Is Windows 10 Upgrade Free Forever? Yes and No: An Explanation
Microsoft has released Windows 10 free on July 29th and users of current versions of the operating system are getting an upgrade free of charge. That’s what Microsoft has made abundantly clear since Jan’ 2016, when it presented key consumer features of the new OS including Cortana, Project Spartan (now Microsoft Edge), DirectX 12, and Hololens, which seemingly runs some version of Windows 10.
So where’s the confusion?
Since that announcement, Microsoft has sent mixed signals (more than once) and speculation has built on top of that about who gets the free upgrade and who doesn’t if Insiders get a free pass or not. Here’s a brief overview of the different upgrade paths to Windows 10 that explains it all…
Windows 10 for Insiders
If you are an Insider (beta tester), there are three things you need to know:
- Microsoft is giving Insiders a free upgrade path to the final release of the OS Windows 10 Free. This only means you will be able to upgrade from the Preview to the final RTM (Release to Manufacturing) code without the need of a clean install, but this doesn’t get you a free copy of Windows 10.
- Microsoft has confirmed you will be able to validate current Windows 7/8 licenses to get a genuine Windows 10 license when coming from the Insider Previews. For more about this, see the section below “Windows 10 for current users of Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1.”
- If you don’t have a Windows license to upgrade from, you can either buy Windows 10 or you can keep using Windows 10 as an Insider. Microsoft plans to continue the Insider program after Windows 10 ships. This means you can keep using Windows 10 Preview builds (even if they are exactly as the final release) and subsequent builds in the Fast and Slow ring. These builds have an expiration date, but as the Insider program continues, you can just keep getting newly updated builds and automated extensions of your Windows install indefinitely, as long as Microsoft doesn’t pull the plug on the beta testing program.
Windows 10 for Pirates
Users running pirated copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8 will be able to upgrade to Windows 10. However, their Windows license will remain invalid after the upgrade process is complete, meaning pirates won’t be getting a “free” upgrade to Windows 10.
This will likely mean that non-genuine users will be subject to anti-piracy countermeasures after the upgrade if previous versions are anything to go by. With this move, Microsoft gets the opportunity to “re-engage” pirates by making the upgrade path straightforward and have a wider adoption of its latest OS platform regardless if the user paid for a license or not.
Windows 10 Free for current users of Windows Vista, XP
Windows XP was released 13 years back and it is no longer a supported platform. There is no way you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 from XP or Vista systems, a clean install will be required. No free offers for the first year. Nada.
Windows 10 for current users of Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1
Windows 10 Free will come as an upgrade to Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 7 for the first year. Once a device is upgraded to Windows 10, it’ll be supported for the lifetime of the device.
- Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Premium and Windows 8.1 users will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
- Windows 7 Professional, Ultimat, and Windows 8.1 Pro users will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro
- Windows Phone 8.1 users will be upgraded to Windows 10 Mobile
- Windows Enterprise, Windows RT and Windows 8 users are not eligible for a free upgrade
Microsoft’s intention is clear: drive massive adoption of its latest operating system on most modern PCs. Windows 7 is found on nearly half of all Windows-based PCs and a wide majority of that hardware will be equally capable to run the more secure, up to date version of the OS.
What happens after the first year?
Microsoft under Satya Nadella is rapidly changing, and Windows as a service appears to be next. The company has already talked about moving away from big Windows releases in favor of smaller incremental updates that continually evolve the operating system. They have gone as far as calling it the last version of Windows.
“Right now we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10,” said Jerry Nixon, a Microsoft Developer Evangelist.
Users taking advantage of the free upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8 can continue to use Windows 10 as valid license owners indefinitely. Those who for some reason don’t upgrade until after the offer has expired will likely have to pay for Windows 10.
At least in the short term, Microsoft has announced Windows 10’s pricing will stay the same as Windows 8.1’s. That means Windows 10 Home will retail for $119, just like standard Windows 8.1; while Windows 10 Pro will retail for $199, just like Windows 8.1 Pro. The Windows 10 Pro Pack, allowing you to upgrade from Home to Pro, will cost $99.
Summarily, if you are a present user of Windows 7 or 8, you can get Windows 10 Free absolutely free and there is no doubt about it.
Summarily, if you are a present user of Windows 7 or 8, you can get Windows 10 Free absolutely free and there is no doubt about it.
Updated on Jul 2017
I got inputs from some of the friends that they missed the bus and could not upgrade their existing windows OS to Windows 10. Ok, there is a good news for you. Free upgrade though officially ended on July 29, 2016, it looks that Microsoft has not closed the upgrade for those of the left outs. Even yesterday, I have upgraded one of the Windows 7 Pro machine, which was left out from the upgrade for some operational issues.
So friends things are not closed. Customers who use assistive technologies can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost. So for any upgrade use this link.
Enjoy, All the best.