Yeah, thing is, you're asked to read out and installation code that belongs to Windows 8, so MS assumes this and gives you an activation code that will also activate Win 10, while retaining the Win 8.1 product key.  It might be free, but I have to doubt it is technically legal, given what my nephew was told.

Anyway, I don't want to move from Win 8.1 to 10 and I shan't.... a lot of unnecessary steps.  Besides, as it has been pointed out by various people, I wouldn't need to worry about not getting Windows Updates and patches via MS.  They are freely available from various software distribution sites all over the net, and I shall seek the items I actually require from one of those repositories... because I will NOT have Microsoft tell me what PC hardware I can and can't use.  If I want an AMD Ryzen 7 1800x based machine with a Windows 8.1 OS, then damn it, Microsoft, I shall have it.

I'm unconvinced.

1. Tutorials on how to disable their malware after they get publicly castrated for it do not excuse the horrendous behavior.  It's just the usual response of someone that got caught.  I had to block a dozen or so updates to keep my system from either constantly telling me to upgrade to 10, or trying to do it without even asking.  I finally gave up and disabled them entirely after I had to root around in the registry to fix their hack job on the updater spinning a core at full load every time it started up.

2. Yeah, because being a virtual machine negates that whole "Microsoft fucked up my OS" problem when I have to install Windows 7 in my virtual machine to get a Windows 7 virtual machine.  I can set up a working virtual machine for 98SE or XP just fine, will I be able to do so with 7, 8, or even 10, years from now, if they're having to fight Microsoft on compatibility?  If Microsoft runs around intentionally sabotaging them to force people onto the newest OS, whether they're virtual or not isn't going to help much.

3. I kinda said I'm still on extended support.  Windows 8 isn't.  They're trying to block people from doing drivers for new hardware for an OS that still has full support, an OS still on sale.

4. Actually, I have numerous applications that have received updates over a period of 5 years, including a few from here.  It's inconsequential to the issue at hand though, when people bought Windows 7, they were entitled to the service agreement in writing at the time, and Microsoft violated that agreement when they started trying to force them off of it when Windows 10 came out.  The owners of the previous OS have likewise had their service terms violated by similar behavior, as well as the more recent attempts to block necessities like hardware support.

5. Something being "free" doesn't allow someone to force you to take it, nor does it in any way mitigate them doing so.

6. The whole point of buying a retail version of Windows 7 was so I could install it on more than one computer.  If I wanted to buy a new OS with every CPU, I'd have bought an OEM version instead.  If I had Windows 8 instead of 7, I'd be fucking pissed over their recent behavior with new chipsets they have a pre-existing agreement to support.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 80

^^^^^^^^^^^^ What psychoak said ....

..... and more.

According to Banacules Nerdgasm, Microsoft is going to hardcode Telemetry and Store into Explorer and other system services to prevent them being disabled by 3rd party programs... because Microsoft is so desperate for users data that it'll resort to anything slimy and underhanded to obtain it.

Now it has been said by various commenters that Microsoft does not collect any personal information, but I do NOT believe that for a milisecond.  There has been a worldwide increase of information gathering by the haves and the powers-that-be, because information is power, and Microsoft has joined [become] the worst of the worse because Windows users are not given a choice.

Google also collects information at an alarming rate, but at least people are aware of it and have a choice as to whether or not they use Google's services... which is NOT the case when it comes to an OS that dominates market share... and that doesn't take into account the previous OSes Win 7 and 8.1] that have been gradually modified over time to behave similarly to Win 10's data collection methods.

The thing is, Win 10 has many of these unsavoury attributes built into the OS core [hence unwanted/hidden updates being forced via Scheduled Maintenance] and it would be difficult for MS to alter the established shells of Win 7 and 8.1 to fully incorporate these things, hence the forceful approach and all the bullshit reasons for users move to Win 10.

As Anotherside said, no world government has complained or condemned Microsoft for what essentially are illegal activities regarding Windows, not even the EU, and that is suspicious in itself.  Why, exactly, are governments, particularly the EU, silent when it comes to consumer rights and privacy?  And let's NOT say it's because MS has done nothing wrong/has nothing to hide. Given the proof of MS' blatant and distrustful behaviour, that would be a patently stupid comment/statement to make.

Yup, we sadly live in unpredictable and dangerous times.  While modern technology can be beneficial for the average person, it is also the average person's worst enemy.  Modern medicine has used technology to enhance and prolong our lives, which is great, but is also being used to be an invasive and controlling influence in all our lives.  We may not know how deeply this affects each of us, but be absolutely sure that technology is being used in ways that are clearly NOT in your best interests. 

National security is often used to explain/excuse increased surveillance and intrusions, and yes, there are groups seeking to do harm, but seriously, the extreme level of surveillance/increased security is unrelated to terrorism and/or criminal activity.  While we need to be vigilant against threats, there is such a thing as over-kill, and sadly, the powers-that-be have gone beyond over-kill and have become [moreso] intruders rather than protectors.

Oh, and before anyone calls me an alarmist or conspiracy theorist, provide the evidence [if you can find it] to prove me wrong/incorrect....though chances are that the evidence will substantiate my thoughts.

BTW, I do love a good conspiracy theory, hence my love of Jesse Ventura's TV series, but sadly , this isn't one.

While the primary reason would be to more rapidly push Win 7 & 8 users over to 10, but I have to wonder if there is more to it than that.  Whether it's because the architecture of Ryzen doesn't allow the older tech of Win 7 and 8 to behave in the ways 10 does, thus restricting MS' activities, or that 7th gen CPUs open up greater possibilities with Win 10 and MS wants the older OSes to go away so it can delve deeper into even more lives.

Simply put, there's something in it for the EU and its leaders are looking after themselves.  The same could be said of any other government whose silence on the matter is deafening.

For many users the primary issue isn't necessarily privacy, because the majority have nothing to hide, but when MS started using underhanded tactics and lying about 'anti-consumer' decisions, many users began to lose trust and respect for Microsoft, meaning that the reasons given for file scrutiny were not believed and even everyday/average users are now concerned about privacy.

I have a feeling it's all of the above and more.   Many are feeling trapped in a Windows 10 world because the viable alternatives [Windows 7 and 8.1] are being made redundant through lack of support, thus suggesting retirement of those OSes may come sooner rather than later.  Furthermore, with the thuggery and dishonesty frequently coming out of Redmond, users fearing what the future holds for then as Windows 10 when user options and user controls disappear before their eyes.

To say that Microsoft has completely and utterly gone the wong way about this is a gross understatement.  Thing is, Microsoft is counting on the majority of average users being ignorant of all the sneaky underhanded changes; the phone home attributes built into the OS; the gradual watering down of user options, controls and privacy.  MS hopes that 80 to 90% of users will be and remain oblivious to all this, and never read truthful articles that reveal all these shitty things MS has done.

I don't buy into the conspiracy stuff, it's all just money.  I'm pretty sure that Uncle is keeping sound and video on as many people as they can in the name of safety, but the simplest explanation for the behavior of major corporations is probably right, they're just optimizing their cash flow.

If you want a voice activated appliance, it has to listen to you, even while it's off.  It's no different from clap-on lights.  They're spying on you 24/7 too, it's just they aren't connected to heuristics so they can try and decipher speech patterns and adapt to your particular mannerisms, all that monitoring is just a microphone and a trigger sequence instead of a connection to a remote server farm.  That they're collecting data alongside the "feature" is just a way to make more money, it could even be 100% innocuous and it's still worth billions potentially as marketing research.  How much money would it be worth just to know how many people discuss a given topic in a given week?

Like government, the problem is that their motive doesn't have to be an evil one for them to end up royally screwing us.  The unbridled pursuit of safety eventually leads to enslavement by a police state, the unbridled pursuit of wealth eventually leads to a similar outcome where major corporations will be the heads of an oligarchy that abuse the peasantry to maximize profit.

That's because commies and libertarians both start shitting their pants when government joins hands with corporations to crap all over their freedoms.

Thing is, while there may be various behind the scenes activities going on, some toward and untoward, I'm not necessarily saying there is a conspiracy between Microsoft and governments.  Of course it's all about money and the accumulation of as much of it as possible, whatever the cost/consequences.  However, governments will use various technologies developed by Microsoft AND Apple, etc, to maintain and further their powerbase and control.

The point is, information [well the possesion of it] is power.  It is used to generate sales by advertising to consumer trends.  It is also used to shape markets by manipulating the information consumers receive in relation to products on the market, whether it's to promote certain products over others, or to inhibit the advertising/exposure of others not so preferred.

True, but I would never rule out self serving motives of either the corporate world and/or government... actions that are NOT in the best interests of the general public. Trouble is, as you pointed out, good intentions do not necessarily translate to good deeds, and good intentions mean nothing to the have-nots when they've been right royally screwed financially and/or socially.

No, Microsoft isn't interested in individuals, which is a part of a much larger problem, but it sure is interested in the mass collection of individuals data... and that data translates to greater power and control for Microsoft.  Okay, so Microsoft isn't particularly interested in whether or not you have a porn collection or torrent files, etc, but it is still information that is collected when MS scans users files, and who knows how that information can or will be used at a later date... and by whom.  In the fight against piracy and other crimes, real or perceived, who knows what legal and moral boundaries may be crossed to bring charges/gain convictions.

As for legitimate concerns being restricted to the tinfoil hat brigade, I'd dare to say that anyone who implicitly trusts Microsoft is either a fool or is living under a rock.  Fact is, Microsoft has done far too many underhanded things, and things that have been proven, to warrant the trust and/or respect of anyone. 

Trouble is, as I commented earlier, Microsoft counts on the ignorance and naivity of the majority of users to get away with 'blue murder'... to introduce self-serving technologies that are not in the best interests of users.  Or should I say clearly opposite to user interests.

Oh, and I didn't need a tinfoil hat to know that Microsoft forced Windows 10 down my throat by means other than acceptable updates and/or upgrades.  And a tinfoil hat isn't required to know that MS keeps forcing unnecessary [in-house] network drivers that fech up my internet every month.

Interesting you know we have an option called linnux. Bill gates is on the list of 210 people running this world. Its not about money its about power. The thing is microsoft has been telling us what we want, not listening to valid users since dos. The real issue here is why tell us the operating system that it isnt obsolete when it is. Remember intel is the boss when they tell amd to jump they say how high. All amd said it boots up windows 7 they never said they support it. This leads to a question on what does obsoleting an operating mean.

Well one thing about linux is that it is easier to modify, but it requires a programmer who cares about being user friendly, and home user oriented. If none of these go to linux then you are right, but if some people care enough to do something about this then it will happen with a new distro. This really depends on what you will do.