Did anyone get a Windows 10 invite?

[Bob The Skutter]

Probably if you have a retail licence on windows 10 but if you have an upgrade from 7 or 8 I wouldn't be surprised to lose it like that.

As long as you have a legitimate copy of a Windows OS, there shouldn't be an issue. I, for example, upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7, which happened well after this "announcement". I have replaced several motherboards, and on the rare occasion Windows said "something is wrong here", I called Microsoft's automated line and had it resolved in minutes, with no money required.

But in that case you bought the upgrade, this is a " free " license upgrade, so you can upgrade now but if the motherboard goes in the future you will need a new license. I've done the same in the past with a windows XP upgrade. This time they're tying the s/n of your motherboard to the license.

Though it's possible they're not sure and covering their backs, but I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[RevdKathy]

Most of the info I've seen says this:

If something major happens to the device that requires something as monumental such as a motherboard change (basically turning it into a new computer), Windows 10 will require re-activation – which will require you to purchase a license. This is what Microsoft means when it says "life of the device." Additionally, you can't transfer a license to a new device. But, if something disastrous does happen, it's usually more cost-effective to just buy a replacement device anyway and that should come pre-loaded with Windows 10. However, if you happen to buy a new device with an older OS installed, you can get the free Windows 10 upgrade as long as it falls in the free upgrade offer period.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-windows-10-will-handle-clean-installs

Now, they've changed their minds on many things - a while ago they were saying there would not be an ISO for the upgrade, while the latest info is that if you do the upgrade they'll register your device, after which you can do a clean install. But 'new motherboard = new device' is their current position.

 

[Amaris]

Probably if you have a retail licence on windows 10 but if you have an upgrade from 7 or 8 I wouldn't be surprised to lose it like that.

As long as you have a legitimate copy of a Windows OS, there shouldn't be an issue. I, for example, upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7, which happened well after this "announcement". I have replaced several motherboards, and on the rare occasion Windows said "something is wrong here", I called Microsoft's automated line and had it resolved in minutes, with no money required.

But in that case you bought the upgrade, this is a " free " license upgrade, so you can upgrade now but if the motherboard goes in the future you will need a new license. I've done the same in the past with a windows XP upgrade. This time they're tying the s/n of your motherboard to the license.

Though it's possible they're not sure and covering their backs, but I wouldn't rely on it.

Ah, I see what you're saying, thanks to what RevdKathy posted below:

Most of the info I've seen says this:

If something major happens to the device that requires something as monumental such as a motherboard change (basically turning it into a new computer), Windows 10 will require re-activation – which will require you to purchase a license. This is what Microsoft means when it says "life of the device." Additionally, you can't transfer a license to a new device. But, if something disastrous does happen, it's usually more cost-effective to just buy a replacement device anyway and that should come pre-loaded with Windows 10. However, if you happen to buy a new device with an older OS installed, you can get the free Windows 10 upgrade as long as it falls in the free upgrade offer period.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-windows-10-will-handle-clean-installs

Now, they've changed their minds on many things - a while ago they were saying there would not be an ISO for the upgrade, while the latest info is that if you do the upgrade they'll register your device, after which you can do a clean install. But 'new motherboard = new device' is their current position.

That is not good. Replacing a motherboard isn't creating a whole new computer, it's replacing a motherboard. Motherboards can, and do, fail. I don't like this aspect of the upgrade, and this is the first I've heard of it.

Hopefully, Microsoft will backtrack on it, because that is a terrible idea.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

As long as you have a legitimate copy of a Windows OS, there shouldn't be an issue. I, for example, upgraded from Windows Vista to Windows 7, which happened well after this "announcement". I have replaced several motherboards, and on the rare occasion Windows said "something is wrong here", I called Microsoft's automated line and had it resolved in minutes, with no money required.

But in that case you bought the upgrade, this is a " free " license upgrade, so you can upgrade now but if the motherboard goes in the future you will need a new license. I've done the same in the past with a windows XP upgrade. This time they're tying the s/n of your motherboard to the license.

Though it's possible they're not sure and covering their backs, but I wouldn't rely on it.

Ah, I see what you're saying, thanks to what RevdKathy posted below:

Most of the info I've seen says this:

If something major happens to the device that requires something as monumental such as a motherboard change (basically turning it into a new computer), Windows 10 will require re-activation – which will require you to purchase a license. This is what Microsoft means when it says "life of the device." Additionally, you can't transfer a license to a new device. But, if something disastrous does happen, it's usually more cost-effective to just buy a replacement device anyway and that should come pre-loaded with Windows 10. However, if you happen to buy a new device with an older OS installed, you can get the free Windows 10 upgrade as long as it falls in the free upgrade offer period.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-windows-10-will-handle-clean-installs

Now, they've changed their minds on many things - a while ago they were saying there would not be an ISO for the upgrade, while the latest info is that if you do the upgrade they'll register your device, after which you can do a clean install. But 'new motherboard = new device' is their current position.

That is not good. Replacing a motherboard isn't creating a whole new computer, it's replacing a motherboard. Motherboards can, and do, fail. I don't like this aspect of the upgrade, and this is the first I've heard of it.

Hopefully, Microsoft will backtrack on it, because that is a terrible idea.

I'm not sure if the old license still works either. I asked and they said you have 1 month to downgrade back to 7/8 if you decide you don't like 10.

 

[Amaris]

I'm not sure if the old license still works either. I asked and they said you have 1 month to downgrade back to 7/8 if you decide you don't like 10.

Your old license should be valid, as it's a legitimate license, but now I'm not sure. Microsoft seems to be adding a lot of strings to this "free" upgrade.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Yep, wanted to check given they are tying the license to hardware. Might not be accurate because the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing, but that's what they told me on twitter at least.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Wow, I hadn't noticed the Win 10 upgrade option on my task bar until this thread. I think I'm going to wait and see what other people encounter first before I jump in.

After some customization I don't really mind Windows 8.1 too much anymore. There's still a few inconsistencies and awkward clashes of Metro and the traditional design but it works.
I never see the Metro start screen.

Yeah - I installed Start8 on day one and have never seen or used the metro interface.

Same here though I've seen the Metro interface on occasion (sometimes *gasp* intentionally). Start8 made the transition a lot better and I really like Windows 8 under the hood, it's a shame that its shell turned off so many people.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I still can't' fathom what kind of thought process went on at MS with regards to the Windows 8 front end... "Let's shoehorn a mobile type interface onto a desktop system" and that is pretty much what I think happened in their design meeting.

Plus it seems designed mainly for touch screens which isn't your average desktop..

Didn't anyone think it might put people off?

 

[Bob The Skutter]

I think their thought process went "Apple do whatever the hell the please and people accept it, we deal with shit from everyone every time we do something. Let's just act like Apple."

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I think MS got caught flat-footed in the mobile game and over-compensated with the interface. The same way that Windows RT misjudged the appeal of a tablets that could run real Windows.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

I think MS got caught flat-footed in the mobile game and over-compensated with the interface. The same way that Windows RT misjudged the appeal of a tablets that could run real Windows.

I think their thought process went "Apple do whatever the hell the please and people accept it, we deal with shit from everyone every time we do something. Let's just act like Apple."

I suspect it was both of these... While Windows 8 was a good stable platform for the most part it did put off a hell of a lot of people.

Plus some tasks that you could do in Windows 7 with a few mouse clicks had to be learnt all over again as some functions were hidden under all the shiny layers.

 

[Amaris]

When two clicks could make changes to my settings, and suddenly in Windows 8 there's a swipe, and a charms bar, and context menus just to do the same thing, you're overthinking it, and that's what Microsoft did. They complicated a simple step. Now, though, it looks like Windows 10 has fixed those issues, and I'm glad they have. I'm still concerned about this licensing issue, but the OS itself is solid in my eyes.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Hey my icon has just vanished...... No longer in the taskbar. Does that mean it's nearly time to install?

 

[Bob The Skutter]

When two clicks could make changes to my settings, and suddenly in Windows 8 there's a swipe, and a charms bar, and context menus just to do the same thing, you're overthinking it, and that's what Microsoft did. They complicated a simple step. Now, though, it looks like Windows 10 has fixed those issues, and I'm glad they have. I'm still concerned about this licensing issue, but the OS itself is solid in my eyes.

Thing is either way makes sense in context of use. 8 is great for tablet use, just ask RevdKathy. That's her primary use and it's a great interface in that mode. My primary use is laptop and with classic start menu it does everything Windows 7 did, but better. All windows 10 needed was a way to automatically detect and reenter each mode as necessary, better integration of settings across both interfaces and a better browser and a start menu for those of us who didn't like start screen and it would have been great. Right now it's a bit of a mishmash which should be easy to get used to on desktop but needs much finer control for tablet use, making it much less use in tablet mode.

 

[Amaris]

When two clicks could make changes to my settings, and suddenly in Windows 8 there's a swipe, and a charms bar, and context menus just to do the same thing, you're overthinking it, and that's what Microsoft did. They complicated a simple step. Now, though, it looks like Windows 10 has fixed those issues, and I'm glad they have. I'm still concerned about this licensing issue, but the OS itself is solid in my eyes.

Thing is either way makes sense in context of use. 8 is great for tablet use, just ask RevdKathy. That's her primary use and it's a great interface in that mode. My primary use is laptop and with classic start menu it does everything Windows 7 did, but better. All windows 10 needed was a way to automatically detect and reenter each mode as necessary, better integration of settings across both interfaces and a better browser and a start menu for those of us who didn't like start screen and it would have been great. Right now it's a bit of a mishmash which should be easy to get used to on desktop but needs much finer control for tablet use, making it much less use in tablet mode.

I've said it before, but yeah, Windows 8 was great for tablet use. I have a Windows 8 phone, and I love it. It was Microsoft's boneheaded decision to push that interface onto the desktop, where mice, keyboards, and non-touch screen monitors rule.

 

[RevdKathy]

The problem is, because of the outcry over 8/8.1 on desktop, they've restored a load of desktop features that are not (currently) optional which chokes up the touch experience. And removed things like the touch interface for mobile while they're at it.

The result is a system that requires concentration and fine motor skills to use in touch mode, making it unsuitable for the 'lounging on the sofa' use that most tablets get, and the 'tablet for a disabled kid' use that iPad has more or less cornered which it was market share in.

I keep tweaking it to make it more useful, but the workarounds are fiddly to set up (pinning a document to the start is a multistep process, as is making a one touch shutdown tile) so I don't see most people bothering. I'm hoping they'll add some of those things back as they near launch. Rumour has it that there's a decent 'all apps' button in 10147 - if rumour can be believed.

 

[Amaris]

From what I've read, the OS is supposed to detect what platform on which you're using it, and adjust as necessary. I have only tested 10 on a desktop and a laptop, so I'm not sure whether it's true or not.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Kathy is using on a 2 in 1 and it's not very good at detecting, which is probably pre release software bugs, but it doesn't change the fact that the interface when in tablet mode is fundamentally flawed.

 

[Amaris]

Well I do hope that gets sorted out before launch. I mean, this is supposed to be the version that encompasses what people love about tablets, and what people want on a desktop and laptop. Personally, I want Microsoft to knock this one out of the park.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Windows 8.1 with a start menu and better settings menu in tablet mode would have done it, I think. Basically what they were showing off as windows 8.1 update 2.