Windows 10: As 2015 comes to a close, Windows 10 surpasses 200 million installs

Regardless of less maintenance for older versions of windows I think there is an economic rational for converting older versions of windows to W-10. More telemetry with W-10 hence more advertising. You can't use Edge on older versions and MS wants to expand the Edge user base plus it costs MS nothing to allow the conversion of an older OS to W-10. MS wins when an older version converts to W-10 even if they give it away and just consider the PR benefit. If someone is running W8.1 and wants to keep it, by the time 2023 comes around they will need a new machine and by then W-10 will likely be the only Windows OS available but that is years down the road and I don't think MS will want to wait that long.

 

They do with Office, but only if the educational facility meets certain criteria. I have a friend who is a teacher at a "Title 1" school district. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but do know that the school district and its students are poorer than poor, and eligible to get Office free for students and teachers. That said, it looks like the requirements are pretty stringent. Go here to see the requirements: Office in Education, for Students, Teachers Schools

I haven't seen anything about free Windows for educational facilities, though. Best I can find is: Deploy Windows 10 in education - schools, tablet, PC | TechNet

I'd be surprised if universities such as Harvard, MIT, etc. would be eligible for free Windows 10; however, students would be eligible for the free upgrade the same as you or I. *Smile

 

Good luck with that idea! *Confused

 

Thanks for the best wishes, but I actually believe that there is a 50-50 chance for a second free upgrade year. There are simply too many upgrade failures so far *Eek

Edit: One of the GWX nags that I am getting these days still says 110 millions *cake

 

I do look for the free upgrade to be extended. Not sure if it will be for another year. I think it will depend on Windows 10 installs reaching the number MS was looking for or not. (putting on my tin foil hat) I think there's more behind MS wanting to push Win 10 than whats on the surface. (tin foil hat removed)

 

Yes, it would be nice for MS if everyone were using Windows 10, so Microsoft could sell off all that extra collected data. Edge is already being dropped by 10 users. And I plan on using our Windows 7 and 8 and 8.1 well past 2023, updates have already been disabled, and you know what? they keep on running just fine.

Personally, I think it is in Microsoft's best interest if they can keep as many versions running as possible. Why not let people use what they like? better that than having them switch to another software (OSX, Linux). A few updates can't be that consuming on older versions. Heck, there is a lot of money to be made in the parts & repair department from people with older cars or other such items.

 

I would say that Microsoft is less concerned about general users migrating to another OS than not going to a current Windows version. The truth is, it's in Microsoft's best interests to get everyone to current Windows builds because of branding and image consistency. Metro/Modern and even the flatter looking Explorer shell displayed in Windows 10 IS Windows in 2015. You want to keep that image across your platform to provide a "face" for Windows.

I was at Best Buy the other day, and ALL the notebooks have Windows 10 preloaded (I saw one with Windows 8.1 on clearance), but it was Windows 10 EVERYWHERE. Anyone just new to Windows (of course that would mean new to Planet Earth right?) would NEVER EVER know that Windows once had Aero transparency or 3D shell elements from Windows Vista and 7. Metro/Flat is what Microsoft wants you to imagine when you think Windows.
*Smile

 

Through Dreamspark some students have the opportunity to get windows for free.
https://www.dreamspark.com/

In Finland, at least many of the University students, but I do not know how many countries this is possible

 

Thanks, Nobody! I'll pass this one along to my teacher friend!

 

Thanks, Nobody! I'll pass this one along to my teacher friend! I don't remember seeing Windows when I was browsing Dreamspark, but I was able to get Visual Studio 2013.

I got MS Project 2010 using the previous system (I don't know what it was called).

 

Below is a link to the site where the Finnish HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences students can get to Windows.
However it is not all students, only the information technology unit.
https://e5.onthehub.com/WebStore/Pro...a5db7a1&vsro=8

 

Someone previously asked what could Win7 do better that Win10 could not.
I am on the Insider fast ring, and one thing I will point out is visual appearance and personalization. This may not seem like much, but if you can't give Win10 the look/feel you desire, your User experience goes down.
Win10 displays 2-dimensional while Win7 was in 3 (the appearance of). This makes Win10 more like the infamous Google quote, Win10 is really Win1. Nothing here looks modern but, rather cheap, poorly done.
Second, I and many others have asked for, a personalization ability similar to what Win7 has. Win10 doesn't hold a candle to Win7 in this regard.

While these have nothing to do with performance, Win10 is still lacking.
Micrsoft still won't provide a functional DVD player with Win10. How many have asked for this? And to have to pay for the crap they do offer? That is so insulting.
The programs they removed with Win10. 1st, the installed programs (bloatware as some call them). Some of those were paid for programs in Windows 8/8.1 (free with Win7).
The current updates (the latest Build 11082 included) deleting software from personal computers (mine included), claiming they are not compatible. Reinstallation of these programs and they are still running perfectly on my system. Win7 updates never removed software on my system, especially without my permission.
Forced driver updates, especially when these updates causes system instability. I have since turned off the option of Microsoft providing my drivers. I'll get them myself from the hardware mfg directly, when I want them.

Win7 is much better in a lot of respects. But it should always come down to the owner of the computer. Does he/she desire such an update? Microsoft does not respect the owner, nor their wishes.

I follow the online news daily about Win10. I have done so since last April.
The day I read 200 Million from Microsoft, I also read only 160 from another online source not Microsoft (with numbers/sources to back that up).
Microsoft requires a large number of Win10 users simply because Windows as a service requires advertising in order for them to show a profit. No large user base, no large profit margin. That makes stockholders nervous. Windows as a service is a gamble, and Microsoft is going to push, and push hard, to make it work.
I too believe, the Update deadline will be extended past July. Only time will tell.