But if you upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7, your existing log-on (which has no Live account connection) continues exactly as before....
It's not really a surprise if an app store needs an account. Are there any that don't?
It's not really a surprise if an app store needs an account. Are there any that don't?
Yeah the ones that have existed since forever: GNU/Linux repositories (Ubuntu's, Debian's, etc.). Even Ubuntu's Software Center, which you might find closer to an app store than a command line interface even though it's the same thing, does not require an account until you try to leave comments or review an application.
Then there were browser addon repositories which worked the same way, first from Firefox and later from all other browsers. (Except one of course.)
So yes, no account was the standard. Needing an account is something recent.
I'd just like to download apk files from the play store, but that's not possible without an account even though there's no reason for it whatsoever. Moreover, I'd like to contribute to many apps while still not attaching payment info to my account. Currently I bought some pro versions of apps via gift cards, but this doesn't work for subscriptions (even if you have 100 bucks prepaid on your account and the subscription is 1 buck a month, and don't get me started on country locking the credit). They all want to have your data and lock you in.
In Windows 10's case, it's only for apps. If you're happy with Win32 programs, you still don't need to use a Microsoft Account.
Did you actually use Windows 10 you're complaining about?
I'm complaining about walled gardens and application "stores" that require an account in particular, even when they don't require payment information (making them not a store at all, just a walled application garden).
And yes, I have used the Windows Store once or twice, but I don't see how that changes anything.
I borrow books and CDs from a public library: I need an account.
I borrow videos from BlockBuster or stream them from Netflix: I need an account.
I want to comment on HN or whatever: I need an account.
I want to get a job, I need an account (SSN etc).
Want to borrow a book from another library because it's missing in yours?
Want to switch from Netflix to a different streaming provider, but don't want to lose all your history?
You can't easily because you're in their walled garden.
Also nearly any Linux package manager ;) (if they count as an "app store" for you)
Isn't it possible to buy something in the Windows Store and login just for this one purchase? Note sure though, but I think I remember doing that with Windows 8.
The Windows Store or also the Play Store and Apple's App Store could function without account for free apps, too, as far as I understand it they just choose to require an account up-front, so that there's less friction in the moment a user considers buying an app.