Microsoft Reveals Windows 10 Variants

[Frick]

Just look what "DLC" did to computer gaming, You still got the game, but gutted... Then the cut content is re-sold to you later as "DLC" with the usual PR spin offs to justify what they are doing.

That might be true for day 1-DLC's and for some devs, but generally speaking DLC's are basically expansions IMO. At least the ones worth caring about.

 

[Uplink10]

decided to unify the Windows 10 brand across its PC, workstation, and handheld platforms.

the lineup will include the Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Education, and Windows 10 Enterprise.

I do not see any unifying with offering 4 versions and diversifying users, why can't they just offer one version with different licenses (one for enterprise and one for consumers). I thought things were getting better when Windows 8 came out but now they have fallen back to their old habits of Windows 7 and are going to have even more versions.

will be offered as free-forever upgrades to users of equivalent variants of Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1, if they upgrade within the first year of Windows 10 launch.

I did not know free-forever meant only one year.
Since Windows 8 is basically a service pack for Windows 8.1 that means that after one year you will have to pay for service pack (Windows 10) for Windows 8.1. This is very sad.

It will come with advanced networking, data-security, and remote management features.

I have to buy Windows 10 Enterprise to get these features? Why can't Windows 8 Pro have the same features only different licensing?

Linux will never be mainstream

I wouldn't be so sure, KDE looks really great.

No way in hell Microsoft...I'd return to Apple and kiss the underpowered

Apple is even worse especially with their high prices and did you ever think how much would a backup laptop cost you in case your primary one fails? It would cost you minium 900$, for that money you can get a very strong PC.

 

[rtwjunkie]

@Uplink 10 No they have said that if you upgrade within the first year after Windows 10 release, meaning you have until July next year to do it, then your License will be coded in such a way as to identify you as a "legacy upgrade" W10 user, and any future updates will be free to you forever. This will not apply to someone that just outright buys a W10. Those licenses will presumably be coded differently, just like the people that wait until after July next year. No free updated OS for them in the future.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Microsoft could dramatically change the way it monetizes Windows, in the near future. Gone will be the static $100-ish licenses, and the company will sell Windows as a service, much like Office 365. You choose your desired variant, and pay for using it, monthly or annually. We imagine unpaid installations suffering a worse fate than merely not getting software updates - the OS could become unusable after a "grace period," until you pay up.

Is there any sources to back that up? I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft does that to the pirates but computers that came with it or copies bought retail shouldn't.

 

[Legacy-ZA]

Online DRM does not bother or hurt pirates, it hurts the paying consumer.

 

[anolesoul]

Yeah...Like I didn't "know" this shit....was coming! Just GIVE us the BAD NEWS... MICROSOFT as to the price break-down, and what you'll offer with "each" version! Then shut the F__k UP!

 

[Captain_Tom]

Introducing Microsoft Edge: Over 200% faster than Internet Explorer at installing Chrome!

 

[scope54]

Ok. Some people need more information about Media Center, Hdtv pcs.... and if upgrafing to 10 will leave them looking stupid...

Media Center will not be available at all.
http://techreport.com/news/28214/the-curtain-falls-on-windows-media-center

my htpc won't be going to 10.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Media Center will not be available at all.
http://techreport.com/news/28214/the-curtain-falls-on-windows-media-center

my htpc won't be going to 10.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to finally use Kodi for viewing, but the process of bringing in the database from my MyMovies collection on my server is a little more convoluted. With Media Center, there was a plugin from MyMovies installed into it whch gave me easy access to all my collection, including metadata and all my play options.

It was just much easier, because it took no effort on my part, the MyMovies people had done all the hard stuff for me, and the HTPC plugin knew exactly what it was looking for on my server.

 

[erixx]

That was the news last week, scope54, yes. now I am looking for more.
Aparently my case is absolutely minority and unmainstream: while I work the whole day I like to watch tv sometimes on my PC, and record some programs. The software that comes with USB TV sticks is so slow, poor and ugly (have had Miro PcTV, Hauppague, Aver... and what not) so MCE was THE option.
Will have to test Kodi etc if my case really is not enough reason for MS to reconsider or bring a newer product.

 

[Batou1986]

but Microsoft has a slew of anti-piracy measures in store, which kick in after the upgrade

Which will magically disappear after re installing the original Win7 bootloader
I've had a retail key for W7pro for 3 years now that I have never had to use.
Windows XP was 1000x harder and more annoying to pirate, by adding the OEM bios key activation method in Vista+ Microsoft lost all chances of stopping piracy with their OS.
Maybe this time MS will do something smart like bind activation to a Microsoft account that can be deactivated and re activated on any one PC at any time.

 

[Uplink10]

Maybe this time MS will do something smart like bind activation to a Microsoft account that can be deactivated and re activated on any one PC at any time.

I hope they do not do that because if they do there is one more reason to not use Windows 10, you would not be able to activate it relatively anonymously and let's say you are using VM in which you test may-be-a-virus program, that account will also get compromised.

 

[theGryphon]

I don't think they're going to make all Windows 10 licenses subscription based. I'd think that all Windows 10 licenses that came with a system (desktop, laptop, tablet, phone) would be free forever (tied to that system). However, if you wanted to buy a separate Windows 10 license (for your DIY system), that would be subscription based.

Eventually, I'm sure MS is making the some obvious observations. People who buy an OEM system expects to use it for the duration of it's life, and OS costs can be internalized by the supply chain (including MS, Intel/AMD, OEM). DIY crowd is niche. Those who go that route will have to think about a pay-per-use type subscription based system for an OS that is always up-to-date, which can make a lot of sense instead of paying a lump-sum for an OS that will become obsolete in a few years and you're left with a dead-end license. You can keep upgrading your hardware as often as you want, and the OS will stay fresh and you'll pay for it only as long as you're using it.

I think it makes sense. It's a different system from what we have now, but I think it makes a lot of sense for the consumer too, as long as they can keep the subscription costs to around $30 per year ($105 for 3.5 years, which is about the average lifetime of previous Windows installations since Windows XP) for the Home edition.

 

[newtekie1]

I'm waiting for these big software companies to go with the micro-transaction system. You know it is only a matter of time. They've already pulled the wool over customers eyes with the BS subscription system that ends up costing them way more money in the long run, so micro-transactions are right around the corner.

Sure, you're already paying $40 a month for Adobe Creative Cloud, but that is just the basic functions. You want to use the blend tool? Extra $1. You want to actually be able to export your videos to any format other than .mov in premier? Extra $2.

Sure, you're paying $10 a month already for Office 365. But you want to be able to bold parts of your document? Extra $0.50. You want to change the font to anything other than Comic Sans? Extra $0.25 per font.

You're paying $20 a month to use Windows, but you want to open Calc? Extra $1. You want to change your desktop background? $0.25 per background, and you can only use the background you buy off Microsoft's store.

If we let it, it's coming.

 

[Bansaku]

OMG M$ still gets the most simple of ideas wrong. Just release 1 bloody OS that any machine can use! If additional packages/applications are needed for a specific system type, make it a choice during the installation process!

And M$ wants W10 on a billion machines. Good luck with that.....

 

[erixx]

I know lots of people that do not ANY payments with an internet connected computer. Overcautious? Yes, but they are many. Myself I have never given nor used payments to Google Play or Win 8 App Store.

 

[bubbleawsome]

I'll upgrade to win10 as long as it is a buy once and done thing. If they say it is, and then switch on me I'll just keep my copy updated with less "approved" methods.

If they say it is subscription based from the start I'll just stay on 8.1 until they fix it or I have to pirate for a new one.

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Media Center will not be available at all.
http://techreport.com/news/28214/the-curtain-falls-on-windows-media-center

my htpc won't be going to 10.

Fuck!!!
Windows DRM is the one and only way to record premium channels...
Now what the fuck am I gonna do...
I quit using Time Warner's DVR because all they offered in my area was a box with PCM 2 channel audio...

Somebody better come up with something that doesn't require a Goddammed subscription fee to DVR and soon..

This really fucking pissed me off

 

[R-T-B]

What are you meaning by "stop updates"? To do that, you would have to have a means for every hacker on Earth to drop dead as soon as they even the thought of hacking enters their mind. And even if W10 ends up being the last one, and even if every hacker on Earth died a horrible death, there would still be updates, as new features are added or more efficient ways to do hings. We'll get those big ones every couple years I bet. Before it would have been called a new OS. Now they are going to fool us by not calling those major changes new OS, but updates.
.

I mean making windows update a login subscription based service, it's what I picture happening. You keep your OS forever, but you want updates? Subscribe.

Of course hackers always will find a way around it but I'm not opposed to it as a general licensing concept.

 

[Uplink10]

I mean making windows update a login subscription based service, it's what I picture happening. You keep your OS forever, but you want updates? Subscribe.

If updates that solve errors and security updates which are the most numerous would also be part of this subscription, this would really be wrong because they just fix what Microsoft did wrong in the first place.

 

[R-T-B]

If updates that solve errors and security updates which are the most numerous would also be part of this subscription, this would really be wrong because they just fix what Microsoft did wrong in the first place.

But if they are moving to a "windows as a service" model (Windows 10 being the "last" windows), do you really expect to get free updates forever?

This is all conjecture, but they probably would still dole out security updates regardless. Feature updates? I doubt it.

 

[newtekie1]

Media Center will not be available at all.
http://techreport.com/news/28214/the-curtain-falls-on-windows-media-center

my htpc won't be going to 10.

Every tried Kodi/XBMC? Haven't looked back to Media Center since I started using XBMC.

Fuck!!!
Windows DRM is the one and only way to record premium channels...
Now what the fuck am I gonna do...
I quit using Time Warner's DVR because all they offered in my area was a box with PCM 2 channel audio...

Somebody better come up with something that doesn't require a Goddammed subscription fee to DVR and soon..

This really fucking pissed me off

From what I've read, Kodi paired with NextPVR can record pretty much anything as long as you have a CableCard(which your cable company is required by the FCC to provide if you request it). If you are outside of the US, most places use DVB, which is also supported by NextPVR/Kodi.

I've never actually tried it since I cut my cable TV years ago and just download everything I want to watch.

 

[erixx]

Installed latest beta of Kodi and am inmediately lost in plugin-land. I just want to watch live tv! haha, my fault for not reading the kodi wiki or whatever....

 

[Basard]

What are you meaning by "stop updates"? To do that, you would have to have a means for every hacker on Earth to drop dead as soon as they even the thought of hacking enters their mind. And even if W10 ends up being the last one, and even if every hacker on Earth died a horrible death, there would still be updates, as new features are added or more efficient ways to do hings. We'll get those big ones every couple years I bet. Before it would have been called a new OS. Now they are going to fool us by not calling those major changes new OS, but updates.

General Q for anyone: I am interpreting the first year upgrade being listed as "free forever" meaning if we upgrade in that first year, we will never pay this silly upgrade on THAT licesced W10? I would just like more Explicit definitiveness of this term by Microsoft.

Even if the upgrade for 'us' is free forever, like you describe, it will only be for THAT version of windows. I'm betting that in 366 days windows 10.0.0.0.0.1 will come out and that glorious version wont be our free version anymore. lol... something like that.

 

[2wicked]

Microsoft should just make windows free for every one and focus more on their market place/store for income from windows.
The only thing new in windows is not much more than just UI changes and removed user features they've added years ago so they can now charge extra for them.