Inside Microsoft
It seems from all the gossip and rumours, that Microsoft are doing a reversal of their commitment to support the Windows Operating Systems for a period of ten years from the original Public Release date.
Is Microsoft artificially blocking newer PCs running Windows 7 and 8.1 from receiving updates? The short answer is Yes; they are forcing those using Windows 7 (all versions) and Windows 8.1 to upgrade to Windows 10.
In March, Microsoft began blocking updates to those using Windows 7 and 8.1 PC’s that have the newer Intel or AMD processors; however, Microsoft received so many complaints about the underhanded way they were doing this that they issued a workaround for those machines that the block was on.
The workaround allows users of Windows 7 and 8.1 on any newer machine to continue receiving updates, by evading a Windows check to detect which generation of CPU the PC is using; the fact the block could be circumvented reinforces the argument that Microsoft has decided to cut off updates, rather than being forced to do so for technical reasons.
According to some Microsoft sources, Microsoft is artificially blocking PC’s that have the new technologies, as well as recommending to those affected by the block to upgrade to Windows 10.
Some Industry insiders are fuming about the manner that Microsoft is adopting, because of the hassles that come with a Windows 10 upgrade such as, having key software that is incompatible with Windows 10. This fact means that Industries would be obliged, if not compelled, to find suitable software that would be accepted in Windows 10; plus there are the costs involved in training staff in the new Operating System, as well as the downtime needed for the conversion to Windows 10. The complexity of conversion from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 could be horrendous.
Microsoft’s mentality is that considering the fact that Windows 7 was designed nearly ten years ago, they can refuse support for the operating system.
The time frame that Windows 7 was originally designed for does not take into account the date that the Operating System was RTM and publicly issued (2009); which is only 8 years ago.
The release of Windows 8.1 as an upgrade to the cumbersome Windows 8 was only in April 2014; 3 years ago.
Microsoft’s ideology now is to force these users to take on Windows 10 regardless of the pitfalls and difficulties.
Some of those that are still using Windows 7 or 8.1 might be happy to know that in “The Software Licence Agreement”, nowhere does it state that Microsoft can revoke support earlier than the accepted Industry Standard of ten years, and Microsoft’s original pledge date. Microsoft insists that the move to a newer Operating System will lead to a better Windows in the future; this is of course, a matter of opinion and subject to in depth discussion to come.
Since Bill Gates stepped down from the helm at Redmond, Microsoft is more interested in money than the satisfaction of Windows users. To support their case for change, Microsoft has just released Windows 10 S; May 2017, saying that it will be the future of Windows.
At the release of Windows 10 S, the most important part of the Windows 10 S configuration is a setting that prevents it from running any apps that aren't included with Windows 10 or available through the Windows Store
This means that Redmond is effectively forcing all Windows users to adopt this ‘new’ Operating System.
Although it is not as bad as it seems; third-party app developers can convert traditional desktop apps to the Universal Windows Platform, and make them available through the Store. Slack and Evernote, for example, are there now, along with 500 other apps that have gone through the conversion process using the Desktop Bridge tools; most of these apps are Microsoft products, effectively ‘locking out’ the mainstream developers.
Only time will tell if Microsoft drops their draconian attitude.
© 2017 Tech Support Forum
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It seems from all the gossip and rumours, that Microsoft are doing a reversal of their commitment to support the Windows Operating Systems for a period of ten years from the original Public Release date.
Is Microsoft artificially blocking newer PCs running Windows 7 and 8.1 from receiving updates? The short answer is Yes; they are forcing those using Windows 7 (all versions) and Windows 8.1 to upgrade to Windows 10.
In March, Microsoft began blocking updates to those using Windows 7 and 8.1 PC’s that have the newer Intel or AMD processors; however, Microsoft received so many complaints about the underhanded way they were doing this that they issued a workaround for those machines that the block was on.
The workaround allows users of Windows 7 and 8.1 on any newer machine to continue receiving updates, by evading a Windows check to detect which generation of CPU the PC is using; the fact the block could be circumvented reinforces the argument that Microsoft has decided to cut off updates, rather than being forced to do so for technical reasons.
According to some Microsoft sources, Microsoft is artificially blocking PC’s that have the new technologies, as well as recommending to those affected by the block to upgrade to Windows 10.
Some Industry insiders are fuming about the manner that Microsoft is adopting, because of the hassles that come with a Windows 10 upgrade such as, having key software that is incompatible with Windows 10. This fact means that Industries would be obliged, if not compelled, to find suitable software that would be accepted in Windows 10; plus there are the costs involved in training staff in the new Operating System, as well as the downtime needed for the conversion to Windows 10. The complexity of conversion from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 could be horrendous.
Microsoft’s mentality is that considering the fact that Windows 7 was designed nearly ten years ago, they can refuse support for the operating system.
The time frame that Windows 7 was originally designed for does not take into account the date that the Operating System was RTM and publicly issued (2009); which is only 8 years ago.
The release of Windows 8.1 as an upgrade to the cumbersome Windows 8 was only in April 2014; 3 years ago.
Microsoft’s ideology now is to force these users to take on Windows 10 regardless of the pitfalls and difficulties.
Some of those that are still using Windows 7 or 8.1 might be happy to know that in “The Software Licence Agreement”, nowhere does it state that Microsoft can revoke support earlier than the accepted Industry Standard of ten years, and Microsoft’s original pledge date. Microsoft insists that the move to a newer Operating System will lead to a better Windows in the future; this is of course, a matter of opinion and subject to in depth discussion to come.
Since Bill Gates stepped down from the helm at Redmond, Microsoft is more interested in money than the satisfaction of Windows users. To support their case for change, Microsoft has just released Windows 10 S; May 2017, saying that it will be the future of Windows.
At the release of Windows 10 S, the most important part of the Windows 10 S configuration is a setting that prevents it from running any apps that aren't included with Windows 10 or available through the Windows Store
This means that Redmond is effectively forcing all Windows users to adopt this ‘new’ Operating System.
Although it is not as bad as it seems; third-party app developers can convert traditional desktop apps to the Universal Windows Platform, and make them available through the Store. Slack and Evernote, for example, are there now, along with 500 other apps that have gone through the conversion process using the Desktop Bridge tools; most of these apps are Microsoft products, effectively ‘locking out’ the mainstream developers.
Only time will tell if Microsoft drops their draconian attitude.
© 2017 Tech Support Forum
