I never really gave a fig about Microsoft accounts on Windows 8. I already had 2. One for my XBox and one for work via the MSDN account they purchased. Plus anyone that's ever used Hotmail/MSN has one. It's no different than having a Gmail account, or an AOL account, or Yahoo account or Compuserve account. Or for that matter, a train board account. And it enables some cool things you couldn't do without it. I'll assume you do zero online shopping on those XP boxes then. And Windows 10 is quite honestly the best OS I've ever used.
I'm not going to ask about IE-11. The last time I thought the issue had been resolved and mentioned it, my next post showed that it hadn't. So this time I won't say anything, but maybe, just maybe........?
Maybe, just maybe, one of those mandatory MS updates changed the functionality today of IE11 to make it work? Wait until tomorrow. I just love all the folk's reports of MS offering OS10 for free to OS7 users...without anyone grasping that OS10 is the "last" OS and it WILL be a subscription...you pay them annually for the privilege of using it....and getting "mandatory" updates. My prediction is once the obtuseness of MS's rule the world philosophy becomes known, there will be a rush to buy up all the XP and 7 discs folks can find. But, that's just an opinion. Dave
Dave, I don't remember seeing this mentioned on various Windows relevant forums, though it would not surprise me. What is your source?
The new CEO mentioned a month or so ago that it is the "last" OS, will be continually updated. http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/05/12/free-windows-10-has-high-cost/ https://redmondmag.com/articles/2015/04/01/subscription-model.aspx If I had to move to something other than XP, Ubuntu springs readily to mind.
Perhaps this will finally doom them. If I can ever afford another computer, if not a Mac, I will be looking at Ubuntu. Speaking of Ubuntu, it supposedly installs without writing over an existing OS. Does this mean it automatically partitions the hard drive?
Thanks, though that business model sucks for the unsuspecting individual, of which I was one. I'll start researching alternatives.
Nothing MS has said indicates there will be a subscription fee to maintain W10. They did say that they were going more to the Apple model of free updating of the OS, rather than paid updates. And the CEO did say this may be the "last" OS. New installs will still require a license. Anything else is speculation
The problem is, which executive at MS do you believe? If you read up on it, they all say things slightly differently. Remember WGA as a critical update...and you'll know how far to trust them.
Just to show you how none of them knows what the other is saying (or thinking) at MicroSlime: 18/05/15: Only people using genuine copies of Windows 7 or 8.1 will be able to upgrade free to Windows 10, Microsoft has confirmed, dispelling rumours it would also be available for users of pirate copies of the operating system. Earlier this year, Microsoft appeared to indicate it would offer a free upgrade to pirates, with operating systems chief Terry Myerson telling Reuters: "We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10." However, in a blog post Microsoft clarified that only those who are using a legitimate version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will be entitled to the free Windows 10 upgrade, although Myerson did express sympathy for accidental victims of piracy. "Microsoft and our OEM partners know that many consumers are unwitting victims of piracy, and with Windows 10, we would like all of our customers to move forward with us together," Myerson said. So, believe what you want..today. Just be prepared for that to change. Oh, and 10 support ends: 20/07/15: In a surprise move, Microsoft has updated its Windows 10 website to reveal mainstream support for Windows 10 will end in 2020, with extended support ending in 2025. http://www.itpro.co.uk/operating-systems/23119/windows-10-release-date-and-specs
Windoze Genuine Advantage. Every time you got updates, they loaded that and looked at your system. Most of us refused it, as it was not in the original TOS and a blatant invasion of privacy. So, one day, with updates set to "notify but do not download", I walked into my office as my system was re-booting itself..all I was working on was gone. They re-wrote it to be a "critical update" and overrode your settings, forcing it upon the public. I figured out the next day how to kill updates. Dead. Reversible, but dead.
http://betanews.com/2015/05/04/windows-10-free-can-potentially-cost-a-lot/ Whenever anyone changes the goalposts on a supplier-customer relationship, it piques my business interest as there is no such thing as a free lunch -- particularly not from the likes of Microsoft or Apple. I wouldn’t be writing even now, if it was not for an underhand trick that Microsoft has pulled on Windows 7 and 8 users. Microsoft has recently used Windows Update to sneak KB3035583 onto most systems as an optional patch. Microsoft states that this "update enables additional capabilities for Windows Update notifications in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1". What it actually appears to do is create four folders intended to help push Windows 10 adverts to W7/W8 machines close to the release date. In other words, it looks like adware. To say that hiding this intent falls far short of a trustworthy company is an understatement. It is certainly not a security or stability update worthy of the 'recommended' description. I got to thinking. If Microsoft is willing to push hidden adware onto my Windows 7 machine, for which I bought a perpetual license, what are they willing to do to Windows 10 when it is being sold as 'a service'?
Windows 10, released in July 2015 ** End of mainstream support October 13, 2020 End of extended support October 14, 2025 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle Can't get more precise than the MicroSlime website, I guess.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/07/27/windows-10-automatic-update-security-problems/ They just can't seem to grasp it, can they? And "mandated" updates you cannot roll back or refuse...oh, this is looking better all the time.
OK, glad I have a MAC. Even though the latest operating system has lots of bad reviews. I will just stick with what I have and tough it out.