Free Windows 10 Now Looks A Terrible Deal

Here's a different article, posted well over a week ago, that says things different.

With the transition to Windows as a service, Microsoft changes up revenue recognition

The company clearly states in their slide deck that “there is no change to the software licensing business model and the associated method or timing of customer billings or cash collections,” meaning they will still charge up front but defer the revenue over a longer period.

This change will only impact shareholders of the company and is another stake in the ground that the old way of buying and selling of software truly is in the past. Further, it goes to show how Windows 10 is truly a change to the way Microsoft typically conducted its operations with Windows becoming a service rather than a standalone sale.

My understanding is that Windows 7 has 5 more years of support, or more.

Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Windows Help

Gary said:

My understanding is that Windows 7 has 5 more years of support, or more.

Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Windows Help

@Gary

I can't see Microsoft ending support for windows 10 before they end support for 7 or 8.1 that wouldn't be logical.

I already posted somewhere, that I am waiting on what Microsoft say's is the lifecycle of a device is. That doesn't mean I won't continue to use windows 10. It doesn't matter, since someone gave me a windows 7 retail version. I can now run both windows 7 & windows 10, and Xubuntu on a triple boot system.

groze said:

@Gary

I can't see Microsoft ending support for windows 10 before they end support for 7 or 8.1 that wouldn't be logical.

I already posted somewhere, that I am waiting on what Microsoft say's is the lifecycle of a device is. That doesn't mean I won't continue to use windows 10. It doesn't matter, since someone gave me a windows 7 retail version. I can now run both windows 7 & windows 10, and Xubuntu on a triple boot system.

No since Windows 10 is the last OS they are going to release it will be interesting to even know what it's life cycle will be. It will have to be based on Build Numbers I suppose. I also have a retail Windows 7 and I plan on making at least one clone of it. I also intend to keep using Windows 10.

bromanbro said:

The pizza hasn't been finished yet :)

Exactly. However, the shelf life hasn't been determined, either. I'm on the fence so far, I like W10... and plan to run it on opening day, but nowhere yet have a seen an 'official' EOL on W10, in terms of support from day 1, without considering 'extra' programming, etc.
I think this Forbes article has brought into public some unanswered questions, as I do not always upgrade my PC every 2-3 years, and would like to know when I will no longer get any basic OS support, in the form of patches/fixes/upgrades.
I just built this brand new, 100% machine (PC) 2 months ago, and I think possibly like most builders, plan on it lasting 3-5 years or so before any new/major upgrades hardware-wise.
It would just be nice to know answers to some folks' questions,, when they arise, in a transparent mode.

I fail to see how there's any confusion.

1. Any valid Windows 10 license will be a permanent license, and will NOT expire after a set period of time.

2. If you currently do not have a valid Windows 7 or 8 license you will have to pay for a Windows 10 license

3. If you have a valid Windows 7 or 8 license that is NOT a volume license, you have until July 29th, 2016 to upgrade to a (permanent) license of Windows 10. After July 29th, 2016 you will have to pay for a Windows 10 license

FuturDreamz said:

I fail to see how there's any confusion.

1. Any valid Windows 10 license will be a permanent license, and will NOT expire after a set period of time.

2. If you currently do not have a valid Windows 7 or 8 license you will have to pay for a Windows 10 license

3. If you have a valid Windows 7 or 8 license that is NOT a volume license, you have until July 29th, 2016 to upgrade to a (permanent) license of Windows 10. After July 29th, 2016 you will have to pay for a Windows 10 license

This has been known since day one and yet all these bloggers continually post sensational headlines.(Gordon Kelly is up there with the worst) The confusion bloggers always cause in the tech world just so they can get a few more clicks is frustrating. Really Gordon Kelly?, you can't even keep your own opinion straight from one article to the next! I know other tech sites like the verge tend to lean towards apple but I haven't seen them stoop this low. Why make it so complicated? It's not like we are little miss riding hood being chased by the big bad wolf(Microsoft). Take a look at all of the titles for his articles http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/ He might as well be a writer for yahoo.

I don't always trust Microsoft when it comes to logos, names and their vision which can do a 180, but I do honestly feel they have our best interest in mind as much as any business can.

Simple things like adding the green progress bars back to the task-bar, shows they listen.

Tldr If you like what you see with windows 10 upgrade and feel good about it, Microsoft isn't going to insert some water mark or pop up and make you start paying, the huge users base wouldn't allow it.