Microsoft contemplating free version of Windows 8.1 for Windows 7 users

[misor]

They could offer to pay me and I wouldn't use it. I bought my daughter a new laptop for Christmas and within two weeks she gave it back to me and asked me to install windows 7 on it. Windows 8 was just not an intuitive step from Windows 7. It was like trying to draw a picture with your weak hand. It just felt awkward and was unproductive.

I like windows 8/8.1 because it's fast. if you need the start menu, there are many third-party start menus both free and paid.
I just press windows logo and the desktop appears. but then again, as the saying goes, to each his own.
(I use windows 8.1 x64 desktops, windows vista sp2 x86 laptop, windows 7 home premium sp1 x64 desktops with el cheapo usb mouse, el cheapo usb keyboard)

 

[TheBigFatClown]

I like windows 8/8.1 because it's fast. if you need the start menu, there are many third-party start menus both free and paid.
I just press windows logo and the desktop appears. but then again, as the saying goes, to each his own.
(I use windows 8.1 x64 desktops, windows vista sp2 x86 laptop, windows 7 home premium sp1 x64 desktops with el cheapo usb mouse, el cheapo usb keyboard)

Why are you even still using Windows Vista or Windows 7? They aren't as fast as Windows 8....at least that's what I keep hearing.

It seems your only requirement in an operating system is that it's fast. So, can I recommend MS-DOS 6.0 for your computer needs? It has a black-white color scheme versus Windows 8's purple-white color scheme. But it's pretty fast.

Or if you actually care about other aspects of your operating system other than just "speed" I could recommend checking out any 1 of the hundreds of already freely available distributions of Linux that don't require you to install a 3rd party "start menu"......app? is that the popular word these days? Doesn't require you to install a 3rd party "App" to get basic start menu functionality. I feel like a hipster using the word "app". I am really with it now....peeps? I am hip. I am all that.

Because if it's all about "just" speed you shouldn't limit yourself to just Windows 8.

 

[misor]

It seems your only requirement in an operating system is that it's fast. So, can I recommend MS-DOS 6.0 for your computer needs? It has a black-white color scheme versus Windows 8's purple-white color scheme. But it's pretty fast.

Or if you actually care about other aspects of your operating system other than just "speed" I could recommend checking out any 1 of the hundreds of already freely available distributions of Linux that don't require you to install a 3rd party "start menu"......app? is that the popular word these days? Doesn't require you to install a 3rd party "App" to get basic start menu functionality.

Because if it's all about "just" speed you shouldn't limit yourself to just Windows 8.

did you even bother to read the quoted portion of my post?

but then again, as the saying goes, to each his own.
(I use windows 8.1 x64 desktops, windows vista sp2 x86 laptop, windows 7 home premium sp1 x64 desktops with el cheapo usb mouse, el cheapo usb keyboard)

I'm a fan of windows OS. so whenever my budget allows it, I pay for the latest windows OS I can afford.
I paid for windows 8 because its fast. I like it despite the absence of start menu. I like it even though I use a non-touchscreen monitor.

if you are hating windows 8/8.1 because of the lack of start menu and unable even to press windows logo or use third-party tools to make the computer "usable" for you, I suggest you go back to windows xp, or stick with windows 7, or better yet, take your own medicine and use ms-dos again.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

did you even bother to read the quoted portion of my post?



I'm a fan of windows OS. so whenever my budget allows it, I pay for the latest windows OS I can afford.
I paid for windows 8 because its fast. I like it despite the absence of start menu. I like it even though I use a non-touchscreen monitor.

if you are hating windows 8/8.1 because of the lack of start menu and unable even to press windows logo or use third-party tools to make the computer "usable" for you, I suggest you go back to windows xp, or stick with windows 7, or better yet, take your own medicine and use ms-dos again.

I don't "pretend" that speed "trumps" all other factors. Therefore, I will not be installing MS-DOS anytime soon. I also don't "pretend" that Windows 8 sucks just because a start menu is missing. That's just one of a whole host of reasons why I haven't and won't touch it with a 100-foot pole.

The Windows operating system is no longer an operating system in the traditional sense. It's a master "application" that hijacks a persons computer with a single purpose, to herd you into consuming content and to sell you goods and services. Windows has become the ultimate virus for which there is no cure other than avoiding it all together.

 

[Railman]

W8.1 plus Bling!
f
I can't help feeling that those folks who paid full price for W8.1 must be feeling cheated.

 

[Kibaruk]

Hi so after I upgraded to windows 8 my sex life went down the drain, I couldn't get laid, my boss started yelling at me and my dog started barking at me, now I moved back to 7 and the transparent windows from aero have changed my life, I'm never leaving my start menu hell no!

 

[tipstir]

So okay this best have Media Center on it or no deal. 8.1 needs tweaking .. Network might be fast but again some fixes are needed to it. There is a serious issue with Java Update 51 32-bit an Chrome latest version .

 

[TheBigFatClown]

Hi so after I upgraded to windows 8 my sex life went down the drain, I couldn't get laid, my boss started yelling at me and my dog started barking at me, now I moved back to 7 and the transparent windows from aero have changed my life, I'm never leaving my start menu hell no!

People are funny, some hate change, some relish change. The people saying that they like the "flat-look" of Windows 8 crack me up to no end. In 3 years, when Microsoft goes back to 3D because of technological advancements in cellphone technology, the same people will be praising the changes to 3D. "Wow, Windows 9 has 3D transparent windows. How refreshing!!! I was so tired of that flat look." All you gotta do is keep shuffling the walnut shells to keep some people happy. Maybe that's why Microsoft keeps producing a good/crappy OS on a consistent basis. It gives the illusion of something wonderful always coming around the corner.

 

[9Nails]

Is this because Apple said that they're giving future versions of OS-X away for free?

(Naturally, Apple didn't mention if there will be any future versions. So, your mileage will vary if you try to ride that pony into town.)

 

[p51d007]

Sorry, until MS gives us the OPTION when installing, of the "old" interface (and I mean the complete UI menus from Win7, not that goofy looking one in 8.x), I'll just keep Win7. On a NON TOUCH screen
device, for my needs, the tiles are worthless.

 

[project_Akira]

Windows 8.1 + Start Button/Menu + Aero = Windows 7

= what's the point of upgrading to Windows 8? I know, so I can put in my credit card number and buy app after app and store my data in the cloud and get blasted with adverts. Wow, now I realize what a fool I've been and what I have been missing.

Windows 8 free? Oh God yes, but oh Hell No! Still don't want it. It's a gateway to nickel and dime my @$$ to death. Thanks but no thanks.

How is Windows 8 a nickel and dime scheme? I have used Windows 8 since it came out and have never bought anything from their app store, you act like it is forced upon you once you boot your computer in to Windows 8. All it does is improve on some stuff from Windows 7 and add in a few other things that you don't have to notice if you don't want to. Make sure you get your facts straight before you spread lies.

 

[Railman]

Windows 8.1 + Start Button/Menu + Aero = Windows 7

= what's the point of upgrading to Windows 8? I know, so I can put in my credit card number and buy app after app and store my data in the cloud and get blasted with adverts. Wow, now I realize what a fool I've been and what I have been missing.

Windows 8 free? Oh God yes, but oh Hell No! Still don't want it. It's a gateway to nickel and dime my @$$ to death. Thanks but no thanks.

How is Windows 8 a nickel and dime scheme? I have used Windows 8 since it came out and have never bought anything from their app store, you act like it is forced upon you once you boot your computer in to Windows 8. All it does is improve on some stuff from Windows 7 and add in a few other things that you don't have to notice if you don't want to. Make sure you get your facts straight before you spread lies.

Just been reading some other news items on this subject and it does look as if the free version of W8.1 could be a cut down version. A bit like Office Starter you don't get all the options and there are ads. From that perspective why would you switch from W7 to W8.1 lite?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Just been reading some other news items on this subject and it does look as if the free version of W8.1 could be a cut down version. A bit like Office Starter you don't get all the options and there are ads. From that perspective why would you switch from W7 to W8.1 lite?

Why did I not foresee Ads, in the possibility of a free OS? After reading your comment, that is the only scenario that makes sense.

I can deal with ads in applications and webpages to an extent. I will not deal with them at an OS level at all. That to me is worse, than the Start Screen working in full-screen mode. I wasn't motivated to move forward with MS, and this news motivates me even less. If working from a touch screen tablet with ads (you can't get rid of) is the future for MS, my passion for computing will die. Sometimes a three foot distance is too close for my eyes. I couldn't stay close enough to the screen to actually be able to touch it. And then to be annoyed by ads regardless of what you are doing, no thank you MS.

 

[Kibaruk]

Here, let's ***** some more for when microsoft offers something for free! I just hate them free giving away thingies bastards! I dont want ads from free software!! Give me back my ubuntu and open office!

 

[cliffordcooley]

Here, let's ***** some more for when microsoft offers something for free!

"something for free" - That would be the same thing for free. If ads are involved, it is not the same thing. Implementing ads would make it a trade off, not a free offering.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

How is Windows 8 a nickel and dime scheme? I have used Windows 8 since it came out and have never bought anything from their app store, you act like it is forced upon you once you boot your computer in to Windows 8. All it does is improve on some stuff from Windows 7 and add in a few other things that you don't have to notice if you don't want to. Make sure you get your facts straight before you spread lies.

My facts are perfectly straight.

Your the same type of person who goes to the all-you-can-eat buffet and the restaurant loses money. Just because "you" haven't spent one dime in their app store doesn't mean it wasn't built for that purpose. Yeezus!!(thanks Kayne, now I can blaspheme without actually blaspheming). Your just milking the cow for all it's worth. Buying something and using it against its intended purpose is done all the time in life. So what makes you think your so smart? Your probably the type of customer that makes Microsofts skin crawl. The purpose of *giving* Windows 8 away for free is to make money off apps and services purchased through Windows 8.

Thanks for letting me know that I don't have to use Windows 8. In that case, I won't. Still using Windows 7 Ultimate and I don't have the slightest intention of budging. Windows 9 is within view. I will keep an open mind towards "that" end but it honestly doesn't look good. Free-to-play operating systems are probably the norm going forward from this point in the game thanks to the ubiquity of Linux. Microsoft's hand has been forced and their dominance has come to an end.

Windows 8 is nothing but an online shopping application but instead of running on top of your operating system its embedded *IN* your operating system. It will probably only get worse in time(as though its not already bad enough, LOL).

 

[Railman]

Here, let's ***** some more for when microsoft offers something for free! I just hate them free giving away thingies bastards! I dont want ads from free software!! Give me back my ubuntu and open office!

All of this is rumours at the moment, however if the final offering is a cut down version with ads it would be crazy for someone to switch from W7 to W8.1 lite. Actually the OS is not priced at a crazy price but I do think that MS do overcharge for the full version of MS Office. I have never understood why you have to pay so much for Office with Access.

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't use Windows 8 on a desktop if I was paid. On a tablet I could see myself liking it, but I'll stay with Windows 7 on my desktop.

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't use Windows 8 on a desktop if I was paid. On a tablet I could see myself liking it, but I'll stay with Windows 7 on my desktop.

 

[Flyby Chow]

Win8 is ok, except for 1 issue I cannot fix until this very day, it makes me want to chase my tail to no end, I use a USB modem to connect to the net, and every single time if left for a few hours, win8 disconnects it, even though it shows connected. I tried everything from disable its power management functions in dev manager, headed over to group policy, even switched it to high performance, no go. that is the only thing that keeps me away from it.

 

[Kibaruk]

My facts are perfectly straight.

Your the same type of person who goes to the all-you-can-eat buffet and the restaurant loses money. Just because "you" haven't spent one dime in their app store doesn't mean it wasn't built for that purpose. Yeezus!!(thanks Kayne, now I can blaspheme without actually blaspheming). Your just milking the cow for all it's worth. Buying something and using it against its intended purpose is done all the time in life. So what makes you think your so smart? Your probably the type of customer that makes Microsofts skin crawl. The purpose of *giving* Windows 8 away for free is to make money off apps and services purchased through Windows 8.

Thanks for letting me know that I don't have to use Windows 8. In that case, I won't. Still using Windows 7 Ultimate and I don't have the slightest intention of budging. Windows 9 is within view. I will keep an open mind towards "that" end but it honestly doesn't look good. Free-to-play operating systems are probably the norm going forward from this point in the game thanks to the ubiquity of Linux. Microsoft's hand has been forced and their dominance has come to an end.

Windows 8 is nothing but an online shopping application but instead of running on top of your operating system its embedded *IN* your operating system. It will probably only get worse in time(as though its not already bad enough, LOL).

I'm also a windows 8 user who has not spent a dime in the store, is not necesary, it's not build around that, your "facts" are not facts.

The actual fact is, to use windows 8 you don't even need to use the market, it being on free apps or charged apps and it is a fact. I've never used the market, at all, ever, not on my laptop, not on my main rig, EVER, this is a FACT.

Another fact, is saying Android was built on the same scheme, which is FALSE, you can live on no charge apps, FACT.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

I'm also a windows 8 user who has not spent a dime in the store, is not necesary, it's not build around that, your "facts" are not facts.

The actual fact is, to use windows 8 you don't even need to use the market, it being on free apps or charged apps and it is a fact. I've never used the market, at all, ever, not on my laptop, not on my main rig, EVER, this is a FACT.

Another fact, is saying Android was built on the same scheme, which is FALSE, you can live on no charge apps, FACT.

If you actually "paid" for that dribble than you shouldn't be expected to buy apps. I am talking about the purpose of Microsoft giving Windows 8 away for "FREE" to Windows 7 users. It's not because they are in a good mood.

As I said before though, some people are happy to pay so that they can pay some more. Blizzards Warcraft Online popularity is a shining example of this kind of a scheme. Whatever floats your boat.

Microsoft has already conned all the pidgeons into paying money upfront for the online store application called Windows 8. Now that they have taken all the pidgeons money they are giving the OS away for free. Hilarious!!!!
But let's look at the bright side. If you were a smart pidgeon you only got had for $14.99 if I remember correctly. Not too shabby.

 

[andrew_C]

I will never ever try Windows 8 even if it's free.

 

[andrew_C]

My facts are perfectly straight.

Your the same type of person who goes to the all-you-can-eat buffet and the restaurant loses money. Just because "you" haven't spent one dime in their app store doesn't mean it wasn't built for that purpose. Yeezus!!(thanks Kayne, now I can blaspheme without actually blaspheming). Your just milking the cow for all it's worth. Buying something and using it against its intended purpose is done all the time in life. So what makes you think your so smart? Your probably the type of customer that makes Microsofts skin crawl. The purpose of *giving* Windows 8 away for free is to make money off apps and services purchased through Windows 8.

Thanks for letting me know that I don't have to use Windows 8. In that case, I won't. Still using Windows 7 Ultimate and I don't have the slightest intention of budging. Windows 9 is within view. I will keep an open mind towards "that" end but it honestly doesn't look good. Free-to-play operating systems are probably the norm going forward from this point in the game thanks to the ubiquity of Linux. Microsoft's hand has been forced and their dominance has come to an end.

Windows 8 is nothing but an online shopping application but instead of running on top of your operating system its embedded *IN* your operating system. It will probably only get worse in time(as though its not already bad enough, LOL).

I totally agree with that. I bought a laptop pre-installed with that Windows 8 turd, I tried to push myself to like it, but in the end I still hate it. After an hour of using the laptop, Windows 8 ran an auto-update, I waited for at half an hour, and guess what, after the update, my laptop was caught in an infinite loop of restarts. I couldn't even boot successfully to the desktop (a.k.a "Metro interface") anymore. I had fed up with that junk Windows 8, I brought the laptop back to the shop, and asked them to install Windows 7 for me, I was even willing to pay full price for Windows 7.

Who cares if Windows 8 is "faster" if it's unusable. It's a total piece of junk. I will keep using Windows 7 as long as I can, until a time when I had no choice but to switch to Linux. Windows 7 still a very speedy OS, boots fast on my Core i5 laptop, just under 40 seconds. Add in an SSD, and it will boot as fast as Windows 8.

So I have to say thanks but no thanks Microsoft, I will never ever try Windows 8 again even if it's free.

 

[captaincranky]

I paid for windows 8 because its fast. I like it despite the absence of start menu. I like it even though I use a non-touchscreen monitor.

I like Windows 7 because I can use, "Aero", to easily turn "erotic art", into a wallpaper slideshow.

With that said, (and done), Windows 7 gives me a tall boy, from the instant it boots!

Try that with yer dumb ole Windows 8.....

But if the situation lasts for more than 4 hours, what should I do first, call my doctor, or simply install a copy of Windows 8?

 

[Joseph Dredd]

My facts are perfectly straight.

Your the same type of person who goes to the all-you-can-eat buffet and the restaurant loses money. Just because "you" haven't spent one dime in their app store doesn't mean it wasn't built for that purpose. Yeezus!!(thanks Kayne, now I can blaspheme without actually blaspheming). Your just milking the cow for all it's worth. Buying something and using it against its intended purpose is done all the time in life. So what makes you think your so smart? Your probably the type of customer that makes Microsofts skin crawl. The purpose of *giving* Windows 8 away for free is to make money off apps and services purchased through Windows 8.

Thanks for letting me know that I don't have to use Windows 8. In that case, I won't. Still using Windows 7 Ultimate and I don't have the slightest intention of budging. Windows 9 is within view. I will keep an open mind towards "that" end but it honestly doesn't look good. Free-to-play operating systems are probably the norm going forward from this point in the game thanks to the ubiquity of Linux. Microsoft's hand has been forced and their dominance has come to an end.

"Your" indicates possession, referring to something belonging to you.
"You're" is a contraction of the words "you" and "are" and would help most of sentences to make sense... grammatically anyway.

On the topic of making sense, I am curious about the apparent "ubiquity" of Linux. So, are you saying that the predictions Linux may reach 2% of the desktop market this year are causing Microsoft so much concern that they are now considering offering a free version of Windows 8?