Windows 10 will be FREE!

[cyberdonblue]

Windows 10 upgrade to be 'free' for one year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30924022

Dave

[Dannypenguin]

Ooh, was not expecting that - mind you, thought Windows 8 was going to be bad, but for a touch screen tablet I found out its actually pretty good - not sure about a laptop though.

While were on Mr Gates...



...

[SnakeLight64]

I'm looking forward to that!

I do like 8.1 and how well it runs compared to 7 but after testing 10 on my system it runs like a dream (aside from the odd bug here and there...)

R

[electra]

What's 10 like for driver compatibility? Any issues?

[cyberdonblue]

What's 10 like for driver compatibility? Any issues?

There are several people on the T:ANE beta testers site that are also beta testing Windows 10. They have all reported fantastic things about Win 10 saying how much quicker it is, how it uses less memory, and, most importantly for users of Trainz, how T:ANE works like a dream with it. In fact, I haven't seen a single negative comment from any of them (which, given the amount of moaners there are in the Trainz International community, is something approaching miraculous.)

As for drivers specifically, nobody has made any comment whatsoever about driver compatability so it sounds like there aren't any major issues on that score. If there were, I think we'd have heard about it in no uncertain terms by now.

Dave

[Briggsy]

I haven't tried TANE in Windows 10 yet - but I have tried Windows 10 out.

It's nice and smooth, very quick, and combines the good points of both Windows 7 and Windows 8.

The only thing I really dislike is the so-called "modern" 2D flat desktop. It's horrible and looks like a throwback to the 90s. The negative feedback appears to be about the look - the positive feedback is about the stability, smoothness and speed - so hopefully if Microsoft release a "classic view" to bring back the traditional 3D colourful desktop similar to that in Windows 7, then Microsoft could be into a winner again - like they were with XP and Windows 7.

Vista and 8 were abysmal.

PS: it is rumoured that Windows 10 will not be free for everyone - and it will only be free for a certain period of time. Those that are entitled to it for free should have had an icon appear on their task bar by now asking them to click to confirm interest in the free upgrade.

If you haven't had the icon appear yet, make sure your windows Updates are enabled - and do a fresh Windows Update check. If you're still not getting the icon, it's unlikely you're entitled to the free upgrade.

Most users of 7/8/8.1 should be eligible for the free upgrade. I believe users of older operating systems are being offered the upgrade at a tiered price range - starting cheaper for Vista, and getting more expensive for XP onwards. I don't think that's been 100% confirmed yet though.

[clam1952]

So according to the lack of any notification Win7 Pro Retail and Win7 Home Premium Retail are not entitled to the upgrade? sounds like BS to me.

No icon or anything else on all 3 PC's here, even run the so called fixes to get the notification icon, zero, looks like another Microsoft cockup to me.

As a matter of interest anyone know how big the Win10 download is? Those of us on Data limits need to know!

[kenneth37043]

So according to the lack of any notification Win7 Pro Retail and Win7 Home Premium Retail are not entitled to the upgrade? sounds like BS to me.

No icon or anything else on all 3 PC's here, even run the so called fixes to get the notification icon, zero, looks like another Microsoft cockup to me.

As a matter of interest anyone know how big the Win10 download is? Those of us on Data limits need to know!

As far as I'm aware its around 3GB. If you scroll down this page http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ ... ifications it shows what versions get what version of upgrade.

[clam1952]

3GB sounds okish so long as I didn't do them all at the same time, cost me a fortune in extra data just for TANE...................

All checks out OK on the Win10 blurb which I had read before, OS's fully updated PC's well above required spec no missing updates Windows on Installing updates automatically which I do not like.

There has to be a manual way of reserving a copy with out all this messing around.

[blackwatch13]

Malc, it's easy, just scroll down the page on Kenneths link & click the 'reserve' button ................

[clam1952]

Which doesn't do anything other than tell you to click on the non existant icon in the tray...............

You can reserve your free upgrade in the Get Windows 10 app. Once you reserve, Windows 10 will download when available, and you can cancel your reservation at any time.*

Click on the small Windows icon found at the right end of the taskbar. If you don’t see it, visit our Q&A page for more info.

[blackwatch13]

Oh! that's wierd, I run Win 7 Pro (boxed version) & when I clicked it I got the icon in my tray.
I've had it for about a month or so, if I click the tray icon I get the following .......................

[clam1952]

I reckon it's related to having a network here set up properly and not using that home network junk.......... Anyway I've disabled that and reverted to microsofts mess and that hasn't worked either, the relevant files that enable the update stuff are all installed in the right place, it's looking like there is a locked config created at the same time as KB3035583 was installed by Windows update. going to try removing the update deleting the files then re-installing the update.

OK that worked! For anyone else with this problem, check in Windows\system32\ for Windows\system\GWX\ if it's there remove the KB3035583, this will remove the update and the GWX folder and contents, reinstall KB3035583, need to get it from windowsupdate.com - direct link: http://download.windowsupdate.com/d/msd ... bf5812.msu

Run the downloaded msu file reboot and hey presto, one icon, thank you Microsoft NOT for your assistance...............

Edit:
Second PC sorted the same way, not going to bother with the third one, it's getting a bit ancient.

[glbotu]

What's Windows 10 performance like on Windows 7 Laptops.

My laptop is getting on for 5 years old now, running Windows 7 fine, but I was wondering if there are any performance issues, or whether I should just go for it.

[73129]

You only get the icon IF the pc you have is of Windows 10 standard. My father's PC runs Win 7 Home Premium 32bit and it doesn't come up. I have Win 7 Ultimate 64bit and it does.