You don't have to use a product key to use it. 'And you can use it indefinitely. If you want to activate it, you will need a product key. And just like any Linux distro, its use is bound by a license.
Windows and Linux are both "free" (no cash necessary) to download and install. But both come with a binding license. So both are free as in free beer, but at the same time bind the "end user" to the terms of a contract. So neither are outright free operating systems, not by a long shot.
The thing is though the license is there whether or not there is a click OK or not, and AFAICT, every Linux distro comes with a binding license. So you do not own your copy to do anything you want with it. There is a binding license which sets out limits with the potential of legal action should you go beyond those limits.
If the operating system were truly free, one could do what one wished carte blanch (respective of the laws of the land of course). This is not the case with Linux distributions.
Generally speaking, you own your computer. Almost all operating systems though - Windows - macOS - Linux distros - UNIX variants etc. are licensed - yup, most all of them. I find it odd that so many Linux fans say Linux is "free", yet each copy comes with a BINDING license.
Slashdot Mirror
You can download and install Windows 10 for free (as in free beer):
ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-u...
Media Creation Tool
https://www.microsoft.com/en-u...
You don't have to use a product key to use it. 'And you can use it indefinitely. If you want to activate it, you will need a product key. And just like any Linux distro, its use is bound by a license.
You're welcome.
Windows and Linux are both "free" (no cash necessary) to download and install. But both come with a binding license. So both are free as in free beer, but at the same time bind the "end user" to the terms of a contract. So neither are outright free operating systems, not by a long shot.
The thing is though the license is there whether or not there is a click OK or not, and AFAICT, every Linux distro comes with a binding license. So you do not own your copy to do anything you want with it. There is a binding license which sets out limits with the potential of legal action should you go beyond those limits.
If the operating system were truly free, one could do what one wished carte blanch (respective of the laws of the land of course). This is not the case with Linux distributions.
Generally speaking, you own your computer. Almost all operating systems though - Windows - macOS - Linux distros - UNIX variants etc. are licensed - yup, most all of them. I find it odd that so many Linux fans say Linux is "free", yet each copy comes with a BINDING license.