How will Microsoft Distribute Non-Upgrade Non-OEM Windows 10?

Page 4 of 7 FirstFirst ... 23456 ... LastLast

  1. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #31

    Antilope said:
    Chrome OS is free. Android OS is free. Apple IOS is free. Various flavors of Linux are free. Is there really a market for a paid home operating system in the future? Look at how the others are distributed. Microsoft will have to do the same to survive. They have serious competition now.
    Well ... yes and no.

    IF we're talking about the smartphone market, Windows phone barely even registers as a very small portion. IF we're talking about the tablet market, Windows numbers are a little better, but not much.

    But ... in BOTH cases, you do not go out and buy a phone or tablet and THEN install Chrome, iOS, or Windows; instead, you buy a device that already has the OS installed. So, in these markets, making Windows free is not going to have any impact.

    As to the desktop market, Windows STILL has nearly all of it -- 90% or more. And while the trade pundits go on and on about how MS only got 15% of the new desktop market shipments in recent years, that's because few people have more than one Windows desktop that they bought. I have one that is several years old, and through hardware upgrades, I've been able to keep up with the performance of more recent desktops. See no reason to spend hundreds of dollars to get something marginally faster.

    MS has already said they would make upgrades FREE; but for clean installs, it's certainly reasonable for them to charge a small fee. I paid $40 for Windows 8, and something along similar lines for Win10 would make sense to me. And, once I have one ISO file, I can install using it over and over on all my PCs. So, if I spread that cost across 4 PCs, it comes out to $10 each. Very little to spend to get a new OS. I don't think fees that small are going to drive LOTS of folks out of Windows into Macs, or Android PCs.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 719
    win 7 dual boot / 10
       #32

    Mark Phelps said:
    Well ... yes and no
    MS has already said they would make upgrades FREE; but for clean installs, it's certainly reasonable for them to charge a small fee. I paid $40 for Windows 8, and something along similar lines for Win10 would make sense to me. And, once I have one ISO file, I can install using it over and over on all my PCs. So, if I spread that cost across 4 PCs, it comes out to $10 each. Very little to spend to get a new OS. I don't think fees that small are going to drive LOTS of folks out of Windows into Macs, or Android PCs.
    I agree with what your saying but you lost me at the part where you say you can pay for one key and use it four times. Can you explain that a little more?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #33

    besb said:
    Another distribution guess for new home built PC's.
    Download to a micro SD card via smartphone/tablet on wifi.
    There must be millions of android devices out there
    USB card readers are a few $$ each and you get a hard copy.
    Yep, that would be good, since I have a smartphone and a 'droid tablet.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #34

    BunnyJ said:
    That's assuming that people have the ability to download via android. I don't and I would need the DVD.
    Yes, and I think I'll try it just to be sure. My RCA 'droid is right here to my right, so it'll be an easy thing to do.

    Back in a few . . .
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 43
    Windows
       #35

    Wynona said:
    First, we know it's a given that pretty much everyone with Windows 7 and 8/8.1 will get the upgrade free if they want it. Also, when buying a new PC, it will most likely come with Windows 10 installed.

    However, there has only been speculation (in just about every thread) as to how Microsoft will distribute Windows 10. So, I thought maybe it would be good to get our speculation all in one place. Besides, I've had a few thoughts (dangerous ones, probably) on the subject.

    Let's set out a few scenarios and see what comes up . . .

    Building a new PC: How would you install Windows if it doesn't come on a DVD and you have no way to download?

    What about UEFI installation? What about Legacy BIOS on an older machine.

    Do you think it might be possible to buy a USB flash drive with Windows 10?

    What about a hard drive with Windows 10? Stick it in the newly built PC, start it up and it installs?

    OK, I've put out some outlandish ideas . . . what are yours?
    Building a new PC: How would you install Windows if it doesn't come on a DVD and you have no way to download?

    I would assume you would have more than one computer. So just burn one. You can find one i'm sure.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #36

    GQMax said:
    Building a new PC: How would you install Windows if it doesn't come on a DVD and you have no way to download?

    I would assume you would have more than one computer. So just burn one. You can find one i'm sure.
    Yeah, I do have more than one PC; however, the idea of this question wasn't about me, but a great big "what if" . . .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 194
    Win10
       #37

    If'n


    Wynona said:
    Yeah, I do have more than one PC; however, the idea of this question wasn't about me, but a great big "what if" . . .
    If'n is the word you're after

    If'n I build a new computer.............. how do I get a copy of Windows O/S

    If'n we have an earthquake........................ how do I get food

    If'n the house catches fire........................... how do I get out of the burning building

    I started flying as a teenager and my old instructor had lots of "if'n" questions.......
    if'n the engine quits on take-off what are you going to do
    if'n this bucket catches fire what are you going to do
    if'n the engine quits at 3,000 feet.... gonna bail out? no 'chute.... now what

    All these questions can be answered by thinking and planning ahead................
    I'll build a new computer for Win10 when I have a copy of Win10 in my grubby little hand
    If MS wants me to run Win10 they'll answer the question of how do I get Win10 on my new homebuilt

    jus' don't start building until "they" come up with the answer...........
    and they will, you can bet your booty on that......
    just remember, if'n they don't I've still got Win8.1 so not to worry.......
    THIMK, and plan for "if'n" but let the seller do the worrying
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 17,136
    macOS Big Sur
       #38

    They'll probably have a place on the Microsoft website where you can download Windows 10 and of course you'll be able to buy CD.

    Being M$, it will probably cost some money but I don't think it will be very much.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 605
    Windows 10
       #39

    They could also offer download spots for DVDs and/or USB (would be easiest with just USB) at major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, ext. and still keep it a "download only".
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 22,740
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #40

    fracking4oil said:
    They could also offer download spots for DVDs and/or USB (would be easiest with just USB) at major retailers like Best Buy, Office Depot, ext. and still keep it a "download only".
    That would be way to complex compared to just making a DVD available for sale.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:32.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums