This PC is currently up for a free install of Windows 10. Someone has warned me away from things like WIndows 8 and 10 telling me Microsoft is requiring Microsoft licensed software...that scantool or other such software wont be allowed unless it has this license...so how is this new hardware, is it really tight like a Grinch?

I have a HP laptop at work, and a Toshiba laptop at home. Both came with Windows 8.nuthin' and are now updated to 8.1. I run my PICO and Auto Enginuity on both of them with no issues whatsoever. Windows 8.0/8.1 is essentially Windows 7 with the new "Tiles" kinda thing that smart phones have.

My brother runs all the computers at the U of S engineering before I bought mine. If your new computer does not have a touch screen you might as well run Windows 7, the whole 8.0/8.1 is really made for the touch screen functionality if you follow where I'm drifting. When you get past the touch screen and the tiles stuff to what's underneath they are basically the same.
-Ward-

That is what I had heard from others; 8 was Windows 7 for touch screen. I have this laptop slated for a free download of Windows 10 when it comes out.
What buddy suggested is that programs would not be allowed on any Windows platform without a license from Microsoft like it had to be a Microsoft product in order to download and install it....I think he is wrong. That would be a backwards thing to institute.
     Thanks for the reply.

I played around with the tech preview for Windows 10, and from what was available to mess with I think it is going to be a home run.  That said, I didn't install any software, so I don't know about compatibility.  I recall reading about some driver issues going from W7 to W8, and that W8.1 was supposed to fix those bugs, so hopefully W10 won't be plagued with them.  The opinion I formed, in the short time I used it, W10 is basically W8.1 for desktops (people that prefer the desktop mode and using mouse/keyboards) with some cool new features.

So, the real question is should you get the free W10.  Well, I don't have that answer for you, but I'll be upgrading my home laptop since the one at work won't be eligible.  Hopefully it will be a smooth transition.

Apparently window 7 can update to 10 for free for some period of time, I forget how long into the future the offer lasts. Equipment that came with Windows 8.0/8.1 is supposed to be able to upgrade to Windows 10 in perpentuity. Mind you, give 'em another year and Windows12.0 will be out, so whatever!
-Ward-

I'm up for a free upgrade from Win7 to Win10. I'm going to bite the bullet and hope all goes well with Pico and other software. I have a much older laptop as back-up just in case Win10 is a mess.