What if you're a developer but aren't paying tax to Microsoft? Which is a lot of developers. Plus a lot of machines that are needed to develop, test, support, train, and so forth, just for a single device being created. Every device out there started life unsigned by Microsoft.
If Microsoft cared about customers then they'd do something to protect the untrained users, whereas devices and drivers aren't the things that get most users into trouble. Biggest hole are probably web browsers, the service.exe, etc. Certainly not the application that you've clicked "yes I know it was downloaded, but run it anyway" button for a hundred times and it's still asking you. Microsoft just has no clue about how to make things safe. They're doing this for the driver signing fee, which has to be renewed every year.
Just last week, Windows 7 rejected a driver from modern software. Guess the company was small enough they didn't want to waste the periodic license fee just to license their driver. Which means we did a really goofy workaround that puts the VM image into test mode every time it boots up. Sure, maybe we're in the minority but to have Microsoft as the gatekeeper is ridiculous - they're expensive as well as highly untrustworthy.
It means any new device that comes out will be unable to be used on Windows without first jumping through hoops. Of course Microsoft will abuse this power. I mean they're OUR machines, we should be able to do whatever we want with them.
That's what's so ridiculous about the whole thing. The stuff that's insecure is left wide open. It's like making sure the shed door is triple bolted but only having a chain latch on the front door.
But you gave zero reasons for upgrading! You don't upgrade just because you can! You need a reason to upgrade!
Your number 4 is important, because it does break/fold/mutilate/fondle very important must-haves for everyone. It screws up privacy. It screws up security. It screws up stability. This is not just a new and improved version, it's not even an improved version. It changes how things work, it changes the relationship between the customer and Microsoft, it changes the EULA in very disturbing ways, you will have to learn how to use the OS all over from scratch. You must spend a lot of time undoing all the misguided default settings that Microsoft foolishly set up.
There is no reason to upgrade because there is nothing new in Windows 10 that anyone needs or wants. You totally discounted all of the negatives in Windows 10 and assumed that after step 4 that it was a neutral choice.
Here's are more steps: 5) you don't know any better and all these big words that the experts are confusing. 6) you have a relative who understands computers and who can help you out if needed. 7) you think that Microsoft knows better than you do what is good for you. If so, then you might want to consider upgrading to Windows 10. I'm not saying you should upgrade, but you could consider doing so.
I hated the windows 10 start menu, it in no way is the same as the Windows 7 version. Like how they went from simple XP start menu to the ugly Windows 7 novice-mode start menu, going to Windows 10 start menu is as big or a bigger change (but not better).
The Windows 8 & 10 version of powering down basically is a hybrid hibernate. It kills all apps and most things, but then hibernates just the kernel and drivers. So it boots very fast but without taking so long setting up the hibernation. Though the power down is still noticeably looooonger than a real power down. It's actually pretty annoying if you're waiting to flip the power strip button but probably not noticed on laptops where people shut the lid and walk away, and laptop/tablet/phone is Microsoft's preferred market here.
I power off. This saves power. Too much stuff in the home siphons off power even when nominally asleep. At least with my PC I have a power strip so I can really kill the power.
I did that. Chances are my PC will be gone by the time I upgrade so I'll need a new license anyway (too bad, it was a free Pro license and of the Home licence for Windows beta testers).
They can't do that without getting their Windows Store to actually be useful first. The Windows Store version of the latest Tomb Raider fluff is somewhat limited in comparison to the Steam version in some ways. Maybe not ways that matter to most but that do matter to some serious gamers. No SLI support, no full screen support, no way to turn off VSync, no modding, no overlays. Unlike Steam, the Windows Store version of the game won't let you run it on Windows 7 or 8 or Linux or OSX. Also note that issues with the game on Universal Windows Platform are being hashed out on the Steam forums, because there's no such thing for the Windows Store.
I'm not a huge Steam fan. I do think Steam needs good competition. However the Windows Store is not it. Maybe it will improve but I don't suspect that such an XBox obsessed company and the company behind Games For Windows Live really understands PC gaming.
I payed $15 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro. I'm not sure if that's still an OEM license or not. It probably is because Microsoft would really hate to have left any loophole open. I don't even know how you can tell what sort of license you have, you used to know by looking at the label on the CDs you had.
If it's an OEM license, don't worry because your PC will probably die before official security support expires. If it's a transferrable licence then you can probably still use it in a VM sandbox with no network access for as long as you want. Just like many places still have dos or windows xp running on disconnected PCs to keep critical applications running.
It's not just the veneral disease outbreak aspect of Windows 10 that is bad. Though the itching is pretty annoying. But there were so many gawdawful design decisions. Decisions made that benefit Microsoft while hurting customers, like an automaker who uses corrugated tin for the seats because it's cheaper and keeps the drivers more alert than with cushioned seats (because it felt like the right time for an automobile analogy).
The default settings for Windows 10 were just plain awful. Their use of a torrent-like method to share Windows 10 with others that was made an opt-out feature. Their extremely bizarre feature to share wifi passwords if your friends already have them (later removed when MS sobered up). Their spyware, and their methods of bypassing the hosts file to make sure it's hard to block this. Their repeat of the IE mistake by making Cortana integrated and supposedly unable to be removed (just the name Cortana is a stupid idea, it's from a lousy xbox game that the majority of enterprise users will never have heard of). And the biggest hugest fuckup of them all, the inability to skip updates, even the pointless updates unrelated to security, the automatic reboot of your machine by default in the middle of doing your work or playing your game just because Microsoft thought it was a good time for an update.
But Microsoft *is* going out of their way to interfere with the dissent. That's the point. They wasted time to prevent booting straight to desktop. They are now wasting time to prevent the Windows Pro users from using common settings in group policies. None of this affects the average user.
Corporations also don't keep around attorneys who point out that company policies are clearly illegal and may lead to future lawsuits or criminal actions. Lawyers are there to say YES when asked to do so.
Slashdot Mirror
You have now convinced me that I need to watch Adventure Time.
What if you're a developer but aren't paying tax to Microsoft? Which is a lot of developers. Plus a lot of machines that are needed to develop, test, support, train, and so forth, just for a single device being created. Every device out there started life unsigned by Microsoft.
If Microsoft cared about customers then they'd do something to protect the untrained users, whereas devices and drivers aren't the things that get most users into trouble. Biggest hole are probably web browsers, the service.exe, etc. Certainly not the application that you've clicked "yes I know it was downloaded, but run it anyway" button for a hundred times and it's still asking you. Microsoft just has no clue about how to make things safe. They're doing this for the driver signing fee, which has to be renewed every year.
Just last week, Windows 7 rejected a driver from modern software. Guess the company was small enough they didn't want to waste the periodic license fee just to license their driver. Which means we did a really goofy workaround that puts the VM image into test mode every time it boots up. Sure, maybe we're in the minority but to have Microsoft as the gatekeeper is ridiculous - they're expensive as well as highly untrustworthy.
It means any new device that comes out will be unable to be used on Windows without first jumping through hoops. Of course Microsoft will abuse this power. I mean they're OUR machines, we should be able to do whatever we want with them.
That's what's so ridiculous about the whole thing. The stuff that's insecure is left wide open. It's like making sure the shed door is triple bolted but only having a chain latch on the front door.
Tempted to mod this funny. Not sure if you're serious.
But you gave zero reasons for upgrading! You don't upgrade just because you can! You need a reason to upgrade!
Your number 4 is important, because it does break/fold/mutilate/fondle very important must-haves for everyone. It screws up privacy. It screws up security. It screws up stability. This is not just a new and improved version, it's not even an improved version. It changes how things work, it changes the relationship between the customer and Microsoft, it changes the EULA in very disturbing ways, you will have to learn how to use the OS all over from scratch. You must spend a lot of time undoing all the misguided default settings that Microsoft foolishly set up.
There is no reason to upgrade because there is nothing new in Windows 10 that anyone needs or wants. You totally discounted all of the negatives in Windows 10 and assumed that after step 4 that it was a neutral choice.
Here's are more steps:
5) you don't know any better and all these big words that the experts are confusing.
6) you have a relative who understands computers and who can help you out if needed.
7) you think that Microsoft knows better than you do what is good for you.
If so, then you might want to consider upgrading to Windows 10. I'm not saying you should upgrade, but you could consider doing so.
Near future? Windows 8.1 is supported until 2024.
We're not frightened of Windows 10 because it's new. We're frightened because it's a monstrosity.
I hated the windows 10 start menu, it in no way is the same as the Windows 7 version. Like how they went from simple XP start menu to the ugly Windows 7 novice-mode start menu, going to Windows 10 start menu is as big or a bigger change (but not better).
The Windows 8 & 10 version of powering down basically is a hybrid hibernate. It kills all apps and most things, but then hibernates just the kernel and drivers. So it boots very fast but without taking so long setting up the hibernation. Though the power down is still noticeably looooonger than a real power down. It's actually pretty annoying if you're waiting to flip the power strip button but probably not noticed on laptops where people shut the lid and walk away, and laptop/tablet/phone is Microsoft's preferred market here.
I power off. This saves power. Too much stuff in the home siphons off power even when nominally asleep. At least with my PC I have a power strip so I can really kill the power.
I did that. Chances are my PC will be gone by the time I upgrade so I'll need a new license anyway (too bad, it was a free Pro license and of the Home licence for Windows beta testers).
They can't do that without getting their Windows Store to actually be useful first. The Windows Store version of the latest Tomb Raider fluff is somewhat limited in comparison to the Steam version in some ways. Maybe not ways that matter to most but that do matter to some serious gamers. No SLI support, no full screen support, no way to turn off VSync, no modding, no overlays. Unlike Steam, the Windows Store version of the game won't let you run it on Windows 7 or 8 or Linux or OSX. Also note that issues with the game on Universal Windows Platform are being hashed out on the Steam forums, because there's no such thing for the Windows Store.
I'm not a huge Steam fan. I do think Steam needs good competition. However the Windows Store is not it. Maybe it will improve but I don't suspect that such an XBox obsessed company and the company behind Games For Windows Live really understands PC gaming.
I payed $15 to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro. I'm not sure if that's still an OEM license or not. It probably is because Microsoft would really hate to have left any loophole open. I don't even know how you can tell what sort of license you have, you used to know by looking at the label on the CDs you had.
It's more secure because the Microsoft web page says so. Who are we as mere mortals to doubt the words of a higher authority?
If it's an OEM license, don't worry because your PC will probably die before official security support expires. If it's a transferrable licence then you can probably still use it in a VM sandbox with no network access for as long as you want. Just like many places still have dos or windows xp running on disconnected PCs to keep critical applications running.
Plenty of time to migrate to something else. Or set up a set of sandboxed VM images on burner PCs for those times you feel like slumming.
Oh gawd, the flame war was supposed to be dead, now I can feel it rumbling in its grave! Run everyone, run before it's too late!
For an improved user experience.
It's not just the veneral disease outbreak aspect of Windows 10 that is bad. Though the itching is pretty annoying. But there were so many gawdawful design decisions. Decisions made that benefit Microsoft while hurting customers, like an automaker who uses corrugated tin for the seats because it's cheaper and keeps the drivers more alert than with cushioned seats (because it felt like the right time for an automobile analogy).
The default settings for Windows 10 were just plain awful. Their use of a torrent-like method to share Windows 10 with others that was made an opt-out feature. Their extremely bizarre feature to share wifi passwords if your friends already have them (later removed when MS sobered up). Their spyware, and their methods of bypassing the hosts file to make sure it's hard to block this. Their repeat of the IE mistake by making Cortana integrated and supposedly unable to be removed (just the name Cortana is a stupid idea, it's from a lousy xbox game that the majority of enterprise users will never have heard of). And the biggest hugest fuckup of them all, the inability to skip updates, even the pointless updates unrelated to security, the automatic reboot of your machine by default in the middle of doing your work or playing your game just because Microsoft thought it was a good time for an update.
They removed that in Windows 8. And I'm glad actually. I never liked Aero, too much flash and not enough substance.
Sorry to interrupt, but this is important.
Windows 10 free upgrade offer ends
July 29th.
But Microsoft *is* going out of their way to interfere with the dissent. That's the point. They wasted time to prevent booting straight to desktop. They are now wasting time to prevent the Windows Pro users from using common settings in group policies. None of this affects the average user.
Customers keep trying to file lawsuits online, but their computers keep mysteriously rebooting to install new updates.
Three luddites in a row == Syzygy!
Corporations also don't keep around attorneys who point out that company policies are clearly illegal and may lead to future lawsuits or criminal actions. Lawyers are there to say YES when asked to do so.