Microsoft wants you using Windows 10, like it or not

If W10 was that great, they wouldn't need to resort to such tricks. I've heard from people who were not happy with the "upgrade".

Microsoft will support Windows 7 until 2020

They have already suppressed the anytime upgrade (at least in Japan), you cannot upgrade from one version of Windows7 to another and this without informing any customers.

What keeps you from restoring a backup with Win7 or 8 on it?

People are still using MS Windows? Wow!

"If W10 was that great, they wouldn't need to resort to such tricks"

People are very stuck in their ways and are upset by the smallest learning curve. I know people using XP, an OS that is 15 years old! Ridiculous.

Just download win 10. It's free, it works great even with old programs, and it keeps you up to date. How could any sane person argue with that?

I've heard from people who were not happy with the "upgrade".

Really? Perhaps comments should be restricted to those who have actually upgraded and used the product rather than just quoting hearsay. Windows 10 works well for me and for many other too, so I have heard.

Thank you JT for the AP advice and explanation of Windows 10

I, like so many others, am still resistant. Why? Still learning Windows 7; latest computer (18 months old) had Windows 8 then 8.1 and still learning that; now Windows 10 and not wanting to learn it; shift at work to iPads for admin and panic about all that I have learned so far about Microsoft software and operating systems being redundant and having to learn a whole lot of new things, all the time not being able to get on with my real work and my own life.

'Need' and 'want' are sometimes intrinsically different, a marketing issue that often it seems Microsoft, and Apple just do not grasp.

If Google Documents could suit my specific purposes better, I would opt for it and a pox on both the houses of Microsoft and Apple.

JeffLee: How could any sane person argue with that?

Did you sleep through Windows 8?

Windows 10 isn't bad, But this new browser MS EDGE can't block ads on pages.

OssanAmerica: But this new browser MS EDGE can't block ads on pages.

By the year 2015 they'll have figured a way to keep you closing your eyelids.

"Did you sleep through Windows 8?"

No, I ran it on 2 machines. I found nothing wrong with it.

I don't like touchscreens and my phone still has buttons. Maybe that's why I don't like Metro.

I know people using XP, an OS that is 15 years old! Ridiculous.

It's not ridiculous, XP was the best OS Microsoft ever released. That's why people still stick with it to this day. It's the most reliable OS they've ever created.

I use Windows 7, and I'm sticking with that. I did upgrade to 10 last year, and I absolutely hated it. I'd rather have Vista on my computer than W10, so suffice to say I uninstalled it in a hurry. I'll continue rejecting Windows 10 for as long as it exists. Hopefully, by the time they stop supporting 7, they'll have released a new OS that actually rivals XP. 7 is the closest they managed, but that's still inferior to XP.

If they try to force Windows 10 any more aggressively, I'll stop using Microsoft products altogether. I'd rather be able to choose my OS than have it forced upon me. Microsoft used to respect its customers, but it doesn't look that way any more.

i recommend windows 10.. especially if you're using windows 8.. there's no way but up coming from win8

I'll be sticking with Windoze7. And, if Microsuck doesn't like I t I'll be sticking it to them! It's just another clunky CPU hogging version of Windoze that needs updated hardware to run. It's corporate blackmail to make users update! It mustn't be so good if they have to give it away and make people use it!

I am running GWX Control Panel on my Windows 7 computers. I also have GWX.EXE (Get Windows 10) blocked in my firewall. GWX Control Panel is designed to keep GWX under control.

I've tried to install W10 on my top of the line gaming computer and I can't get it to run. My local store wants to charge me $80 to upgrade! I'll wait...

I did exactly the same as Fox Sora Winters. I am happy with W7 - why change?

Disillusioned I'll be sticking with Windoze7. And, if Microsuck doesn't like I t I'll be sticking it to them! It's just another clunky CPU hogging version of Windoze that needs updated hardware to run. It's corporate blackmail to make users update! It mustn't be so good if they have to give it away and make people use it!

I'm not sure about the others but i run a windows 10 on an average win7 era PC and it works faster and more efficient than how it previously was. it's working perfectly fine without doing any "hardware" upgrade

Microsoft is so confident about win10 and believe that they can the users' confidence back when they start using win10.. unfortunately for them, because of the "unpopularity" of the previous windows version, the only way is to give this away for free.

It's still an awful OS, with a bit of new boilerplate front screwed on it. Behind the flat, new UI the OS is still mostly the same. It has to be because of backward compatibility. Microsoft fixed the the startmenu that was messed up in Windows 8 and suddenly everyone is rejoycing. After a few days running with Win10, the initial positive impression has vanished and the many annoyances of Windows surface again.

@CGB Spender

i agree with the "annoyances" but i've already accepted the fact that these big companies will always force something on its users. i'm not a huge fan of it, actually, i hate it. but it is how it is and pretty much there is nothing we can do about it as long as people keep buying their products

Stop being sheep. Use Linux. It doesn't send back all your activity data, like W10 does. I use Linux Mint, no worries for me. Also liked minimal Lubuntu, (Ubuntu Light) version. Why be a sucker to corporate desires on all your search information, emails and files? You don't need them. They need you. You can show them the door.

The NSA appreciates your cooperation.

taking over your computer against the customer's will isn't how to garner more customers.

Give a Windows-like Linux a try called Linux Mint on a LiveDVD. You can even let it dual-boot your computer automatically with some extra harddrive space so you don't lose your Windows. But after a few days you'll wonder why you even need it. Boots and shutdown in mere seconds, all the software you could possibly need and loads more if you want. No need to pirate your way to computing. The difference in Linux is that you have access to all the programs you could every need, now it's up to you to actually do things.

If you're just browsing and all your stuff is online anyway you really can't go wrong. You'll leave the Windows popup universe forever. Even if you need a few Windowze programs they may run under WINE. But I often just use the Linux equivalents just fine.

The fact is most of people's dependency on Windows or OSX is by convention, not reason or experience. OSX is Linux under the hood btw. Go for security, reliability, and a non-corporate grubbing ethos.

You don't have to bow down to corporations

"It has to be because of backward compatibility."

Which, um, is a good thing. I'm running Office 2003 on my windows 10. And it runs nearly flawlessly. 12 year difference.

But better I should be forced to trash that expensive program every couple of years, eh? Who do you think I am? An Apple user? LOL.

Harry Gato

Really? Perhaps comments should be restricted to those who have actually upgraded and used the product rather than just quoting hearsay. Windows 10 works well for me and for many other too, so I have heard.

Your comment was funny to me. You tell another viewer to stop quoting hearsay, and then you go on to quote hearsay yourself a sentence later. But I'm sure if Windows 10 was a pile a crap, we would have heard about it by now on mainstream channels.

I think many people are just resistant to change and follow the mantra "Don't fix what isn't broken"...honestly, I'm just lazy...I'll upgrade eventually.

OSX is Linux under the hood btw.

Not really. There are similarities, but one is Unix and the other openly declares it is not Unix. (Full name is GNU/Linux, with NU standing for 'Not Unix').

I upgraded from XP to Linux Mint, with no regrets. At first, I booted from a memory stick, but soon learned that it was much more convenient to replace XP altogether.

Windows10? Pass!

I have a small internet cafe with 10 x Win 7 PCs. On my personal PC, I have upgraded to Win10 and really like it but for the shop, the interface differences and potential compatibility conflicts mean the upgrade needs to be carefully managed.

The two aspects of Microsoft's Win10 upgrade strategy that annoy me are a) my shop PCs have all 'software updates' and 'notifications' set to never/off but even so there are daily system pop-up messages saying upgrade to Win10 and giving 'upgrade' and 'later' as the only 2 options (unless you click the 'x' to close the window). The customers click away pop up messages without thought so that is a big problem.

And b) my shop is in a SE Asian country with limited bandwidth and open from 5am to 2am, where a single Win10 download plus following updates will take 12 hours, hogging all the capacity of the shop for that duration. I do not know of a way to download once and then use that file for my other PC's, so doing all 10 will need to be managed over an extended period.

MS Windows 10 has eliminated the ability to use a PC DVD drive to play DVD movies and games, unless you pay MSFT US$1500 or Y2000 for the DVD driver. This is it's way of trying to force us to rely on its Cloud Services and Streaming Media. I wonder when it will try to restrict ownership of software on our PC's internal HDD.

OSX is Linux under the hood btw. ---- Not really. There are similarities, but one is Unix and the other openly declares it is not Unix. (Full name is GNU/Linux, with NU standing for 'Not Unix').

OSX is a hybrid BSD+Mach kernal. As part of the GNU (open-source) Linux agreement Apple must allow a "open/free" version of OSX which is called XNU.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XNU ("free version of OSX") Note: this is not the full MacOSX but a massively stripped down version to satisfy the GNU.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License (explanation of GNU)

People are still using MS Windows? Wow!

It's still the most used consumer PC OS in the world. What makes you think otherwise?

It's not ridiculous, XP was the best OS Microsoft ever released. That's why people still stick with it to this day. It's the most reliable OS they've ever created.

For those who were there at the time, when WinXP was first released, people hated it too. People are just inherently resistant to change. And it takes awhile for a new OS to be get refined, and the bugs to be discovered, and wrinkles smooth out.

It's just another clunky CPU hogging version of Windoze that needs updated hardware to run.

What CPU are you using that it's hogging the CPU? Hardware has been outpacing software for years now. Any regular over-the-counter hardware could pretty much run any consumer OS, no sweat. Have ya been keeping your old hardware and just kept upgrading OSes all these years?

I've tried to install W10 on my top of the line gaming computer and I can't get it to run. My local store wants to charge me $80 to upgrade! I'll wait...

I suggest the easy DIY media creation tool instead:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-media-creation-tool-create-installation-media-upgrade

OSX is Linux under the hood btw.

No, UNIX. Both OSX and Linux are based on UNIX like many OSes, thus the similarities.

But Linux runs to the same issue that people are resistant to change. If they don't want to change Windows, it'd be even harder to get them to change to Linux.

I upgraded from XP to Linux Mint, with no regrets. At first, I booted from a memory stick, but soon learned that it was much more convenient to replace XP altogether.

Windows10? Pass!

I wouldn't recommend to put Win10 on an old WinXP computer anyways. That computer would be too old, and it would be minimal the benefits gained from Win10. At that point, might as well get a new computer if one really needs Win10. Otherwise, I turn my old PCs into Linux computers since Linux still runs pretty well even on old computers.

Personally, still prefer keeping my Win7 and Linux for now, but that goes for any new OS - give it time to get refined and iron out the wrinkles. I've installed Win10 on many other computers though with no issues. Eventually, my gaming rig will be Win10 for the DirectX 12 improvements on the GPU video cards.

I do not know of a way to download once and then use that file for my other PC's, so doing all 10 will need to be managed over an extended period.

Win10 media creation tool:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-media-creation-tool-create-installation-media-upgrade

That's what I used to upgrade many computers at once.

MS Windows 10 has eliminated the ability to use a PC DVD drive to play DVD movies and games, unless you pay MSFT US$1500 or Y2000 for the DVD driver.

There are good free Win10 DVD players. Many people like VLC:

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-watch-dvds-for-free-in-windows-10/

I prefer the Combined Community Codec Pack:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_Community_Codec_Pack

As part of the GNU (open-source) Linux agreement Apple must allow a "open/free" version of OSX which is called XNU.

@badsey, in the XNU article you link to, there is no reference to GNU or GPL. XNU is part of Darwin, which is also released as open source by Apple. But there are no GPL requirements about this. Some people have suggested that Apple violates the GPL by including elements such as the bash shell with OS X. But I understand that Apple's license agreement has provision for making the source for those elements available.

I still use XP on the home PC and Vista on my laptop... no way am I upgrading to Windows 10. Why do I need it?

I still use XP on the home PC and Vista on my laptop... no way am I upgrading to Windows 10. Why do I need it?

You don't unless there's a necessary use for it. Besides, there's no sense upgrading old XP and Vista computers. Might as well get a new computer by that point.

(Be careful if your XP computer is connected online though. Consumer XP won't get any more security updates, so if there's a new XP exploit since XP support ended, it would no longer be patched.)

I am a bit reluctant to trust any new Microsoft product, it feels every so called upgrade is just a step back. Like with the new hotmail/ outlook design they rolled out a few months ago - every aspect of that change is just annoying and does nothing to enhance the user experience.

Like it or not? Put me down as a N O T.

Lostrune2, my PC is so slow that any hacker would give up and go away... nothing personal on it anyway. That's what USB sticks are for :)

You are right not to trust Microsoft at this point. Or at least that's my opinion based on what I have experienced so far.

On the plus side, Microsoft have effectively admitted their mistakes as far as the interface formally known as Metro (or TIFKAM) is concerned. They got a beating when W8 came out and the sop to the masses of W8.1 wasn't enough to see their fortunes change, so they have effectively reverted to a desktop that is far more like the one that last graced W7, though the differences are big enough that replacement tools such as Classic Shell are still quite popular.

The minus side has more to do with the implementation of the system itself and started getting attention back when the system was still being trialled because, at the time, it had a telemetry tool in it which, to many, looked like a keylogger. When the "free" version came out in July 2015, it appeared that Microsoft were continuing to use telemetry for their own uses yet weren't very forthcoming about exactly what those uses those were and what information was being passed. This was exacerbated by some rather contentious clauses in the EULA which, as most folk know, ordinary users seldom read before they click "I Agree".

Added to this was the introduction of an advertising ID which was supposed to be used to allow the targeting of advertising to a user. This is something that Microsoft have previously criticised Google for to the extent of lampooning a Google Chrome advert on the subject of privacy yet, not that much later, they seem to be doing similar things.

Add to that the increased strain on internet usage via tools such as Cortana, OneDrive and the BitTorrent-like Windows Updates which have also been changed to make updating compulsory, whether the patches being issued are fit for purpose or not (and if you have been in the industry long enough, you'll have an idea why compulsory patching is never a good idea - it's the reason why companies tend to use tools like WSUS) and you'll have an idea why some people are complaining about it.

What also didn't help were a number of bad patches and driver incompatibilities at issue, though I can't recall a version of Windows that didn't have problems like that at issue so that doesn't really count. What does count, however, have been the number of shills pushing W10 as a real improvement where, as far as I can see, it provides no real usable improvement over W7, whatever you might think of W8, and introduces a number of frills that benefit only Microsoft.

As for Linux as a replacement, I'll leave that up to the user. I'm typing this from a Linux desktop, in fact, though I have a W7 laptop beside me handling my email. Suffice to say that there is a lot of FUD and misinformation about Linux, as there is about every OS. What you see above may be subject to that too, but it's based on my observations of the system itself, a straight comparison between W10 and W7 and the general objections I've heard and read.

If you want to believe Microsoft, go ahead and install. If you want to believe me, fine. If anything, my advice is always to act on your own best interests and don't fall for the corporate bull. Microsoft is acting aggressively for a reason which is reason enough, in my view, to start asking questions.

"Even when told not to, Windows 10 just can't stop talking to Microsoft" : http://tinyurl.com/p6c76dc

If W10 was that great, they wouldn't need to resort to such tricks. I've heard from people who were not happy with the "upgrade".

I've used Win10 since the free upgrade was offered to me and it works fine. As for the people you've heard from, people inherently dislike change because it removes them from their comfort zone.

As far as why Microsoft is pushing everyone to Win10, I have a basic question: Which is easier - providing support for four operating systems (Win 7, 8, 8.1, and 10) or providing support for one operating system? You have 10 seconds.

Windows 10 works just fine and is an improvement over XP, Vista, 7 and 8. I am not sure why so many people are resistant to change.

Re why Microsoft, Google, etc. keeping getting worse with their user interfaces and O/Ses, these are living companies. They have notches in their collective experience level, where they didn't hire experienced engineers, or layed them off, or didn't integrate well those they did hire. The old people who came together did a good product once or twice in the companies' lifetimes are gone or leaving. The feedstock of college hires the companies brought in to replace them are going to have a few bright lights and the rest will be average, as that's what average means. And over all there's continually the marketing and sales people pushing stuff the company wants consumers to get but that no consumer is likely to want, like tracking. Thus we get nadir products like Microsoft 8, Microsoft 10, and the newest new Google Maps.

badsey3: OSX is a hybrid BSD+Mach kernal. As part of the GNU (open-source) Linux agreement Apple must allow a "open/free" version of OSX which is called XNU.

As far as I know, BSD, Gnu, and Mach are all not Linux, is "GNU (open-source) Linux agreement" a typo?

Thunderbird2: Lostrune2, my PC is so slow that any hacker would give up and go away... nothing personal on it anyway. That's what USB sticks are for :)

As an XP system gets farther and farther away from the last set of security patches (since XP patches are or will be no longer produced), more and more doors open for the hackers. I don't think they care how slow the computer is. Any indication it's running XP would be like a big "Stuff for Free!" sign to hackers. Why wouldn't they just read your USB stick, having hacked your machine?

As an XP system gets farther and farther away from the last set of security patches (since XP patches are or will be no longer produced), more and more doors open for the hackers. I don't think they care how slow the computer is. Any indication it's running XP would be like a big "Stuff for Free!" sign to hackers. Why wouldn't they just read your USB stick, having hacked your machine?

Actually, running Windows would be like painting a big target sign to hackers.

Beside, PC is not selling as well, so we need a big resource hog to push the new PC sale, Windows somthing_something.

Lostrune2, my PC is so slow that any hacker would give up and go away... nothing personal on it anyway. That's what USB sticks are for :)

Well, Thunderbird2, I'm less worried about your personals than your computer getting turned into a zombie and making a nuisance for the rest of us. ;-]

Forced updates that may or may not break your PC. Spyware and constant monitoring and reporting to Microsoft and a flat out over-complicated and ugly, hard to read, interface.

What's not to like?

As a tech, I can at least mitigate any problems with spyware and updates, but there is nothing I can do about that ugly interface without a third party option and that means a security risk.

I resisted Windows 10, but my old laptop died (on Black Friday!!) and I had to get a new one. Not sure what I was so afraid of....I haven't had any problems with Windows 10 so far. I had Win7 before so I managed to skip 8.

@Fadamor

I've used Win10 since the free upgrade was offered to me and it works fine. As for the people you've heard from, people inherently dislike change because it removes them from their comfort zone.

If it really were a "free" upgrade. It has been quite obvious since the release that it is unfinished and that your "free" upgrade is merely a way to extend their beta testing process. As for removing people from "their comfort zone", can you really blame them? For those of us in the industry it is an inconvenience though often it's just a case of adapting ourselves. Every new OS is the same in that respect. The trouble is that the majority of users are not in the the industry and expect to be able to use the kit in a way that makes some sense to them. It affects companies too as a substantial change requires testing of software, installation and training, none of which necessarily comes cheap and certainly never "free". And that's without even commenting on the data slurp and other intrusions.

As far as why Microsoft is pushing everyone to Win10, I have a basic question: Which is easier - providing support for four operating systems (Win 7, 8, 8.1, and 10) or providing support for one operating system? You have 10 seconds.

So why bother making another OS? W7 was a big success but then they decided to make W8, then W8.1, then W10. Who made them do that? What was the point?

Windows 8 was a belated attempt to try to take over the tablet and smartphone market in the mistaken belief that we would all ditch Android and Apple because "it's Microsoft". Windows 8.1 was effectively a bug fix which addressed a number of gaffs made in W8, notably things like swipe gestures which made the use of W8 on laptops and desktops difficult, so we can cut your "4 systems" to 3 right away. Even Microsoft themselves have stated that W8 users should have already gone to W8.1.

But in both cases, Windows 8.x were huge flops because they completely departed from what users wanted. They attempted to dictate to the user what they should be doing, something that Microsoft should have remembered from Windows Vista and from Windows ME but seem to forget on a regular basis. To that extent, we could feasibly ignore Windows 8.x going forward just as many ignore those other two failures.

Windows 10 was a great opportunity for Microsoft to redress their mistakes from the last few years and give the user what they really wanted, and they almost achieved that. Windows 10 is not the worst OS out there but the flaws that are still in there still give cause for concern. No OS is perfect when it first comes out but no other OS has been rammed down people's throats in the way that W10 has been.

So Microsoft are hoping to reduce the support burden? Too bad. They already gave their lifetime cycle statement back when each version was released and people and corporates will make sure that they stick to it. Microsoft said that W7 will be supported until 2020 and W8.x a few years after that. Some folk will insist on holding on because the whole story of W10 is far from settled and if that means not taking the "free" update, then so be it.

What will be more interesting will be how many users will be using W7 and W8.1 after July and, more importantly, how many will hold out when support ends, just like Windows XP.

I don't need ten seconds, thanks. :)

I just bought a new desktop with Windows 10. The OS seems to work fine, but UI personalisation is very limited, and it's almost impossible to tell which window is selected. The only way I could get the UI close to my preferences was to import a theme from Windows 7.

Even worse is the adware that Microst has dumped on all of our Windows 7 computers nagging us to join the lemming rush to Windows 10. They slipped that virus-like pop-up thing in as an unnamed Windows update. That's a sign of things to come. Microst is trying to take more and more control of everyone's computers.

Windows 10 is actually a major improvement over Windows 8 and 8.1, but I wish Microsoft wouldn't force an upgrade like this. They should make so the upgrade works in "pull demand" mode, where you run one program to check to make sure you can safely do the upgrade, then download a series of .MSI installation files to install Windows 10 at your own leisure..

For those wary about the constant changing of OS, there's less need for worry - there won't really be any future major versions of Windows in the foreseeable future. Win10 is planned to be the "last version" of Windows.

With Windows 10, it's time to start thinking of Windows as something that won't see a big launch or major upgrade every few years anymore. Instead of big releases, there will be regular improvements and updates. Much like how Google's Chrome browser gets updated regularly with version numbers nobody really pays attention to.

Part of this is achieved by splitting up operating system components like the Start Menu and built-in apps to be separate parts that can be updated independently to the entire Windows core operating system. It's a big undertaking, but it's something Microsoft has been actively working on for Windows 10 to ensure it spans across multiple device types.

Microsoft could opt for Windows 11 or Windows 12 in future, but if people upgrade to Windows 10 and the regular updates do the trick then everyone will just settle for just "Windows" without even worrying about the version number.

@lostrune2

It's not that so much that worries people, but I've said plenty here about it.

In fact it is a good thing to worry about W10 and bring those worries out into the open. Without that, nobody would be aware of what was wrong with W10; not users, not corporates, not even Microsoft (despite the slurp). What we would end up with is something that may not suit the task at hand. If anything, the monumental uproar that came about with W8.x could be part of the reason why Microsoft redesigned the desktop in W10 to reflect more of what went before in W7 and earlier rather than continue to push the atrocious Startpanel.

So it was then, so it is now. W10 is an improvement on W8.x but I have yet to see conclusive evidence that it is any better than W7 and, as I said before, that is the acid test.

I suspect that moving to a rolling update system for W10 is, apart from anything else, an effort to avoid the sort of situation in the future that we now find ourselves in, not to mention the idea that W10 could end up as a subscription based service like the various Adobe and Corel packages, thus making the need for a completely new version such as W11 or W12 or whatever obsolete. You have to remember that the industry is trying to convince itself that the PC is a dead project despite the fact that there are too many things out there that only a PC (or its equivalent) can do.

While I'm not necessarily a Linux evangelist, I can see a possibility that Linux could gain a foothold if Microsoft continues to behave in this manner or, if not Linux, possibly something else. As for settling for Windows regardless of the version number, Microsoft have only themselves to blame for that little number!

lostrune2: Instead of big releases, there will be regular improvements and updates.

Windows: Devolving since after Windows 7.

Google Maps: Devolving for the last year or so.

ChromeOS: Devolved at the outset.

How do you know Microsoft will start bucking the trend and releasing "improvements"?

@ mistie710

I think ya missed my point. To reiterate: For those wary about the constant changing of OS.

For example, quoting inkochi above:

"I, like so many others, am still resistant. Why? Still learning Windows 7; latest computer (18 months old) had Windows 8 then 8.1 and still learning that; now Windows 10 and not wanting to learn it"

So learn once and that's it, since people are reluctant to change.

Linux runs to the same issue that people are resistant to change. If they don't want to change Windows, it'd be even harder to get them to change to Linux.

Windows: Devolving since after Windows 7.

Google Maps: Devolving for the last year or so.

ChromeOS: Devolved at the outset.

Heheheh, people have been saying that since WinXP, and since Win98SE before that, and since MS-DOS even before that.

Google Maps is still the most preferred map. May change in the future, we'll see; doesn't look it though.

ChromeOS is for Chrome-books, -box, -base, etc. Ya only buy it if ya need it.

How do you know Microsoft will start bucking the trend and releasing "improvements"?

Hey, they improved the Xbox One UI.

Why force on People ? I can still not get it. Sounds there is something hidden that must be installed on everybody's computer before some dateline ? What are the real reason behind this ? I am using windows7 and I do not want to change but I am demanding the anytime upgrade on Windows7 to be restored, there is no reason to keep customers from upgrading from one edition of win7 to another for god sake.

@lostrune2

For example, quoting inkochi above: "I, like so many others, am still resistant. Why? Still learning Windows 7; latest computer (18 months old) had Windows 8 then 8.1 and still learning that; now Windows 10 and not wanting to learn it" So learn once and that's it, since people are reluctant to change.

That will always happen, though this explains why the layout of Windows since W95 has changed very little. There are, however, quite a few reasons why people may be reluctant to change and not all of these reasons down to personal preference. If that were the only reason, I'd just sling W10 on there and shove a copy of Classic Shell on there. That is, after all, why Classic Shell and other tools like it exist.

Linux runs to the same issue that people are resistant to change. If they don't want to change Windows, it'd be even harder to get them to change to Linux.

In some respects, I agree which is why I covered my statement with the possibility of something else. However it should be remembered that one of the biggest advantages of the GUI system on Linux is the ability to skin it in whatever way you want, so if you want it to work like Windows, it can be (and has been) done. Really the only reason why Linux might be held back in this day and age is software lock-in which isn't really down to Microsoft anyway.

That's why I run Linux in real life! Linux rules.

Same here but, for whatever reason, it's my Microsoft experience, knowledge and training that pays the bills. Well, they did until last year... :(