Windows 10: Microsoft removes some policies from Windows 10 Pro

If you think Linux is the answer, you probably haven't actually used it *Wink

 

Of course it's different if you are dependent on software that runs only under Windows. And as you can see I'm still here, despite my current anger at MS. That's because in general I like Windows. I like it's software diversity, I like it's UI etc. But only to some extent and enough is enough. MS needs to start reconsidering their actions, otherwise they are going to start losing not only home users but also their most important ones, the business customers. Somehow it seems to me that they have not yet realized that, contrary to the last 20 years, there are now alternatives to Windows. There are Macs, Chromebooks, Android driven devices and of course Linux. All of them are more than enough for the standard PC user. And more and more applications are becoming cloud based which makes the local os even more irrelevant.

There are still users like dedicated gamers, users of certain business applications etc. that cannot abandon Windows. But they are getting fewer and fewer. MS needs to realize that, otherwise they could just end up as the next Nokia.

 

I'm using it every day and the more MS bothers it's customers with stupid moves like the upgrade trickery (well, for the last 20 years the x stood for "close" but as of now it stands for "accept") the more I'm starting to like it.

 

The thing is, most large companies are already heavily invested in Windows. It's not that easy to just switch. Training costs would be big with an OS switch from Windows. Plus all the legacy software that only runs on Windows. And add in that corporate customers have more control over things. They can Run the Enterprise Edition, or the Education edition. If they have a Software Assurance contract with Microsoft the switch likely doesn't cost them much if anything at all. It's just a license switch from one version to another.


I'm surprised a moderator hasn't chimed in with a back on track post, re all the Linux talk.

 

"I'm surprised a moderator hasn't chimed in with a back on track post, re all the Linux talk."

Oh, sorry - I thought this was a discussion forum (a place of learning) and not a praise only venue! Silly me, I should have known better.

 

I don't know how anyone can say Windows 10 is more familiar to a Windows 7 user than Linux Mint Cinnamon. Of course it can run the Windows only software that won't run in Wine, but there isn't a whole lot of that anymore. The user interface of Linux Mint is more like Windows 7 than either Windows 8 or 10.

 

It is, a place of learning, and some Linux discussion is allowed. I have two lengthy Raspberry Pi threads on the go in the Chillout Room. It is a Windows 10 Forum though, and on topic discussions are encouraged. I'm not a moderator but other threads that have gone off topic have gotten those warnings. Just a heads up, that's all. If you go too far off topic I would expect a forum mod to interject. It all depends on how relevant to the topic it is. Truth be known I'm likely the guilty party for the Linux side topic. It wasn't my intent to sidetrack the thread though.

 

You are correct, this is a discussion forum, a Windows discussion forum to discuss Windows issues. If you want to run Linux, feel free to do so. If you want to run Linux and Windows, feel free to do that as well. If you want to discuss the pros and cons of Linux, there are some very good Linux forums available.

 

You have chilled any further interest I have in being part of the discussion as to what could happen if MS continues on the path they are on.

 

It's almost like bait and switch what they're doing. I bought Pro specifically for gpedit.msc.

 

For starters, you're mischaracterizing the situation with the upgrade. The dialog was confusing, but the X did not "stand for accept". The dialog was informing you that the upgrade had already been scheduled (not asking you if you wanted to schedule it), the dialog was just a notification of it, so closing the dialog did nothing. It wasn't accept, it was "close the notification window". I'm not arguing that the dialog wasn't confusing, as it was. But it wasn't any "trickery" nor was it violating any Windows guidelines. Most people just misunderstood what it was telling them.

Second, it doesn't matter anyways. The free upgrade offer is over, and the entire issue is now moot. You won't be seeing any more free upgrades, so-call "forced" or not.

Finally, there really aren't any alternatives for most people. Mac's are too expensive, and Linux is too confusing. And that assuming they aren't locked into Windows because they need to run specific apps. For instance, many companies use VPN software that is windows specific. So if you need to work from home, you need windows.

 

You seem to be confused. That's a silly reason to buy pro, since everything you can do with gpedit is doable by registry entries. Regardless, gpedit is still present. It's just a few handful of entries that don't apply to pro, just like a bunch of entries don't apply to home. And a bunch only apply to server editions. This is nothing new.

 

There's really not much to discuss. Microsoft is on the path they're on, and nothing you or I or anyone else can say will change that. It's not "if", it's what is happening. So arguing as if there is any choice in the matter is silly.

 

What kind of precedent does this set though? I have always liked Windows for it's tweakability, it's huge library of programs (literally how many applications have been made for windows over the years? 100 million? Take that Apple App Store)

I find any chipping away at user modability to be quite insulting. Lock out gpedit.msc features on Home of course but Pro? Really? Force security features down our throats that we neither want/need/asked for? No update controls? Sigh.

Luckily, like with the Windows 8 start menu debacle, someone will be there to save the day and make a 3rd party program. <3 Classic Shell

 

You can probably make that same statement about every feature that Pro has. It has more function than Home, and every one of those functions is probably not reason to buy Pro. But we that bought Pro bought it for its additional function. Gpedit is one of those functions.

In addition, I trust gpedit a lot more than I trust my use of Regedit (or equivalent 3rd party products). I also figure that an option that can be changed via gpedit is recognized by MS as a customizable option. I have no such warm, fuzzy feeling about registry entries. I have no idea what registry values have to be simultaneously changed, for example, to leave Windows healthy.

I know that gpedit will continue to exist. I know that the registry entries will probably continue to exist for those options removed from gpedit. And I know that people on this forum will figure out and publish tips for making registry changes to accomplish what MS has removed from gpedit. But I don't like MS forcing me to jump through hoops to accomplish (what had been) simple customization tasks.