DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Microsoft Starts Prompting Windows 7/8 Users for Free Upgrade to 10

Wow, this is absolutely incredible. I am shocked that they are actually giving away their newest operating system to people with previous versions, I cannot recall them ever doing so before. Kind of shocking, really.

Anyway, if you are running an up to date system with Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed, you should get a prompt to "Reserve your free upgrade".

Man, I am absolutely stunned that they are giving anything away.

Anyway, there is an image on the website link that shows the upgrade information, for those who are interested. Personally, I love Windows 7. It has been rock solid for me, and I am torn about upgrading. However, Windows 7 ended its "mainstream support" in January, and now really only provides security updates.

I am going to "reserve my copy" (which basically just means that they will download and notify you when the final version becomes available. I will probably wait for 1 or 2 updates to make sure there are no disastrous problems with the upgrade.

Anyway, for those who, for some reason, do not have automatic updates enabled, or who do not update their systems for some reason, I thought that I would pass the information along.

Microsoft starts prompting Windows 7 and Windows 8 users to 'reserve' their free Windows 10 upgrade | VentureBeat | Business | by Emil Protalinski
http://venturebeat.com/2015/05/31/micros...ows-10-upgrade/

In January, we learned that for one year, Microsoft would offer free Windows 10 upgrades to those running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1. While Windows 10 for PCs isn’t launching until later this summer and Windows 10 for phones is coming after that, we’re now seeing the first indications of how the free upgrade process will work.

Reddit user p4block spotted the new “Get Windows 10″ message on his Windows 8 computer earlier today. Other users, including those running Windows 7, confirmed they received the message too (shown below).

The update that is causing this notification to show up is KB 3035583, which also happens to be responsible for the actual Windows 10 upgrade process. If you got the prompt and want to get rid of the notification, this is the update you’ll want to uninstall. Alternatively, if you didn’t get a prompt but want to reserve and install your free Windows 10 upgrade, make sure you have this update installed.

In case you can’t see the image above, the explanation for “How this free upgrade works” is quite straightforward:

Reserve your FREE upgrade to Windows 10 now. It will download once available, and you can cancel your reservation at any time.
You’ll get a notification after Windows 10 is downloaded to your device. Install it right away or pick a time that’s good for you.
After it’s install, Windows 10 is all yours.
The asterisk at the bottom explains that yes, the upgrade is free, that it’s not a trial, and that it is a full version of Windows 10. Requirements include 3GB for the download and Internet service fees in case your ISP charges you for using too much bandwidth.

KB3035583 requires Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 to function correctly. We installed the update on a Windows 8 computer, but because it’s not updated to Windows 8.1, we didn’t get asked to reserve our Windows 10 upgrade.

That said, you may not be prompted even if you have the update installed. Other requirements, such as how up-to-date your Windows version is, your locale, language, and so on can impact whether you’re asked to reserve your copy. Furthermore, Microsoft is likely rolling these prompts out gradually as opposed to all at once, so sit tight if you’ve tried everything but still don’t see it.

The fact that Microsoft is turning on this notification now shows just how eager the company is to get users onto the latest version of its operating system, OEM pricing for which leaked just yesterday. Offering users the option to reserve digital copies in advance, which really don’t have to be reserved because they’re digital, will help Microsoft determine how much resources to allocate on the big day as well as how much it still needs to promote the offer.

A lot is riding on this upgrade process. After all, in two to three years, Microsoft hopes to have 1 billion devices running Windows 10.

I just went to the MS site, and they are going to start supporting holographic computing?

It is amazing how many things look so far fetched in the movies, and then show up in real life before too long.

Hot damn! I was just gonna post a question: Who has tried Windows 10 and did ya like it?

I've got a prompt on my computer to download it. I am tempted. I'm using Windows 8.1 now and like it, but I have the Classic Shell (classicshell.net) running with it all the time.

I'm bettin' Windows 10 will be really good, as every other operating system they put out seems that way, with not very good in-between.

Microsoft decides to copy Apple once again.

They have to, just to get people off windows XP in china...

This will be for the final release, just to be clear. People can still sign up and test the developmental versions and such. (which I did once upon a time, except that I got tired of the crashes, which are inevitable in development of a new OS with a wide variety of equipment options)

Also, you will not be able to download the final version until it is released. There is a time limit of 1 year on the free upgrade, and I have read that they will upgrade even pirated version for free.


I only used 3.1 for a very short time, in fact so short a time that I really can't comment on it. I actually really liked Windows 95, and also NT was very good. These were solid, and used so few resources it was incredible. I still have a Windows 95 system floating around here, and it is stable to this day. It is not super fast, but it also only has 16MB RAM. Windows 98, while an upgrade in many ways, was a massive downgrade in terms of stability. I could not get rid of it fast enough, and loved Windows 2000 when it came out. I used it on my work system and my home system,and it was rock solid. I have never been a gamer, so that aspect never concerned me. However, outside of games, which I rarely if ever installed, I can only recall 1 or 2 times I tried to install something on 2000 that would not run better than on 98. I had a lot of friends at the time who were huge gamers, with the customized cases and everything, who would take their computers to game tournaments, who ran 2000, and who had no issues running their games. 2000 was a great O/S. It wasn't meant for home users, but I loved it, and used it as such without problem.

ME was an upgraded 98. I supposed it was OK, but one of the best decisions MS made was to abandon the 95/98 kernel in favor of NT/2000.

XP might have been one of my favorite O/S. It was fast, stable, and usable.

I don't remember anyone who liked Vista. I never used it myself, because so many people I knew had so many problems with it.

Windows 7 is my favorite MS O/S. It has been as close to perfect as anything I can think of. I have stressed my laptop pretty heavily, and I have almost never been able to make it crash. It manages resources effectively, and is user friendly while being extremely solid.

Windows 8 was MS trying to be the smartest kid in class. They changed so much that users had to completely learn a new way of doing everything. Start Button / Who needs that? Umm .... everyone! I never upgraded to 8, because I am too old to be completely re-learning everything on my computer.

So, on the good side I would have 95, NT, 2000, XP, and 7. (again, I never used 3.1 much at all)

On the not so good, to bad side would be 98, ME, Vista, and 8.

I have actually liked more than I have disliked. I am hopeful that Windows 10 will be exceptional, because MS has so much riding on it. I have read a lot of good things about 10 on the tech sites, and Beta testers have seemed to like it. I am cautiously really looking forward to it.

'Windows 10: release date, price, news and features'

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/softwar...eatures-1029245

From the above article:

Two sources either internal or familiar with the matter have affirmed the rumored 'end of July' release window for Windows 10. In fact, unnamed sources have told The Verge that July 29 is one of Microsoft's release date targets. Stay tuned for more updates as they happen.

They started offer the full version of Visual Studio 2013 for free when it was released as well - up to 3 licences. It is called "community version". I own a few very small software companies (one man show and a 2 person partnership) and I no longer need to purchase VS which is great!

I'll be putting Windows 10 on at least one system when it comes out.

I'm running Vista (and have for quite a few years) and have no problems with it...

I just hope my Commodore 64 can handle the upgrade.

So Apple created a Universal operating system, that will allow every device in their ecosystem to work seamlessly?

I cannot stand Apple fanboys that think they can do no wrong and that they invented everything. They stole as well, as do all technology companies.

They have done a lot of great things, but so has MS, Google, Oracle, Cisco, etc.

Wow really? I didn't see or hear about this. I installed Visual Studio Express 2013, which is their limited, but free, version of Visual Studio.

May have to check into that, I'd just need one license!

Exactly...people kill me how they think apple can't do anything wrong. Apple is cool because they told you if you have an apple you are cool, their tech is always 6-18 months behind and they force you to buy an entire new product if you want to upgrade your specs. (Its great for them but bad for consumers.)

Apple does great things, but so have many other tech. The more players in the game the better. It will force them to compete with each other which will give us the consumers a better product. As a consumer we should always get excited about new products/technologies.

I am pretty excited about windows 10. I have a Windows phone, Xbox One, windows computer and will probably get a Surface one day. The possibility of buying one universal apps that will work for every device sounds awesome and very powerful.

I think Microsoft did a great job promoting Satya and firing Balmer. It has proven that he is a great long-term vision with current technologies.

If you are in school or have a .edu email address you can use dreamspark which you can download many many products for free.

Here is the link:
https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-community-vs.aspx

And it is actually 5 licenses. They really needed to do this to spark app development as all of the Android tools are free. I really like the direction MS is heading - I'd love to get a phone one day, but the offerings just are there yet and the app selection is sub-par IMO. I love the interface and that it will be portable across all MS OSes eventually.

Well maybe if you hired a cheaper gardener you could...... Never mind.

I'll upgrade my laptop to Windows 10 asap, because I loathe windows 8. Desktop is still on Win7 and will likely stay there for a while because I like my metro-free version of windows.

Been running Win10 in a virtual machine for a while. An option to completely rid ourselves from metro apps on a desktop would be great.

I just got an email that said that the official final release date will be July 29th.

We just upgraded to windows 7 at work... So thankful to get off xp but doubt we'll go to windows 10 until about 2020

Wow! That is quite a security risk still being on XP!

Yeah, I have an emergency laptop that has XP installed, but I haven't used it in quite some time. I would never use it for banking, or anything like that. It is in the basement tight now, hooked up to the internet, and ready in the event of a major storm, but I don't even have email set up on that one.

The fact that MS is offering this free upgrade to people with pirated versions of 7/8 is really shocking. They say that those versions will be upgraded to 10, but will still remain illegitimate, but what does that really mean? Maybe they will release future apps, and those will only go to properly licensed copied?

'Free' Windows 10 Will Be Late And Expensive For Millions

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/06/01/free-windows-10-late-and-expensive/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+forbes%2FMPop+%28Forbes.com%3A+Most+popular+stories%29

There’s good news today: Microsoft has announced the global Windows 10 release date. It has also confirmed that eligible Windows upgraders will get it free for the lifetime of the platform – as long as they upgrade within the first year. But there are storms on the horizon…

Today Microsoft has confirmed to me that those ineligible for a free Windows 10 upgrade (that’s millions and includes some editions of Windows 7 and Windows 8) will have to pay a hefty price:

Windows 10 Home will retail from $119 while Windows 10 Professional carries a price tag of $199. A Windows 10 Pro Pack, which enables you to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Professional, will be available for $99.

Interestingly a new listing from accredited Microsoft reseller Newegg states OEM versions of Windows 10 Home will retail for $109 while Windows 10 Professional will cost far less at $149. OEM software is always cheaper, though the savings are inconsistent ($10 and $50 respectively) so whether they will be adjusted remains to be seen.

More pertinently Microsoft has often run first year promotions whereby any early adopter could get new Windows editions for substantially less, but it seems this won’t happen with Windows 10. In a way that’s understandable considering the number of free upgrades the company will be giving out.

Expensive And Late

What Microsoft has not commented on, however, is the fact Newegg also states the release date for Windows 10 Home and Professional is August 31, a whole month after free upgraders will have it up and running on their PCs.

Microsoft told PC World that it had no comment to make on the Newegg dates and this silence, combined with the fact that the dates remain up and unedited, suggests we should take them seriously.

Of course any users running older versions of Windows and frustrated by this should consider whether their PCs will actually run Windows 10 in the first place, since Newegg also revealed the Windows 10 minimum specification requirements…

Newegg lists the minimum PC spec for Windows 10 as follows:

Processor: 1GHz or faster
RAM: 1GB (32-bit) or 2GB (64-bit)
Free hard disk space: 16GB
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
A Microsoft account and Internet access
While some Windows XP PCs may struggle with the 64bit RAM requirements, the good news is these specs should be achievable for most.

In fact I’d argue that for an OS released in 2015 these are (proportionately) the lowest requirements Microsoft has ever asked for a new platform release. After all Vista would struggle to run on this!

As such, while the short term cost may hurt some, the bigger picture is Microsoft may well have the Windows 10 long term benefits spot on.



(end)

Cool I reserved my copy yesterday following the icon in the system tray! I was afraid I'd be downgraded to like Home or something, but since I have Windows 7 Pro, I'll be getting Windows 10 Pro!

I'll take it!

Some writer is trying to stir the pot.

I wouldn't call it a "hefty" price. The pricing is about the same as previous versions of windows. If you don't qualify for the free upgrade, then you have to buy it.

Newegg has updated the availability to 7/29. The August 31 date they originally had was just a place holder so they could start allowing preorders.

They are trying to kill windows XP which is highly piritated in China.

I also think the MS has finally realized that the PC is dead and they are moving towards a model that will help them compete with tablets & smartphones. People want convenience over anything else, so if they can give you an experience that will make your life easier, people will buy into the MS ecosystem.

Apple did the same thing.... in order to upgrade to the free Maverick OS system, you had to have at least Snow Leopard OS. If you did not have Snow Leopard OS you had to purchase it for $30.

XO doesn't have a free upgrade path that I know of. It is Windows 7/8 that are being upgraded for free.

If I want to upgrade my XP laptop, as far as I know I have to pay for it.

They are putting windows 10 on $35 raspberry pi's, peopel will figure out how to hack 10, (get pirated version of 8 and update it)

___
Microsoft to support Raspberry Pi 2 with a free version of Windows 10
A full Windows PC for just $35?



Microsoft is throwing its weight behind the newly announced Raspberry Pi 2 today. The Raspberry Pi Foundation's low-cost computer was an instant hit when it first debuted in 2012, and the new Raspberry Pi 2 now includes a more powerful processor and twice as much RAM. While you’ve never been able to officially run copies of Windows on the Raspberry Pi without resorting to an old version or tricks and hacks, Microsoft says it’s "delivering a version of Windows 10 that supports Raspberry Pi 2."

A FULL WINDOWS PC FOR JUST $35?

It’s not clear exactly what version of Windows 10 will be available, but Microsoft is handing it out for free to the Maker community through its Windows Developer Program for IoT later this year. With the pricing of the Raspberry Pi 2 and Microsoft’s free copy of Windows 10, you could have a full PC for just $35 later this year. We’ll have to wait to hear more information from Microsoft on how Windows 10 will function on the Raspberry Pi 2, but the company says it’s planning to reveal more "in the coming months." It's likely that this version of Windows 10 will only run modern universal apps, as the Raspberry Pi 2 includes an ARM-based processor.

Microsoft is currently developing Windows 10 as part of a public series of previews, and the company is relying heavily on feedback. We recently got a chance to see the new operating system running on 8-inch tablets, phones, PCs, and the Xbox One. With new universal apps, a fresh browser, and the return of the Start Menu, Microsoft is expected to ship Windows 10 later this year on PCs, tablets, phones, and even miniature devices like the Raspberry Pi 2.

link

People who crack these software programs are just thieves. Personally, I want no part of any of that.

I can't wait to put Windows on my Pi. I can get around in Linux but will be a lot more proficient with Windows on it. Visual Studio developed apps on a Pi will really get me interested much more than I already am. I've got a MAME game server on a Pi right now which is pretty cool.

Wow, that's pretty cool, although does anyone have a backstory on why? Are they worried about security or something else?

And will this be the case for future versions or will they go back to making you drop a buck?

They want consistency across mobile, gaming, tablets, and PCs. PCs are their largest market and they are dying - by giving away an OS that us useful on other platforms, particularly mobile,they hope to make inroads as they are severely behind Apple and Google in a market the dominated (over 90%) until Apple released the iPhone. They need users which will equal app development. Windows phone is an afterthought to most companies that develop mobile software - if people start using apps on Windows the hope is many of the users will naturally transition to Microsofts mobile plaforns.

Just my speculation, but they need to do something.

And I'll happily take my free Windows 10 Pro! I doubt itll make me want to switch to a Windows phone though.

Agreed. I love the interface, but the device selection frankly sucks and the app availability (though it has gotten better) is not good at all.

Give me an Galaxy S6 like phone with a Windows interface and app selection that is on par with Android or Apple and I'd seriously consider it.

In addition to what some have said, I also think that MS is going to become more of an applications company than they have been in the past. They have bought up a variety of software companies over the years, so it will be interesting to see how it all develops.

If they get more machines on the same O/S, they will not have to worry about a ton of systematic changes to make sure that their applications will run on XP, Vista, 7, 8, and so on. They can plan on making apps to run on Windows 10, and "encourage" end users to upgrade. MS can better manage security issues when they are only supporting one main O/S. It would not surprise me to see MS create a pricing strategy to encourage users of XP and Vista to upgrade to 10 as well. They might even do so after the 1st wave. (I am sure that they are going to have hundreds of thousands of machines trying to download Windows 10 as soon as it's available) It would not surprise me to see something like "Due to the overwhelming response to the Windows 7/8 to 10 upgrade path, Microsoft has decided to open up an upgrade path from XP and Vista as well." once the initial massive (anticipated, anyway) response of the initial several weeks of 7/8 upgrades.

Let's also not forget that MS makes a ton of money on their OEM market as well. Having users familiar with the latest and greatest is not a bad thing, and they keep more users in their "loop".

Is there going to be a pro version and a reg version? I reserved my copy, but didn't see any choices.

Yes, you'll get the equivalent of your current operating system. I have Win 7 Pro, so I'll get Win 10 Pro. You can check what version you'll be eligible for here:

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-up...indows-8-2015-6

I think this Wed., the 29th of July, starts the downloads?

I'm happy with my Windows 8.1 with the Classic Shell running on top of it, but what the hell, I'll update to Windows 10.

From a computer standpoint, it's kinda exciting.

I'm thinkin' 10 it will be a really good operating system.

I have read a lot about 10, and a ton of reviews from testers and evaluators, and I have not read a bad word about the OS. I cannot believe that I am going to do this ..... because it goes against my normal pattern ....... but I am going to do this update right away.

I usually wait to see what problems people have.

I got a pop-up from my AV program saying that I might have to reinstall my anti-virus after 10 updates, so just something to watch out for. I would remind everyone that is is never a bad idea to save everything to a remove drive before the update takes place. That way, if toy whrst happens, you will not lose your data.