Windows 7 and 8.1 users starting to see offers to download Windows 10 as part of KB 3035583's payloa - Polidicks

[url]http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-7-and-8-users-are-now-able-to-reserve-their-free-copy-of-windows-10[/url] [quote=Brad Sams/Neowin]Microsoft has started advertising Windows 10 to users of Windows 7 and 8 with the window that you see above. First noted by a user on Reddit, this window is now being reported by multiple users that Microsoft is allowing them to reserve a copy of the OS for free. This is not a surprise, the company made it clear that they would be pushing this OS aggressively, especially since it is a free upgrade for anyone with a valid Windows 7 or 8 license (excluding corporations). While it is not exactly clear why only some are seeing this dialog, Twitter is showing widespread reports of users having the prompt show up on their desktop. Windows 10 is expected to be released this summer and we have already heard that the final signoff should occur sometime in mid July. Knowing that, it looks like the OS should be ready for the back to school season.[/quote] And if you wish to remove it: [url]http://www.neowin.net/news/here039s-how-the-windows-10-reservation-app-works-and-how-to-remove-it[/url] [quote=Brad Sams/Neowin]The app adds an icon to the system tray that looks like a little Windows icon that runs the reservation app: some have already asked how to remove the icon. To do this, you will need to uninstall the Windows Update KB3035583 and that should get rid of the icon, alternatively you can simply hide the icon too.[/quote] The update [url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/2907472/operating-systems/windows-10-upgrade-nagware-patch-kb-3035583-now-marked-important-on-some-win7-pcs.html]was mysteriously marked as important a while ago[/url], so if you left Windows Update set to automatic, you'll have likely sucked this update and related ones down. Tip: don't leave them set to automatic. Ads might be bad, but there's been much worse (think system fuckups). Looking at Twitter, people seem to already be confused.

Am I alone in not seeing a problem with this? Windows 10 being free essentially means it's an update that everyone should be performing unless they know they're in a special situation where Windows 10 won't work. Obviously they can't just automatically upgrade everyone to Windows 10 since it's a large download and changing OS requires preparation, so a notification like this ahead of time is a good idea.

Any thoughts from those who have installed the preview? How is it?

[QUOTE=Zeke129;47849540]Am I alone in not seeing a problem with this? Windows 10 being free essentially means it's an update that everyone should be performing unless they know they're in a special situation where Windows 10 won't work. Obviously they can't just automatically upgrade everyone to Windows 10 since it's a large download and changing OS requires preparation, so a notification like this ahead of time is a good idea.[/QUOTE] But one that was essentially set to be sucked down by people that leave Windows Update set to automatic. Pretty much nagware for most.

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;47849546]But one that was essentially set to be sucked down by people that leave Windows Update set to automatic. Pretty much nagware for most.[/QUOTE] It's annoying, but it's not mandating an update. The only negative I can think of is that having legitimate popups act like malicious popups is confusing for non-tech savvy users and can build bad habits.

Huh. Had it and didn't even notice. It's kinda convenient for me since I was planning on getting it when it came out anyways. I'm fine with getting OS related notifications like that, I just hope they don't start that with other products.

I don't see anything on my end.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;47849555]It's annoying, but it's not mandating an update. The only negative I can think of is that having legitimate popups act like malicious popups is confusing for non-tech savvy users and can build bad habits.[/QUOTE] The real issue though was that Microsoft was being unusually silent about the update and what it did when it was first released. Even then, in the public eye, they've still been silent, so some are going to think it's malware. Even a tweet on the Windows Twitter account saying "hey, in a few weeks, you can get your copy reserved, just look for the icon in your tray" would be good enough. That way it's at least [I]known[/I] to the public instead of just enthusiasts/paranoid people.

I'd rather wait for the first service pack before upgrading tbh. Windows usually never launches smoothly.

I'm conflicted because I'm very comfortable with Windows 7 and I hear Windows 10 keeps a lot of features from Windows 8 (which looks like it was designed for tablets, not desktops), but at the same time this is a free OS and I'll [I]eventually[/I] have to upgrade.

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;47849572]The real issue though was that Microsoft was being unusually silent about the update and what it did when it was first released. Even then, in the public eye, they've still been silent, so some are going to think it's malware. Even a tweet on the Windows Twitter account saying "hey, in a few weeks, you can get your copy reserved, just look for the icon in your tray" would be good enough. That way it's at least [I]known[/I] to the public instead of just enthusiasts/paranoid people.[/QUOTE] I think the people savvy enough to explore the possibility of this being malware are going to be savvy enough to learn that it's not after a few seconds of searching. Microsoft was definitely trying to target the non-savvy users here, as they're often the ones who don't bother upgrading. But yeah, I agree with you that Microsoft should have basically plastered all over their site that this was going to be going out.

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;47849580]I'm conflicted because I'm very comfortable with Windows 7 and I hear Windows 10 keeps a lot of features from Windows 8 (which looks like it was designed for tablets, not desktops), but at the same time this is a free OS and I'll [I]eventually[/I] have to upgrade.[/QUOTE] From what I meddled with before switching back to 7 from instability of one of the builds, It's like if 8 and 7 had a child. More desktop-oriented this time around.

[QUOTE=Overwatch 7;47849543]Any thoughts from those who have installed the preview? How is it?[/QUOTE] Anyone have an answer to this?

I want to reserve, but I'm planning on getting a new PC soon and I won't be using my current Laptop that much after words. If I reserve, does this mean I can reserve it for the new PC I'll be getting or is it just for the device I'm using currently?

I wish my PC could update without breaking itself constantly, forcing me to never update now.. I just want Windows 8.1 or 10 :suicide:

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;47849546]But one that was essentially set to be sucked down by people that leave Windows Update set to automatic. Pretty much nagware for most.[/QUOTE] Could be worse Could be google [media]https://youtu.be/PPZZimQjE6c[/media]

[QUOTE=Overwatch 7;47849543]Any thoughts from those who have installed the preview? How is it?[/QUOTE] Kind of like a more refined Win8, except its actually built with desktops in mind rather than forcing them to conform to dumb tablet like controls. I only played around with it for an hour and the new server, which feels exactly like 2012 with just a start menu :v:

[QUOTE=Overwatch 7;47849543]Any thoughts from those who have installed the preview? How is it?[/QUOTE] i like it currently has some minor bugs like witcher 3 being the only game i can't play on the lastest build, but thats about it.

I switched from windows 7 to windows 8.1 and after getting back the old start menu by using a program called Start8, I never want to go back. Everything works so much better on my system now, 8.1 doesn't deserve the hate it gets, I even used to be one of the people that hated 8.

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;47849580](which looks like it was designed for tablets, not desktops)[/QUOTE] People still think this?

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;47849580]I'm conflicted because I'm very comfortable with Windows 7 and I hear Windows 10 keeps a lot of features from Windows 8 (which looks like it was designed for tablets, not desktops), but at the same time this is a free OS and I'll [I]eventually[/I] have to upgrade.[/QUOTE] imo the whole appeal to Windows 10 is they've seemed to listen to the criticism of 8 and help make it more desktop-centric for desktop users, while maintaining all the good that came with 8.

What's the performance like between 7 and 10?

Holy crap! I have the little windows icon in my tray.. Hell yeah!

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;47849580]I'm conflicted because I'm very comfortable with Windows 7 and I hear Windows 10 keeps a lot of features from Windows 8 (which looks like it was designed for tablets, not desktops), but at the same time this is a free OS and I'll [I]eventually[/I] have to upgrade.[/QUOTE] It's only a free upgrade for the first year, and then you will have to purchase it. Better to get it when it's available and downgrade back to 7, and then go back when you want to without paying.

[QUOTE=Steve Harvey;47849786]People still think this?[/QUOTE] It's still true, so yes.

Just got the offer on my old Alienware M11x, I want it but im not gonna get it at least for the old laptop because dell cares little about updating hardware drivers and pretty much flat out said 8.1 isn't supported on this model because they cant be arsed to compile a driver for the keyboard features and shortcuts.

was already planning on upgrading when i got my new parts, anyways

[QUOTE=wickedplayer494;47849546]But one that was essentially set to be sucked down by people that leave Windows Update set to automatic. Pretty much nagware for most.[/QUOTE] Eh, the nagware is less of an issue then the botnets waiting to happen that the un-upgraded population will become when they eventually exit support.

[QUOTE=Wii60;47849769]i like it currently has some minor bugs like witcher 3 being the only game i can't play on the lastest build, but thats about it.[/QUOTE] Even then bugs like that are spotty. I've been able to play the Witcher on the newest build. I personally have been using it for months now and outside of setting up Over clocking I haven't had any blue screens/crashes. It's currently a pretty stable OS.

So I'm one of the less savvy users this is probably targeted towards, and I'm using windows 7. I've never upgraded a computer, just bought brand new ones ('upgraded' from windows xp.) If I upgrade will that require a hdd wipe(I'm guessing it will?) And will it make all my games/programs incompatible? Also how the fuck do I get the notification for it out of my damn taskbar?