Ad-based Windows on the way?

qubit · Apr 7, 2010

A free, ad-based version of Windows may already be in the making., if not completed.

Talk of a free edition of Microsoft's Windows OS isn't anything new: the idea has been around since 2005 at the very least. However, Stephen Chapman of MSFTKitchen seems the think the free edition is closer to reality than ever before, especially with businesses pushing to move software into the cloud. After a little digging, he discovered that an actual ad-based version of Windows has actually been created.

This isn't a version of Windows I would want to run. I really hate ads in my face. It would probably introduce security vulnerabilities, too.

Would you want it?

Read the rest at Tom's Hardware.

phanbuey · Apr 7, 2010

it debends on how intrusive the ads are... if there is a popup every 5 mins then i would gave to break my computer... or download the "remove annoying ads patch" that would be out 2 days after windows

DonInKansas · Apr 7, 2010

I say yes only because there would be a workaround pretty quickly after it was released.

FordGT90Concept · Apr 7, 2010

I doubt it is for desktops. It is most likely for Windows CE and other light versions of windows for ultra-portables. I also imagine the ads will only appear when connected to the Internet. They would not be intrusive (like pop up ads) because that would turn people away from the operating system. Instead, they are probably like the ad banner at the bottom of the Windows Live Messenger.

On the plus side, that means a free OS which could, in turn, mean a cheaper mobile device.

qubit · Apr 8, 2010

Just a quick bump to get more votes. More comments welcome too. :rockout:

I see that the big majority don't want ads and no one doesn't care.

Solaris17 · Apr 8, 2010

i would immedietly rage and kill infants

DaMulta · Apr 8, 2010

I would install it, and then run a crack to get rid of the ads. Thus getting a copy of windows without pirating it.

Solaris17 · Apr 8, 2010

I think this would be perfect for like folding machines and stuff though. For people who are not partial to linux.

Easy Rhino · Apr 8, 2010

i am sure they have a 1000 different "versions" of windows already created in some sort of alpha form. probably one where you kill people and get windows for free... this is just mere speculation and filler for the site rapidly going down hill: tomshardware

freaksavior · Apr 8, 2010

DaMulta said:
I would install it, and then run a crack to get rid of the ads. Thus getting a copy of windows without pirating it.

pirate a free version of windows :cool:

Phxprovost · Apr 8, 2010

couldnt you just find a list of all the servers the os links to for adds and block them in your router?

Mussels · Apr 8, 2010

very easy for me to block the ads in my smoothwall really, so its just a free OS to me.

Black Panther · Apr 8, 2010

I don't expect anything I paid for to have any ads whatsoever.

If they plan on distributing it free, then that's another story.
They should still make the ad-free version for people who want to purchase the OS rather than get it for free.

roast · Apr 8, 2010

Black Panther said:
I don't expect anything I paid for to have any ads whatsoever.

If they plan on distributing it free, then that's another story.
They should still make the ad-free version for people who want to purchase the OS rather than get it for free.

That's the plan.

Mussels · Apr 8, 2010

my only question now, is what will it be? home basic? home premium? a new one?

WhiteLotus · Apr 8, 2010

Most likely a new one, running only the basics. Can't see it being all singing and dancing. Most likely be used for what someone above has said... for folding computers that requires no user input.

francis511 · Apr 8, 2010

This sounds like a myth to me. Anyone got any more genuine evidence ?

Kreij · Apr 8, 2010

I guess it makes sense. It's another revenue stream (companies paying to advertise on the OS) for Microsoft, and the companies advertising would not have to worry about people hitting a particular web site to see their ads (or be surfing at all).

If this is true, I am sure Microsoft has thought about people blocking the ads at their router/firewall and will detect that. Ads blocked, OS gets crippled. There are, of course, always other ways to fool the OS into thinking you are seeing the ads.

Meh ... I guess I don't really care either way. I would buy the non-ad version anyway.
The free version would probably be crippled even if you saw the ads.
ZOMG, I can only set my desktop display to 4 colors :eek:

FordGT90Concept · Apr 8, 2010

Kreij said:
ZOMG, I can only set my desktop display to 4 colors

Advertisers would hate that too. XD

richjordan255 · Apr 8, 2010

this would suit netbooks more than anything, ideal for those people who get a netbook with linux on, and dont underdatnd it. this way they can get windows at no cost, these people wont care about ads, they will just want an OS they can understand

AlienIsGOD · Apr 8, 2010

Easy Rhino said:
i am sure they have a 1000 different "versions" of windows already created in some sort of alpha form. probably one where you kill people and get windows for free... this is just mere speculation and filler for the site rapidly going down hill: tomshardware

Agreed. Toms has been pretty crappy lately on thier news and such. I cant even stand to read their forums anymore

newtekie1 · Apr 8, 2010

I depends on how intrusive the ads were, as some have already said.

If they are just in-line text ads, inserted into web-pages and such, like what we already have here at TPU, I wouldn't mind it.

I also wouldn't mind it if it was just a built in gadget that sits on the desktop displaying ads, that you can't turn off, or a toolbar in the taskbar that displayed little ads.

But if it pops up with an ad in my face every few minutes, I wouldn't like it.

PVTCaboose1337 · Apr 8, 2010

Remember the deal where you got free Windows if you let Microsoft watch you? Know how Google determines your ad choices, and why when you check your gmail all that shows up are "OMG COMPUTER DEALS," ads? Well they watch us. If someone was watching my computer I would simply not use it, cause some things I do are my business.

95Viper · Apr 8, 2010

I don't want it, but it is MS's software, so they can do what they wish. May be there is a market out there for it. Maybe, they could slap it on IPads, as Windows IPads Editions. :slap:

They have spoken of it before, they did it with Office starter edition for OEM's and replaced Works.
I like Works, it is cute and great for the casual user who doesn't need a lot of the functions of Office.

System Name	Quantumville™
Processor	Intel Core i7-2700K @ 4GHz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Cooling	Noctua NH-D14
Memory	16GB (2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance Black DDR3 PC3-12800 C9 1600MHz)
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2080 SUPER Gaming X Trio
Storage	Samsung 850 Pro 256GB \| WD Black 4TB \| WD Blue 6TB
Display(s)	ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR (4K, 144Hz, G-SYNC compatible) \| Asus MG28UQ (4K, 60Hz, FreeSync compatible)
Case	Cooler Master HAF 922
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty PCIe
Power Supply	Corsair AX1600i
Mouse	Microsoft Intellimouse Pro - Black Shadow
Keyboard	Yes
Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

Processor	13700KF Undervolted @ 5.6/ 5.5, 4.8Ghz Ring 200W PL1
Motherboard	MSI 690-I PRO
Cooling	Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 w/ Arctic P12 Fans
Memory	48 GB DDR5 7600 MHZ CL36
Video Card(s)	RTX 4090 FE
Storage	2x 2TB WDC SN850, 1TB Samsung 960 prr
Display(s)	Alienware 32" 4k 240hz OLED
Case	SLIGER S620
Audio Device(s)	Yes
Power Supply	Corsair SF750
Mouse	Xlite V2
Keyboard	RoyalAxe
Software	Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	They're pretty good, nothing crazy.

Processor	Core i5 3570K
Motherboard	AsRock z77 Pro4
Cooling	Zalman CNPS10X Extreme
Memory	2x4GB GSkill Sniper
Video Card(s)	MSI GTX970 Gaming
Storage	240GB OCZ ARC 100, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Display(s)	LG 23" 1920x1080
Case	Antec P100
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	Antec Edge 750W
Software	Windows 8.1 Pro 64

System Name	BY-2021
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (65w eco profile)
Motherboard	MSI B550 Gaming Plus
Cooling	Scythe Mugen (rev 5)
Memory	2 x Kingston HyperX DDR4-3200 32 GiB
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT
Storage	Samsung 980 Pro, Seagate Exos X20 TB 7200 RPM
Display(s)	Nixeus NX-EDG274K (3840x2160@144 DP) + Samsung SyncMaster 906BW (1440x900@60 HDMI-DVI)
Case	Coolermaster HAF 932 w/ USB 3.0 5.25" bay + USB 3.2 (A+C) 3.5" bay
Audio Device(s)	Realtek ALC1150, Micca OriGen+
Power Supply	Enermax Platimax 850w
Mouse	Nixeus REVEL-X
Keyboard	Tesoro Excalibur
Software	Windows 10 Home 64-bit
Benchmark Scores	Faster than the tortoise; slower than the hare.

System Name	Quantumville™
Processor	Intel Core i7-2700K @ 4GHz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3
Cooling	Noctua NH-D14
Memory	16GB (2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance Black DDR3 PC3-12800 C9 1600MHz)
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2080 SUPER Gaming X Trio
Storage	Samsung 850 Pro 256GB \| WD Black 4TB \| WD Blue 6TB
Display(s)	ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQR (4K, 144Hz, G-SYNC compatible) \| Asus MG28UQ (4K, 60Hz, FreeSync compatible)
Case	Cooler Master HAF 922
Audio Device(s)	Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty PCIe
Power Supply	Corsair AX1600i
Mouse	Microsoft Intellimouse Pro - Black Shadow
Keyboard	Yes
Software	Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

System Name	Rocinante
Processor	I9 14900KS
Motherboard	EVGA z690 Dark KINGPIN (modded BIOS)
Cooling	EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB
Memory	64GB Gskill Trident Z5 DDR5 6000 @6400
Video Card(s)	MSI SUPRIM Liquid X 4090
Storage	1x 500GB 980 Pro \| 1x 1TB 980 Pro \| 1x 8TB Corsair MP400
Display(s)	Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC
Case	Lian Li o11 Evo Dynamic White
Audio Device(s)	Moondrop S8's on Schiit Hel 2e
Power Supply	Bequiet! Power Pro 12 1500w
Mouse	Lamzu Atlantis mini (White)
Keyboard	Monsgeek M3 Lavender, Akko Crystal Blues
VR HMD	Quest 3
Software	Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	I dont have time for that.

System Name	Work in progress
Processor	AMD 955---4Ghz
Motherboard	MSi GD70
Cooling	OcZ Phase/water
Memory	Crucial2GB kit (1GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-16000
Video Card(s)	CrossfireX 2 X HD 4890 1GB OCed to 1000Mhz
Storage	SSD 64GB
Display(s)	Envision 24'' 1920x1200
Case	Using the desk ATM
Audio Device(s)	Sucky onboard for now :(
Power Supply	1000W TruePower Quattro

System Name	Desktop
Processor	i5 13600KF
Motherboard	AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling	Noctua NH-U9S
Memory	4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage	WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s)	Gigabye M32U
Case	Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s)	On Board
Power Supply	EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse	MX Master 3s
Keyboard	Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software	The Matrix

System Name	ZeroUptime \| M.A.S.S / MM1
Processor	Xeon 2659 v3 / Xeon 2683 v4 / ARM A14
Motherboard	Asus X99-E-10G WS / ASRock x99 usb 3.1 / Apple
Cooling	NZXT Kraken / Noctua NH-L12 / Apple
Memory	16Gb DDR4 / 32Gb DDR4 / 16GB HBLM
Video Card(s)	Powercooler ATI vega 64 / GT 7300 / ARM
Storage	Samsung 970 512 Evo NVMe / A lot. / 256 + 512 External TB3
Display(s)	Acer Predator X34 / Headless / Acer X34 Non predator
Case	NZXT H630 \|Rosewill 8bay 4u server chasiss / MMM1
Audio Device(s)	Onboard / Onboard / Onboard
Power Supply	Corais HX850 \| Corsair TX750 / Internal 250w
Mouse	g502 proteus core / Headless / g502 proteus core
Keyboard	Corsair K95 Cherry Blue / Headless / K65 Cherry Red
Software	Windows 10 / ESXI / Big Sur 11.2.2

System Name	Result of Boredom
Processor	AMD FX-6350
Motherboard	ASUS M5A97
Cooling	Enzo Tech Extreme-X
Memory	16gb ddr3
Video Card(s)	XFX R9 290
Display(s)	Asus 24in (1920X1080) X 2 @144hz
Case	NZXT S340
Software	WIN7 64bit HP

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

System Name	Black Panther
Processor	i9 9900k
Motherboard	Gigabyte Z390 AORUS PRO Wifi 1.0
Cooling	NZXT Kraken X72 360mm
Memory	2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 3600Mhz
Video Card(s)	Palit RTX2080 Ti Dual 11GB DDR6
Storage	Samsung EVO 970 500GB SSD M.2 & 2TB Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm
Display(s)	32'' Gigabyte G32QC 2560x1440 165Hz
Case	NZXT H710i Black
Audio Device(s)	Razer Electra V2 & Z5500 Speakers
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus GX-850 Gold 80+
Mouse	Some Corsair lost the box forgot the model
Keyboard	Motospeed
Software	Windows 10

System Name	Vintage
Processor	i7 - 3770K @ Stock
Cooling	Scythe Zipang II
Memory	2x4GB Crucial DDR3
Video Card(s)	MSI GTX970
Storage	M4 124GB SSD// WD Black 640GB// WD Black 1TB//Samsung F3 1.5TB
Display(s)	Samsung SM223BW 21.6"
Case	Generic
Power Supply	Corsair HX 520W
Software	Windows 7

Processor	Core I5 4440 / 4430
Motherboard	Asus z87-k / Gigabyte ga h97- d3h
Cooling	Arctic freezer / Generic
Memory	8 gb Mushkin / Various
Video Card(s)	Radeon 7850 cf / Gtx 690
Storage	Samsung 850 EVO 250 gb / 2x1 terabyte hdds Wd 256 gb nvme
Display(s)	Technika 32" / Asus 24` ips
Case	Corsair
Audio Device(s)	X-fi Titanium
Power Supply	Corsair 850 w
Software	Windows 10

System Name	My Updated Gaming Rig
Processor	Intel Q6600 @ 3.15 GHz :-)
Motherboard	MSI P6N SLI Platinum
Cooling	Zalman 9700
Memory	8GB G.Skill DDR2 @ 5-4-4-14 (933mhz) OC :-)
Video Card(s)	2 BFG 8800 GTS 512 in SLi
Storage	2 500GB Hitatchi Sata 2 in RAID0 Hitatchi 1TB Sata2 for DATA
Display(s)	Samsung Syncmaster 2232BW 22" LCD
Case	Coolermaster Cosmos
Audio Device(s)	Creative Audigy 2ZS
Power Supply	Akasa 850W Gaming PSU
Software	Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
Benchmark Scores	Don't believe in benchies I prefer actually using the PC

System Name	Aliens Ryzen Rig \| 2nd Hand Omen
Processor	Ryzen R5 5600 \| Ryzen R5 3600
Motherboard	Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite (F61 BIOS) \| B450 matx
Cooling	DeepCool Castle EX V2 240mm AIO\| stock for now
Memory	8GB X 2 DDR4 3000mhz Team Group Vulcan \| 16GB DDR4
Video Card(s)	Sapphire Pulse RX 5700 8GB \| GTX 1650 4GB
Storage	Adata XPG 8200 PRO 512GB SSD OS / 240 SSD + 2TB M.2 SSD Games / 1000 GB Data \| SSD + HDD
Display(s)	Acer ED273 27" VA 144hz Freesync \|TCL 32" 1080P w/ HDR
Case	NZXT H500 Black \| HP Omen Obelisk
Audio Device(s)	Onboard Realtek \| Onboard Realtek
Power Supply	EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650w 80+ Gold \| 500w
Mouse	Steelseries Rival 500 15 button mouse w/ Razor Goliathus Chroma XL mousemat \| Logitech G502
Keyboard	Logitech G910 Orion Spark RGB w/ Romer G tactile keys \| Logitech G513 Carbon w/ Romer G tactile keys
Software	Windows 10 Pro \| Windows 10 Pro

Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
Motherboard	AsRock Z470 Taichi
Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
Memory	32GB DDR4-3600
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super
Storage	500GB SX8200 Pro + 8TB with 1TB SSD Cache
Display(s)	Acer Nitro VG280K 4K 28"
Case	Fractal Design Define S
Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64

System Name	Whim
Processor	Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.4ghz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z77-V LX
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212+
Memory	2 x 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws @ 1600mhz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte GTX 670 2gb
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256gb, WD 2TB Black
Display(s)	Shimian QH270 (1440p), Asus VE228 (1080p)
Case	Cooler Master 430 Elite
Audio Device(s)	Onboard > PA2V2 Amp > Senn 595's
Power Supply	Corsair 750w
Software	Windows 8.1 (Tweaked)

Ad-based Windows on the way?

Would you run an ad-based Windows?

Yes, I don't mind the ads

No, I don't like the ads

I'm not sure. Never tried this before

Don't care either way, as long as Windows works

Overclocked quantum bit

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

Overclocked quantum bit

Super Dainty Moderator

My stars went supernova

Super Dainty Moderator

Linux Advocate

To infinity ... and beyond!

Xtreme Refugee

Freshwater Moderator

Freshwater Moderator

Senior Monkey Moderator

"I go fast!1!11!1!"

New Member

Vanguard Beta Tester

Semi-Retired Folder

Graphical Hacker

Super Moderator