Windows 10: Windows 10 Threshold 2 rumored to launch in November

Yes, the free upgrade is free for the life of the device.

 

IMHO, I don't think that will happen. What I can see happening is Windows outgrowing your current device. Upgrades to the OS will be offered but your device won't have the hardware to support them. To get them you'll have to buy a new device. Saying device is easier than saying laptop, tablet, desktop, phone, IoT etc. *Wink

 

Microsoft has apparently really expanded support. Support for the Get Windows 10 upgrades isn't distinguishing between OEM upgraders and retail upgraders with regards to the qualifying licenses. It doesn't matter that an upgrader is qualifying with an OEM copy of Windows 7 or 8. This is a bit new. In the past an OEM license had to be supported by the OEM and Microsoft support would tell a user to contact the OEM.

Maybe there is a change coming in a few years in how support for OEM copies are handled. Just a wild, speculative scenario (so don't reply with the usual "It'll never happen), but suppose OEM machines ship with a trial copy of Windows and the user chooses whether to add the computer to his Windows 365 account (for free), subscribe to Window 365 and add other devices, or purchase a single Windows license (maybe even at the OEM's website with the OEM getting a commision out of it). That is a scenario with lots of new possibilities.

I'm just trying to get the creative thinking going on the Windows 365 concept.

 

That was exactly what I meant.

 

Win 10's appeal is that it seems to work well even on older hardware from the start , if people think MS will soon release upgrades that will be too much for their current machines it's going to be a huge mistake .

Someone mentioned that depending on how many switch to Win 10, that may determine how long Win 7 will be supported due to saving money by not offering support , i hope not .

If they skip out on the 2020 extended security support date for Win 7 it's going to get really ugly lol.

 

Microsoft won't alter the lifecycle parameters for Windows 7 or 8, and the lifecycle listed for 10 is the same, in spite of "support for the life of the device." But I think they may assume responsibility for support for OEM copies if they continue to be a bit unhappy about the current quality of support from some of the OEMs. The one thing Microsoft has been big about is the support network for Windows and other products. If they do, the money to pay for support will have to come from someplace and that is what bears watching.

 

and those days will get better when they are grown and gone ,, just ask my Dad,,i officially moved out when I was 32 ,lol

 

and that's what Apple does, Microsoft is copying them, it works for Apple why not Microsoft

 

Mine were ready to move out when I was 32. *Wink

 

Appreciate your viewpoint , thanks.

 

lol

 

I still can't see a retail version of Windows 10 getting free upgrades forever. I guess I don't have as much trust in MS as other people do.

 

You must of had a very early start. *Smile

 

No, just precocious kids.

 

I think things such as major fixes will continue to be free. But I could see Microsoft not making a lot of new features available that way, but making more attractive ones optional and charging for them. Upgrades necessary to accommodate those new features will probably be free.