Windows 7 Support Ending - Refunding my Entire Library?

[InfernusMatrix]

So let me get this straight, my games that run fine on Windows 7 I can no longer access past a certain point? If this is the case I will be talking to my bank and refunding my entire games library. I have zero interest in upgrading my hardware or Operating system.

Does this not violate consumer or anti-trust laws?

When I started using Steam I never agreed for them to control what hardware and operating system I can use, especially considering all of the games I play support Windows 7.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Първоначално публикувано от vgifford:

Първоначално публикувано от SlowMango:

That is the agreement you signed allowing for Steam to do exactly what it's doing in 2024.

I have been told this. I choose to keep my games. I will OBEY the masters and upgrade my system.
Personal choice and freedom is IRRELEVANT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEaR1JU-ps

You don't lose your ganes otherwise. The license is still on your account.

[vgifford]

Първоначално публикувано от SlowMango:

Първоначално публикувано от vgifford:

I have been told this. I choose to keep my games. I will OBEY the masters and upgrade my system.
Personal choice and freedom is IRRELEVANT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEaR1JU-ps

You don't lose your ganes otherwise. The license is still on your account.

If I can't connect to STEAM, I have NOTHING on my computer right? Take my money.

[Mad Scientist]

Първоначално публикувано от RiO:

Първоначално публикувано от Mad Scientist:

Firewalling the update domain takes seconds.
Much more simple, no complicated method needed.

That stops updates entirely

That's the point.
You never get updates until or if you want them, which is good for individuals that would rather stick on a specific version of their OS.
As for the rest, kind like how you don't get to pick & choose what games update on Steam if it's not on a branch, similar bit there.

Never suggest complicated things for basic users.

[PietHein]

Dus ik betaal me scheel aan games en omdat STEAM maar ff anders beslist doen mij games het straks niet meer? En zij jagen mij daarmee op hoge kosten om dat allemaal aan te passen? Kan ik dan mijn geld terug eisen? En wat kan m ij goohle wat schelen met hun dwang maatregelen! Of dat microsoft gebral! Gewoon verder gaan met 7 en 8 enz

[Komarimaru]

Първоначално публикувано от RiO:

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

You can disable auto updating in Windows 10 if on Pro at least, and if don't trust the normal method, there's many other ways.

Well... yes and no.
You could just switch it into "notify me but let me choose when to download and install" mode before; in the very early Windows 10 days. But Microsoft axed that for the Pro SKUs. Now you can just set a period by which to defer updates (up to a maximum of iirc 128 days for a feature update and 31 days for a stability/security update) and you get a few one-shot options to temporarily skip applying an update and shut down immediately; or temporarily suspend updates for up to a given date (max 1 month, iirc). But in all cases Windows will then install those updates at the next opportunity and you can't block it again.

The only supported loop hole you get is joining an AD and using your own WSUS server.
Which, yeah; that's probably covered by your "many other ways."

But running your own domain controller and WSUS server is generally not something small business users (the primary target for the Pro SKU) still want to do.

How helpful then, that Microsoft offers a pay-by-the-mile AD and WSUS solution via Azure, which they will be happy to manage for your company; while you essentially only have to schedule which updates roll out to which machines on what time table. (That thing the small business wanted to achieve.)

I.e. they found a way to monetize updates by foisting the forced updates for clueless consumers on small businesses. And while doing so, those consumer power-users that also bought the Pro SKU basically just suffer the collateral damage.

Group policy for Windows Pro users. But don't think Home has access to this.
https://i.imgur.com/YRidme2.png
Tada... Really simple really. How all people on Pro versions of Windows should be adjusting settings, is in Group Policies. That's like, the whole point of Pro, customizing to your needs.

[❤ Sly Succubus ❤]

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC, thats the only majority issue because some people saw Steam only gives a licence and how we don't own the game and are freaking out how a windows 10 license means the same thing.

While partly true, do you people seriously think Microsoft, a company sitting on a trove of money so tall that it could reach the moon and who's hands is in so many technology based industries cares about us pirating their windows?

No, hell Bill Gates literally said years ago "I don't care if people pirate windows, because one way or another they'll still be using our technology regardless if its pirated or purchased." Which is true, regardless if its pirated or not, your still using Microsofts product so what do they care.

The more ironic part of this is how many people use a pirated windows over an official one, seriously at least 80% of people I know that use it, use pirated windows, including the tech channel youtuber Linus uses freaking pirated windows 10.

[Aachen]

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC ….

You expected people would mostly focus on your incorrect claim? Strange sense of irony.

[Komarimaru]

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC, thats the only majority issue because some people saw Steam only gives a licence and how we don't own the game and are freaking out how a windows 10 license means the same thing.

While partly true, do you people seriously think Microsoft, a company sitting on a trove of money so tall that it could reach the moon and who's hands is in so many technology based industries cares about us pirating their windows?

No, hell Bill Gates literally said years ago "I don't care if people pirate windows, because one way or another they'll still be using our technology regardless if its pirated or purchased." Which is true, regardless if its pirated or not, your still using Microsofts product so what do they care.

The more ironic part of this is how many people use a pirated windows over an official one, seriously at least 80% of people I know that use it, use pirated windows, including the tech channel youtuber Linus uses freaking pirated windows 10.

What kinda conspiracy theory bologna is this? Even on Windows 7, you owned just a license. On ALL Windows you just owned a License. If you don't know how to use an operating system, does not equate to you not owning your computer.

[❤ Sly Succubus ❤]

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC, thats the only majority issue because some people saw Steam only gives a licence and how we don't own the game and are freaking out how a windows 10 license means the same thing.

While partly true, do you people seriously think Microsoft, a company sitting on a trove of money so tall that it could reach the moon and who's hands is in so many technology based industries cares about us pirating their windows?

No, hell Bill Gates literally said years ago "I don't care if people pirate windows, because one way or another they'll still be using our technology regardless if its pirated or purchased." Which is true, regardless if its pirated or not, your still using Microsofts product so what do they care.

The more ironic part of this is how many people use a pirated windows over an official one, seriously at least 80% of people I know that use it, use pirated windows, including the tech channel youtuber Linus uses freaking pirated windows 10.

What kinda conspiracy theory bologna is this? Even on Windows 7, you owned just a license. On ALL Windows you just owned a License. If you don't know how to use an operating system, does not equate to you not owning your computer.

Първоначално публикувано от Aachen:

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC ….

You expected people would mostly focus on your incorrect claim? Strange sense of irony.

https://youtu.be/M3bezYerYxQ?t=138

I'm shocked you both dont know how Windows 10 key's have limited uses and after 3-5 (3 Home, 5 pro) you have to buy a new one, I'm actually really worried how you dont know this fact

[Komarimaru]

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

What kinda conspiracy theory bologna is this? Even on Windows 7, you owned just a license. On ALL Windows you just owned a License. If you don't know how to use an operating system, does not equate to you not owning your computer.

Първоначално публикувано от Aachen:

You expected people would mostly focus on your incorrect claim? Strange sense of irony.

https://youtu.be/M3bezYerYxQ?t=138

I'm shocked you both dont know how Windows 10 key's have limited uses and after 3-5 (3 Home, 5 pro) you have to buy a new one, I'm actually really worried how you dont know this fact

Hate to be the bearer of bad news. But... That's the same for Windows 7...

[Crashed]

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

Първоначално публикувано от Shizune:

You know whats ironic that this has reached 122 pages and no one wants to admit the fact that if they switch to Windows 10 then somehow they no longer own their own PC, thats the only majority issue because some people saw Steam only gives a licence and how we don't own the game and are freaking out how a windows 10 license means the same thing.

While partly true, do you people seriously think Microsoft, a company sitting on a trove of money so tall that it could reach the moon and who's hands is in so many technology based industries cares about us pirating their windows?

No, hell Bill Gates literally said years ago "I don't care if people pirate windows, because one way or another they'll still be using our technology regardless if its pirated or purchased." Which is true, regardless if its pirated or not, your still using Microsofts product so what do they care.

The more ironic part of this is how many people use a pirated windows over an official one, seriously at least 80% of people I know that use it, use pirated windows, including the tech channel youtuber Linus uses freaking pirated windows 10.

What kinda conspiracy theory bologna is this? Even on Windows 7, you owned just a license. On ALL Windows you just owned a License. If you don't know how to use an operating system, does not equate to you not owning your computer.

And Windows 10 doesn't even do anything to take away your control of your hardware any more than any other product in the Windows NT family.

[Komarimaru]

Първоначално публикувано от Crashed:

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

What kinda conspiracy theory bologna is this? Even on Windows 7, you owned just a license. On ALL Windows you just owned a License. If you don't know how to use an operating system, does not equate to you not owning your computer.

And Windows 10 doesn't even do anything to take away your control of your hardware any more than any other product in the Windows NT family.

Ya, no kidding. Limited hardware activation are on Windows 7 as well. Home premium gets 3, Pro and Ultimate get 5. Windows 10 Home, 3, Pro 5. Kicker is, for both 7 and 10, you'll never hit this cap, unless you're changing hardware many times a week, since it resets after a certain amount of time.

[Dr. Dro ඞ]

Първоначално публикувано от Didas_94:

Good morning,

I'm on Windows 8.1, my PC (11 years old) works perfectly. However it does not accept the update to a recent version of windows.
I bought, like many here, many games, through your TEAMS platform.

You indicate that your platform will no longer be supported, in less than a year, on older versions of windows (in my case windows 8.1)

However, the games I use always work under Windows 8.1, and that independently of TEAMS.

What are you going to do, so that we can continue to enjoy using our games, regardless of your platform? a web portal perhaps?

Regards

Nothing. You either upgrade or you stop using the service. Any computer capable of running Windows 8.1 can run Windows 10 and 11, so the easiest and most painless way is to cave in and upgrade - and I must commend you for your masochism, still using Windows 8.1 in 2023...

[Dr. Dro ඞ]

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

Първоначално публикувано от Crashed:

And Windows 10 doesn't even do anything to take away your control of your hardware any more than any other product in the Windows NT family.

Ya, no kidding. Limited hardware activation are on Windows 7 as well. Home premium gets 3, Pro and Ultimate get 5. Windows 10 Home, 3, Pro 5. Kicker is, for both 7 and 10, you'll never hit this cap, unless you're changing hardware many times a week, since it resets after a certain amount of time.

In the first year of Windows 10, from 2015-2016, Microsoft made a big fuss about a free upgrade offer to Windows 10, if you remember this well. The truth is, that promotion has never ended like they said that it would - this still works today.

Motherboards that have run the Windows 7 to 10 in-place upgrade will generate a genuine ticket with Microsoft as part of the upgrade process and will have a license permanently bound to them.

It will always activate as long as the motherboard remains the same. Install Windows 7 or 8.1, activate it using your existing product key, and then upgrade to Windows 10 on top of this activated install just once. The edition granted to the hardware corresponds to the original license:

7 Starter/Home Basic > Windows 10 Home Single Language (massive upgrade here!)
7 Home Premium > Windows 10 Home
7 Professional or Ultimate > Windows 10 Pro

Your motherboard will now be considered entitled and you will never have to deal with activation limits again. Link this machine to a Microsoft account for management, such as transferring said license to another motherboard. It's possible and MS will let you do so free of charge.

Windows 11 uses the exact same licensing system of Windows 10, as it's a continuation of Windows 10 family - so skipping 10 in favor of 11 entirely will not change this, and the mechanism works the same.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Първоначално публикувано от TheBasedSociety:

Първоначално публикувано от Komarimaru:

Ya, no kidding. Limited hardware activation are on Windows 7 as well. Home premium gets 3, Pro and Ultimate get 5. Windows 10 Home, 3, Pro 5. Kicker is, for both 7 and 10, you'll never hit this cap, unless you're changing hardware many times a week, since it resets after a certain amount of time.

In the first year of Windows 10, from 2015-2016, Microsoft made a big fuss about a free upgrade offer to Windows 10, if you remember this well. The truth is, that promotion has never ended like they said that it would - this still works today.

Motherboards that have run the Windows 7 to 10 in-place upgrade will generate a genuine ticket with Microsoft as part of the upgrade process and will have a license permanently bound to them.

It will always activate as long as the motherboard remains the same. Install Windows 7 or 8.1, activate it using your existing product key, and then upgrade to Windows 10 on top of this activated install just once. The edition granted to the hardware corresponds to the original license:

7 Starter/Home Basic > Windows 10 Home Single Language (massive upgrade here!)
7 Home Premium > Windows 10 Home
7 Professional or Ultimate > Windows 10 Pro

Your motherboard will now be considered entitled and you will never have to deal with activation limits again. Link this machine to a Microsoft account for management, such as transferring said license to another motherboard. It's possible and MS will let you do so free of charge.

Windows 11 uses the exact same licensing system of Windows 10, as it's a continuation of Windows 10 family - so skipping 10 in favor of 11 entirely will not change this, and the mechanism works the same.

Swapping out a motherboard will not cause any issues as long as before doing so, you link your license to your Microsoft account by using it as a login. I just upgraded my motherboard and that's all I had to do. Once I booted it up, I verified the license then removed the link between my Microsoft account and my computer.

This is all based off the original license I used from the free upgrade back before 2016.