Tech Talk: Microsoft really wants you to move to Windows 10

By Brian Boston

Though the mainstream press been quiet about it until recently, the tech press been very busy around the impending launch of Windows 10. Starting July 20, you will see a lot more about it as Microsoft starts its advertising campaign for Windows 10, with an associated charitable effort, Upgrade Your World.

It won't be like quite like launch of Windows 95 in August nearly 20 years ago or even the Windows 7 or 8 launches in October 2009 and 2012. Thirteen cities around the world will host fan celebrations. And, as you would expect, there will stuff happening at the local Microsoft stores and associated retailers.

The celebration on your PC actually started a month or so ago. Nearly all of you running Windows 7 or 8.1 right now have evidence on your computer that Microsoft wants to you to upgrade. It’s this little Windows Flag on the “System tray” portion of the Taskbar, next to the date and time.

For most people on 7 or 8.1 who are receiving automatic updates, this flag quietly showed up on June 1str though the update itself has sitting in the Optional Updates since March. It was discovered and documented by ZDNet blogger and Windows book author, Ed Bott in April. What changed is that the Optional update (known as KB3035583) was upgraded to an “Important” update, the kind of priority update that is automatically updates the system..

When you hover over the flag, a little pop-up makes its purpose clear, “Get Windows 10.”

That’s not all. Should you go to Windows Update in either 7 or 8.1, a banner appears on that screen as well (providing no updates are pending).

Can I make this go away?

Yes, you can uninstall KB3035583 in Control Panel/Programs/Uninstall a program after clicking on “View installed updates.” the flag and banner will go away. While it will be one of the more convenient ways to get Windows 10, it won’t be the only way..

The question is whether you really want to do so.

Annoyance or Opportunity

Some critics have said this little flag is “ad-ware,” downloaded without permission, imploring you to upgrade to the next available version of Windows. However, the defining element of most adware, the desire to sell you something is missing. Microsoft just wants to you get it.

More than anything, Microsoft wants Windows 10 to be the new baseline for PCs, an operating system that today’s software developers will gear all their new and existing programs towards. An OS version that computer manufacturers will embrace completely without feeling the need to offer alternative versions. A version that everyone just uses. And, for a time, Microsoft is willing to give the OS away to make that happen.

Upon release, Windows 10 will be free to all qualified systems (Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1) for the next year after its release. So, Microsoft is offering you the opportunity to download this version at no cost to you, other than the use of an Internet connection. This is largely a consumer opportunity as system running the large business version of Windows (known as Enterprise version) don’t receive this benefit.

Should I upgrade?

Though Microsoft has gone to a lot of trouble and expense to make as easy as possible to upgrade, it doesn’t mean that you have to upgrade right now. Many people simply move to a new version of Windows when they buy a new computer. Or, they wait a few months to let Microsoft get the “kinks” out of the product.

Or they never upgrade at all. That’s what Microsoft is trying to avoid. Normally, Microsoft Windows’ worst competition is the previous version of the operating system. The competition for Windows 10 is the last two versions of operating system. The negative impression of Windows 8 slowed its adoption, leaving a large number of people still on Windows 7. Last year, many people who had to leave the comfort of Windows XP after a decade or more went to Windows 7 to avoid using Windows 8 or 8.1. Microsoft wants to avoid making Windows 7, another “XP.”

But this doesn't answer the question of whether you should upgrade. That is really your decision, but the next set of Tech Talk posts will be dedicated to helping you make that decision as well as how to reserve a free upgrade for your system. Whether you chose to upgrade now, later, or never, I do recommend reserving a copy to keep your options open.

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