Windows 10 Announced - Released 29-Jul-2015

But you have to ensure backwards compatibility. People expect to be able to set up their hardware. There are trade-offs and the ideal is never realized in practice. I expect Microsoft to relax its insistence when people demand their printers, scanners, etc be allowed to work.

 

@Krusty13 You're welcome. There is a separate registry key that can also disable "search over internet" as well or whatever they call it. So you can have it so that the search box only searches your computer, which is how I prefer it.

 

Cool! So you can still search your computer for files / programs with Cortana disabled? That's how I use Search now.

 

Exactly, correct. Similar to good old Windows 7 basic search. Plain and simple and just the way I like it. Although who knows if Microsoft will remove those registry keys with a future update. But for Anniversary Update, it's still good but those registry keys need to be created.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
"AllowCortana"=dword:00000000
"DisableWebSearch"=dword:00000001
"AllowSearchToUseLocation"=dword:00000000
"ConnectedSearchUseWeb"=dword:00000000

Credit to Daz from MDL.

 

Awesome! Thanks mate.

 

@Krusty13 Cheers!

 

You Can Still Get Windows 10 For Free If You Use Assistive Technologies

 

Hopefully there will be a way to disable the avertising soon. I'm looking forward to the anniversary update as (if it will install) hopefully it will fix the issues I've been having for a few months now I guess, where no updates will install. Also, hopefully it will fix the bugs with the Start Menu.

I would not consider going back to Windows 7 as I've got way too much software installed on my current computer that I would lose or have to reinstall if I went back.

 

Hey, I wonder whether we'll get the Anniversary Update before our Northern Hemisphere friends? I know I installed Win10 before the official release date. I guess we'll find out tomorrow... or not.

 

Microsoft has flipped the switch for KB3176927 for all users of Windows 10 Version 1607 which is a cumulative update that bumps the RTM build 14393 up to 14393.5. Initially, this CU was only available to Insiders on the Fast ring. Then opened up to Slow ring and Release Preview rings. Now the Insider requirement is removed (technically, within Windows Update) and therefore any Anniversary Update users can receive this CU. Ready in time for August 2nd.

 

The latest version further restricts what you can control in group policy or by editing the registry for Windows 10 Pro.

http://winaero.com/blog/microsoft-l...se-editions-in-windows-10-anniversary-update/

Microsoft has given itself the right to install software I don't want on my computer. Yes, I could figure out how to disable it but I don't think I will do the anniversary upgrade anytime soon. I've wasted enough time on Windows 10. Linux is looking like the way of the future and I will probably use Windows 7 long after it is no longer supported for the Windows software I run. Unlike Xp, Windows 7 won't have the 32 bit memory limitations that have caused me to slowly abandon it so it will likely be usable long after 2020.

 

I want to run ZorinOS one day soon as my main operating system then Windows.

 

Oh wow thanks for the link...I was planning on/hoping to move to Win10 Pro with this new update after testing some of the earlier Insider editions (which fixed the biggest bugs I couldn't stand since launch) but now I'll have to re-think that move. =(

 

Because some of us want to avoid having to buy another Windows license- Windows 7 security support ends in 2020. Running Windows without security updates is not a very good idea- its security model is already lacking as it is.

I use Linux full-time and only keep Windows around in case I have need of some esoteric software that I can't get on Linux. If I stayed on Windows 7 Id only be able to use it that way for another few years. Windows 10 effectively makes the EOL the EOL for my hardware.

Dont get me wrong- I despise what theyve done with Windows 10. Windows 7- despite me preferring Linux- functioned well as a Windows OS. I was actually impressed at its overall stability. Windows 10 is a disease, and the fact that people arent viciously pushing back against its snooping shows a very dangerous reality- people have become complacent and have allowed power structures to usurp aspects of their lives that should be private. Power can only seek to beget more power- it will keep going until something challenges it.

Rest assured they will. They will likely come up with very creative ways to prevent one from turning off the advertising.

While I'm encouraged to see all the talk about Linux EVERYWHERE (reddit, news articles, here, etc), I must realize that those passionate enough to comment are still a small minority, and of them many are just talk. Given the entitlement that has been fused with our collective persona, I find it unlikely that Linux will gain any traction. It has gotten so much easier, but the first time some app they use doesnt have feature X theyll stand on some online soapbox talking about how Linux needs to get its **** together (I mean, code doesnt write itself... and if you arent paying for it, that means someone is dedicating their freetime to give you a product to use)..

 

The gpedit 'downgrades' on Win 10 Pro are indeed very worrying. Forced Candy Crush ... arrgh! There must surely be a lot of businesses that will kick back on this.

Where does this end? Maybe Pro will be squeezed out, leaving only Home and Enterprise ...

 

Paul, when I installed Windows 10 Home I knew I was giving up a little control but since then Microsoft have given the Pro users a good kick in the goolies and I have a feeling that this is going to come back and haunt them sooner or later. They seem to think we'll just accept whatever they think we want, but that's not going to go down well with most of us. I see M$ in the near future wondering, "what went wrong?". Simple! You did not listen!

 

Windows 10 is a service as opposed to a classical desktop OS.

Which means Microsoft gets to decide what features and software it will deliver or upgrade.

If you're happy having Microsoft determine how Windows 10 looks and runs, it probably floats your boat.

If you like being in control, stick with Windows 7.

 

Updated Windows 10 Edition Comparison: http://wincom.blob.core.windows.net/documents/Win10CompareTable_FY17.pdf

 

Someone that uses windows 7 can confirm if the offer of Windows 10 Upgrade is over? I mean, the icon in system tray etc is all gone?

If I can't disable Cortana I don't want Windows 10 anymore.

 

The free offer is over - officially. However, Microsoft left a loophole open so if you're in need of assisitive technology, you can still upgrade for free even after general market deadline passed.

As far as I know, you can't uninstall Cortana on Windows 10. You can uninstall modern apps and the Windows Store if you hate them taking up your desktop.

If you want to upgrade, its now $119.00 via Microsoft Store.

 

Yes, I know. I use Windows 10. I want to go back to Windows 7, but before that I want to know if the nagware offering Windows 10 is not there anymore.

 

The nagware has disappeared for good from the taskbar systray. You're no longer pestered to upgrade.

I just hated the whole thing and Microsoft's sense of false urgency. The high pressure tactics have reflected poorly on the company.

 

Ah, great! Thank you very much!

 

KB3176929 (14393.10) cumulative update coming down the pipe right now for all users of 1607 Anniversary Update, quite likely the expected zero day patch for tomorrow.

 

Microsoft isn't going to patch Windows Update to allow users to control when to install updates? Thought so.