Windows 9 Preview to Launch This Year, New Activation System in the Works – Rumor

alphanumeric said:

You can still log in with a Live ID with no Internet connection. I just unplugged my LAN cable ,rebooted, and had no issues or warnings when I logged in with my Live ID.

But this is after you have a WORKING account. What if I need to install and setup a machine in a secure area, with NO internet? There is no outside world connection and the machine goes in and does not come out all for security. How do you install Windows 9 if there are no local accounts. This is where I can see Microsoft is forgetting that there are many many system out there that HAVE to have local accounts. Again MS I hope you are reading these forums and taking notes. -WS

WindowsStar said:

But this is after you have a WORKING account. What if I need to install and setup a machine in a secure area, with NO internet? There is no outside world connection and the machine goes in and does not come out all for security. How do you install Windows 9 if there are no local accounts. This is where I can see Microsoft is forgetting that there are many many system out there that HAVE to have local accounts. Again MS I hope you are reading these forums and taking notes. -WS

You're still going to have to activate online or by phone anyway, so you may as well setup a Live ID. I haven't tested it, but you can likely type in a bogus e-mail address and password during setup, and still log in even without setting up an official live ID. You'll likely get a nag from the action center to authenticate your ID/PC and activate windows. There is a spot during the Install right after you enter your Live ID where it wants a security code to verify that PC, you can click "I can't do this right now" and just continue on. The code is sent to your e-mail address and if you don't have anther PC to receive it on, that's how you finish the Install. Latter on you go to the action center and enter the code. Once you do that, that PC can sync with your live ID One drive settings etc. I've gone months and months in the past without ever entering that code and had full use of that Windows Install.

Your other option may be to use Windows 8 Enterprise, which may have options in it to do what you want.

Rickkins said:

Aka the death knell for microsoft. I will never have accept a "live id" account, don't want it, won't accept it, not now, not ever.

My guess is tho, that they will have an option for those who don't want and/or refuse to accept such nonsense.

I hope so. I have a hotmail account, but I use it for junk. I don't want that dictating my use of Windows. Even Metro apps shouldn't require it in Windows 8x.

And what about corporations? They would want local IDs.

Tepid said:

Logging in with the Live ID has many advantages. And not many disadvantages.
In fact, I don't really know of any disadvantages.

When I login and change something, (background, accent color, passwords, etc.)
I don't have to go to my other system and do it all over again, it's synched and done.
It's not only for restore purposes.

I buy and app or install a free one on my desktop,
I got to my tablet and log in, on the start screen there is the tile with a down arrow
tap the tile, downloaded, installed and done. I don't waste time going out searching for it again.

The future is now, it's not coming, it's here.
If you are really trying to stay off the grid, don't connect any pc to the internet ever.

To me that attitude is just giving in. If I want to sync settings between machines, I can setup a domain controller. If I decide to use Metro apps, like the Mail app, I don't want to sign up with a Microsoft account, if I want to use another provider. And just because other corps do it? That's why people (some of us anyway) have left Google Mail and went to different providers.

I understand about licensing conditions, and no one is forcing you to sign up, but in a way they are. If I am used to a Windows environment, I may be happy with the version I have, but then when support runs out, I have to go to a new version. So you are in a way being forced into the new activation model in you need to stay with Windows.

Besides, watch corporate users kick up a storm. If they can, then so can I.

Rickkins said:

Maybe, it would be better to wait for 10 to implement such nonsense....

Hmmm - I really don't think there will be a Windows 10. Maybe a Win365, but not 10.

Do you guys and girls give false names and addresses when you sign up for cable, Internet, or phone service?

I'm sure I already mentioned this but. the e-mail address you use for your live ID can be any e-mail address you want. It doesn't have to be a Microsoft Hotmail e-mail etc. And the Live ID password can be anything you want. It's not the password for the e-mail account you use, so Microsoft is not going to gain access to your e-mail. The only e-mail you get sent from Microsoft is to do with your Live ID. And those are just security notices for stuff like if you changed your password or linking a PC to your account.

Lots of Win 9 discussions so not sure where to put this but I'll start here.

So far everything I've read talks about new "features" such as the change to the Start menu (or screen or whatever it is called). On my Win 8.1 I only use desktop and easily have gotten along without a Win 7 type Start button. I doubt I would move to 9 for just the Start menu changes. So what, if any, "under the hood" improvements are known about with Win 9 at this point?

Everyone talked about improvements to 8 (and 8.1) vs. 7 in terms of performance, but I really never noticed. Frankly my Win 7 machines start up and shut down as fast or faster than my 8.1. I'm sure there are improvements that make 8.1 run better but they haven't hit me in the face as a casual user.

Just trying to decide if upgrading any of my machines would be worth it. I had hoped they would offer free upgrades but that doesn't seem likely.

edit: I realize I am jumping the gun by asking this at this pint but maybe some have an idea of real improvements.