Oh for the love of Pete…

Yes, I ran into even more Windows 10 activation issues recently.

I didn’t even do anything wrong.

This time, it was a spontaneous message that my Win 10 Pro on my main desktop puter was not activated – just, well, because…

It turns out this was a known bug that MS has supposedly fixed.

Yes, I’m afraid I’ve had it…

It’s either FREE, or it’s not…

Look, Microsoft…

You need to fix this – like last year.

I’ve had more trouble with Win 10 activation this year than at any time in my entire (Microsofty) life.

See: Episode 3: Reactivating Windows 10 after a major hardware upgrade (again)

With this recent “bug”, I’ve reached the end of my rope.

I upgrade my puter frequently. It’s just a thing. Some people have fancy cars and mistresses. I have a kick-ass computer all the time.

If I have to swear at MS every time I upgrade my hardware, then I’m very quickly going to be switching to linux.

It’s just that simple. There comes a point where I simply can’t be arsed dealing with this “activation” crap any more.

What MS needs to do

It’s really not complicated.

Charge $49 for ONE version of Windows 10, 11, or whatever you want to call it.

That’s it.

Stop this nonsense with Product ID keys, re-activation, blah blah blah…

Honestly, no one cares. It should be transparent to the end user. Do I really have to explain this??

What we DO care about is that our computer works. And 2018 has been the year of “WTF” events in the realm of activation problems, disappearing files, etc.

I strongly suspect that like this recent “activation mishap” with Win 10 Pro, my previous struggles were also due to bugs and weaknesses in MS’ strategy.

That strategy is to basically give Win 10 away for free, and then nab people on SaaS – Software as a Service.

That’s quite possibly the most asinine idea I’ve ever heard.

The Microsoft Store is literally a joke compared to the Google Play Store, etc.

Let me say that again

So, what MS needs to do is come out with a new version of Windows every 2-4 years. Charge $49 for it.

Ya know, the price of a video game.

And then make it EASY to pay for it.

Make it so that I can upgrade to Win XX easily – I can pay via credit card, Bitcoin, PayPal, or whatever else before the upgrade even starts. Ya know: EASY! The opposite of “difficult” and “painful”.

This whole idea of making everything work via the MS Store is for the birds – especially since it often doesn’t work, especially if you’re outside the USA.

When I tried to buy a retail copy of Win 10 Pro N via the Windows Store a few days ago, it told me, “Sorry, there was an error.”

Gosh, thanks.

SERIOUSLY?!

First you introduce a bug that deactivates my valid Win 10 Pro N, then you won’t let me buy a new copy easily even if I wanted to, and then THREE DAYS LATER you finally tell me, “Oh, sorry, our fault!”

Really?!

Scottie’s Recommendations for Microsoft Fiscal Year 2019:

Step 1: Fire some people. I never had issues with re-activating Win 7. Ever. I could even use the automated activation system instead of trying to speak to some Indian dude who is barely fluent in my native language. Not your fault, hardworking Indian dudes! I love ya. That one’s on MS.

Step 2: Windows XX for all users for $49, and that version works no matter what I do to my puter.

DONE!

Honestly, who wouldn’t pay $49 for a new version of Windows every few years – IF it was made easy to pay for and easy to install?

That’s far better than giving Win 10 away for free, and then beating everyone over the head with unnecessarily complex activation issues. Honestly, we shouldn’t have to worry if it’s an “OEM” or a “Retail” key.

MS can’t even manage to get Win 10 “updates” out the door without destroying people’s files and causing other mayhem. We’re still waiting on the “Big Awesome Fall Update 2018”. My guess it that it will be released sometime in 2271. Is everyone at Microsoft drunk or something?

SIM-PLI-FY

And then, when I upgrade my hardware, just reactivate the dang OS. That’s it.

Just make it work like we all expect it to work.

That’s the #1 problem with Windows: it isn’t easy to install and configure (“Could not install Windows 10: Something went wrong…”), it isn’t easy to upgrade anything, and it isn’t even easy to buy a copy for cryin’ out loud!

Heck, I can install Ubuntu 18.04 in a dual-boot config and I don’t even have to worry about anything: Ubuntu will take care of the bootloader, boot menu, everything… Right out of the box. No questions asked, and it’s all automatic.

And what happens when I upgrade a puter running Ubuntu? Nothing. It just works.

And BTW, I haven’t talked to a single person who has Win 10 and who even knows what “Cortana” is, so it’s pretty clear you screwed the pooch on that one, too. Too little, too late… as usual.

Why does a multi-billion dollar company like M$ struggle so hard – to get such simple things – right??

So, what’s your favorite flavor of linux?? 😉

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