The Windows 10 free upgrade offer has ended, along with annoying nags

[CortyDK]

I windows and office they can stick both, Linux and libre office, both are really getting good, for what I do I can go with ether one easily.

Here's a quick, "once upon a time story",

M$ used to have a, "home version of Office", called, "M$ Works". It also did everything a person in the home needed to do. It was normally a bundled product, appearing at a desktop near you. So, basically, it was free. You could buy it separately however, for about 20 or 30 bucks.

It apparently was too good, since M$ discontinued it, and we now get the entire office suite jammed down our throats, like it, need it, want it or not...

Just in case anyone might think this is a fable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Works

Have you tried Apache OpenOffice? Completely free. And in settings you can set the defaults to MS Office file formats for maximum compatibility.

After purchasing the "Home & Student" Office pack for as long as I can remember, I finally switched to OpenOffice, and I seriously hammer myself for not having done so a lot earlier. A lot of wasted money just to be able to write letters and keep track of our budgets.

I know some people have need for specific functions in MS Office - eg. my dad uses Publisher, but just as Me, I think 99,99% of all computerusers are quite ordinary who just need Word- Excel- and PowerPoint type programs to everyday tasks, and OpenOffice Writer, Calc and Impress can do everything I need - and more.

 

[DAOWAce]

Ended and they never gave the 3-5% of Vista users a chance to upgrade. What a shame.

Actually, no it's not, Windows 10 far worse than Vista; which is actually a good OS and nearly identical to 7.. which they wanted you to re-buy just to be eligible to upgrade. Joke's on us.

 

[batsdude]

I am so fed up with MS EVERYTHING! I LOVE Linux Mint but theres so much that just won't run on it no thanks to MS' Trump like control over developers and publishers. 10 is invasive, spying garbage that, once installed, is still screwing one over even after doing a roll back. I sincerely hope MS crashes and burns, but it will not happen soon enough. And no, I despise apple anything too.

 

[captaincranky]

Ended and they never gave the 3-5% of Vista users a chance to upgrade. What a shame.

As much as I've come to loathe M$, it would simply be bad business to upgrade "free" across 4 OS releases

Actually, no it's not, Windows 10 far worse than Vista; which is actually a good OS and nearly identical to 7.. which they wanted you to re-buy just to be eligible to upgrade. Joke's on us.

The people who had trouble with Vista, (I think), were as much victims of their after market hardware manufacturers, as they were M$. Pre-built machines, had to have well written drivers, or the makers would have had them slapped back in their faces. If my Toshiba laptop is any indicator, they took the time to get the drivers right. Which is likely why you heard more static from the tech types who inhabit Techspot and other sites like it, then you did from John Q. Public.

Vista was the first OS (?) which brought native SATA capability to the masses.

It did however, have a "Home Basic Edition", which lacked "Media Center" along with DVD playback capability. BUT, it was only 80 bucks!

Win 10 takes you back there, insomuch as it lacks Media Center stock, and costs 20 bucks more. (as an OEM). Plus, you can't put Windows 7 in a board intended for Win 10, without slip streaming drivers into a USB install package.

To further add insult to injury, (actually injury to injury), the "Windows 7 Cumulative Update Package", jacks you up with the same telemetry bullsh!t, as Windows 10. @Per Hansson was kind enough to lay that out for us here: https://www.techspot.com/community/...7-that-includes-all-updates-since-sp1.227036/

 

[StephenK]

I just upgraded my Windows 7 computer with Windows 10 (the second time since July 2015). Last time it was terrible being full of bugs. This time it is like a sweet dream and enlightening with every discovery. What gives? It is suppose to be a nightmare again. This time I copied everything onto a portable hard drive before making the upgrade. It worked well, but took almost a couple of hours to upgrade. In making my upgrade decision, I had decided to try it for two weeks and switch back to Windows 7 which I loved. However, every passing moment of use, I am enlightened and feeling better about Windows 10. I had been having a few problems with Windows 7, but thought of them as minor. I believed that if I upgraded for only a couple of weeks, what could I lose? When I would downgrade back, my few Windows 7 problems would most likely disappear and reset it to a better condition. My Windows 7 was getting slower and somewhat cumbersome, especially on all of my many different browsers (Google Chrome, 360, Firefox, Slim jet, Opera, Safari and Maxthon). The news videos were very bad on the browsers; hesitating & poor quality. Typing comments on articles were so slow. I must have read at least a hundred comments, seen videos and read lots of editorials about Windows 10 before deciding to make the jump.

It seems to be like magic now with this Windows 10 upgrade. No real issues or problems have occurred yet. I like its design, layout and improved performance. I can work well with this. I feel more in control and excited about opening up my computer each day. Just to think it has been only two days of use now, though I have clocked many hours of joy using it so far. This OS does great with browsers being very quick and sure in every task so far. All that I had in Windows 7 pro, I seem to still have in Windows 10 pro plus more and the computer seems to be more intuitive to my needs. I have been checking everything out with this new OS just to be sure. I guess for me, I made the right decision. My plan to switch back in a couple of weeks is pleasantly not on my mind anymore. I had Windows 7 pro 64 bit OS originally and so now Windows 10 pro OS. Very pleased with this OS so far. It feels like a perfect new machine now with this upgrade. The overall experience is much better than Windows 7 was. I would rate it 9 out of 10 stars every moment that I have used it. I would have rated my Windows 7 pro at only 7 to 8 out of 10 stars, but only on its best days though. If Windows 10 is offered free again, I suggest go for it. My wife had upgraded a couple of months earlier from her Windows 7 home edition and had good results, except for the right click problem on her mouse (not working), which she has now worked around. Not too bad. I don't even have this problem with Windows 10 pro upgrade. The right click on the mouse works better now than it had. I am impressed.

 

[captaincranky]

I just upgraded my Windows 7 computer with Windows 10 (the second time since July 2015). Last time it was terrible being full of bugs. This time it is like a sweet dream and enlightening with every discovery. What gives? It is suppose to be a nightmare again. This time I copied everything onto a portable hard drive before making the upgrade. It worked well, but took almost a couple of hours to upgrade. In making my upgrade decision, I had decided to try it for two weeks and switch back to Windows 7 which I loved. However, every passing moment of use, I am enlightened and feeling better about Windows 10. I had been having a few problems with Windows 7, but thought of them as minor. I believed that if I upgraded for only a couple of weeks, what could I lose? When I would downgrade back, my few Windows 7 problems would most likely disappear and reset it to a better condition. My Windows 7 was getting slower and somewhat cumbersome, especially on all of my many different browsers (Google Chrome, 360, Firefox, Slim jet, Opera, Safari and Maxthon). The news videos were very bad on the browsers; hesitating & poor quality. Typing comments on articles were so slow. I must have read at least a hundred comments, seen videos and read lots of editorials about Windows 10 before deciding to make the jump.

It seems to be like magic now with this Windows 10 upgrade. No real issues or problems have occurred yet. I like its design, layout and improved performance. I can work well with this. I feel more in control and excited about opening up my computer each day. Just to think it has been only two days of use now, though I have clocked many hours of joy using it so far. This OS does great with browsers being very quick and sure in every task so far. All that I had in Windows 7 pro, I seem to still have in Windows 10 pro plus more and the computer seems to be more intuitive to my needs. I have been checking everything out with this new OS just to be sure. I guess for me, I made the right decision. My plan to switch back in a couple of weeks is pleasantly not on my mind anymore. I had Windows 7 pro 64 bit OS originally and so now Windows 10 pro OS. Very pleased with this OS so far. It feels like a perfect new machine now with this upgrade. The overall experience is much better than Windows 7 was. I would rate it 9 out of 10 stars every moment that I have used it. I would have rated my Windows 7 pro at only 7 to 8 out of 10 stars, but only on its best days though. If Windows 10 is offered free again, I suggest go for it. My wife had upgraded a couple of months earlier from her Windows 7 home edition and had good results, except for the right click problem on her mouse (not working), which she has now worked around. Not too bad. I don't even have this problem with Windows 10 pro upgrade. The right click on the mouse works better now than it had. I am impressed.

I hope you'll forgive me for not being terribly impressed with your protracted rant about, "the power and the glory of windows 10", now that right click works. After all, Windows has had a successful right click function for decades.

The mutts in Redmond most likely just figured out how to get the key logger to work, without affecting the keyboard and mouse..

From Wikipedia:

The Macintosh design,[71] commercially successful and technically influential, led many other vendors to begin producing mice or including them with their other computer products (by 1986, Atari ST, Amiga, >>> Windows 1.0,<<< GEOS for the Commodore 64, and the Apple IIGS).[72]

The widespread adoption of graphical user interfaces in the software of the 1980s and 1990s made mice all but indispensable for controlling computers. In November 2008, Logitech built their billionth mouse.[73]

 

[StephenK]

Thank you Cranky. If the mouse didn't work properly with Windows 10, I would have left it as planned. My wife's mouse is just as terrible as day one of her upgrade, but she seems, as always, to stay put and complain little. She is one beautiful, loving and caring soul. Microsoft would love that all their customers could be like her. I am more like you most of the time, a little bit on the old & cranky side of life, though I am trying to lighten up a lot. I am trying to do more exercise in my old age. I have got to stay young for the young love of my life. Have a great day. Who you going to vote for? I don't care what Trump does to hurt himself in the elections, I am still going to vote for him. One thing is for sure, Hillary will never get a vote from me. I would rather vote for any honest soul than one who seems to excuse herself for lying all the time.

 

[captaincranky]

OK, first of all, George W. Bush should have been enough to put anyone with any sense whatsoever, off from ever voting for someone who has ever had a friend or relative in the White House before them. That goes double for this obnoxious carping shrew of Bill Clinton's

With that out of the way, from the very beginning I have said, "if I want Windows 10, I'll buy it"! I'm having none of this "but it's free" sh!t, whatsoever.

As of this coming Tuesday, (I think), M$ is going to release, "the anniversary update of Windows 10". Ostensibly the REAL Windows 10.

What that means is, M$ has pulled off one of the biggest marketing frauds in history. They got as many as 300,000,000 people to trade in valid Windows licenses, for some piece of crap beta spyware.

I've never trusted OS, "upgrades" or anything as sensitive as an OS to downloads. If I can't hash it, and burn it to disc, or buy it on DVD in the first place, I don't want it, period. This message has been brought to you by an old man, muddling through on Windows 7, who is prepared to stay, unobserved and untracked, in the primordial world of Windows 7, until death do us part. (Do you like how I managed to work your marriage rant into my Windows 7 rant)?

And my mouse is working perfectly, thanks for asking...(y)

 

[cliffordcooley]

They got as many as 300,000,000 people to trade in valid Windows licenses, for some piece of crap beta spyware.

Trade is a bit strong seeing as I can still go back to Windows 7 if I wish. Even after nearly a year of Windows 10 use, the option to fall back is still available. Just because people don't know how or that they can, doesn't mean it is not possible.

 

[captaincranky]

Trade is a bit strong seeing as I can still go back to Windows 7 if I wish. Even after nearly a year of Windows 10 use, the option to fall back is still available. Just because people don't know how or that they can, doesn't mean it is not possible.

Perhaps so, but the cognitive dissonance it would create in most people, simply wouldn't allow it. So, while physically it may be possible, mentally, it really isn't. Why should I go back? The sign in the store told me, "Windows 10, it's the best Windows ever". There must be something wrong with me to want to go back.. After all, the new PCs come with Windows 10, don't they? M$ will not be giving me updates with Windows 7 in not such a long.

And once again, FUD conquers the human spirit!

 

[Darth Shiv]

Would anyone be surprised if they did a " here's one more chance to upgrade'

With your cc details pre-filled courtesy of Cortana...

 

[bexwhitt]

Given a choice on an older machine of the originals windows 7 or 10 on doing a fresh install I have been putting windows 10 on this last year. If you tweak 10 with classic start most people don't have a problem. The reason is the update of a windows 7 machine from a clean install is a nightmare.

 

[plplplpl]

Ended and they never gave the 3-5% of Vista users a chance to upgrade. What a shame.

Actually, no it's not, Windows 10 far worse than Vista; which is actually a good OS and nearly identical to 7.. which they wanted you to re-buy just to be eligible to upgrade. Joke's on us.

Yup, Vista was just ahead of its time. When it came out, a lot of hardware wasn't up to it. So Redmond created Windows 7, a fine but watered down version of Vista. With today's hardware, Vista runs great. Windows 10, with free telemetry included? No thanks. Windows 8? Whaaat?

 

[captaincranky]

Yup, Vista was just ahead of its time. When it came out, a lot of hardware wasn't up to it. So Redmond created Windows 7, a fine but watered down version of Vista.

I don't think "watered down Vista" is the right assessment of Windows 7. First off, by the time Windows 7 was released, the hardware had caught up with Vista. As drivers are very similar, the hardware now made Windows 7, appear like more of a change than it actually was. .

But no, Vista was not ahead of its time. The biggest single improvement in the OS was the native ability to run SATA as SATA. Now, I have a 2005 eMachines. It has an Intel 915 board, complete with a four pack of SATA connectors for the HDDs, along with an IDE buss, for a pair of optical drives. Those SATA HDDS run as SATA, courtesy of the little, normally installed by floppy disc driver, which is included right in the "restore discs", which after all is nothing but a pre-installed image of the XP SP-2, all the drivers and "value added software" included with the machine. So, SATA was already here, and Vista finally caught up with it, not the other way around.

Windows 7 was vastly improved simply by virtue of getting rid of a "Basic Edition". What was formerly, "Media Center Edition", was now the only low end edition available. Hence people could now play their DVDs on Windows right out of the box, and all they had to do was plug in a 50 buck tuner and OTA and cable TV were theirs as well.

Steve Ballmer was for all intents and purposes a high functioning mental defective. It wasn't that apparent while Bill Gates was "still in the room", since they were besties, and Gates was carrying him. When Gates left, either Ballmer got the Windows 8 concept into his head, or it was sold to him by the imbeciles around him, whom Bill Gates was likely carrying as well.

That was it for Ballmer, and with the new creep / clown / deviant running the show, any sense of business ethics at M$, has gone completely out the Window.

With today's hardware, Vista runs great. Windows 10, with free telemetry included? No thanks. Windows 8? Whaaat?

Like I said, my pre-built Vista laptop has never given me a bit of trouble. But I'd be willing to bet that many brands of pre-built laptop and desktop computers, were likely less trouble than the Tech crowd imagined. If they weren't, warranty work would have piled up and perhaps even consumer watchdog agencies might have been called in. None of that ever happened.

And BTW, "Whaat", is spelled "Wut"....

EDIT: We had knowledgeable computer techs here, well into the Vista era, and even perhaps as late as Windows 7 (IIRC), who were still insisting, "you have to set the BIOS to run the HDDs as IDE..".

 

[plplplpl]

Only three posts in and I've already been honored with my own Cap'n Cranky response. I can actually go along with most of the points; well, most of them...

Also, the Urban Dictionary definition of "whaaat?" could apply to Windows 8.

 

[Phr3d]

EDIT: We had knowledgeable computer techs here, well into the Vista era, and even perhaps as late as Windows 7 (IIRC), who were still insisting, "you have to set the BIOS to run the HDDs as IDE..".

later, let us never forget the Loud "Win 8 is Great if you just.." Balmeroids, lol

 

[captaincranky]

later, let us never forget the Loud "Win 8 is Great if you just........

..............(wait for it)..............."buy after market software to make it look, act, smell, and perform like Windows 7".

 

[LionelE]

I have Windows 7 Starter Service Pack 1.
Hardware: Celeron Dual Core CPU
T3100 @ 1.9 GHz
2 GBs Memory
32 Bit Operating system.
I didn't upgrade to Win 10 because a reputable Computer shop said No..Not for this computer with it's configuration. Was this the assessment??
If Okay to upgrade now, is it too late to upgrade to Win 10..
Any Comments,
Thank You.

 

[captaincranky]

@LionelE If you're not already banned for doing it, I don't think you'll get much response to your question until you get rid of the multiple instances of quoting yourself with the same question.

I can't speak for the rest of the membership, but I, most definitely, "heard you the first time".

If this is your first attempt with this forum software, (and assuming you're posting from the news pages), underneath the comments you'll find a, "jump to forum Mode" button. Click on that, and you'll be in much better shape to participate in the forum community.

 

[Phr3d]

If this is your first attempt with this forum software, (and assuming you're posting from the news pages), underneath the comments you'll find a[B], "jump to forum Mode" [/B]button[B]. [/B]Click on that, and you'll be in much better shape to participate in the forum community.

(pardon OT) FWIW, forum mode is no longer 'selectable' for me either -- I am IN forum mode (thankfully) but no longer have the option to switch back. <br>I'm a huge dope about this as I should try to figger the problem -- I NEED my IGNORE button back! I'll give you SS guesses why, lol - but too lazy to pursue it.<br>
Prolly just a script I am not yet allowing as that has happened in the past, and they seem to keep Breeding..

 

[captaincranky]

OK then, U should prolly throw that celeron sh!t away, and wait for Windows 11. After all, U've gotten away with the garbage U gotz for so long, 'a-nuther 10 years or so won't matter.

Now kindly, don't stop, don't pass go, don't collect 2 extra GBs of RAM, and go straight to the corner of the room, sit thur, and f*** off while yur at it.....( Sorry for that, but I have a screen name to live up to).

 

[Phr3d]

ROFLMAO -- yep, you covered it pretty well..
(that said, I deserve it, I'm pretty sure that my "why the Phook can't you see it My way" attitude was rancid in my experience-is-theoretical youth as well. <br> I'm somewhat comforted that my Tact was improved, since I wasn't blathering to an imaginary screen-name, but a human with facial expressions in response to my obvious-only-to-me superiority. <br> Facial expressions became Physical expressions, on occasion, which also instructed All youth to the value of Tact. <br> ("Age and Treachery.. " etc. etc.)
<br> guess I'll give up on formatting, too..

 

[captaincranky]

ROFLMAO -- yep, you covered it pretty well..
(that said, I deserve it, I'm pretty sure that my "why the Phook can't you see it My way" attitude was rancid in my experience-is-theoretical youth as well. <br> I'm somewhat comforted that my Tact was improved, since I wasn't blathering to an imaginary screen-name, but a human with facial expressions in response to my obvious-only-to-me superiority. <br> Facial expressions became Physical expressions, on occasion, which also instructed All youth to the value of Tact. <br> ("Age and Treachery.. " etc. etc.)
<br> guess I'll give up on formatting, too..

You know, it's almost a pity I can't like that twice. Not that I understood it, mind you, it's the pomp, circumstance, and commitment which impresses.

 

[Phr3d]

<blush> yeah, my verbal clarity has been questioned before, now by the best..
Pyrat's on me - always good to get an unexpected Pomp.. (I'll take a translate of your sig -I find my freshman latin Lacking.. Imagine- in trade for the finest shot you've yet tasted)
Thanks!

 

[captaincranky]

<blush> yeah, my verbal clarity has been questioned before, now by the best..
Pyrat's on me - always good to get an unexpected Pomp..

Nonsense. You're a "stream of consciousness" poster. Very hip.

One Cheryl Wheeler always writes "stream of consciousness" songs.

Here's Suzy Boggus, (one of the sweetest mezzos to ever hit country music), doing one such......"Aces".

So what's it about? You had to know there would be a test....