Microsoft forecasts 1 billion Windows 10 computers, burst of new apps

LA Times ^ | April 29, 2015 | PARESH DAVE

[McGruff]

Microsoft expects its newest operating system, Windows 10, to be running on 1 billion computers within two to three years.

The figure, which includes desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones, was repeatedly touted Wednesday at Microsoft’s annual conference for application developers. Microsoft has struggled to get companies to make apps for Windows mobile devices, part of a self-perpetuating cycle that makes Windows smartphones less attractive to consumers.

[discostu]

You don’t pay a yearly fee for Office. Office _365_ (the could version) yes, Office no.

[minnesota_bound]

Linux is quick and has what most need but Microsoft knows they just say compatibility and most will pay. Especially when microsoft does not update or cripples the OS. Most people buy a pc and use the programs but know next to nothing about installing it thinking there is some elfing magic needed to install or fix.

[Zeneta]

I can’t be to only one.

It seems that virtually everything about, not only Microsoft, all new software programs require you to be connected to use those programs.

The full integration of your desktop to the cloud?.

As if that is what I want?

It’s not.

The new MS OS’s expect that you actually WANT to conduct all your activity while “connected”, as if that is a good thing.

It’s nuts.

Back in 1999, I had this crazy thought that “The/your desktop” would become the new “Browser”.

I hate it.

I hate the OS that “tries” to help me. The OS that thinks it knows what I want to do.

[JAKraig]

Windows 8 should have been the clarion call as to just sorry Microsoft engineering is.

______________________________________________________________

I have a desktop & a laptop running 7, an older tablet convertable running XP for tablets, and a Surface Pro 2. The Surface runs 8.1. 8.1 is fantastic once you learn it, eventually people will realize that 10 an 8 are closer than 10 and 7.

[dayglored]

Man that's a lot of Windows 10 ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Swordmaker for the heads up!

[doorgunner69]

"The OS that thinks it knows what I want to do."

That is precisely what I despised about my one time use of an Apple computer.

The thing locked you out of most anything it thought you should not have access to. Was used to controlling my PC and then wham, you cannot do that. I could not tolerate an OS that knew better than you. Too much like democrats.

[rarestia]

Microsoft is planning on you paying them a yearly fee to use Windows 10 like they do with Office.

Not really. They're pushing us toward service-based platforms where features are a la carte. And you know what? Apple and Android already do it!

You'll be buying a computer with a faster OS, because the features you don't want or need will not be installed by default. Every Linux distro out there now has a "Live" version of their distro where you can pick and choose what you want. The rest is hosted in the cloud and available for a usage fee. This IS the future, like it or not.

[rarestia]

Last I checked, you can’t play 90%+ of the current library of video games on the market on a Linux machine. While I am a Microsoft Certified Professional, I dabble heavily in Linux and use it for large swaths of my personal and professional infrastructure. When I want to play Minecraft, Battlefield, Cities: Skylines, or World of Warcraft, a PC is the only way to go.

[Zeneta]

I could not tolerate an OS that knew better than you. Too much like democrats.

---

Yep,

As if they know whats best for you.

Try running multiple screens with Windows 8 or above.

“Just because I click on the Title bar doesn’t mean I want it displayed full screen”

And while I’m not an avid “Mobile user” their OS seems to be designed for a “Touch screen”.

Copy, Paste and save as functions take more steps than before. Nevermind where they go.

I’m on XP, and love the fact that I know where my stuff is and how to find it.

I like the idea that I can store tons of stuff locally, I can work on them locally and share them when I want too.

It’s getting to the point that you can hardly use any programs as a “Stand Alone” program.

[doorgunner69]

I disliked the change to Win 7 as stuff that was easy to find was suddenly tossed into the mixmaster. Will not touch 8, wife has it on her laptop and it is miserable. Thankfully, she only emails and surfs so I do not have to have any contact with the abomination.

Why MS decided to disrupt where everything was, I have no idea, apparently they are not in the habit of explaining anything.

Still have Xp on two machines and they are staying that way.

[Zeneta]

God bless you.

XP works.

It never crashes and I’ll hold onto it as long as I can.

Security ?

Give me a break.

I have more security by having my stuff local vs some cloud crap.

I can and only engage with the “Web” when I know what I’m getting into.

I used to use a great program that worked on the network level that both blocked and alerted me to any attempts to connect to my pc.

I wish I could recall their name.

[tacticalogic]

Sounds like ZoneAlarm.

[Zeneta]

Yes, ZoneAlarm

I loved that program.

[roamer_1]

with Windows 10, they DID listen to all the critics and complaints about Windows 8, so it SHOULD be a better product.

Win10 is flat goofy to me. Take out the right panel of the start bar and hang all the bouncy-jangly bits in there instead of the useful hot-link buttons - It defeats what bouncy, jangly bits are for! Metro, sliding out of the right side of the desktop was a far better scheme - only it should have been transparent and pin-able at any open location, to resemble the Gadget platform... except extensible...

[Alas Babylon!]

Thanks for your continued sane updates in a sea of negative nonsense!

Also, too many do not understand malware and how nefarious AND ubiquitous it is. Old stuff NEVER goes away and new exploits come out daily.

Not keeping up means that your system gets more vulnerable as its software gets old. There are kernels out there that were the rage of their day, and many still use them, but time keeps ticking on, and more punks hacks and script kiddies play. Eventually that wonderful code becomes like Swiss cheese.

As an aside, I make plenty of bucks advising about security, teaching about security, and not a small amount cleaning up after the clueless!

[dennisw]

Thanks!!! This is exactly why I stomped my ipad and Apple watch to bit and mailed them back to Kook Tim Kook for a refund

[upchuck]

IMHO, anyone who connects their computer to the “cloud” is begging for trouble. In other words, BUMP! :)

[miliantnutcase]

Surface Pro 3 is beating their expectations but they had to spend a billion dollars to market it.