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Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

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Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#41
post #6

Note that the upgrade will remove your Windows built-in DVD player. The right to play DVDs must be paid for every computer. You paid it when you bought the Windows 7 or 8 that you'll maybe upgrade to 10. Now the upgrade to Windows 10 takes that feature away from you. They apparently (the twitter message isn't actually the company statement) plan to return it "sometime in the future" and "if it might be free or if it…

> Note that the upgrade will remove your Windows built-in DVD player.

That's bonkers. Ok, it was never a great player and every half-decent geek uses VLC or better, but still, plenty of people use MediaPlayer every day.

Tech support hotlines will be overwhelmed by furious customers.

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#42
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not about what "can" be done, you can also install the pirated software too, the thing is, by buying legally Windows 7 or Windows 8 Media Pack or Ultimate I have really paid the DVD playback functionality to Microsoft as well as the other features I've mentioned. Also read about the legality aspects of the Microsoft's DVD solutions up to now and of the open-source DVD players: http://www.zdnet.com/article/if-vlc…

I don't get it... are you complaining that you were revoked a license to a software that came bundled with windows?

http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-media-center-gets-laid...

"Microsoft confirmed to ZDNet that Windows Media Center is indeed finished, and users who upgrade to Windows 10 will no longer see it."

http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-will-include-option...

"In a statement on his Twitter account, Windows Insider leader Gabriel Aul provided this tidbit of news:

"The main scenario people used WMC for was to play DVD. We'll provide another option for DVD playback in the future."

Exactly what this option will be, and if it might be free or if it will cost Windows 10 users extra, has yet to be announced."

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#43
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you not use VLC or MPC?

You can use VLC. After your comment, I wasn't sure why that was the case. Apparently: > Neither French law nor European conventions recognize software as patentable (see French section below). Therefore, software patents licenses do not apply on VideoLAN software. From http://www.videolan.org/legal.html

That is actually illegal in Finland because it's illegal to circumvent the copy protection. Technically you need a licensed player. A few people have turned themselves in for watching a DVD on Linux and they received a token fine.

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#44

I'm really excited for this release and especially excited about Cortana. If it works as advertised I'll be buying a windows phone. I'm ready for a device that i can just talk to with a normal voice and ask it stuff.

I'm a bit amused that you think Cortana will outshine Google Now in this area. Let me guess, you're used to Siri?

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#45

Official ISO downloads: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10I...

Presumably you have to do an in-place upgrade if you use these? I can't see any mention of what key I am supposed to use (from the reservation tool) if I want to do a fresh install.

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#48
I've been on the "insider preview" for a few weeks now, and I must say that I think Windows 10 is an absolutely amazing OS. Definitely the best Windows I've ever used. Also the best desktop OS I've ever used, but I hope you'll believe me about the "best Windows" even if you can't imagine why a developer would possible want to run something other than $YOUR_FAVOURITE_UNIX.

If Windows 10 is as well-received as I expect it will, this might really impact Microsoft's position on phones as well. A core feature of Windows 10 is an app store that doesn't suck, with apps that can easily be used on devices that don't resemble tablets. Windows 8 really had this wrong, and 10 fixes it. I think the Windows 10 store might actually get used.

I've seen a glimpse of that future with the mobile app of Dutch weather site "Buienradar". They made a new Windows Phone app which totally rocks, to replace an old extremely crappy one. I didn't understand why they invested in an app ecosystem that is so clearly on the way down, until I found the exact same app in the Windows 10 store - just larger and with more info on the same screen. But it's very obviously the same codebase. My guess is they actually wanted to make a Windows desktop app, but adding phone support was such a minor extra investment (because of MS's "Universal app" thing) that they did it, despite the abysmal market size of Windows Phone in the Netherlands.

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#49
post #3

Reminder that Microsoft installed adware on Windows 7/8 machines to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 10. Even if you hid the update from Windows Update, they un-hid it and reinstalled at least once that I know of. Don't reward this behavior by buying Windows 10. Or at least delay the purchase as long as possible.

Upgrade notification is now adware? are you serious? You don't even have to pay for the upgrade and you'll have a lot to gain from it and for us developers, it's a good thing aswell since it might reduce the number of old IEs/plateforms we have to support. I expected more from an HN user..

It's only a notification until you can't turn it off. It's incredibly difficult to get rid of it on a non-domain attached windows 8.1 machine.

Re: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Available in 190 Countries Today

#50
post #4

Any news on how to get a free 'reserved' copy? The Verge seems to suggest that you just have to wait, and it might take weeks, since Microsoft wants to do a gradual rollout...

An icon should be present on your Win7/8 task bar which lets you reserve a copy. It does seem to be a gradual rollout though, as mine still tells me it's not available yet. It's probably quicker to download directly via The Windows 10 Download Tool: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

I can confirm that. I didn't see anything about Windows 10 in the Windows Update window, but upgrading via the tool worked perfectly for me.
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