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Windows 10 free...

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The article you linked to is the only one making this claim and cites no sources. Until word comes down directly from Microsoft, it's nothing more than idle speculation.
 
I read this as free from W10 on. Meaning you will have to buy 10 then all the updates from then on are free. This based on W8 to W10 being such a short cycle has upset the consumers. If MS wants to do quick turn over of OSs then they not continually charge to upgrade or stay current.
 
jephotog said:
I read this as free from W10 on. Meaning you will have to buy 10 then all the updates from then on are free.
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That's what the Computerworld article says, and I'm inclined to believe it as the third article is an opinion, and the first also says that the (nonexistent) Windows 9 will be free.
 
Nermal said:
That's what the Computerworld article says, and I'm inclined to believe it as the third article is an opinion, and the first also says that the (nonexistent) Windows 9 will be free.
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I am sure MS is trying to figure out how to charge for W9, if they could.
 
I don't see MS doing this, I would be very surprised. I'd welcome it, to be sure, but it seems to go against their culture.
 
It'd be nice, but somehow I don't see it. Windows 8 for £20 was an excellent deal and I hope they do something like it again for the launch of Windows 10.
 
I highly doubt Microsoft will give away (new installations of) Windows 10 for free unless of course you are buying a new PC.

However it does seems highly likely that they will offer free upgrades from Windows 8/8.1 and probably 7 as well, and with all updates after Windows 10 probably being free.

A free copy of Windows 10 for Bootcamp would be very welcome! :cool:
What ever they do with the price tag I hope it isn't the usual Micro$oft price$.
 
Microsoft won’t give Windows 10 away for free, and plans to charge for new services instead.

That’s according to salesman-in-chief Kevin Turner, who promised new services would roll out in early 2015.
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Source
 
jephotog said:
I read this as free from W10 on......
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I read this as UPDATES will be free from 8.0 on; it appears to be so through 8/8.1 and 10. This still means every machine (manufacturer or consumer) will have to purchase one license to use Windows OS.

Manufacturers are now embedding the Ms OS key in the Motherboard/ Bios / UEFI ......
 
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Windows 10 - free update for Win 7 & 8 users

"Microsoft said people using the two earlier versions of its operating system, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, would be able to update their computers to Windows 10 free for the first year after the new software is introduced.

It will make the same offer for people who use Windows Phone 8.1, the latest version of its operating system for mobile phones. Windows 10 is expected to be released this year."

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/22/t...-in-move-to-woo-software-developers.html?_r=0

I wonder how much Windows 10 will cost otherwise? Maybe I would be better off buying Windows 8.1 and then upgrading for free? Any idea?
 
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Looks like once again, I'm wrong. This is why I don't bet :p

MS is giving away win10, at least for the first year. I think this will hit their bottom line. Unlike apple that sells the computers OSX runs on, MS really doesn't (other then the Surface)
 
I have a feeling that MS "giving away" Windows 10, at least in the first year, will be a precursor to them going to a subscription model for the operating system like they have done with Office 365.
 
saturnotaku said:
I have a feeling that MS "giving away" Windows 10, at least in the first year, will be a precursor to them going to a subscription model for the operating system like they have done with Office 365.
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I wouldn't be surprised by that, given how popular the office subscription is.
 
maflynn said:
I wouldn't be surprised by that, given how popular the office subscription is.
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It's actually a good deal since you get 5 desktop and 5 mobile licenses, along with unlimited OneDrive storage. If you look around, you can purchase keycards for well under MSRP. I just renewed my subscription in December for less than $65.
 
maflynn said:
Looks like once again, I'm wrong. This is why I don't bet :p

MS is giving away win10, at least for the first year. I think this will hit their bottom line. Unlike apple that sells the computers OSX runs on, MS really doesn't (other then the Surface)
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Looks like you still wrong and not the only one ;)

It isn't free. It will be a free upgrade for people who already have a licensed qualifying OS (7 or 8.1). That doesn't include trial or hacked versions. Similarly you can't download Yosemite for free if you never had a license for an earlier version.

The upgrade from a qualifying OS will be free if taken up within the first year of launch (currently planned for the end of this year).

Edit - you could watch this http://news.microsoft.com/windows10story/
 
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doynton said:
Looks like you still wrong and not the only one ;)

It isn't free.
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I know its not fully free, its only free for the first year and upgrade only. My point was that I didn't think MS would be copying apple in this case, and test they did. I think its splitting hairs saying its not completely free. Most people who buy a new computer get windows with it. So the only time they have to shell out money for windows is for a new version. So from a consumer's perspective its free, though technically it only pertains to upgrades.
 
maflynn said:
I know its not fully free, its only free for the first year and upgrade only. My point was that I didn't think MS would be copying apple in this case, and test they did. I think its splitting hairs saying its not completely free. Most people who buy a new computer get windows with it. So the only time they have to shell out money for windows is for a new version. So from a consumer's perspective its free, though technically it only pertains to upgrades.
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Sorry, I didn't want to split hairs but it is free for the lifetime of the device if you upgrade within a year of launch. It isn't clear what constitutes a device mind you (does my VM count as a device? What if I switch to VMware instead of VBox?). If you do have a legit version of Windows it would be worth doing.

MS did the same for 7 to 8 upgrades and it converted your OEM key to retail. If you missed the cut-off it was expensive. We will see.

I had the same money grabbing with Apple though. I was given a "hand me down" MacBook which I immediately wiped and clean installed Yosemite. Whoops, there goes iLife. They are all the same.

I upgraded to the new 9926 version this morning. It is working pretty well for me so far. Rather blurry though.
 
I know but I didn't want to admit I was wrong again, and it was not my intention to convey that tis free for life. You can upgrade free within the year after that you're out of luck
 
Well, a free upgrade within a year was a welcomed surprise, but my first thought was how this would affect their bottom line. I realize they have corporate partners and the Office subscription, but making a version of Office for iOS and Android free (for the most used features) and now potentially free Windows update has to have an impact.

Still, like another user on this forum posted, I guess most of the general population is probably going to get a new PC instead of updating their OS. I know people that still used Vista up until six months ago because it was just on their PC.
 
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