Ridiculous installation requirement

alphanumeric · 16 Jan 2015

Emma said:

I don't remember that I had to have an account with MS before the last couple of PC's. If that was true when I set my past computers up, I was given the option to bypass it and never gave it another thought. By software would you mean the OS or IE, that belongs to MS even though I bought the PC? If they get mad at us they can just disconnect it or block us. I think of software of as things that I installed myself.

I didn't explain that very well, what I meant by the "Windows has been like this for years and years." is the online activation, not the requirement for a Microsoft ID. Windows has been connecting to Microsoft as verification long before Live ID's came about. Yes I was referring to Windows when I said software, you can include Office in that. When you install Windows or Office you are prompted with a yes or no " I have read and agree to the term of use". That may not be the exact wording but it's there and you have to agree to the terms to install the software. Microsoft can and has in the past blocked activation if it thinks your software has been pirated or installed illegally. Once this happens and you don't reactivate functionality will be lost and eventually you won't be able to use Windows. Microsoft isn't the only company to do this either. The way I read it, you are purchasing a license to use the software, not the software itself. You can download Windows or Office for nothing. If you want to use it beyond the trial period you have to buy a license (product code). That's my interpretation anyway.

EDIT: I redid my original post as I didn't quote you and wasn't sure if you missed my reply or not.

alphanumeric · 16 Jan 2015

Emma said:

I've was never asked to get an MS account to activate any of my PCs or to log into my computer until the last PC I bought. The Acer I bought a couple of years ago would not let me set it up without an MS account, it did not pick up my wifi for some reason and told me to set up a local. I deleted the password after I set it up. That was the first time was confronted with that problem. I was going to download something from their store an app if I remember right to watch movies on my acer when I travel. I could not do that unless I had a MS account. I found the app somewhere else. The store did let me download W 8.1 without the account.

You can't access the Store or Run Metro apps without a Live ID. That's just the way it is. One reason is that any purchased Apps are done through your live ID, which is where your payment options are setup and stored.

ThrashZone · 16 Jan 2015

Windows 8 started with the Microsoft account stuff so your prior computers would of had to have 8 on them to even see that prompt,
Otherwise Microsoft support forums do require an account possibly you asked for help on one of them ?

You can sign into apps individually Microsoft doesn't recommend it but who cares about that,
Whom ever likes and uses one to sign into a computer = different strokes for different fokes

Emma · 16 Jan 2015

I know I can't access the store without an account and I don't want to, I don't want their apps. I did upgrade to 8.1 without an account.

alphanumeric · 16 Jan 2015

Emma said:

I know I can't access the store without an account and I don't want to, I don't want their apps. I did upgrade to 8.1 without an account.

OK, I wasn't sure if you were asking a question or making a statement? Now I know.

whs · 16 Jan 2015

The live id is really handy - even if you buy no apps. The other day I bought a Lumia phone from the MS store. That also went all automatic for the payment via my live id.

Slartybart · 16 Jan 2015

ThrashZone said:

Windows 8 started with the Microsoft account stuff so your prior computers would of had to have 8 on them to even see that prompt,
Otherwise Microsoft support forums do require an account possibly you asked for help on one of them ?

You can sign into apps individually Microsoft doesn't recommend it but who cares about that,
Whom ever likes and uses one to sign into a computer = different strokes for different fokes

Well said Mike, well said.

Now ... for my 1 cent

Some people have an issue with the way it is, some people have problems the way it is, some people don't like it the way it is. Windows 10 Preview offers people the opportunity to express all of those concerns and hopefully make it a better install experience for everyone. Windows 8 - had acceptance problems because of a Start button, or lack thereof.

I can almost see the articles now

Users are forced to accept a Microsoft Account simply to install Windows

While I know that isn't true, I also feel that the Win8 debate was largely manufactured by the press and some high powered tech jockeys.

Can the install process be improved - yes.
Can the sign-in account selection be made more intuitive and/or have clear instructions on the window - yes
That's all I'm sayin' and now I'm broke, that was my last penny

I'll wait for he next release to see what MS has done - this might be a moot point.

Bill
.

alphanumeric · 16 Jan 2015

whs said:

The live id is really handy - even if you buy no apps. The other day I bought a Lumia phone from the MS store. That also went all automatic for the payment via my live id.

It works for me. I think a lot of the resistance to it is the "Big brother is watching me." syndrome. You can turn a lot of what gets synced off, and do it during the install. I'm not unsympathetic to those that don't want to use it, I just don't get some of the reasons for not using it. That's life though.

whs · 16 Jan 2015

alphanumeric said:

whs said:

The live id is really handy - even if you buy no apps. The other day I bought a Lumia phone from the MS store. That also went all automatic for the payment via my live id.

It works for me. I think a lot of the resistance to it is the "Big brother is watching me." syndrome. You can turn a lot of what gets synced off, and do it during the install. I'm not unsympathetic to those that don't want to use it, I just don't get some of the reasons for not using it. That's life though.

On the other hand nobody seems to mind to give all their id to 25 credit cards and pay with those cards even in the most questionable stores. It's a strange world.

I have 1 credit card and pay cash wherever I can - Old European habit. In Europe, many stores don't even accept a credit card. In the US I have seen people even paying a small amount with it at McDo.

ThrashZone · 16 Jan 2015

Thanks Bill :)

My main issue is I have so many accounts 2 ms 2 gmail and so on it's impossible to choose one,
Signing into apps individually doesn't limit ones self to one account if a user wanted to use the other built in apps for separate accounts
I'm sure everyone has multiple accounts in different services.
Personally the way Google allows customization to email accounts I much prefer it to outlook.com/ Hotmail because it's vanilla,
Google has really cut down on it's adds in email accounts and I like that but know they make it up some where else :)
Microsoft lost what little style it had with all of the vanilla colors or a default gray yuck

So I do look forward to all of the new theme stuff that has been floating around.