Is Windows 10 really a "free" upgrade?

[numnums]

Hi everyone,

This horse has probably already been beaten already, but will existing owners of Win7/8/8.1 really be able to upgrade to Win 10 for free? Forever? At zero cost? Within that year? Or is it just a "year trial" that will force you to buy it? Also, for users who do upgrade, what will happen to their existing CD key for their previous OS? They won't be running on it anymore, would it just transfer over as a Win 10 license? If I buy a new copy of Win 7 a week before Win 10 is released, would I still be able to upgrade? Any information will be much appreciated!

[Altecice]

yes it really will be a free upgrade*

[SuperPug]

Upgrade within a year of release, its yours forever.

[Lotus]

One thing I've always wondered is what if you upgrade to Win10 in the first year, then do a re-install. Does your License Key suddenly become a Windows 10 license, or are you stuck back using Windows 8? I've just never had a situation like this.

[RatedBlam]

Free Upgrade Offer*

Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year!  And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.

From microsoft's website

[jayctech]

One thing I've always wondered is what if you upgrade to Win10 in the first year, then do a re-install. Does your License Key suddenly become a Windows 10 license, or are you stuck back using Windows 8? I've just never had a situation like this.

Interesting question...

[numnums]

Interesting question...

Right?

[MblaZe7run]

According to everything I've heard, yes. As long as you upgrade within a year of release.

[Paulandpedro]

Hypothetically: If someone had a cracked version of windows 7/8 and then wanted to upgrade to 10 would that work? Or is it time to spend money on 10 since future OSs might be free.

[EarthboundHero]

From microsoft's website

Can I get a link to that?

 

Hypothetically: If someone had a cracked version of windows 7/8 and then wanted to upgrade to 10 would that work? Or is it time to spend money on 10 since future OSs might be free.

No, I think it turns the license into a Windows 10 license. And since you don't have a license you can't upgrade.

[Paulandpedro]

No, I think it turns the license into a Windows 10 license. And since you don't have a license you can't upgrade.

 

bummer.

[RatedBlam]

Can I get a link to that?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about

[TheMissxu]

You probably will get a Windows 10 key, but for the first year you can clean intall Windows 10 with your Windows 8 key.

 

In other words, when you upgrade or clean install with a Windows 8 key, you are granted a Windows 10 key. After a year, you can no longer use your Windows 8 key to upgrade or reinstall Windows 10. Make sure you take note of that new Windows 10 key!

 

Another senario would be that your Windows 8 key is linked to a Windows 10 key database, so your Windows 8 key becomes your Windows 10 key. After a year, there would be no more linking.

 

In both of these senarios, yes – Windows 10 is free. You will be granted a free Windows 10 key that you may use to reinstall Windows 10 indefinitly as long as there are validation servers.

[themaniac]

Upgrade within a year of release, its yours forever.

wait i thought you get it free for one year and then you had to buy a copy of it

[DacStugly]

Link: --> http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/windows-10-free-year-windows-7-windows-8x-and-windows-phone-81-upgrades

 

This is my conspiracy theory;

 

Know facts thus far.

 

1. Windows 10 - Free Upgrade: This is so all personal computers from Win7 -> win8.1 to be upgraded to Windows10 (That means all current user base becomes windows 10, why not its free*)

2. *It's free only for the first year of release. They will update Windows 10 for its commercial life (sounds too good to be true)

3. The current CEO of Microsoft is a cloud guy (look it up) there is more money in subscription e.g. Office 365

4. Recently Microsoft trademarked "Windows 365"

 

My Thoughts:

 

They are going to pull the same stunt they have done with Office 365. Standalone copy of Windows 10 will be more expensive than the subscription model. Forcing people now to subscribe to an OS. They already making sure all other services are in place to justify it.

 

1. Rope people into yearly subscription of office (why its cheaper and you can install on 5 computers)

2. OneDrive will contain all you documents and Windows 8.1 already backups all documents to that service

3. Announcement of a new web browser (Spartan)

4. There is a reason why Steam is going down SteamOS - So the options are open.

 

in the last 30 years Microsoft has never failed to disappoint.

[SuperPug]

wait i thought you get it free for one year and then you had to buy a copy of it

 

From the microsoft page:

 

Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year!  And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.

[themaniac]

From the microsoft page:

 

Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year!  And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.

i guess i read it wrong then cause i thought it said that it will be a free upgrade for one year and then you had to go back to windows 7 or 8 or 8.1 or buy it

[numnums]

Link: --> http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/windows-10-free-year-windows-7-windows-8x-and-windows-phone-81-upgrades

This is my conspiracy theory;

Know facts thus far.

1. Windows 10 - Free Upgrade: This is so all personal computers from Win7 -> win8.1 to be upgraded to Windows10 (That means all current user base becomes windows 10, why not its free*)

2. *It's free only for the first year of release. They will update Windows 10 for its commercial life (sounds too good to be true)

3. The current CEO of Microsoft is a cloud guy (look it up) there is more money in subscription e.g. Office 365

4. Recently Microsoft trademarked "Windows 365"

My Thoughts:

They are going to pull the same stunt they have done with Office 365. Standalone copy of Windows 10 will be more expensive than the subscription model. Forcing people now to subscribe to an OS. They already making sure all other services are in place to justify it.

1. Rope people into yearly subscription of office (why its cheaper and you can install on 5 computers)

2. OneDrive will contain all you documents and Windows 8.1 already backups all documents to that service

3. Announcement of a new web browser (Spartan)

4. There is a reason why Steam is going down SteamOS - So the options are open.

in the last 30 years Microsoft has never failed to disappoint.

Yessssss, I was waiting for someone to bring this up

[SuperPug]

Link: --> http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/windows-10-free-year-windows-7-windows-8x-and-windows-phone-81-upgrades

 

This is my conspiracy theory;

 

Know facts thus far.

 

1. Windows 10 - Free Upgrade: This is so all personal computers from Win7 -> win8.1 to be upgraded to Windows10 (That means all current user base becomes windows 10, why not its free*)

2. *It's free only for the first year of release. They will update Windows 10 for its commercial life (sounds too good to be true)

3. The current CEO of Microsoft is a cloud guy (look it up) there is more money in subscription e.g. Office 365

4. Recently Microsoft trademarked "Windows 365"

 

My Thoughts:

 

They are going to pull the same stunt they have done with Office 365. Standalone copy of Windows 10 will be more expensive than the subscription model. Forcing people now to subscribe to an OS. They already making sure all other services are in place to justify it.

 

1. Rope people into yearly subscription of office (why its cheaper and you can install on 5 computers)

2. OneDrive will contain all you documents and Windows 8.1 already backups all documents to that service

3. Announcement of a new web browser (Spartan)

4. There is a reason why Steam is going down SteamOS - So the options are open.

 

in the last 30 years Microsoft has never failed to disappoint.

 

 

Yessssss, I was waiting for someone to bring this up

 

Its free to upgrade during the first year. After that if you haven't upgraded to it you'll have to pay for it. Microsoft said they wanted to do a macOS type of model where theres a free software update every year instead of a whole new product that you have to buy.

[atbanpc]

If it is a free upgrade, which version of windows 10 will it upgrade to? Or do we not know yet?

[DacStugly]

I guess we just have to wait and see what Microsoft does.