For almost a year, Microsoft has been ushering in what it touts as a new era in Windows computing. However, this is nothing new for Microsoft, as they usher in new eras about every five or six years, as new versions of their Windows operating system are introduced. What makes this new “new era” different is they are giving away their new Windows 10 operating system for free.
This is not a new practice in the computer industry, as Apple has been giving away free copies of its new OS X (for laptops and desktop computers) and iOS (for iPhones and iPads) operating systems for years. Google has been giving away its Android version of the Linux operating system since the beginning, too, making Android-based smart phones the global leader, surpassing iPhones by a wide margin.
For Microsoft to start giving away copies of its Windows 10 operating is a total break in protocol and is a very big deal. Microsoft has never been known as much of a “sharing” company. Part of Bill Gate’s fame comes from his 1976 “Open Letter to Hobbyists,” in which he lamented that people were “stealing” software he had written by making copies of it and giving them away. He further wrung his hands by claiming that the practice of giving away free software could “prevent good software from being written.” He complained further by asking, “Who can afford to do professional work for nothing?” Who, indeed?
Of course, Bill Gates has not been in charge of Microsoft for many years, yet his legacy lives on. I wonder if Microsoft’s new bosses thought of his objections to free software when they decided to give away Windows 10. Based on Gate’s previous words, I can only conclude that Microsoft’s new free Windows 10 operating system is either (a) a second-rate, “unprofessional” operating system, or, (b) things have really changed in the world of computers and the software that powers them. I prefer to hope the latter is true.
The caveat to all this warm and fuzzy free software is that Windows 10 is not entirely “free” free; it’s free with some pretty substantial strings attached. First, it is only “free” to users with validated Windows 7 Service Pack 2 or Windows 8.1 computers. If you don’t know what you have, go to Control Panel/System, and your computer will tell you. Second, it’s only free until the end of July, 2016. On July 30, Windows 10 turns into a completely paid-only product. You have until July 29 to get Windows 10 for free.
The final caveat is some computers should not have Windows 10 installed, no matter how loudly Microsoft says you should get it. You need to take the time to visit your computer manufacturer’s website and see what they say about the situation. They will tell you whether they have tested your specific make and model for Windows 10 functionality.
If they say your model works fine with Windows 10, then, by all means, get it. If they say they have not tested your specific model, that means you are on your own; maybe it will work, maybe not. I’ve had some older, untested computers surprise me by working just fine with Windows 10. I’ve also had some fairly new computers, particularly certain models from HP and Dell that were Windows 10 disasters. It really pays to find out more about your situation before blindly drinking the windows 10 Kool-Aid.
Next week: more about achieving a successful Windows 10 upgrade.