That’s right it is over! The ‘free upgrade’ period to Windows 10 also known as GWX (Get Windows 10) based on the name of the files Microsoft secretly downloaded onto users machines in hopes that they would unwilling install Windows 10. Clicking on the Get Windows 10 icon in the taskbar tray now brings up this “too bad, so sad” message:
However, while the Get Windows 10 notifications have ended, Microsoft MSFT 425,43 +5,25 +1,25% is going to take their time in getting the GWX crapware application off users machines. There is a slight chance Microsoft may reintroduce the offer this fall (one reason why they are not in a hurry to remove GWX from those machines still running Windows 7/8.1) as not as many people had upgraded as they had expected.
I came very close to upgrading my Windows 8.1 machine to Windows 10 this past week. I was having some upgrades done, including installing a new SSD drive. A major factor in my decision not to upgrade was that Microsoft will continue to support Windows 8.1 until January 2023. I figure by then I will have likely retired this computer and will have to either get a new computer with “Windows” or finally make the move to Linux. But then again, why let a lack of support stop you from using an otherwise useable computer. Case in point, the amount of people (and businesses including a US chain of electronics stores) still using Windows XP. Oh and there is also the issue that Microsoft/Windows 10 still have major privacy flaws. Microsoft is once again in trouble with the EU. According to France’s National Data Protection Commission (CNIL):
The CNIL also claims Microsoft collects “irrelevant or excessive data”, does not have “satisfactory measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of user data”, does not abide by the European Union’s ‘Safe Habour’ rules because it stores user data outside their home country without consent and damns the company for the lack of user consent Windows 10 provides as it enables so many data tracking features by default.
- ZDNet
- Forbes> Gordon Kelly
