Why is Windows 10 Being Offered for Free?

[josephpalazzo]

I have window 10, but it came along with my computer. Previously I had Vista on another older computer, and I can say that W10 is an improvement over Vista. But for those who have other versions of Window, I cannot advise for the upgrading as I really don't know what will happen in your case.

[PickelledEggs]

I have 10 now too. I actually jumped right in and installed it asap. I like it for the most part. There is a new search bar though that I would guess is the main reason for it being "free". I would say it's free it install, but there are lots of ads through Cortana. (basically the Windows version of Siri) You can turn Cortana off though as well as a few other features that seem like ads. By default, it's set to "on" and I would guess they did this knowing that many people would not care enough to, or not think to turn the ad-ware off instead of keep it at the default setting.

tl;dr: I have a feeling it's free to install from the default ad-ware. You can turn the ad-ware off though.

[josephpalazzo]

I have 10 now too. I actually jumped right in and installed it asap. I like it for the most part. There is a new search bar though that I would guess is the main reason for it being "free". I would say it's free it install, but there are lots of ads through Cortana. (basically the Windows version of Siri) You can turn Cortana off though as well as a few other features that seem like ads. By default, it's set to "on" and I would guess they did this knowing that many people would not care enough to, or not think to turn the ad-ware off instead of keep it at the default setting.

Where do the ads come on as I don't see them, and I haven't turned anything off?

[PickelledEggs]

Where do the ads come on as I don't see them, and I haven't turned anything off?

I think I saw some where it says "Search the web and Windows". Cortana is built in to that, but if you turn off cortana, there isn't anything that shows up there... unless I'm mistaken. I've had Cortana off for a while now, so I don't remember where it was. There is a lot of spyware in Cortana though. If you haven't already, I'd turn that off.

[josephpalazzo]

I think I saw some where it says "Search the web and Windows". Cortana is built in to that, but if you turn off cortana, there isn't anything that shows up there... unless I'm mistaken. I've had Cortana off for a while now, so I don't remember where it was. There is a lot of spyware in Cortana though. If you haven't already, I'd turn that off.

Ok, I've just checked my setting, and Cortana is off, why I wasn't getting any ads. Thanks anyway for the info.

[Baruch]

I think I saw some where it says "Search the web and Windows". Cortana is built in to that, but if you turn off cortana, there isn't anything that shows up there... unless I'm mistaken. I've had Cortana off for a while now, so I don't remember where it was. There is a lot of spyware in Cortana though. If you haven't already, I'd turn that off.

There is no such thing as spyware or key loggers or back doors ... that would be a conspiracy theory.

[Hijiri Byakuren]

There is no such thing as spyware or key loggers or back doors ... that would be a conspiracy theory.

Um... no. First of all, keyloggers are absurdly easy to make.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BiOPBsXh0g

And second, backdoors are everywhere in programming. Ever used a cheat/debug code in a video game?

[Baruch]

It was sarcasm.  So these things self assemble, without any programmer?  Or is the programmer and his corporation ... involved in a conspiracy.  The best joke I ever heard in IT, is that Windows itself is the most successful computer virus ;-)

[SGOS]

I set my automatic updates to ask before updating.  It's been quiet for two days.  It's like taking aspirin and having a bad headache go away.

[widdershins]

Windows 10 is being "offered" (more like forced) for free for several reasons.  First, Microsoft has an on-and-off track record.  Windows 95 was a hit, 98 was mostly a hit, ME was a flop, XP was a big hit, Vista was a big flop, 7 was a hit, 8 was a flop.  They spent months touting their strong numbers with Windows 8 installs only to have reality set in later, that people hated it, weren't using it and, in fact, were uninstalling it.  Windows 10 needs to have strong numbers.

Another reason, they are installing gold mines on your computer.  Windows 10 collects MASSIVE amounts of data on how you use your computer, and only some of that can be shut off.  It is a marketer's wet dream, thus, very valuable information.  They're likely using Windows 10 to do market research; to see if they can actually make more by giving software away rather than selling it.  If it pans out well for them you can look forward to Windows becoming an outright free software, at least in theory.  The reality will be that they collect so much information about you that they will be able to deliver an ad to your email or even your door for something you really, really want with pretty good accuracy based on the information they've collected on you.

Not only that, they will have the most massive database on earth describing how people in different areas use their computers, something they are building right now thanks to Windows 10.  They will be able to respond by implementing features important to customers almost before the customers know they want it, and certainly before Linux or Apple know they want it.  This means more market share, which means more data, which means more money.

They're also trying to move to a subscription-based system for everything possible.  They are feeling this out in the Windows Store.  They took away the very popular Solitaire.  But you can get it from the Store for a mere, I think, 99 cents a month, each and every month.  That's the "micropay" model they're working with.  And Windows DVD Player (the name might not be right) is $9.99 and plays DVDs for you...and nothing else.  That IS quite a bit just to play DVDs, especially given that VLC is free.  The prices and functionality are all over the place, likely as a way to measure what works and what doesn't.  They looked upon Google Play and saw that it was good...a good way to make money.  And they WANT it.  Microsoft can afford to take a hit now and then to gather information about what works and what doesn't.

Keep in mind, that is not all as nefarious as it sounds (probably).  They're not interested in whether you're looking at porn or not...unless whether you look at porn or not can make them money.  In short, they're giving away Windows 10 because they want your money, oddly enough.

[Baruch]

So ... go down to the bank ... write a check for the full balance, and send it to Apple or MS already ... don't you support Capitalism?  MS/Apple will never use that info they gather, against you.  Just like the Feds said they wouldn't fly drones over the US for police purposes, they are for military mission only .. except now they admit they are giving every access possible to state and local police.  Make sure your papers are in order, comrades.

[widdershins]

Because state and local police need more military equipment.  It just takes too long for the police to kill unarmed black men one at a time, I guess.

[Mike Cl]

My wife just spent all morning downloading the free Win 10.  She then spent 2 hrs. restoring Win 7.  Finally has Win 7 back as is now happy.

[Hijiri Byakuren]

Whenever my computer decides to upgrade, I'll probably just go with it. Most of the games I care about work just fine on my SteamOS rig, and the ones that don't I can just jerry-rig to work on something. Anyone who has seen the lengths I go to in order to get my older games working knows I have the stubbornness of a bull and the patience of a saint when it comes to computers.

[widdershins]

For anyone who is interested, there is a free tool out there called GWX Control Panel which will let you (probably) prevent your computer from automatically updating and remove the annoying nag update Microsoft installed a few months back.