Windows 10: Microsoft to provide free upgrades to Windows 10 for 2 to 4 years ?

Microsoft to provide free upgrades to Windows 10 for 2 to 4 years | Computerworld

:)

 

Windows 10 free upgrade for Windows 7 details.

George222 said: "And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date
for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge."

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Found a link to define "for the supported lifetime of the device".

These excerpt are from the linked article:

1. free refreshes will last between two and four years.

2. [The estimated device life] can range from two to four years.

3. Although details remain skimpy on the upgrade lifetimes Microsoft plans for Windows 10, the two-to-four-year span was the first time the firm named their lengths.

4. Microsoft will determine the device lifetime.

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Question: After 4 years if one doesn't want to throw away his/her device, does one have to pay otherwise Windows 10 will quit working? (As Microsoft treats Windows as a Service.)

Microsoft to provide free upgrades to Windows 10 for 2 to 4 years

 

Windows Task Bar unresponsive

Reverting back to 7 is not possible, who would of guessed? God damn wheres the **** support for this ****!

I have also tried to use an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet and the same or similar problems arise (not being able to access the flashing or none flashing taskbar with along with the windows associated programs). I suppose the direction windows
is going, that internet is just a useless thing of the past??

Windows 11 or "9" must be the answer to the inbred thinking to windows 10. AWFUL COMPANY AND PRODUCT! thanks for the damn support i feel appreciated as a customer.

 

The message from MS has nothing to do with how long they intend to provide free updates. What is discussed is merely an accounting technique to spread any income over the life of the free updates.

 

Why is this done? Is it just to make the company annual profits look more comforting to share-holders, even though it's an imagined effect?

 

MS is doing business in the USA and are subject to what is know as FASB rules (generally accepted accounting practices)
MS is giving away free Windows 10 and in the first few months, maybe the first year they will derive income because of this. It would not be fair to shareholders if they are led to believe that all of a sudden MS is making all kinds of money and that it will continue into the foreseeable future. This deferral of income gives a much more accurate picture of MS financial picture.

In none accounting language: A little income will be spread over several years, rather than have one great year.

Not actually stated, but possible, MS will give support for only 2 3 or 4 years.

 

Thanks for that explanation.

 

Richc46

I really can't see Microsoft stopping free updates to windows 10 when windows 7 sp1 extended support doesn't end till January 14, 2020 and Windows 8.1 extend support doesn't end till January 10, 2023.

I did find another article on this subject to add more confusion. It also brought up something I would like to know.

 

Masters of confusion, masters of subscriptions, masters of FUD. Its all coming to a windows PC soon

 

Let me give you the bottom line, as far as I am concerned. I do not think the MS is attempting to mislead us in any way. I have been happy with them and their OS, since 2000. As a major corporation, everything takes time. First the top people have to decide what is the best course of action for both the customer and the Company's bottom line. Then lawyers have to approve it then public relations has to decide on the best way to present it to the public. What this all boils down to is confusion, which is what we have. Anyone who says that they know more than what was explicitly made public is confused, to say the least.
I think that we all have to wait just a bit longer to get definitive answers, which I want too. I am just sitting tight and waiting for straight forward answers and when they come I will believe them since my experience tells me MS is a Company that can be trusted.

 

Question...

Couldn't MS just claim the free upgrade as promotional cost and spread it to 2-4 years? Effectively offsetting other income and lower their taxes...

No, actually MS has stated that the free upgrade to W10 if for the life of the device, without time limit. MS may estimate this time to be between 2-4 years, but that does not mean it'll be the case in all free updates.

 

They say 2-4yrs, but I'd be surprised if it ended before Win8's updates. I'm sure MS will just release another Windows Update or something (though wondering how they plan to monetize it, since they don't make the same money off hardware that Apple does).

 

Every major US corporation must follow uniform accounting rules, in this case know as Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
The rules say it must be done in the way explained.

 

Hi there

Sounds a bit like Rapacious Banks / ISP's etc who operate a system of offering New customers really good deals and then when they are all hooked the price goes up ("Monetisation again").

It's known in the trade as "Sucker Deals". Grab them in early and most people usually don't bother to switch even when there are better deals available.

As for shareholders -- don't be too hard on these --I'm sure people want Pensions, other benefits at the appropriate time and you've only got to look at say the example Greece to see what happens if people keep drawing on the State when there isn't money being earned.

We might not like some of the practices in the modern world but NOBODY has come up with a better model that actually works so warts and all I think I'd prefer the US system with a bit of Scandinavian social justice thrown in to any other business model out there.

Companies NEED CASH for innovation -- Shareholders lend their money and IMO are entitled to some reward for putting up the dosh (and taking the risks if a company fails).

Cheers
jimbo

 

I think MS is following the path of Redhat. You can install their OS for free, but if you want any updates...you have to have a subscription. They are probably looking at it as recurring profits instead of just a one time purchase. It makes sense, just sucks for us...hopefully its not crazy.