Score: 4, Insightful
    It will be free because Microsoft's sleazy, malware-like tactics have convinced me that a move to Linux is in my future. And that upgrade will be free.

    .
    At this point, I cannot see myself relying upon Microsoft when Microsoft has shown me that it is unworthy of my trust.

  8. Click here... by tlambert · · Score: 5, Funny

    Click here to install now.

    Click there to install 5 minutes from now.

    Force the window closed to install anyway.

    Hold the ACPI power button down to force the power off, and install when you reboot.

    Pull the power cable to see this dialog again.

  9. Thank you for upgrading by Overzeetop · · Score: 2

    Congratulations, your computer has been upgraded! Please find the invoice for your upgrade in your Documents folder. You may enter a credit card number now, or wait until your free evaluation is completed. Thank you for using Microsoft!

    *You may revert to your previous windows for 30 days. After the 30 day free evaluation is completed, your old system files will be deleted and you will be required to enter your credit card number to continuous using your machine.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  10. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by idontgno · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's a good point.

    After July 29, involuntary automatic upgrades to Windows 10 will include automatically searching the user's data (local or cloud-based) for credit card numbers or other financial accounts to bill for the upgrade. Expect a Windows Update KB patch in July to implement this additional feature in the GWX subsystem.

    --
    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  11. obligatory by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    No way. A grand, minimum, or I'm staying on 7.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  12. Repeat cycle by Lose · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The forced upgrade cycle gave the usual OEM's ample time to roll out Windows 10 devices and most consumers will simply move to Windows 10 by way of failed or slow computer forcing their hand to upgrade that way. By that momentum alone Windows 10 adoption will continue to rise steadily.

    Windows 7 will continue on as the new Windows XP in the professional space and we'll all repeat the painful process of resisting unwanted change for the next ten years.

  13. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by NotDrWho · · Score: 2

    That was the first thing I wondered to. Will I finally have some PEACE AND QUIET after July 29th without having to use GWX Control Panel?

    --
    SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  14. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by mrchaotica · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'd almost suggest Microsoft could extract the value by installing Bitcoin mining software on everyone's PC, but there's no way they'd do that without inventing their own proprietary "M$Coin" first.

    --

    "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

  15. Re:Why is there a donut hole by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 2

    Forced downgrade to Windows Me. By July 29th, these users will pay $238 to "Please God, stop the pain"

  16. Re:Windows 10 offers a range of interesting featur by mrchaotica · · Score: 2

    Of course Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows, in the same way that Mac OS X was the last version of Mac OS.

    --

    "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

  17. Not Sure What to Do by Maltheus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I have serious privacy concerns over Windows 10, but I do run it on my gaming-only box, figuring there isn't too much to harvest anyway. I also have a Win 7 and Win 8.1 machine which I've been reluctant to upgrade because of this. Especially after watching Windows 10 wipe out my privacy settings and restore the defaults.

    That being said, Windows 10 is so much faster at starting up and coming out of sleep and will likely be the only version receiving updates in the future. I would love to upgrade my other boxes for free, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

    1. Re:Not Sure What to Do by Voyager529 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      https://www.oo-software.com/en...

      That, plus telemetry blocking at the firewall level have placated my concerns, personally.

  18. Also in the news... by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

    In unrelated news, an Apple spokesperson announced that they have to increase prices for their computers come August, citing an expected serious increase in demand for their products.

    Also in the news, in an unparalleled and before unheard union between Linux distributors they all announced that no later than in mid-July they expect their new release to hit the market. Asked what sparked this sudden union of all distributions our reporter was informed that "the time is right, this is going to be the year of Linux on the Desktop. And this time for real".

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  19. Great news! by ilsaloving · · Score: 2

    This is fantastic news. This will presumably mean they'll stop their asshat nagware campaign, cause they can't have it both ways. If they don't, I bet there will be a sudden spike in popcorn sales as people sit back to watch the fireworks.

    1. Re:Great news! by JeffOwl · · Score: 2

      This is fantastic news. This will presumably mean they'll stop their asshat nagware campaign, cause they can't have it both ways. If they don't, I bet there will be a sudden spike in popcorn sales as people sit back to watch the fireworks.

      I think you give them too much credit. The nagware will continue but it will not update automatically. Or maybe it will. I would hope that they are not this evil, but... It could update automatically and then at the EULA screen give you the option to pay. If you decline the EULA or don't pay it will then revert back to 7 or 8. Rinse repeat every month or so.

  20. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why not take a page from Apple? Start looking for all documents, upload them to OneDrive, and automatically delete the one on the local storage without user permission. Once the user has paid the $119 ransom^W upgrade to Windows 10, they can access their files.

  21. Microsoft employee here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Posting anon for obvious reasons. The plan internally is to continue to offer it for free indefinitely after the existing period expires. I expect an announcement will come in July about the extension. MS doesn't want Windows 7 to be like XP where people stay on it until they are pried away.

    1. Re:Microsoft employee here by vux984 · · Score: 2

      Posting anon for obvious reasons. The plan internally is to continue to offer it for free indefinitely after the existing period expires.

      This is what I expected -- in one form or another. It just makes sense given their goals. The only reason to have the free period even "end" was to try and motivate people to upgrade today because it's going to cost something tomorrow.

      I also wouldn't be surprised to see them let the deal end, then reintroduce it a month later for another year "due to the demand/excitement/whatever". That gives them another year of "time is running out".

      BUT, having said all that, I'd also expected the cheap upgrades ($20 iirc) from 7 to 8 to persist indefinitely as well, but they didn't; and I never understood why. Nobody, but nobody, ever would pay $80-$100+ to upgrade from 7 to 8/8.1 so why discontinue the 'deal' price?

  22. Re:Fast Adoption? EH? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Which is the same as every OS release... ever?

  23. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by squiggleslash · · Score: 2

    Yes. On July the 29th there will be no semi-forced upgrades to Windows 10.

    On July 30th, Microsoft will announce Windows 10.1, and announce that it's free for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 users. To upgrade, just reboot your PC, and the new operating system will be installed automatically.

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
  24. Re:Substantial boost in performance??? by PRMan · · Score: 2

    In the real world.

    I have an old Asus eeePC netbook. I put an SSD in it and it runs pretty fast with it.

    • XP Home - came with it, ran OK.
    • Vista-installed, but took over 2 minutes to boot. Unusable.
    • Windows 7-had similar performance to XP.
    • Windows 8-wouldn't install on 1024x600 screen.
    • Windows 10-fastest version of Windows on there yet, by far. Taking 768MB out of the working set of a 2GB memory machine does wonders.
    --
    Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
  25. Re:For me, the upgrade will be free after Jun 29.. by dnormant · · Score: 2

    I had an 80GB SSD and a 4TB data drive. One day I found that my 80GB C; drive was full. Turns out MS was "Preparing" me for my free Windows 10 upgrade. I figured SSDs were getting cheaper so I bought a 500GB. I installed Debian on it and I'm using the old 80GB as my swap partition.

    No regrets.

  26. Re:After the 29 will the simi forced updates come by Solandri · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Actually, Apple pretty much did just that. You remember when Google got in trouble with the EU for recording too much wifi info while its street view cars were driving around taking pictures? The reason they were recording wifi info was to correlate the SSIDs with physical locations. That way, even if your GPS is off, Google can make a pretty good guess at your general location.

    When Apple ditched Google Maps, they didn't have their own database of SSID locations. The first year they paid for a database from Skyhook. The next year, they used their own database. How did they mysteriously generate this database without sending around Apple street view cars to record every wifi hotspot's SSID? By secretly logging iPhone owners' locations and nearby SSIDs, and having the phones send the info back to them. Essentially, Apple turned all iPhone owners into unpaid contractors who traveled around recording the locations of every SSID on Earth. Given that they got away with it, while Google got sued by the EU for trying to do it the non-evil way and paying to send their own cars around to record it, I expect next time Google will just secretly harvest the data from its users.