11 ms·

Hello World: Windows 10 Available on July 29

229 points by tolt 11y ago

angry-hacker 11y ago
Does anyone know if I have to be with that update notification icon until then? I already gave them my address and said yes I'm interested in upgrading. Why haven't MS learned and why does it have to be standard that every program from Microsoft or anyone else needs to shit the system tray?
- stinos 11y ago
  Follow the link to the FAQ, http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq: Can I turn off the notifications? Yes. Click “Customize” in the System Tray and turn off the Get Windows 10 app notifications in the menu that comes up.
  - chli 11y ago
    That's not really a solution if I have my taskbar setup to always show every icons and notifications. I guess one could uninstall : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583 Looks like this thing was sleeping all this time on my computer and then woke up on a given signal. Sounds like a virus to me... !
stinos 11y ago
Is this always an in-place upgrade, or would there be a way to do a clean install (possibly on another pc - IIRC windows licenses are per OS instance not per machine?) for free as well?
- cyxxon 11y ago
  I always wonder why they never mention how the supposedly free upgrade works. From this article and the linked FAQ I get the impression that I do not qualify for free Windows 10 forever, but that I can upgrade my Windows 8.1 installations via Windows Upgrade for a year after launch, but that my Windows license is not generally upgraded to a Windows 10 license. I take this to mean that after a year and a day, when I want to reinstall, I cannot use my current key to install some Windows 10 install image, but have to use my Win8.1 image, and since the year for free upgrades has passed, I cannot upgrade that install to Windows 10 anymore. Or are there other infos out about this very typical scenario among IT people?
  - joshuapants 11y ago
    I seem to remember Paul Thurrott saying that the free upgrade window is open for a year, not that your license is only good for a year of use.
    - cyxxon 11y ago
      Yes, it seems Thurrott has some info: https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-answers-about-windows-10-upgrades https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-... Basically it seems to be that MS saves the info in the Windows store and lets you reinstall a fresh Windows 10 if you upgraded. If this information is correct.
  - sudioStudio64 11y ago
    The rule of thumb is that if it can activate it can upgrade.
    - cyxxon 11y ago
      Yes, but say I upgrade my Win8.1 during the free year. In two years time I want to reinstall. Will there be an option to a. download some Windows 10 installation media so I can do a fresh install, or do I b. always have to first install Win8.1? If it's a, is my Win8.1 license key valid? Did the MS activation server get the memo that I upgraded during the free year? If it is b, will the upgrade from Win8.1 to 10 still be free after the first year, or not? I already upgraded my license once,but do they keep track of this? Can I still activate? Or does it count as a new try to upgrade after the free year?
      - mkr-hn 11y ago
        Windows 8 can be reverted to a freshly installed state from within, so I assume 10 can do that too.
        talmand 11y ago
        That's not the same thing as starting on a fresh, new, formatted hard drive.
- Robadob 11y ago
  I was looking for this to, their faq (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq) neglects to answer the question. On the community discussion it's been asked without an official response yet (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/clean-install-with-win-10-upgrade/c11e3c5b-5087-4558-b3f7-ac1c4da4eea1 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-...).
kozukumi 11y ago
I have been running the technical previews since the very start and I have to say I am quite surprised at the July 29th release date. Even today's builds are riddled with problems. They have a lot of work to do if they really think it will be consumer ready by the end of July.
- agildehaus 11y ago
  Update often is the new mantra. Unfortunately that sometimes means "we can ship crap!".
  - chrisfosterelli 11y ago
    You're getting downvoted a lot, but you're not wrong. Game companies, like Ubisoft, have been getting a lot of heat in particular for this lately...
    - SuddsMcDuff 11y ago
      I stopped buying games by EA and Ubisoft about 5 years ago for this very reason - shipping incomplete & buggy software with the mentality "we'll patch it later". In EA's case, those patches didn't even materialize a lot of the time. I take it from your comment that they're still up to their old tricks... I'll continue my boycott of EA and Ubi
      - Silhouette 11y ago
        I used to love gaming on my PC, and today I have far more disposable income I'd be willing to spend for top quality games. Sadly, I haven't actually bought (or pirated) a AAA title on PC for probably a decade now. The last few I had were great fun until they crashed or otherwise fundamentally failed at just the wrong moment, at which point all that enjoyment would instantly evaporate and just leave me in a bad mood instead. And every AAA game I'd bought in the last year or two before I gave up was like that. Throw in almost ubiquitous DRM/anti-cheating software doing unknown and potentially very bad things to my PC behind my back these days, and I'm very sad to say that PC gaming just isn't attractive to me any more.
andrewchambers 11y ago
I am really liking the technical previews, I have had very few issues and think it looks pretty slick.
venomsnake 11y ago
Why all of their screenshots are on laptops? Doesn't anyone use real computers anymore?
- BinaryIdiot 11y ago
  Hmm it seems difficult to find statistics that separate desktop boxes from laptops (I see separation of desktop and laptop va ultraportable) but I think the trend is less desktops and more laptops. So I'm not entirely surprised. Honestly I constantly built my own towers for years but these past 3 or 4 years I haven't even booted a desktop tower; laptops are just so good nowadays and I can pick it up and go or dock it with multiple monitors it almost seems silly to do a tower anymore. Obviously there are still plenty of power user use cases or high end gaming to consider but many laptops can do a lot of that well enough.
  - baldfat 11y ago
    I like my keyboard and mouse with two screen that are there 100% of the time. Frsutrating that Firefox and Chrome boot slower than my phone and tablet! I will stop using a desktop computer when you pry the mechnical keyboard out of my cold dead hands. P.S. Never personally owned a laptop and only use one's provided by my work.
    - ytjohn 11y ago
      I agree about the mechanical keyboard and large screen. But I do use a laptop. It sits on my desk docked in (usb and thunderbolt docks are awesome - 1 cable). Then, I can take it with me.
    - tracker1 11y ago
      Not to detract, but are you booting on a hard disk or SSD.. the HTPC in my livingroom does a full reboot in about 12 seconds (ubuntu 15.04) and my desktop isn't much slower. Both of which are way faster than my 1+1 android phone. I also prefer a mechanical keyboard, have my own at work as well... I hate when I'm on my rmbp, which is about as good as a laptop keyboard/touchpad interface gets...
pibefision 11y ago
Does Windows 10 includes a better Terminal or we need to install Putty?
- BinaryIdiot 11y ago
  Unless something recently changed it's still the same choices. I find PowerShell decent but I wish it could do full screen properly.
  - Kociub 11y ago
    Did you try out the technical preview? You can do full screen now properly. You also get copy&paste working like it should and some other stuff as well.
- stinos 11y ago
  It does have some small improvements (http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/09/windows-10-command-prompt-finally-gets-dragged-into-the-21st-century/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/09/window...) but nothing spectacular. I'd recommend you to look into MobaXterm or ConEmu running cygwin as well, I like any of those two way more then Putty actually.
  - icc97 11y ago
    Those are actually pretty important improvements. But it's quite shocking how long they've taken. > this is something that other operating systems have had in their text shells for ages Perhaps someone knows the date from which you could highlight single lines as single lines in the commad prompt for linux / mac?
    - bad_user 11y ago
      The first time I tried Linux on my desktop was in ~ 1998, I believe it was Mandrake and the terminal had all of these "improvements".
- jayflux 11y ago
oliverjudge 11y ago
Is there any word on Windows 10 pricing outside of the upgrade program yet?
- pionar 11y ago
  Newegg leaked it accidentally. Home OEM - $109, Pro OEM - $149.
gnud 11y ago
Can you reliably turn off web search from the start menu, and one drive integration, yet?
- 7952 11y ago
  I have that on Ubuntu and it annoys the hell out of me. No I don't want to wait 0.5 seconds for a search result about Firefox just to open a browser!
  - xcogiz 11y ago
    Surely you can disable that in a relatively easy way? I'm thinking about trying linux and such comments kinda scare me.
    - joshuapants 11y ago
      It is easily disabled and is only a feature in Ubuntu's Unity desktop. If you use a different version of Ubuntu (GNOME, Mate, KDE, whatever else they offer now) it won't be an issue.
      - atap 11y ago
        Don't make excuses for something that's very obviously antithetical to very premise of Linux and free, open-source software.
        joshuapants 11y ago
        I'm not making any excuses. You have the option to choose another desktop or distro entirely if you don't like it. That is a fact, not an excuse. Your point would carry more weight if it were impossible to disable it and if I had suggested the parent post just use it anyway.
        tracker1 11y ago
        Considering how many people liked google's desktop search widget, and similar, I'm not sure I agree... not to mention that seeing repository matches that aren't installed (yet) can be useful too. Not that most of those features require integrated online searches... but I can see how someone, even most casual users would prefer it that way. Hell, look at how many people type in website addresses into their search box.
sgt 11y ago
Nice to see that Clippy is back. Oh sure, it's called Cortana, but rest assured - it's Clippy all right. Your very own personal assistant, now fully integrated into Windows (not just Office).
- throwaway3453 11y ago
  Taking hundreds of hours of work and dismissing it is petty and unjustified.
  - bostonpete 11y ago
    Are you new to the internet?
    - throwaway3453 11y ago
      No, but it's never too late to call this behavior out. Clippy 2.0, very clever! I'm doubtful that sgt would like drive-by remarks about his work.
      - baldfat 11y ago
        So that means Siri is Clipy 1.5 and Google Clippy 1.9?
  - simoncion 11y ago
    Many things that took a long time to do were not worth doing.
- joshuapants 11y ago
  I get that this is tongue-in-cheek, but right now I like Cortana a lot better than Siri and Google's voice thing. It responds faster and more helpfully in my experience.
  - tracker1 11y ago
    I saw a demo of what is probably Cortana's voice recognition real time about a year and a half ago... it was pretty neat. MS has put a lot of effort into voice control over the years.
netheril96 11y ago
Any words about the supposed amnesty for illegitimate copies of Windows 7/8?
- jotm 11y ago
  You pay for Windows 10 and an upgrade from a illegitimate Windows 7, I believe.
- dspillett 11y ago
  Also on whether WinXP users are going to qualify for the free upgrade? My lodger's old laptop is in desperate need of something before I let it have more open access to my local network... (I've been thinking Ubuntu but that might take a little more retraining so Win10 might be preferable if free and it'll run OK on that elderly machine without driver and/or CPU/RAM/space resource issues)
  - fname 11y ago
    > Also on whether WinXP users are going to qualify for the free upgrade? Nope. There is no upgrade path from XP -> Windows 10. You will have to go from Win7/8 to qualify for the free upgrade to 10.
- nly 11y ago
  I imagine, despite what they say publicly, that at least some cracked copies of 7 and 8 will pass whatever upgrade qualification checks they have in place. In 2012, when they offered cheap (£/$15) 7 -> 8 upgrades it was effectively open to anyone who was willing to lie about having bought a machine running Windows 7 in the last X months. Windows 8 could then be installed on any machine using the product key provided.
rl3 11y ago
>Microsoft Edge, is an all-new browser designed to get things done online in new ways, with built-in commenting on the web – via typing or inking — sharing comments, and ... I wonder what Adobe and Genius think of that.
xcogiz 11y ago
Looks like start menu won't work properly without an internet connection. Can we get one that doesn't try to constantly distract you?
tragomaskhalos 11y ago
I admit I haven't been paying close attention, but I was under the impression that 10 was going to be dispensing with that crappy Metro interface: apparently not.
- xcogiz 11y ago
  I agree. I will be replacing the start menu with a third party alternative as soon as possible. I don't need constant trivial updates that distract me and take resources.
  - rplnt 11y ago
    All of the active tiles are of course optional.
- hobs 11y ago
  What they are doing is allowing you to turn metro apps into windowed apps, so you dont have to full screen for everything, a welcome change in my opinion. Switching back and forth seemed very abrupt. Other things I noticed they are rolling back when I ran the TP, the start menu is basically the Win 7 start menu with some extra features, no more metro start screen (that I saw.)
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
doczoidberg 11y ago
I like it just to press the win key to do a (cortana) web search. If they stay with bing as the only web search integrated into cortana google will lose some users. Nevertheless they should implement google as an option.
- castell 11y ago
  Microsoft had to change Vista's startmenu search function to allow also third party desktop search vendors like the free "Google Desktop Search". "Two areas have seen changes in SP1 that have come as the result of concerns from software vendors. One of these is desktop search; users will be able to change the default desktop search program to one provided by a third party instead of the Microsoft desktop search program that comes with Windows Vista, and desktop search programs will be able to seamlessly tie in their services into the operating system. These changes come in part due to complaints from Google, whose Google Desktop Search application was hindered by the presence of Vista's built-in desktop search. In June 2007, Google claimed that the changes being introduced for SP1 "are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers"." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Desktop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Desktop Win10 should support third party personal agents like Google Now and others!
  - bad_user 11y ago
    Third party search providers are not supported in Windows 8.1 and you're talking about Vista. So no, Win10 will probably not support third parties.
    - castell 11y ago
      In in Windows Vista SP1 and Windows 7 RTM. Microsoft had to offer a browser selection dialog with several third party browsers in Windows 7 - in Europe (EU). Though the removed it again last year.
suvelx 11y ago
Is that a 21:9 laptop they used in the demo? I want that one.
- joshuapants 11y ago
  Interesting question. Obviously it's a render, but why did they choose those proportions? Tease of new MS hardware?
  - pbz 11y ago
    Kind of looks like XPS 13 with the "bottom" (that has the DELL logo) cut off http://techranker.net/dell-xps-13-review-pros-and-cons-best-ultrabook-available-video/2/ http://techranker.net/dell-xps-13-review-pros-and-cons-best-...
    - joshuapants 11y ago
      And with a webcam added at the top in the thin bezel. It does certainly look inspired by the XPS.
getsat 11y ago
Will there be a way to buy a digital download of it? I recently wanted to bootcamp my Macbook Pro to play some games Windows-only games. I went to Microsoft's website and looked at the options for buying Windows 8. The only options were a retail DVD which would be shipped (and I don't have a DVD drive) or to upgrade from Windows Vista/Windows 7 which I had neither of. I ended up pirating it because I couldn't figure out how to get a legitimate copy that I could actually install. :( I haven't used Windows since XP, and 8 is really nice. I'm legitimately excited for Windows 10 especially due to all the open sourcing of .NET-related code recently.
- yRetsyM 11y ago
  You can get a digital download of the Technical Preview now - I'd do that. They've announced that Windows 10 will be free to all Technical Preview participants. That way you can upgrade to the latest version and away you go.
  - m_t 11y ago
    It is free only if you have a valid Win7/8 licence.
    - getsat 11y ago
      Should I just buy a Windows 7 license to get a free upgrade to Windows 10?
      - alykhalid 11y ago
        Just install the technical preview and you will be able to upgrade for free. Source http://m.windowscentral.com/windows-insiders-will-be-able-upgrade-windows-10-rtm-free http://m.windowscentral.com/windows-insiders-will-be-able-up...
        getsat 11y ago
        Great news, thanks! I apparently signed up for the Windows Insider program a few months ago. :)
xyby 11y ago
Is Windows a good citizen on the harddisk nowadays? I stopped trying Windows releases because they used to change my bootsector or something, so my machine suddenly only booted Windows. Instead of showing me a menu (grub?) of partitions to choose from.
- rymate1234 11y ago
  That's mainly due to the old BIOS mbr only supporting one bootloader at a time. I know on my old BIOS PC that when I installed a linux distro it would displace the windows bootloader with grub, and vice versa. On UEFI based systems, this is less of an issue, as I believe you can have multiple bootloaders.
arenaninja 11y ago
Do we know what "free for the first year" means yet? What about the second year? I've been running Ubuntu for personal use for about a year now. I miss steam so I might jump onto Windows 10, but not if I only find out the price after I jump in
- StavrosK 11y ago
  What's wrong with Steam on Ubuntu?
  - slantyyz 11y ago
    >> What's wrong with Steam on Ubuntu? That you can't run the big titles that only run on Windows?
    - StavrosK 11y ago
      That's not a Steam issue, Steam runs fine. It's that some games aren't available on Linux.
      - arenaninja 11y ago
        You're right, I meant Steam games where I wrote Steam. Even though I've had a ton of fun with Legend of Grimrock, I wish for a lot of the bigger titles came over. It's much better from 4 years ago, but I still can't play Shogun 2
- skymt 11y ago
  It means that if you upgrade to Windows 10 by July 2016, you have it for the lifetime of the computer. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-users.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-...
- minot 11y ago
  (No relation to Microsoft, just a general observation) As far as we know, Microsoft has not categorically denied that they will create another operating system in the future. It'd be terribly stupid for them to do so. The free for the first year has caveats but there is no scenario where we are discussing Microsoft making you pay for essential updates in the second year. In fact, while I am not a Microsoft fan I will stick my neck out and say that it is extremely unlikely that you will have to pay for updates in consumer SKU's of Microsoft Windows for the next six years. Seven years is typically the regularly advertised end of life and end of mainline support for previous versions of Microsoft Windows. The first major caveat is that this is for existing Windows users. This offer only applies for people who currently on qualifying versions of Microsoft Windows today. If your computer came with a genuine copy of Microsoft Windows 7 or above, it is in Microsoft's best interest that you get on board with the latest version of Windows. The second major caveat is that this is specifically not for organizations. Enterprise cash cows will remain cash cows. I'd urge you to be skeptical and not infer any promises Microsoft has not specifically made. However, if anyone has been telling you that Microsoft will make you pay for security updates or Windows in general beginning the second year are at best incorrect and at worst maliciously spreading FUD. Of course, Microsoft isn't helping because there are so many details we don't know yet such as when is the end of life for Windows 10 (assuming I accept all updates)? There is a lot of things we don't know. However, we can say with a lot of confidence that you will not have to pay a subscription the second year of moving to Windows 10. For what it is worth, I intend to update to Windows 10 on my personal computer as soon as possible. I also intend to stay on the fast lane of updates (more updates more often but possibly some buggy updates) once I get on Windows 10.
bovermyer 11y ago
I'm surprised by how early it'll be released, but excited about it nonetheless. The only reason I haven't installed the tech preview and used it as my sole OS (on my gaming PC) is because I don't want to have to reinstall 8.1 in order to upgrade back to 10 once it launches. I survived Windows 95, I can deal with BSODs and wonky features. I just want the latest. And Windows Hello, because Jarvis.
Mithaldu 11y ago
As a windows 7 user i have to wonder: Exactly why should i upgrade? Does Microsoft have some kind of comparison table between Windows 7 and Windows 10 i can use to make an informed decision?
- castratikron 11y ago
  The number is higher.
- Someone1234 11y ago
  Someone posted this on Reddit: List of features (vs. 8.1): - Package manager (OneGet). - Virtual desktops. - Improved conhost (cmd and powershell "window"). - Improved multi-monitor support. - Start Menu is back (but the 'Power User' right click menu remains!). - Settings app (improved Control Panel experience). - 2F auth, better biometrics, face and iris support. - Lower disk usage (reduced 2.6 GB on 64 bit). - Edge browser. Cortana. Improved Windows Explorer icons & folder favourites. - Notifications UI. List of features (vs. 7): - Faster boot (inc. hybrid boot). - Improved Task Manager. - Improved Copy/Move dialog boxes (pause, graphs, prioritisation, etc). - Better touch screen support. - More login options (pin, picture, etc). - Improved multi-monitor support (taskbar options). - Up button and ribbon in Windows Explorer. - Native support for ISO, IMG, and VHD mounting. - Better on-screen keyboard. - Peek passwords. - File History (UI mostly). - Refresh, Reset, etc restore options. - "Basic" biometrics. - Improved encryption. - Client Hyper-V (on Pro and above). So for 8.1 users, the improvements to 10 are mostly graphical with a handful of very nice to have functionality improvements. For Windows 7 users, the improvements are substantial and across the board. 8 and 8.1 actually improved 7 a lot, people just ignore it because "omg the Start Screen." So to the people saying "Windows 7 is until 2020, why upgrade!" I say: you're missing out on a lot of improvements that you could be taking advantage of, in particular improvements 8 and 8.1 brought that you ignored.
- WorldWideWayne 11y ago
  Windows 8+ is definitely faster than Windows 7 with regards to boot time and in many other ways. It's also got Metro. And of course you can actually use it on touch enabled hardware. If you don't need any of that stuff, there's no reason to upgrade.
snomad 11y ago
Has there been any word on a 'Server 2015' release? There was a passing comment, I believe at Spark / Build, but no real details. Will Office 2016 be released the same day?
seanalltogether 11y ago
Seeing as the apps they showcased were all desktop and no metro, does this mean the app store will now sell desktop apps going forward? Any word on different sandbox restrictions to go with it?
- numo16 11y ago
  Devs will be able to turn their existing win32/desktop apps into windows app store compatible apps using "Project Centennial" from the sounds of things. http://liliputing.com/2015/05/this-is-how-win32-apps-can-become-windows-store-apps.html http://liliputing.com/2015/05/this-is-how-win32-apps-can-bec...
- jussij 11y ago
  I suspect that has a lot to do with trying to get corporate users to move off Windows 7, which the basically refused to do with Windows 8, thanks to the fact Windows 8 tried relegating desktop apps to second class Windows citizens, behind metro. Since corporate Windows users tend to run mostly desktop apps, if modern Windows is not going to support their apps they will not move.
tbrock 11y ago
Where can I buy the laptop pictured in the announcement? It would be great if a quality PC hardware manufacturer emerged that actually made Windows 10 based laptops like this. [1] http://az648995.vo.msecnd.net/win/2015/06/1.png http://az648995.vo.msecnd.net/win/2015/06/1.png
- bonesinger 11y ago
  The bezel looks like a Dell XPS 13" but the unibody metal like frame looks like a Razer Blade 14"
gd2 11y ago
Besides the yawn factor, this blog announcement's structure and language lacks skillz. Not good.
yuhong 11y ago
Notice that even Win7 starter gets an upgrade to Win10 Home for free, for those of you with netbooks.
lingben 11y ago
can you reserve and then change your mind and not install or upgrade to Windowns 10?
jamisteven 11y ago
Anyone know what laptop is being used in the pics to display the OS? Shit looks clean.
67uy 11y ago
Has Microsoft said where their bitlocker feature will place in the edition tiers? It'd be nice to see it in the lower editions so that the 'common man' has access to reasoanble encryption in case their computer is lost/stolen
oldpond 11y ago
If microsoft release their own linux distro I might try that. Otherwise this is a non-event for me.

229 points by tolt 11y ago

Does anyone know if I have to be with that update notification icon until then? I already gave them my address and said yes I'm interested in upgrading. Why haven't MS learned and why does it have to be standard that every program from Microsoft or anyone else needs to shit the system tray?

stinos 11y ago
Follow the link to the FAQ, http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq: Can I turn off the notifications? Yes. Click “Customize” in the System Tray and turn off the Get Windows 10 app notifications in the menu that comes up.
- chli 11y ago
  That's not really a solution if I have my taskbar setup to always show every icons and notifications. I guess one could uninstall : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583 https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3035583 Looks like this thing was sleeping all this time on my computer and then woke up on a given signal. Sounds like a virus to me... !

stinos 11y ago

Is this always an in-place upgrade, or would there be a way to do a clean install (possibly on another pc - IIRC windows licenses are per OS instance not per machine?) for free as well?

cyxxon 11y ago
I always wonder why they never mention how the supposedly free upgrade works. From this article and the linked FAQ I get the impression that I do not qualify for free Windows 10 forever, but that I can upgrade my Windows 8.1 installations via Windows Upgrade for a year after launch, but that my Windows license is not generally upgraded to a Windows 10 license. I take this to mean that after a year and a day, when I want to reinstall, I cannot use my current key to install some Windows 10 install image, but have to use my Win8.1 image, and since the year for free upgrades has passed, I cannot upgrade that install to Windows 10 anymore. Or are there other infos out about this very typical scenario among IT people?
- joshuapants 11y ago
  I seem to remember Paul Thurrott saying that the free upgrade window is open for a year, not that your license is only good for a year of use.
  - cyxxon 11y ago
    Yes, it seems Thurrott has some info: https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-answers-about-windows-10-upgrades https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3898/a-few-more-... Basically it seems to be that MS saves the info in the Windows store and lets you reinstall a fresh Windows 10 if you upgraded. If this information is correct.
- sudioStudio64 11y ago
  The rule of thumb is that if it can activate it can upgrade.
  - cyxxon 11y ago
    Yes, but say I upgrade my Win8.1 during the free year. In two years time I want to reinstall. Will there be an option to a. download some Windows 10 installation media so I can do a fresh install, or do I b. always have to first install Win8.1? If it's a, is my Win8.1 license key valid? Did the MS activation server get the memo that I upgraded during the free year? If it is b, will the upgrade from Win8.1 to 10 still be free after the first year, or not? I already upgraded my license once,but do they keep track of this? Can I still activate? Or does it count as a new try to upgrade after the free year?
    - mkr-hn 11y ago
      Windows 8 can be reverted to a freshly installed state from within, so I assume 10 can do that too.
      - talmand 11y ago
        That's not the same thing as starting on a fresh, new, formatted hard drive.
Robadob 11y ago
I was looking for this to, their faq (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq) neglects to answer the question. On the community discussion it's been asked without an official response yet (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/clean-install-with-win-10-upgrade/c11e3c5b-5087-4558-b3f7-ac1c4da4eea1 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-...).

kozukumi 11y ago

I have been running the technical previews since the very start and I have to say I am quite surprised at the July 29th release date. Even today's builds are riddled with problems. They have a lot of work to do if they really think it will be consumer ready by the end of July.

agildehaus 11y ago
Update often is the new mantra. Unfortunately that sometimes means "we can ship crap!".
- chrisfosterelli 11y ago
  You're getting downvoted a lot, but you're not wrong. Game companies, like Ubisoft, have been getting a lot of heat in particular for this lately...
  - SuddsMcDuff 11y ago
    I stopped buying games by EA and Ubisoft about 5 years ago for this very reason - shipping incomplete & buggy software with the mentality "we'll patch it later". In EA's case, those patches didn't even materialize a lot of the time. I take it from your comment that they're still up to their old tricks... I'll continue my boycott of EA and Ubi
    - Silhouette 11y ago
      I used to love gaming on my PC, and today I have far more disposable income I'd be willing to spend for top quality games. Sadly, I haven't actually bought (or pirated) a AAA title on PC for probably a decade now. The last few I had were great fun until they crashed or otherwise fundamentally failed at just the wrong moment, at which point all that enjoyment would instantly evaporate and just leave me in a bad mood instead. And every AAA game I'd bought in the last year or two before I gave up was like that. Throw in almost ubiquitous DRM/anti-cheating software doing unknown and potentially very bad things to my PC behind my back these days, and I'm very sad to say that PC gaming just isn't attractive to me any more.

andrewchambers 11y ago

I am really liking the technical previews, I have had very few issues and think it looks pretty slick.

venomsnake 11y ago

Why all of their screenshots are on laptops? Doesn't anyone use real computers anymore?

BinaryIdiot 11y ago
Hmm it seems difficult to find statistics that separate desktop boxes from laptops (I see separation of desktop and laptop va ultraportable) but I think the trend is less desktops and more laptops. So I'm not entirely surprised. Honestly I constantly built my own towers for years but these past 3 or 4 years I haven't even booted a desktop tower; laptops are just so good nowadays and I can pick it up and go or dock it with multiple monitors it almost seems silly to do a tower anymore. Obviously there are still plenty of power user use cases or high end gaming to consider but many laptops can do a lot of that well enough.
- baldfat 11y ago
  I like my keyboard and mouse with two screen that are there 100% of the time. Frsutrating that Firefox and Chrome boot slower than my phone and tablet! I will stop using a desktop computer when you pry the mechnical keyboard out of my cold dead hands. P.S. Never personally owned a laptop and only use one's provided by my work.
  - ytjohn 11y ago
    I agree about the mechanical keyboard and large screen. But I do use a laptop. It sits on my desk docked in (usb and thunderbolt docks are awesome - 1 cable). Then, I can take it with me.
  - tracker1 11y ago
    Not to detract, but are you booting on a hard disk or SSD.. the HTPC in my livingroom does a full reboot in about 12 seconds (ubuntu 15.04) and my desktop isn't much slower. Both of which are way faster than my 1+1 android phone. I also prefer a mechanical keyboard, have my own at work as well... I hate when I'm on my rmbp, which is about as good as a laptop keyboard/touchpad interface gets...

pibefision 11y ago

Does Windows 10 includes a better Terminal or we need to install Putty?

BinaryIdiot 11y ago
Unless something recently changed it's still the same choices. I find PowerShell decent but I wish it could do full screen properly.
- Kociub 11y ago
  Did you try out the technical preview? You can do full screen now properly. You also get copy&paste working like it should and some other stuff as well.
stinos 11y ago
It does have some small improvements (http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/09/windows-10-command-prompt-finally-gets-dragged-into-the-21st-century/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/09/window...) but nothing spectacular. I'd recommend you to look into MobaXterm or ConEmu running cygwin as well, I like any of those two way more then Putty actually.
- icc97 11y ago
  Those are actually pretty important improvements. But it's quite shocking how long they've taken. > this is something that other operating systems have had in their text shells for ages Perhaps someone knows the date from which you could highlight single lines as single lines in the commad prompt for linux / mac?
  - bad_user 11y ago
    The first time I tried Linux on my desktop was in ~ 1998, I believe it was Mandrake and the terminal had all of these "improvements".
jayflux 11y ago

oliverjudge 11y ago

Is there any word on Windows 10 pricing outside of the upgrade program yet?

pionar 11y ago
Newegg leaked it accidentally. Home OEM - $109, Pro OEM - $149.

gnud 11y ago

Can you reliably turn off web search from the start menu, and one drive integration, yet?

7952 11y ago
I have that on Ubuntu and it annoys the hell out of me. No I don't want to wait 0.5 seconds for a search result about Firefox just to open a browser!
- xcogiz 11y ago
  Surely you can disable that in a relatively easy way? I'm thinking about trying linux and such comments kinda scare me.
  - joshuapants 11y ago
    It is easily disabled and is only a feature in Ubuntu's Unity desktop. If you use a different version of Ubuntu (GNOME, Mate, KDE, whatever else they offer now) it won't be an issue.
    - atap 11y ago
      Don't make excuses for something that's very obviously antithetical to very premise of Linux and free, open-source software.
      - joshuapants 11y ago
        I'm not making any excuses. You have the option to choose another desktop or distro entirely if you don't like it. That is a fact, not an excuse. Your point would carry more weight if it were impossible to disable it and if I had suggested the parent post just use it anyway.
      - tracker1 11y ago
        Considering how many people liked google's desktop search widget, and similar, I'm not sure I agree... not to mention that seeing repository matches that aren't installed (yet) can be useful too. Not that most of those features require integrated online searches... but I can see how someone, even most casual users would prefer it that way. Hell, look at how many people type in website addresses into their search box.

sgt 11y ago

Nice to see that Clippy is back. Oh sure, it's called Cortana, but rest assured - it's Clippy all right. Your very own personal assistant, now fully integrated into Windows (not just Office).

throwaway3453 11y ago
Taking hundreds of hours of work and dismissing it is petty and unjustified.
- bostonpete 11y ago
  Are you new to the internet?
  - throwaway3453 11y ago
    No, but it's never too late to call this behavior out. Clippy 2.0, very clever! I'm doubtful that sgt would like drive-by remarks about his work.
    - baldfat 11y ago
      So that means Siri is Clipy 1.5 and Google Clippy 1.9?
- simoncion 11y ago
  Many things that took a long time to do were not worth doing.
joshuapants 11y ago
I get that this is tongue-in-cheek, but right now I like Cortana a lot better than Siri and Google's voice thing. It responds faster and more helpfully in my experience.
- tracker1 11y ago
  I saw a demo of what is probably Cortana's voice recognition real time about a year and a half ago... it was pretty neat. MS has put a lot of effort into voice control over the years.

netheril96 11y ago

Any words about the supposed amnesty for illegitimate copies of Windows 7/8?

jotm 11y ago
You pay for Windows 10 and an upgrade from a illegitimate Windows 7, I believe.
dspillett 11y ago
Also on whether WinXP users are going to qualify for the free upgrade? My lodger's old laptop is in desperate need of something before I let it have more open access to my local network... (I've been thinking Ubuntu but that might take a little more retraining so Win10 might be preferable if free and it'll run OK on that elderly machine without driver and/or CPU/RAM/space resource issues)
- fname 11y ago
  > Also on whether WinXP users are going to qualify for the free upgrade? Nope. There is no upgrade path from XP -> Windows 10. You will have to go from Win7/8 to qualify for the free upgrade to 10.
nly 11y ago
I imagine, despite what they say publicly, that at least some cracked copies of 7 and 8 will pass whatever upgrade qualification checks they have in place. In 2012, when they offered cheap (£/$15) 7 -> 8 upgrades it was effectively open to anyone who was willing to lie about having bought a machine running Windows 7 in the last X months. Windows 8 could then be installed on any machine using the product key provided.

rl3 11y ago

>Microsoft Edge, is an all-new browser designed to get things done online in new ways, with built-in commenting on the web – via typing or inking — sharing comments, and ... I wonder what Adobe and Genius think of that.

xcogiz 11y ago

Looks like start menu won't work properly without an internet connection. Can we get one that doesn't try to constantly distract you?

tragomaskhalos 11y ago

I admit I haven't been paying close attention, but I was under the impression that 10 was going to be dispensing with that crappy Metro interface: apparently not.

xcogiz 11y ago
I agree. I will be replacing the start menu with a third party alternative as soon as possible. I don't need constant trivial updates that distract me and take resources.
- rplnt 11y ago
  All of the active tiles are of course optional.
hobs 11y ago
What they are doing is allowing you to turn metro apps into windowed apps, so you dont have to full screen for everything, a welcome change in my opinion. Switching back and forth seemed very abrupt. Other things I noticed they are rolling back when I ran the TP, the start menu is basically the Win 7 start menu with some extra features, no more metro start screen (that I saw.)

deleted 11y ago

[deleted]

doczoidberg 11y ago

I like it just to press the win key to do a (cortana) web search. If they stay with bing as the only web search integrated into cortana google will lose some users. Nevertheless they should implement google as an option.

castell 11y ago
Microsoft had to change Vista's startmenu search function to allow also third party desktop search vendors like the free "Google Desktop Search". "Two areas have seen changes in SP1 that have come as the result of concerns from software vendors. One of these is desktop search; users will be able to change the default desktop search program to one provided by a third party instead of the Microsoft desktop search program that comes with Windows Vista, and desktop search programs will be able to seamlessly tie in their services into the operating system. These changes come in part due to complaints from Google, whose Google Desktop Search application was hindered by the presence of Vista's built-in desktop search. In June 2007, Google claimed that the changes being introduced for SP1 "are a step in the right direction, but they should be improved further to give consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers"." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Desktop http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Desktop Win10 should support third party personal agents like Google Now and others!
- bad_user 11y ago
  Third party search providers are not supported in Windows 8.1 and you're talking about Vista. So no, Win10 will probably not support third parties.
  - castell 11y ago
    In in Windows Vista SP1 and Windows 7 RTM. Microsoft had to offer a browser selection dialog with several third party browsers in Windows 7 - in Europe (EU). Though the removed it again last year.

suvelx 11y ago

Is that a 21:9 laptop they used in the demo? I want that one.

joshuapants 11y ago
Interesting question. Obviously it's a render, but why did they choose those proportions? Tease of new MS hardware?
- pbz 11y ago
  Kind of looks like XPS 13 with the "bottom" (that has the DELL logo) cut off http://techranker.net/dell-xps-13-review-pros-and-cons-best-ultrabook-available-video/2/ http://techranker.net/dell-xps-13-review-pros-and-cons-best-...
  - joshuapants 11y ago
    And with a webcam added at the top in the thin bezel. It does certainly look inspired by the XPS.

getsat 11y ago

Will there be a way to buy a digital download of it? I recently wanted to bootcamp my Macbook Pro to play some games Windows-only games. I went to Microsoft's website and looked at the options for buying Windows 8. The only options were a retail DVD which would be shipped (and I don't have a DVD drive) or to upgrade from Windows Vista/Windows 7 which I had neither of. I ended up pirating it because I couldn't figure out how to get a legitimate copy that I could actually install. :( I haven't used Windows since XP, and 8 is really nice. I'm legitimately excited for Windows 10 especially due to all the open sourcing of .NET-related code recently.

yRetsyM 11y ago
You can get a digital download of the Technical Preview now - I'd do that. They've announced that Windows 10 will be free to all Technical Preview participants. That way you can upgrade to the latest version and away you go.
- m_t 11y ago
  It is free only if you have a valid Win7/8 licence.
  - getsat 11y ago
    Should I just buy a Windows 7 license to get a free upgrade to Windows 10?
    - alykhalid 11y ago
      Just install the technical preview and you will be able to upgrade for free. Source http://m.windowscentral.com/windows-insiders-will-be-able-upgrade-windows-10-rtm-free http://m.windowscentral.com/windows-insiders-will-be-able-up...
      - getsat 11y ago
        Great news, thanks! I apparently signed up for the Windows Insider program a few months ago. :)

xyby 11y ago

Is Windows a good citizen on the harddisk nowadays? I stopped trying Windows releases because they used to change my bootsector or something, so my machine suddenly only booted Windows. Instead of showing me a menu (grub?) of partitions to choose from.

rymate1234 11y ago
That's mainly due to the old BIOS mbr only supporting one bootloader at a time. I know on my old BIOS PC that when I installed a linux distro it would displace the windows bootloader with grub, and vice versa. On UEFI based systems, this is less of an issue, as I believe you can have multiple bootloaders.

arenaninja 11y ago

Do we know what "free for the first year" means yet? What about the second year? I've been running Ubuntu for personal use for about a year now. I miss steam so I might jump onto Windows 10, but not if I only find out the price after I jump in

StavrosK 11y ago
What's wrong with Steam on Ubuntu?
- slantyyz 11y ago
  >> What's wrong with Steam on Ubuntu? That you can't run the big titles that only run on Windows?
  - StavrosK 11y ago
    That's not a Steam issue, Steam runs fine. It's that some games aren't available on Linux.
    - arenaninja 11y ago
      You're right, I meant Steam games where I wrote Steam. Even though I've had a ton of fun with Legend of Grimrock, I wish for a lot of the bigger titles came over. It's much better from 4 years ago, but I still can't play Shogun 2
skymt 11y ago
It means that if you upgrade to Windows 10 by July 2016, you have it for the lifetime of the computer. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-free-upgrade-for-windows-7-and-8-users.html http://www.pcworld.com/article/2873214/windows-10-will-be-a-...
minot 11y ago
(No relation to Microsoft, just a general observation) As far as we know, Microsoft has not categorically denied that they will create another operating system in the future. It'd be terribly stupid for them to do so. The free for the first year has caveats but there is no scenario where we are discussing Microsoft making you pay for essential updates in the second year. In fact, while I am not a Microsoft fan I will stick my neck out and say that it is extremely unlikely that you will have to pay for updates in consumer SKU's of Microsoft Windows for the next six years. Seven years is typically the regularly advertised end of life and end of mainline support for previous versions of Microsoft Windows. The first major caveat is that this is for existing Windows users. This offer only applies for people who currently on qualifying versions of Microsoft Windows today. If your computer came with a genuine copy of Microsoft Windows 7 or above, it is in Microsoft's best interest that you get on board with the latest version of Windows. The second major caveat is that this is specifically not for organizations. Enterprise cash cows will remain cash cows. I'd urge you to be skeptical and not infer any promises Microsoft has not specifically made. However, if anyone has been telling you that Microsoft will make you pay for security updates or Windows in general beginning the second year are at best incorrect and at worst maliciously spreading FUD. Of course, Microsoft isn't helping because there are so many details we don't know yet such as when is the end of life for Windows 10 (assuming I accept all updates)? There is a lot of things we don't know. However, we can say with a lot of confidence that you will not have to pay a subscription the second year of moving to Windows 10. For what it is worth, I intend to update to Windows 10 on my personal computer as soon as possible. I also intend to stay on the fast lane of updates (more updates more often but possibly some buggy updates) once I get on Windows 10.

bovermyer 11y ago

I'm surprised by how early it'll be released, but excited about it nonetheless. The only reason I haven't installed the tech preview and used it as my sole OS (on my gaming PC) is because I don't want to have to reinstall 8.1 in order to upgrade back to 10 once it launches. I survived Windows 95, I can deal with BSODs and wonky features. I just want the latest. And Windows Hello, because Jarvis.

Mithaldu 11y ago

As a windows 7 user i have to wonder: Exactly why should i upgrade? Does Microsoft have some kind of comparison table between Windows 7 and Windows 10 i can use to make an informed decision?

castratikron 11y ago
The number is higher.
Someone1234 11y ago
Someone posted this on Reddit: List of features (vs. 8.1): - Package manager (OneGet). - Virtual desktops. - Improved conhost (cmd and powershell "window"). - Improved multi-monitor support. - Start Menu is back (but the 'Power User' right click menu remains!). - Settings app (improved Control Panel experience). - 2F auth, better biometrics, face and iris support. - Lower disk usage (reduced 2.6 GB on 64 bit). - Edge browser. Cortana. Improved Windows Explorer icons & folder favourites. - Notifications UI. List of features (vs. 7): - Faster boot (inc. hybrid boot). - Improved Task Manager. - Improved Copy/Move dialog boxes (pause, graphs, prioritisation, etc). - Better touch screen support. - More login options (pin, picture, etc). - Improved multi-monitor support (taskbar options). - Up button and ribbon in Windows Explorer. - Native support for ISO, IMG, and VHD mounting. - Better on-screen keyboard. - Peek passwords. - File History (UI mostly). - Refresh, Reset, etc restore options. - "Basic" biometrics. - Improved encryption. - Client Hyper-V (on Pro and above). So for 8.1 users, the improvements to 10 are mostly graphical with a handful of very nice to have functionality improvements. For Windows 7 users, the improvements are substantial and across the board. 8 and 8.1 actually improved 7 a lot, people just ignore it because "omg the Start Screen." So to the people saying "Windows 7 is until 2020, why upgrade!" I say: you're missing out on a lot of improvements that you could be taking advantage of, in particular improvements 8 and 8.1 brought that you ignored.
WorldWideWayne 11y ago
Windows 8+ is definitely faster than Windows 7 with regards to boot time and in many other ways. It's also got Metro. And of course you can actually use it on touch enabled hardware. If you don't need any of that stuff, there's no reason to upgrade.

snomad 11y ago

Has there been any word on a 'Server 2015' release? There was a passing comment, I believe at Spark / Build, but no real details. Will Office 2016 be released the same day?

seanalltogether 11y ago

Seeing as the apps they showcased were all desktop and no metro, does this mean the app store will now sell desktop apps going forward? Any word on different sandbox restrictions to go with it?

numo16 11y ago
Devs will be able to turn their existing win32/desktop apps into windows app store compatible apps using "Project Centennial" from the sounds of things. http://liliputing.com/2015/05/this-is-how-win32-apps-can-become-windows-store-apps.html http://liliputing.com/2015/05/this-is-how-win32-apps-can-bec...
jussij 11y ago
I suspect that has a lot to do with trying to get corporate users to move off Windows 7, which the basically refused to do with Windows 8, thanks to the fact Windows 8 tried relegating desktop apps to second class Windows citizens, behind metro. Since corporate Windows users tend to run mostly desktop apps, if modern Windows is not going to support their apps they will not move.

tbrock 11y ago

Where can I buy the laptop pictured in the announcement? It would be great if a quality PC hardware manufacturer emerged that actually made Windows 10 based laptops like this. [1] http://az648995.vo.msecnd.net/win/2015/06/1.png http://az648995.vo.msecnd.net/win/2015/06/1.png

bonesinger 11y ago
The bezel looks like a Dell XPS 13" but the unibody metal like frame looks like a Razer Blade 14"

gd2 11y ago

Besides the yawn factor, this blog announcement's structure and language lacks skillz. Not good.

yuhong 11y ago

Notice that even Win7 starter gets an upgrade to Win10 Home for free, for those of you with netbooks.

lingben 11y ago

can you reserve and then change your mind and not install or upgrade to Windowns 10?

jamisteven 11y ago

Anyone know what laptop is being used in the pics to display the OS? Shit looks clean.

67uy 11y ago

Has Microsoft said where their bitlocker feature will place in the edition tiers? It'd be nice to see it in the lower editions so that the 'common man' has access to reasoanble encryption in case their computer is lost/stolen

oldpond 11y ago

If microsoft release their own linux distro I might try that. Otherwise this is a non-event for me.