Is Windows 10 Free? Yes And No. An Explainer

[allheart55 Cindy E]

Microsoft is set to release Windows 10 later this year and users of current versions of the operating system will get an upgrade free of charge. That's what Microsoft said and made abundantly clear last January 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 the announcement, there have been some mixed signals and speculation about who'll get the free upgrade and who won't. Here's a brief overview of the different upgrade paths to Windows 10...

 

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 for Insiders

Microsoft will give a free upgrade path to the final release of the OS to those who beta tested Windows 10 through the Insider program.

 

This only means you will be able to upgrade to the final RTM (Release to Manufacturing) code without the need of a clean install, but it doesn't get you a free copy of Windows 10. Microsoft has not confirmed, but has vaguely hinted, you will be able to validate current Windows 7/8 licenses to get a genuine Windows 10 license when coming from the Insider Previews.

 

 

Windows 10 for current users of Windows Vista, XP

Windows XP was released 13 years ago 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

As announced in January, Windows 10 will be a free upgrade from Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 7 for the first year.

 

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.

 

Once a device is upgraded to Windows 10, it’ll be supported for the lifetime of the device.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9phebKc_DOs

 

What happens after the first year?

That's a good question. 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. Microsoft has yet to reveal how much they will charge for the OS as standalone software, but the writing on the wall suggests they want to move to a different model, one that's been a long time coming.

 

 

Windows as a Service

With Microsoft wanting to build Windows 10 into every type of device -- PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox, HoloLens, IoT appliances -- regular consumers may never have to pay for Windows again. Even today, OEMs are no longer paying for Windows on devices smaller than 9 inches.

 

But evidently a world where Microsoft makes no money is nowhere near to reality. What we're seeing instead is the disruption of a model that served them well for the last three decades, but is no longer sustainable when your list of direct competitors includes the likes of Google, Apple, Amazon, Samsung and Facebook, to name a few.

 

We won't know for a while, but a new Windows business model could take many shapes: subscription-based, pay what you want/pay for add-ons, indirect sales via Bing ads and the Windows Store, a Windows + Office 365 cloud bundle...

 

Making money from an active base of Windows users is the company's next big challenge, but to get there they've first set sights on building massive adoption into a single platform. The company learned this the hard way with mobile: there is no product to monetize if no one is using your product.

 

Source : http://www.techspot.com/article/1002-windows-10-free-or-not-explained/

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I definitely do not like the idea of Windows being subscription based. :real_anger:

[AWS]

I definitely do not like the idea of Windows being subscription based. :real_anger:

Oh it's coming. I think Windows 10 will be the last Microsoft OS I use. I will go OSX full time before I start to pay subscriptions.

[Mommalina]

Time for me to jump from XP Pro to a MAC? :watch:

[DSTM]

Time for me to jump from XP Pro to a MAC? :watch:

 

Your best bet is to get Windows7 installed for all you need, Lina.

Windows7 will be supported till 2020.

Windows7 is a great OS and easy to understand and navigate.

Not a huge learning curve either.:)

[Mommalina]

Dougie, that was sarcasm about my considering a MAC rather than W10. Recently

HP was offering new desktops with W7. I was sooo tempted but decided to see if I

would outlive my XP Pro computer.

Good thing I waited. It seems I have outlived my faithful 8-year-old electric recliner .. :money:

The new one will keep me more ambulatory and operational than a new computer would.

:jump:.. :jumpimg:

[Plastic Nev]

I get this feeling that Microsoft will sneak W10 onto every operating system they can via the usual updates channel, so for those of us wanting to keep hold of Windows 7 or even Vista (Yeugh) will have to be pretty vigilant at watching all updates.

Those who already have W8 or 8.1 might welcome W10 though.:)

 

However, for those of us who hang on to Windows 7, they might be forced into extending the support. Especially if all the hype falls through and no one takes up W10, or quickly reverts back to W7.

 

It is very much an open market at the moment, so if W10 is to take off, it had better be a lot more user friendly than W8 was, and to some extent better than W7.

It isn't the likes of us that will be using it, fairly technically proficient folks like us are in a minority, the majority just want a system that works and is easy to use.

 

Nev.

[allheart55 Cindy E]

I did get used to Windows 8.1 and I like it much better than Windows 8.

As for Windows 10 TP, I like it a lot so far and actually look forward to it's official release.

[AWS]

I did get used to Windows 8.1 and I like it much better than Windows 8.

As for Windows 10 TP, I like it a lot so far and actually look forward to it's official release.

I have been running it on my laptop for a while. Last week I installed it on my work laptop so I could check compatibility with some of my legacy programs. So far I've only had to make minor tweaks to the code, which I have to do for every OS upgrade, for everything to run.

 

I will probably push it out to the field shortly after it's released.