Well, it looks like anyone can still upgrade their old Windows version to the latest Windows 10 version for free:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

Windows10 latest version is altogether superior to earlier versions - smaller footprint and faster and more secure. For example (and this is not the basis for my statement, only some evidence that it is true), I upgraded an old Toshiba Windows tablet with 32GB of memory from 8.1 to Windows 10 and it freed up space and ran faster with better battery life. There is no reason to run an older version except to run old software that won't run on new Windows version.

People running old versions of Windows are damaging themselves (except if they have to because they need old, discontinued software).

Free upgrades, I guess that is capitalism too.

Users of older Windows operating system versions are more vulnerable to hacks, their systems run slower and they use up more disk space and energy - that is the damage (in case you did not understand). No capabilities are lost at all by upgrading. Do you refute that?

Forced updates - wow! How horrible. Why do they force updates? - among other reasons, to ensure that software won't be attacked by hackers (and we know where the best and most active of those are located). And to eliminate bugs. How terrible (it is annoying sometimes). Are you recommending that people keep using old software to avoid updates? what are you actually saying?

Do you prefer the business model of your apparent friends at Magix, who require paid upgrades of their software to fix known bugs afflicting their current version that they have the gall to list? You like that instead?

'It's still better than what Apple does with FCPX requiring the latest OS to run the newest version of FCPX and eventually that means you'll need to buy another overpriced Mac.' Gotta disagree there @CFreak - I've got a 2008 Mac and its only the latest OS update thats prevented me upgrading FCPX on that one - 10 years of operation ain't bad in terms of software, I MUCH prefer Apple's model of buying the software outright and updating when needed as opposed to Adobe's overly expensive subscription model, running Premiere Pro for 10 years on subscription woulda cost me a hell of a lot more than FCPX

@markr041

You have supplied zero evidence of any problems from updates to Windows 10 other than what I noted - compatibility of old software that is not updated (and very old hardware).

You try to twist facts. I property outlined issues and it is quite stupid to ask me for "evidence" as it is so obvious.

Oligarchs in Communist countries and the many hackers there laugh too at the people they really exploit while they consume caviar at their summer dachas. So what?

Well, you are economics professor, after all, try to read books, and you stop having "Oligarchs in Communist countries". They exist only in dreams. No need to teach you basics, sad that this required.

Magix Vegas Pro still crashes a lot, and has major known bugs that are not fixed, even with the paid upgrade. Their expensive paid upgrades offered minimal advances (customize the look - wow!). That is why many are moving to DaVinci Resolve. I am almost completely moved.

Magix has very little to do with Vegas, almost all core team is still same old :-) And it is big wish to remain such that cause so lot of bugs and slow improvements speed.
For some people it is very stable, for others it crashes, sometimes crashes with specific driver or OS. I suggest you to go to Adobe communities and threads discussing bugs and crashes.

That is why many are moving to DaVinci Resolve. I am almost completely moved.

Well, Resolve is moving very fast. If you like it, mperfect. Yet they also have similar approach to Adobe. And they start making really bloated piece of software.

My points are not to defend Adobe's cloud-based model, only the curious arguments against updating software.

Mark, we have different experience in this field. Try to go and talk to any admin who manage big amount of systems and have good connection to his user base. Can also try to talk to some long time software users and ask their opinion about update just for the sake of update.

As one of Microsoft devs told me - if they won't make updates so forced in Windows 10 they could be in big trouble. As people do not see any benefits from last "improvements". So, this guys make work for themselves. This is exactly capitalism in all it's beauty.

It's funny that pirated software is now the surviving archive, and only way for some software to continue existing on Earth. Computer vendors (and excessive IP laws) have done a horrible job at preserving the 'heritage' of computing.

Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft aside for now, the FANG companies receive all Wall Street attention, presumably for the purpose of devouring the rest of the computing industry, and all other elements of our economy for that matter.

@robertGL

It's funny that pirated software is now the surviving archive, and only way for some software to continue existing on Earth. Computer vendors (and excessive IP laws) have done a horrible job at preserving the 'heritage' of computing.

Because so called "computer vendors" are organizations of the decaying old society order, and so called "pirated software" is part of progressive new. Capitalist ideally does not care for you after you paid him, and only reason why he cares is because you or someone else won't pay for new version or update in the future.

Meanwhile, Apple and Microsoft aside for now, the FANG companies receive all Wall Street attention, presumably for the purpose of devouring the rest of the computing industry, and all other elements of our economy for that matter.

Well, all you see is rules on how capitalist society works. Monopolies rise to power, marge with banks and government and become extremely regressive machines doing very little for real needs of people.