7 will probably retain mainstream support for years to come.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

Win7 already exited mainstream support (as of January this year), and moved to extended support, for 5 more years. This means - no new features, only fixes. I doubt they are going to move it back into mainstream support phase, once it left it, but they may end up prolonging the extended support, if necessary.

They're giving away free upgrades for many reasons, one is lesser backlash when they drop support for Win7 and Win8.

I would not expect either to get support extended as much as XP did.

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/173961-window … and-windows-81/

...this is literally something you can do from Windows Update.

At the moment you get an annoying windows logo in your system tray to let you "reserve your copy"
That said I would have missed it if it didn't pop up there so I am glad that it showed up, just wish it would go away until they allow you to download it. Now opening it just shows the same screen.

I have 2 machines, each booting to 7, 8, 10 (preview) and XP with the default on each being Windows 7.
I'll upgrade each Windows 8 installation, but from what I've seen of 10 so far and the general dumbing down approach by Microsoft, Windows 7 will remain my default.
I have no problem doing the free upgrade of 8 since I always loathed it and in my opinion, 10 is only marginally more user friendly, for the most part due to the Start Menu.
The only benefits that I see for 10 are speed and DX12.
Also, when upgrading Windows 8, I'll be temporarily disconnecting the other drives whilst it upgrades.

Can't complain about a free upgrade 😀

What I wonder though, is, will I be able to do a clean install? Boot of DVD / USB, format the drive and do a clean install?

philscomputerlab wrote:

What I wonder though, is, will I be able to do a clean install? Boot of DVD / USB, format the drive and do a clean install?

This is my big show-stopper as well. I'm not real keen on doing an in-place upgrade. If MS insists on an in-place & over-the-network upgrade, I'll probably pass on it for myself.

I hope they'll be making an ISO available for download via bittorrent. Why wouldn't they?

I hope they'll be making an ISO available for download via bittorrent. Why wouldn't they?

I'm pretty sure someone will share the MSDN ISOs. That's how I upgraded my Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. You just needed to edit some inf so that it doesn't ask you for you key during installation.

KT7AGuy wrote:

philscomputerlab wrote:

What I wonder though, is, will I be able to do a clean install? Boot of DVD / USB, format the drive and do a clean install?

This is my big show-stopper as well. I'm not real keen on doing an in-place upgrade. If MS insists on an in-place & over-the-network upgrade, I'll probably pass on it for myself.

I hope they'll be making an ISO available for download via bittorrent. Why wouldn't they?

They wouldn't because it's not going to be a free upgrade forever and there are some users who won't be eligible for the free upgrade offer at all.

Well, when Windows 8 came out you could upgrade from Windows 7 for $40 and I got a license key which I was able to use with the downloaded ISO. I'm pretty sure they'll stick to this format.

Microsoft can go to hell now with its monopoly and that new directX exclusive crap.

DirectX is new now?

That whole statement was out of date.

ZellSF wrote:

DirectX is new now?

Well, unless you know a way on how to install DirectX 12 on previous Windows operational systems.

Dreamer_of_the_past wrote:

ZellSF wrote:

DirectX is new now?

Well, unless you know a way on how to install DirectX 12 on previous Windows operational systems.

There's no way to install DX10/11 on previous operating systems. There's no way to install DX9 on previous operating systems.

I'm missing the new part still.

sliderider wrote:

They wouldn't because it's not going to be a free upgrade forever and there are some users who won't be eligible for the free upgrade offer at all.

Microsoft ISOs have been available for free download for all of their current operating systems. I can't see a single reason why it would be different for the final Win10 release. Although it does appear that at least some of the previously available "official" ISO images are no longer available.

It's not the availability of the installation media that determines whether your version is licensed/legal. It's the validity of your key.

I've been testing the latest Insider Preview builds as they drop, and I just can't get excited about this new version of Windoze.

I despise the idea of connecting my hotmail account to my underlying OS. When you don't - everything looks broken.

All the metro apps have no advanced settings and look very Fisher Price.

Also, I'm part of the 1% that uses Window Media Center with HDTV tuners are really likes it.

Microsoft seems really determined to upgrade everyone - for free in most cases {puts on tinfoil hat}

simbin wrote:

I've been testing the latest Insider Preview builds as they drop, and I just can't get excited about this new version of Windoze […]
Show full quote

I've been testing the latest Insider Preview builds as they drop, and I just can't get excited about this new version of Windoze.

I despise the idea of connecting my hotmail account to my underlying OS. When you don't - everything looks broken.

All the metro apps have no advanced settings and look very Fisher Price.

Also, I'm part of the 1% that uses Window Media Center with HDTV tuners are really likes it.

Microsoft seems really determined to upgrade everyone - for free in most cases {puts on tinfoil hat}

1. What's broken? I don't used the tied account and everything I use works fine.
2. Don't use them? I don't.
3. Use XBMC or alternatives. Much better.

You shouldn't be excited about a OS upgrade. It's an OS. It's for getting things done.