I'm not really looking to install the "free' version of win 10 along with its CB updates method, but I would like to get my hands on the pro version and am willing to pay for it. I took advantage of Win 7 advance sales and snagged 2 copies of pro and 2 of HP on the cheap. Are there any of those deals out there right now for win 10 pro?
CB updates method - please elaborate.
Win10 will be the same whether you buy it or take advantage of the free upgrade, so I'm not sure what you will gain buy purchasing it.
Try Google or Bing for promotional Win10 sales ... there are also events at MS Stores on 29 July, 06 August and 20 July.
There's a 20% discount coupon available to Windows Insiders for Launch day.
I'm sure there will be some offers, but you might have to wait for them - after Q3 2015 (???) when MS as some data on Win10 updated devices. If it's weak, they might create a marketing program similar to what you described.
But.... how much of a discount do you expect when MS is offering a FREE update?
Maybe I'm missing something? Has MS stated that the 'free' version of win 10 pro will be the exact same as the retail? Including the ability to delay updates? I guess I'm waiting for that 'other shoe'. I'm not sure I really trust it when a company touts its free wares without specifics.
CB updates=Current Branch...no ability to delay updates. They are installed by the OS with no user options.
FAQ: How Microsoft will update Windows 10 | Computerworld
The ability to delay updates has nothing to do with Retail or free upgrade. It has to do with how you receive them and what version Home or Pro your running. The way I read it, even if your running Pro, unless you have access to Windows Update for Business your getting the updates when Microsoft decides your getting them. If you have a Consumer version of 10 Pro that gets updates via Windows updates over the internet, you don't have a choice.
Thanks for the clarification. But has MS definitively stated that the 'free' versions will mirror the retail version?
They haven't said otherwise, why would they be different? The only difference I can see that might happen is that your free upgrade may be non transferable to another device. Feature wise they will be identical.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...nMore_win10faq
Have a look at "What edition of Windows will I get as part of the free upgrade?
Thanks - my brain went blank on CB, guess I'll eventually get used to that acronym.
Alphanumeric provided good information.
You have Win8.1 Pro listed in your system specs, so yes you will be able to delay CB updrates
According to the article, only the business branches can further delay CB updrates, and any Pro license can use the CBB branch (caveats apply - see article). This Pro license using the CBB branch is news to me though.
Thanks for posting that article - it has a lot of information I had not read elsewhere. I'm not sure it is all correct, but I've heard rumblings about rings in the RTM version - rings in RTM doesn't make sense to me though. That's MS's fault - they've kept some things unclear as they figure them out ... that leads to speculation and parroting of bad information (I've been guilty of this too).
Anyway..... with a Pro license, you're in the best shape - there aren't a lot of choices right now. MS might change this policy after a while, or someone is bound to figure out a way to re-instate control over WU.
The main point to take away from this is:
It is not whether you purchase Win10 or take advantage of the Free Upgrade that determines how WU applies updates - the process is the same either paid or free.
Windows 10 FAQ Tips - Microsoft
Scroll down to : What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?
When you upgrade, you’ll stay on like-to-like editions of Windows. For example, Windows 7 Home Premium will upgrade to Windows 10 Home.
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