Then imagine harder. :-) There are plenty of reasons why a user might not need or want the latest and greatest release of any OS, whether Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.
The Microsoft statement quoted by Mary Jo Foley is technically correct, but disingenuous. The vast majority of Windows users will do as Microsoft says, and accept the installation of Windows 10, without having the foggiest idea what they are in for.
If you think about it, you will realize this is a simple, true, fact. A huge percentage of Windows users don't even know what version of Windows they are running, and don't know how to find out!! Consider that, and you're on your way to understanding why this issue is important.
Yes, Windows 10 is better and more secure. That's not the point here.
I have heard all the reasons why they don’t want to upgrade, but most people are repeating what someone told them or what they read on Facebook or Twitter. They don’t have an opinion based on personal experience. I have been using and programming computers for 35+ years, starting with mainframes in 1979. So, I get asked about upgrades. :-)
I did not recommend upgrading to Windows 8 or 8.1. I strongly urge anyone who asks about Windows 10 to upgrade. The thing is, in my view, the ones that don’t know which version they’re currently using probably are the ones that need it the most. I mentioned my wife in another post, for 17+ years she couldn’t tell you which version of Windows she was using, up until now. She tells her friends that she’s on Windows 10 and she likes it. Anecdotal, I know, but it’s a first.
But Dayglored, how is this really different from today?
Are people not getting the pop-up recommending they upgrade now?
If they're that trusting of Microsoft, why wouldn't they upgrade NOW, as opposed to next year?
I have over 5,000 client systems at work, and I will upgrade in accordance with the license agreement we have with Microsoft, and about 25 systems at home (16 of them VMs), but as at work and at home, there are a few Windows 7 systems, due to software requirements, that cannot be upgraded.
I don't expect Microsoft is going to upgrade any of these without my say-so. That's not going to happen.
Incidentally, since I said "No" to upgrading these systems, I have not gotten any more pop-ups to upgrade, despite keeping Automatic Updates on.
WAY too much hype and distortions in the press about Microsoft and Windows. You'd think it was CNBC telling low information voters about "evil" Republicans!