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Microsoft Quietly Announces End of Last Free Windows 10 Upgrade Offer (zdnet.com)
Ed Bott, writing for ZDNet: If you've been waiting to claim your free Windows 10 upgrade using the "assistive technologies" exception, you need to act soon. In a quiet change to an obscure web page, Microsoft announced this week that those exceptions will end on December 31, 2017. On July 29, 2016, Microsoft officially ended the Get Windows 10 program, which offered free Windows 10 upgrades to anyone currently running a supported earlier version of Windows. But the company left a giant loophole in a separate announcement at the same time. Under the terms of that announcement, individuals who use "assistive technologies" received an automatic extension of the free upgrade offer. Sometime in the past week, Microsoft quietly edited that page, to add "The accessibility upgrade offer expires on December 31, 2017."
.. thank you.
"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
welcome to the future!
If I turn on assistive tech in my win 7 install, and go to DL win 10, I'll be able to install it and it will work?
Watch their sales numbers plummet. :-)
Where is your 'adoption rate' now, Miscreant-o-soft?
Those fuckers are back with the spyware offer again? WTF? No! and fuck off!
I've been popping unopened copies of Windows 7 into machines and upgrading them seamlessly to Windows 10 (usually within 24 hours of original install) for the last year without needing any "assistive technology" tricks. Has anyone actually run into any "you must pay to upgrade" or other barriers since the "free for all" Windows 7 allegedly ended?
Have gnu, will travel.
As if I'd install Microsoft Genuine Spyware.
I actually wish I could upgrade my wife's laptop to Windows 10 (as weird as that sounds). For over a year now, she's had a problem where her computer says it needs to reboot to finish installing a Windows update. If we reboot, it reports that it needs to reboot to finish installing a Windows update. Nowhere does it say which update this is and no amount of reboots clear this up. I can't even manually run Windows Update because that - surprise, surprise - tells me to reboot to finish an installation before it will move on.
At this point, my best guess is that her laptop tried to install Windows 10, failed, and she was stuck with a broken Windows installation. I don't want to wipe her system, but a year of searching hasn't uncovered any way to fix this issue. If I could upgrade her to Windows 10, maybe it would break her computer out of the endless reboot cycle.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
... but I'd call it the ability to dodge bullets.
Inheritance is the sincerest form of nepotism.
Windows 10 is still looking like a "has run" in the OS landscape. It is beginning to look as if the only way the marketshare will be increasing is through the forced bundling with new PC and corporate upgrades due to support issues with older versions, and not because Windows 10 is actually wanted.
I run windows 7 in a VM for things that require it. Have Windows 10 in a bootable partition I upgraded to test it...it's more resource pig and UI sucks. Microsoft should just go back to the UI that has 25+ years of maturity behind it.
there was much rejoicing
Aren't PC sales pretty flat now that they're just commodities? Windows 7 worked well enough, and the newer OSs don't really allow you to do anything you couldn't before, so no reason to pay money to upgrade.
The powers that be have made it inconvenient to hide from their spying today, but, make no mistake, people are looking for places to hide. Windows 10 avoidance, to some extent, is due to mistrust. Even ordinary people put a piece of black tape over their webcam nowadays. Others are creating ways to help lay people hide from the ever more intrusive eye of big brother. It feels like 1984. Once people find ways to hide that work (if that's even possible), they'll start to ban hiding.
By getting rid of free upgrades, there will be a large amount of people stuck on 7 and XP. since Microsoft refuses to support past 2020 and 2014.Microsoft should do the right thing on January 14, 2020 and give anyone still on 7 and XP a free upgrade to 10 otherwise the internet will have more wannacrys, petyas and code reds.
Out of curiosity: what is that software that you need, that is not available under Linux? I do not doubt your assertion, but I would like to know more.
Software isn't the real problem (honestly that stuff just appears once users reach critical mass), the problem is that Linux doesn't have "lack of choice", and it never will because it's not a product. Linux doesn't need anything more to attract users, instead the prospective users need to value something that is actively shunned in consumerism: an extreme abundance of choice, as the inevitable consequence of the freedoms that underpin the GNU/Linux world.
This is not compatible with consumerism because it requires a different currency (personal investment), the user must first choose how much time they are willing to invest and the level of choice they want to invest in. I can't see that changing any time soon for the 99% of other OS users that are not technically interested, to most people Linux looks like the complete opposite of a "comfortable" product that they can exchange some moneys for and expect a polished, consistent and unified product... and to be clear, it's not that Linux can't be that, it's that the world that it lives in (it's branding if you like) portrays the something very fragmented and confusing from the point of view of someone who is not interested in investing anything other than money. Even though "Ubuntu" or "Canonical" are about as close to a Linux like product that we can get, they are still considered Linux and part of that confusing world, and so that is still a disadvantage from a branding point of view.
now i can finally turn updates back on without getting the windows 10 update nag error
Btw IHNRTFA.
I'm running Linux Mint now... Will never install windows 10. Linux does everything I want it to and is quiet fast. Goodbye Microsoft.
-Full time C# .net developer used to love windows before the current CEO....
Agreed. One of those methods being to ensure that Windows 7 won't be supported with new processors. I have a strong suspicion that Neverware and chrome devices are going to become much more popular, or at least, as far as I'm concerned.
I have been just installing the win10 upgrade as normal this whole time with no issues, no trick required.
Windows 10 is still looking like a "has run" in the OS landscape. It is beginning to look as if the only way the marketshare will be increasing is through the forced bundling with new PC and corporate upgrades due to support issues with older versions, and not because Windows 10 is actually wanted.
It could have been a Vista "has run" if there would be a Win11, but since almost nobody is actually migrating away from Windows I think the Microsoft term is "success". StatCounter has Windows at a quite stable 83% desktop OS share, it's about to pass Win7 (43% vs 41% at the moment) and on Steam it's 96% Windows with Win10 on top. The enterprise market and other conservative organizations will eventually switch as the EOL date approaches, even if they lose marginally to Apple and Linux or see a bit of post-EOL use like XP I'd say they're on target to bring 95%+ of their existing users to Win10.
Microsoft has essentially seized all control over updates, upgrades, settings, telemetry, advertisements and will reset your preferences at will without losing any significant portion of their customers, how's that not a smashing success for Microsoft? I expect that once the Win7 EOL is over the frog will begin to boil for real, it's almost so I want to buy Microsoft stock because I think they'll make bank gouging their captive audience. No more passive resistance by not upgrading, it's now one Windows and you're along for the ride whether you want to or not.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
Outside of slashdot it is not a bust. Steam says so otherwise as corporate markets react slower. Corporate upgrades are starting as you read this with new images and deployments and testing. Not everyone wants a repeat of 2014 when their XP machines suddenly became ghosted.
http://saveie6.com/
I run windows 7 in a VM for things that require it. Have Windows 10 in a bootable partition I upgraded to test it...it's more resource pig and UI sucks. Microsoft should just go back to the UI that has 25+ years of maturity behind it.
Funny both Windows 8 and 10 are lightning fast and boot within seconds on my home built computer vs 7. I did turn off CSM (bios emulation) and use pure EFI for fastboot. On an SSD Windows 10 is lighter and uses less battery power.
MS removed millions of line of code starting with 7 and continued to do so until 8.1 to make things faster and more power efficient. How, does the UI suck other than it looks funny?
http://saveie6.com/
As of last week I was able to activate Windows 10 install using a Windows 7 OEM key. It is in Microsoftâ(TM)s interest that everyone upgrades sooner or later.
EOL is just 2 1/2 years away.
If you have an UEFI firmware it supportes extra partitions for recovery. If I were you I would do the free upgrade this weekend and then when it is done go into device settings -> (gear icon in start menu) -> recovery back to Windows 7.
Now you are back on 7 but have your keys saved at Microsoft so if you DO need to upgrade 2 years from now you have a free license. :-)
That is what I did as 10 was unstable in 2015. I upgraded last year with the free media creation download tool and selected" I do not have key". MS was able to activate no problem.
I look at operating systems like oil changes and maintenance. Software changes even if moores law is slowing in hardware and it is good to be prepared and if your data is important.
http://saveie6.com/
Agreed. One of those methods being to ensure that Windows 7 won't be supported with new processors. I have a strong suspicion that Neverware and chrome devices are going to become much more popular, or at least, as far as I'm concerned.
Google drops devices after 2 years. Microsoft gives you 10 years. That would be illogical unless they are very cheap disposable devices.
http://saveie6.com/
You had years to upgrade and plan and unlike XP MS gave you a free way out for over 2 years. You can easily revert back to 7 if you do not like 10 with the recovery tools on an EFI system.
You can do it this weekend and then in 2019 you can upgrade without a key as MS will have your motherboard ID registered so it is 100% free to upgrade.
I do not see Apple or Google offering free support and upgrades for 10 years on devices.
http://saveie6.com/
you're confused, fast boot time means nothing when it ends with an OS running a bogged down machine. my ol' Dell Optiplex 980 notices bloat.
A UI with nondiscoverable controls is garbage, which is what windows 8 and up have. My PC isn't a giant cell phone (and we know how well a cell phone UI microsoft made, the market doesn't lie)
The only improvements in the UI over Win 7 are for HiDPI and touchscreens. The taskbar for multiple displays is a slight improvement too. Edge is arguably a good browser. The Linux subsystem is interesting.
Windows Consumer Experience, anti-privacy features, the lack of contrast in raised vs lowered windows, the lack of corners to grab for window resizing, the explorer window is a mash of different UI concepts, the configuration menus are decades of not-invented-here half-assed redesigns abandoned with intermediate versions of Windows.
There are lots of other features... but they're not improvements. It's mostly awkward decay from what was a pretty good UI years ago.
Win7 modernized XP, which was desparately needed (64 bit, proper access controls, security features). 10 does similar to 7, but only for HiDPI, touch, but comes at a price. Hopefully whatever follows 10 will be a bit less crap.
and not because Windows 10 is actually wanted
What version of an OS was actually wanted? These aren't iPhones, or Androids where new version brings some fundamental functionality. Windows ultimately even with major version jumps are incredibly minor feature improvements over their predecessor on a platform open enough that any problem you have was likely already resolved by a 3rd party program you installed.
People don't get excited about basic UI, or some incremental changes unless there's something fundamentally missing in the previous system. Mobile phones are getting to that stage now too. I used to get excited about an Android release, or an iOS release. "OMG FINALLY it can copy and paste!" or similar such fundamental improvements. Nowadays, ... meh.
Windows has been the same for a long time. If you're security conscious you'll upgrade when long term support expires. If not, you'll update with your new computer.
Microsoft has essentially seized all control over updates, upgrades, settings, telemetry, advertisements and will reset your preferences at will without losing any significant portion of their customers, how's that not a smashing success for Microsoft?
In my opinion there is a danger in simply thinking in terms of market share.
What percentage of customers jumping ship is sufficient to fund development of competitive alternatives standing an ever increasing likelihood of at eating away at Microsoft's default position? We are in an era of maturing technology and diminishing returns with respect to value gained per input unit of human labor.
I expect that once the Win7 EOL is over the frog will begin to boil for real, it's almost so I want to buy Microsoft stock because I think they'll make bank gouging their captive audience. No more passive resistance by not upgrading, it's now one Windows and you're along for the ride whether you want to or not.
Perhaps. Perhaps they end up creating a vacuum in the market that gets filled with something that leads to their undoing.
Except for everyone upgrading to a Ryzen system. Which is basically new everything.
Under Canadian federal privacy in Canada (PIPEDA), if you pay for MS software you have business relationship. You therefore have legal rights to verify the accuracy of everything that MS collects on you.
windows 10 is a terrible operating system it is basically spamware, i wiped it off and put the only operating system on that matters to me, Linux!!!
so what does microsoft expect, people to buy their operating system and be spammed to buy more services, microsoft does not want customers they want cash cows
Politics is Treachery, Religion is Brainwashing
Windows 7 worked well enough
Past tense. What do you plan on doing in January 2020 (2 years and 2 months from now) once security updates for Windows 7 cease to be produced?
I have a real issue with Microsoft calling this an "upgrade". Truth in advertising?
When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
The only improvements in the UI over Win 7 are for HiDPI and touchscreens. The taskbar for multiple displays is a slight improvement too. Edge is arguably a good browser. The Linux subsystem is interesting.
Windows Consumer Experience, anti-privacy features, the lack of contrast in raised vs lowered windows, the lack of corners to grab for window resizing, the explorer window is a mash of different UI concepts, the configuration menus are decades of not-invented-here half-assed redesigns abandoned with intermediate versions of Windows.
There are lots of other features... but they're not improvements. It's mostly awkward decay from what was a pretty good UI years ago.
Win7 modernized XP, which was desparately needed (64 bit, proper access controls, security features). 10 does similar to 7, but only for HiDPI, touch, but comes at a price. Hopefully whatever follows 10 will be a bit less crap.
You can turn some of the consumer experience off now when you do a fresh install and I always enable "add colors to title bars and start menu" I HATE the white, but you can turn it off very easily. I have dark blue title and start menu on my system.
Windows 10 offers Hyper-V which is a godsend for IT professionals which no one really talks about as I have Ubuntu and FreeBSD vms for real work besides the WSL Linux subsystem. I have a love hate relationship with VMWare Workstaiton which is on life support after they outsourced the development team. :-(
I like the tiles because they have news updates and the notification center ROCKS as Windows lacked this for so long.
Last, if you use a tablet or have a laptop the Netflix, Hulu, and just kernel tuning for power saving mode are nice on the road. My Surface Pro 3 I do ebook reading and watch some movies on occasion at the airport. Try that Windows 7. Windows 10 is also more secure too. NOt nearly the improvement Vista/7 was over XP but still an improvement. Also Windows 10 has MDM mobile device management support just like your IOS or Android device which is cool if you play with Azure AD or VMWare airwatch.
These are good reasons to upgrade and I do admit it does feel like 2 interfaces are in but it is coming together.
http://saveie6.com/
hat do you plan on doing in January 2020 (2 years and 2 months from now) once security updates for Windows 7 cease to be produced?
The same thing I've been doing. Keep using it as my Wintendo for Steam games and do all my real computing in GNU/Linux.
The decision was taken after it came to light that only the single-celled organisms and some species of house-cat have managed to avoid forced update/not chosen to upgrade for free.
Requiem for the American Dream
Weird. I got that when the download I had going finished an hour after they said they would end free upgrades.
They can end-of-life all Windows versions for all I care...
...One of those methods being to ensure that Windows 7 won't be supported with new processors. ...
And that is just the opening salvo with Windows. You have to know that Microsoft is not going to be getting more lax in that area. imo, the Windows subscription model is coming, and coming sooner than later.
I couldn't care less. When I saw the abomination of an OS called W8 I said to myself "It's over with Microsoft for me." Since then I've been running Debian and being a really happy camper watching the game they play with masses of people from the side. It's funny once you get away from it and watch from the side. You should all try that. I also have a Debian 9 live DVD with me at all times to demonstrate to people how a real OS works. What Windows 10?! It's a ridiculous garbage of an OS made to annoy users and it's so full of bugs, holes and spyware that it's amazing so many people actually use it. I don't get it. But it's damn funny! LOL Some people will never learn. Well, you get what you deserve, I guess.
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - Jiddu Krishnamurti
Here is the link to download the installer:
Customers who use assistive technologies can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgrade
w00t
then it might be a good product except for the stupid ass tablet interface on a PC that makes no sense, makes things harder / stupidier, common sense things like flow, intiutiveness are gone. Must be the dumbing down of america kids from the early 2000s must have jobs at microsoft.