Windows 10 Announced - Released 29-Jul-2015

How To Rename Your PC In Windows 10 (by addictivetips.com)


How to add a custom color for Windows 10 taskbar (by thewindowsclub.com)

 

I haven't tried since 10130 but the Creative driver (X-Fi fatal1ty) only worked when I installed it and quit working after reboot. I just removed the card (still have on-board audio and, wow, I can hear the difference right away) until release.

162/166 seems to have introduced spurious app crashes (mail, explorer, pretty random). I don't know if it is the build or the constant in-place upgrades, which is always a source of problems.

 

Which card?

Creative says the driver won't be available until after launch for mine (others were earlier).

 

Starting to use Windows 10 – Guide from Lenovo (by thewindowsclub.com)

 

Thank you, when I finally got the "Get Windows 10" icon it struck me I need a start guide all I found was a Windows 10 insider preview start guide not exactly the right thing.

 

You are welcome!

 

I decided to download and install the 10162 iso and install it (clean) over my existing virtual machine. That actually helped my video problem. Prior to that I was simply upgrading to the next build. Currently at 10166 and while the problem is still present, it is no where near as bad and the system is quite usable. It is possible too, that my upgrading VirtualBox to 5.0.0-101573 helped as well.

I noted that the install process was slightly different (in a good way) with build 10162 from my first install of Windows 10 Technical Preview last August.

 

Last week, I posted regarding Microsoft's statements that
"once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no cost" (January 21)
and "Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device." (May 15)

I asked, what does "for the supported lifetime of the device" mean?
I suggested that Microsoft's phrasing "for the supported lifetime of the device" could mean till the initial Windows 7 or Windows 8 support end date.
But as I said, that was speculation.

Today, I had a look at the article that ronjor suggested,

That article refers to another recent Computerworld article,
Microsoft to provide free upgrades to Windows 10 for 2 to 4 years,
which refers to a Microsoft document that sheds some light on what Microsoft's intentions with Windows 10 may be:
Windows 10 Revenue Recognition, June 26, 2015 (.pptx download)
In that .pptx document:
page 3 "We will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device."
page 5 "[...] estimated device life, which can range from two to four years."

I think this may be quite an eye opener to those who think that, once upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, Windows 10 will be free indefinitely.

 

Your license for that device will be free indefinitely, just like your license for Windows 3.11 is valid indefinitely--it's just they aren't going to support your device indefinitely with updates but it's not like it will quit working or become invalid.

You have to understand, "device" includes phones and that IoT novelty.

The PowerPoint talks about revenue deferrals for SEC filings, not upgrade licenses; context can't be ignored.

I will say, I do not like their seeding the "Windows as a Service" vernacular; I think that may be greasing the palms (or other body parts) for "Windows 365".

 

I have handed over the responsibility for the family desktop to a family member. I see that they have reserved W10. Not that I agree with this, but I did turn over the management of the system, so I have to accept that. I do not think the desktop is W10 compat., but I was told that the W10 advisory utility said it was, except that the ATI/AMD GPU (old ATI/AMD Radeon drivers) may be a problem - I expect that means W10 will use a generic driver in its place if the drivers on W7 are not used. That was the only warning. The desktop is currently running W7/64. and the display is perfect with W7 drivers . .The chipset was updated with W7 drivers from the OEM when W7 was installed.

Just yesterday WU sent an AMD/ATI optional update that was basically a null update (30K) , then today it disappeared. I know that MS is sending W10 updates to prepare systems for July 29, but this is really weird. Why does this stuff appear one day and disappear the next?

I have another question that I can not find an answer to. Are MS WU optional updates only offered for a single WU cycle, that is, if you do not download/install within a given period of time, they are withdrawn permanently? If that is the case, if the W10 free upgrade is offered as an optional update rather than an important update will that be the case? II think it is assumed that it will be an optional update, rather than an important one. That way it will have to be selected to be downloaded.

 

I think it's reasonable to believe that since the upgrade is being offered for free for one year that it would be available for one year. In fact if a copy is reserved the necessary files will begin downloading automatically. See here:

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/windows-10-upgrade-will-pre-download-reserved-systems

 

Its just like with prior versions of Windows - it will always run but after a set time, Microsoft simply won't continue providing updates. Windows 10 will continue to run after Microsoft update service support ends.

 

But of course.
However, because of the fact that Microsoft stated
"once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no cost" (January 21)
and "Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device" (May 15),
quite some folks are under the impression that Windows 10 will have free support indefinitely, which I think is a misconception.
I think Microsoft's suggestive phrasing was the cause of that quite common idea of Windows 10 having free support indefinitely.
The mentioned Microsoft document Windows 10 Revenue Recognition may be enlightening to those who are under the impression that, once upgraded from Windows 7 or 8, Windows 10 will have free support for an unlimited duration.

 

Is it required to upgrade through windows updates? Or one can download ISO, extract & run the setup to upgrade?
I am on limited 10GB per month internet. Win 10 is app 3GB. If the second scenario can be done then it will save me 3GB i.e with the ISO I can upgrade & later clean install.

 

My understanding is you have to use Windows Update first to get the free upgrade. After you've done that and activated the OS you can use an ISO to install 10 clean on the same hardware.

 

"Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device" and the W10 Revenue Recognition meeting.

Consumer trends over the past few years have shown that the 2-4 year life span for a device holds true for phones and tablets. Desktops/notebooks show a different trend line because they represent such a large percentage of the business community. Even companies that allow BYOD, still have older tech on the desk. Also there is still a good percentage of low tech home users who hang onto a device for a very long period of time. My understanding is that this was a strategy meeting based on the hardware compatibility of devices to support new technology, so 2-4 years is about right. I do not believe it was about 2-4 years support for W10 upgraders and then an extortion email demanding payment for ongoing support.

The most effective way to EOL a device is to distance it from new technology and cool features . Windows Innovation will support what your hardware is capable of supporting.

 

That is my impression as well.

 

That's never been true of ANY edition of Windows. They all get updates to the end of their life and you can keep it. It just won't get patched after end of life for a particular Windows has arrived.

 

Of course, I know.
But still, as I said, because of Microsoft's curious phrasing, quite some folks are under the strange impression that Windows 10 will have free support and free patches indefinitely. Many think that "for the supported lifetime of the device" means 'as long as the device works' (which could be, what, 15 years or so for a desktop PC).
The fact that we think differently, doesn't change the fact that on many websites and fora one can find posts from people that read Microsoft's phrasing as 'hurray, free support indefinitely!' They may be rather disappointed when they find out differently.

 

Build 10240 now available for Windows Insiders in Fast and Slow rings

 

Updated and running fine - start menu issue fixed