Windows 10 Will Be A Free Upgrade For Windows 7 And 8.1 Users

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Microsoft's Windows 10 event is just getting started, and it sounds like the company is eager to make it as easy and cheap as possible for those running older versions of Windows to upgrade. Terry Myerson just announced on stage that, for the first year after Windows 10 launches, any device running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows Phone 8.1 will be able to upgrade to the latest version of MIcrosoft's OS — for free.

How exactly this program will work isn't clear just yet — it'll certainly be subject to some hardware requirements, particularly for older machines running Windows 7. But a simplified upgrade path will likely do a lot to help Windows 10 adoption — rather than dealing with a number of different versions of Windows and different upgrade costs, most consumers will simply take this free update and enjoy running Microsoft's latest.

Beyond this, Myerson shared Microsoft's vision for Windows as a service, not just an operating system. A big part of that is Microsoft's new commitment to keep devices consistently updated throughout the "supported lifetime for the device."

It sounds like that means those upgrading from Microsoft's older versions of Windows will consistently receive updates to keep it as up-to-date as possible. Myerson noted that this will let developer "target every single Windows device" when they build apps — anything that makes it easier for developers to reach more users will certainly be appreciated by both the developer community as well as end users.

Check out our Windows 10 event live blog for more!

 

[GimboV]

a service? NO it's an operating system. And if it becomes a service that means PAY! I don't mind paying once for it but no way in hell will I pay a monthly service fee to use it. And I think that would be true for lots of people. People are tapped out the way it is, I think MS would shoot themselves in the foot if it became a service. Besides with all the free usage OS's why would I pay for this one? And this bull about consistently updated... what??? it is updated now the only difference would be monthly payments for updates... again not going to happen.

 

[AWS]

It probably will be a yearly fee. Microsoft has been wanting to go the SAS (software as a service ) route for years. This is the way to do it. Give Windows 10 for free then after a year offer upgrades at a price.

Adobe went this route. It actually cost me less now for Photoshop. As long as my subscription is kept up I get the new version as soon as they are released.

 

[GimboV]

I don't see how it could cost less. Figure $10 a month over the three year cycle of MS releases that is $360. I've paid $150 for Windows every version since Vista. $5 a month would be $180 over the same cycle time and I doubt they would charge less then $5 a month. Not to mention I don't want another monthly charge and I am sure neither do a lot of people. I skipped Windows 7 by choice and saved $150. Under a subscription I would have paid. I do understand what you are saying and yes, sometimes a subscription is beneficial, but I think it would cost the consumer too much. I honestly would see this idea as a shot in the foot for MS. Not everyone is that interested in a computer to fork over a monthly fee. Heck I can access the internet from my smart TV, tablet and or phone. Where it would really benefit MS is in the business sector. I am sure this is the money that MS is after. However, the whole upgrade thing is not going to fly well in that sector due to other software not being able to be upgraded. Many businesses are very slow to upgrade tech and this would only make it worse on them, so my own opinion is leave it alone MS. Just my two cents take from it what you will.