WDI
So far what I've seen of Windiws 10 it looks pretty nice. But there is a part of me that thinks nothing is free. I thought I recently saw that one of the new features in Windows 10 update is to add more start screen widgets or whatever they are called that advertise App Store programs. We are so over run with advertisements now days. The Internet has become swamped with ads. Cable tv is nothing but ads. If rather pay up front and not have to deal with that stuff inside the OS.

They are called tiles. They are customizable. You can make them active or not selectively.  For example; a weather app will show the temp or any alerts if they are active without having to open them.  All programs can be tiled as well as apps. Program tiles have no ability to be active.  
 
The OS is not a platform for advertising as such. An app that is free may show an ad if that is the way it is written. None of mine do. Also its generally in the description in the Windows store if an app has ads. Usually they are in app ads. 
Also right now Windows 10 is free as long as you have a version that is a qualifying version. That will end in June. After that one will have to purchase Windows 10. 

I thinks Windows 10 works great,  I haven't had problems with windows 10 itself. 
 
Your can't hold onto that older version of Windows forever as software will no longer be compatible with it.  We all have to face the present and the future as sometime. 
 
No time like the present to jump right on in.
 
Peace

WDI
We are so over run with advertisements now days. The Internet has become swamped with ads. Cable tv is nothing but ads. If rather pay up front and not have to deal with that stuff inside the OS.

Welcome to the borg digital age. Prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
 
Apparently this is the new marketing model everyone will eventually migrate to and will have to to survive.
 
If ever computers and robots take over the world, the origins will be traced back to this.

gswitz

konradh
Until I am positive I can get things working on Win 10, how do I block another forced upgrade?
 

Switch to Linux?

Ouch.

I used the windows 10 upgrade as an opportunity to back up everything, and do a fresh install of windows 7 =-)

Is it possible to upgrade Windows XP to free upgrade Windows 10? On the machine this happened to it dual boots between XP and Windows 7. That way I could leave Windows 7 intact in case there are older programs not compatible with Windows 10.

I believe both OS are full version, not upgrades.

Windows 7 and Win 8.1 (not the enterprise versions) are the only ones that (legally) can upgrade to Win 10 free.  XP is not eligible.
 

konradh
Thanks, everyone.  I was able to roll back and I do have audio again.
Until I am positive I can get things working on Win 10, how do I block another forced upgrade?
 

Konrad - You can try Never10. If that doesn't work. PC Advisor has an article detailing various ways to block the upgrade. From all I've read, Windows 10 is pretty good and I'll be getting it soon. I hope you find a way to get your VS-700 working with it.

konradh
Thanks, everyone.  I was able to roll back and I do have audio again.
 
Until I am positive I can get things working on Win 10, how do I block another forced upgrade?
 

Go to "All Settings" and then "Update and Security" and turn off Automatic Updates...

Also, Windows WILL allow you to roll back updates if, for some reason,
they give you problems...