# The Windows 10 free upgrade thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 1, 2015, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329 "2015-06-01T13:02:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/21 "2015-06-01T16:23:35Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Okay someone remind me, _how_ is this being monetized? Apparently I can upgrade for free, and all future updates will be free? The money explanation is that it’s super expensive paying to support vastly different OS versions. Microsoft also wants to avoid another XP situation where people just dink along for a decade and then get all panicked when the support options end. So MS has instituted a new policy that support for consumer products is for five years only. Enterprise products will go an extra five years but only if the company pays for it. Windows 7, for example, is six years old, and it’s support updates have already ended. Additionally, most consumers don’t buy Windows updates, anyway. Most people only switch to a new version when they buy a new machine. Getting everybody on the newest and best version of Windows makes life better for everybody and will save MS more money than they’d get from the rare consumer who buys and update package. MS can safely put the old versions out to pasture, and consumers will have the latest bugfixes and security measures, in additions to new features like Cortana. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/22 "2015-06-01T16:23:59Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I currently have Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. If I were to accept the upgrade to 10 would I get the Pro version and would it be 64 bit? Based on the links in **Merneith** ’s post, yes, you’d get Window 10 Pro. Presumably 64bit as well. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/23 "2015-06-01T16:29:24Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I currently have Windows 7 Professional 64 bit. If I were to accept the upgrade to 10 would I get the Pro version and would it be 64 bit? Win 7 Pro upgrades to Win 10 Pro. I would be shocked if it wasn’t 64bit. Again, the object here is to get everyone on the same page, and while there will be a 32bit build, clearly the optimal solution is 64bit. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/24 "2015-06-01T16:32:22Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > The money explanation is that it’s super expensive paying to support vastly different OS versions. Microsoft also wants to avoid another XP situation where people just dink along for a decade and then get all panicked when the support options end. So MS has instituted a new policy that support for consumer products is for five years only. Enterprise products will go an extra five years but only if the company pays for it. Windows 7, for example, is six years old, and it’s support updates have already ended. sort of. Windows 7 is past “mainstream” support, meaning it no longer incorporates feature/design updates. It still gets security fixes until 2020. > **[Lifecycle FAQ - Windows](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/windows)** > > Answers to frequently asked questions about the lifecycle policy for Windows products. way better than Apple, which pretty much tells you “go fuck yourself” if you’re more than two OS versions back. > [@Merneith](#): > > Win 7 Pro upgrades to Win 10 Pro. I would be shocked if it wasn’t 64bit. Again, the object here is to get everyone on the same page, and while there will be a 32bit build, clearly the optimal solution is 64bit. literally the only reason I can think of to use 32-bit Windows 10 is if you have some critical 16-bit software that you just NEED to use. And even then, a virtual machine would be a better solution. IIRC the main reason they’re carrying forward 32-bit builds is due to supporting certain ARM platforms. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/25 "2015-06-01T16:50:19Z")
I’ve been reading here and there that Windows 10 still has a _lot_ of significant bugs, so when the announcement about the RTM date came, people were surprised it was so soon. No way are they getting all these big bugs out by then. I would definitely not upgrade within the first few weeks. Let others take the hit and see how much smoke rises out of it. Microsoft tends to make up for mistakes by making other mistakes. So, in order to make Windows 8 a faded memory as fast as possible, they are pushing out Windows 10 (aka Windows 9? 8.2?) too fast. Even encouraging ordinary folk to upgrade right away when rushing to do an OS upgrade of any type is rarely a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/26 "2015-06-01T17:22:36Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I’ve been reading here and there that Windows 10 still has a _lot_ of significant bugs, so when the announcement about the RTM date came, people were surprised it was so soon. No way are they getting all these big bugs out by then. I’m using it now, it’s a bit twitchy but not all that bad. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/27 "2015-06-01T17:26:41Z")
I will hold back a bit, check out the reviews and see if the ol’ top can handle this new OS. ---
**Author:** ![Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/28 "2015-06-01T17:32:33Z")
If I have a year to get the free upgrade, I’m going to wait until after my birthday in the fall to decide whether I’m going to get a new computer before next June; if I am, I’m not going to bother upgrading. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/29 "2015-06-01T17:52:23Z")
Merneith: > [@](#): > > What features are you looking for? In terms of compatibility, if a program runs on 7 or 8, it will probably run on 10. DVD playing, Solitaire/Minesweeper/Freecell come to mind immediately. These were available in 7 and did not come with 8. If installing 10 will take these things away from me, then no thanks, Microsoft. On top of that, I’ll have to see if I like the interface. I know it won’t be as bad as 8, but I’m uncertain just how well they’ve swung back in the other direction, since they clearly want to push their phone and tablet offerings. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/30 "2015-06-01T17:55:04Z")
How soon will I be able to play with Windows 10 at Best Buy or the Microsoft Store? ---
**Author:** ![scoots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@scoots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scoots)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/31 "2015-06-01T17:58:05Z")
I’ve got the icon. Presumably if it turns out to be shit, I can just reinstall Windows 7 from the disc no? ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/32 "2015-06-01T18:03:28Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > I’ve been reading here and there that Windows 10 still has a _lot_ of significant bugs, so when the announcement about the RTM date came, people were surprised it was so soon. No way are they getting all these big bugs out by then. I haven’t seen any indication of when the actual push will come. This is long-lead, consumer-user registration to prime the pump. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/33 "2015-06-01T19:05:48Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Okay someone remind me, _how_ is this being monetized? Apparently I can upgrade for free, and all future updates will be free? Very few consumers buy Windows upgrades directly. The money is made on OEM installs, and corporate volume licensing, and that won’t change. ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/34 "2015-06-01T20:08:30Z")
I’m an independent consultant working out of my home. My PC currently runs Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, under which I have installed and run Microsoft’s virtual machine and their virtual Windows XP mode. The latter is because I support several old programs (which were built with equally old compilers) in that mode that won’t (re-)build under Windows 7 because their compilers will only install under Windows XP. I am definitely going to wait until someone confirms that their copy of Windows XP mode remains intact after this Windows 10 upgrade before trying it. On the other hand, maybe after I really, truly, seriously-folks-I-mean-it-this-time retire and there’s been plenty of time for everyone to replace me I’ll go ahead with the Windows 10 upgrade just so that I can honestly say “hey, I wish that I could help you there, but…” …or maybe I’ll just set this PC aside and just play with my tablet and smartphone after I retire… ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/35 "2015-06-01T22:16:45Z")
Currently running Build 10074. In an inexplicable logic-defying moment I did an in-place upgrade on my laptop, (over WIFI) fully expecting to re-format and install LINUX. Amazingly, I am impressed. Everything has worked flawlessly on my end, Compaq Presario CQ56. Kudos to Win10 developers. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/36 "2015-06-01T23:09:06Z")
I should fire up my VM and see whether the Button has appeared. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/37 "2015-06-02T01:06:29Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > Currently running Build 10074. > In an inexplicable logic-defying moment I did an in-place upgrade on my laptop, (over WIFI) fully expecting to re-format and install LINUX. > Amazingly, I am impressed. Everything has worked flawlessly on my end, Compaq Presario CQ56. > Kudos to Win10 developers. Promising to hear… ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/38 "2015-06-02T01:21:32Z")
No button yet and I won’t be clicking yes in advance. I’ll let the initial guinea pigs proof the upgrade first. OS aside the upgrade process itself can be prone to errors that didn’t get caught in testing. Overall, I expect to upgrade my Win7 machine but I won’t be doing it the first day let alone the first month. ---
**Author:** ![caminlaca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@caminlaca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caminlaca)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/39 "2015-06-02T01:29:18Z")
Woke to find the notification on my Win7 laptop but won’t be acting on the upgrade until, like others, I see how it fares with lots of users. I’m quite pleased with 7, was never particularly keen on the concept of what 8 offered, in terms of design (yes, I’m old school). I’m also concerned with how well the upgrade would DL with my low-end internet speed. Also, don’t want to eventually upgrade and then find myself without use of my laptop…due to unforeseen issues which aren’t easily resolved… wishing I’d stayed with the tried and true. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329/40 "2015-06-02T02:23:27Z")
[Here’s the Official FAQs](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq) page, and I suggest you swing over to [Paul Thurrott’s page](https://www.thurrott.com/) for more info, as well. 32-bit will upgrade to the 32-bit version of Win10; 64-bit to 64-bit. I’ve been running the preview on a spare computer and tablet, and it’s pretty solid, though it definitely needs some tweaking. I’ll be upgrading my main PC, and my tablet, but I won’t upgrade my HTPC. On the last, Windows Media Center is going away in Win 10, and it’s just too suitable to my needs to give up. I have seen a tweet from Thurrot that suggests DVD playback will be provided for current users of Media Center; as it stands, DVD playback will not be included in Win 10. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-windows-10-free-upgrade-thread/721329.md?page=3)