Windows 10 to be Free Upgrade for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 Users

btarunr · Jan 21, 2015

In what could be a fundamental shift in how Microsoft monetizes its flagship product, the Windows operating system, the company decided to offer its upcoming Windows 10 as a free upgrade for existing users of Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. This offer will be applicable only for the first year following Windows 10 launch (after which, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users will have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10). Windows 10 will see the return of the Start Menu, a productive Desktop environment, and cutting-edge new API features such as DirectX 12.

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Chaitanya · Jan 21, 2015

Will be waiting for reviews and will try it in some store before upgrading to Win10 from Win7. Luckily I didnt make a mistake of upgrading from Win7 to 8 .

natr0n · Jan 21, 2015

I like free.

Still on 7 currently.

nickbaldwin86 · Jan 21, 2015

Windows 10 Preview is on my machine now... best OS yet

Yes I will be getting my free upgrades with all my old win7 and win8 codes.

I am watching the live feed from Microsoft

TRWOV · Jan 21, 2015

Nice move MS :toast:

Will make sure to upgrade to 10 on day one

MxPhenom 216 · Jan 21, 2015

Chaitanya said:
Will be waiting for reviews and will try it in some store before upgrading to Win10 from Win7. Luckily I didnt make a mistake of upgrading from Win7 to 8 .

Your mistake was not upgrading to 8.1.

Debat0r · Jan 21, 2015

I wonder how they will monetize it then...? Ads in windows?

mroofie · Jan 21, 2015

Free for a year ?? vague much ? :0
Do we pay after the 1 year ??
WTF!! :0

MxPhenom 216 said:
Your mistake was not upgrading to 8.1.

How does one not upgrade to 8.1 :0
Last time I checked that upgrade was free (for users on 8.0)
5 bucks says he's a hater

MxPhenom 216 said:
that should be implied...

now you vague xD

Not getting what you're saying :/

MxPhenom 216 · Jan 21, 2015

mroofie said:
Free for a year ?? vague much ? :0
Do we pay after the 1 year ??
WTF!! :0

that should be implied...

GhostRyder · Jan 21, 2015

Been loving the preview on my test computer, this is a great deal to offer it as a free upgrade to those with 7 and 8. Makes people more willing to upgrade in general and will help them get rid of supporting old platforms.

Disparia · Jan 21, 2015

Very nice. Used the preview for awhile and like it so there's 3 Windows 7 computers here that'll go to 10 upon launch. Now the important question is when? I'd like it to coincide with some SSD upgrades.

Sony Xperia S · Jan 21, 2015

Debat0r said:
I wonder how they will monetize it then...? Ads in windows?

Service packs are free, consider Win10 a second service pack to Win8.

nickbaldwin86 said:
Windows 10 Preview is on my machine now... best OS yet

I wonder what is so special and good about it?

P4-630 · Jan 21, 2015

Does this mean that I have to re-install all my software?

thekaidis · Jan 21, 2015

mroofie said:
Free for a year ?? vague much ? :0
Do we pay after the 1 year ??
WTF!! :0

How does one not upgrade to 8.1 :0
Last time I checked that upgrade was free (for users on 8.0)
5 bucks says he's a hater

now you vague xD

Not getting what you're saying :/

From my understanding, it's "free for 1 year" in that the free upgrade has to be redeemed within one year of release. I've seen no mention of a subscription-based model.

Think of it as giving current Windows users a free-upgrade coupon which expires in 365 days.

lemonadesoda · Jan 21, 2015

I do hope "free for a year" doesn't mean that Win10 will be OS-as-a-service, ie subscription based pay per month/year, like MS's new concept for Office. Requiring always, or nearly always, or often, connected.

Still love 2K3/XP more than 8.1. Yes, I know I know the taskmanager has improved. And multitasking is 10% more efficient, but LOL what else for me and my use of Windows for email, file management, Office, printing, and Chrome Browser?

I buy my cars. I buy my beers. I buy my women. I don't and won't rent them.

TRWOV · Jan 21, 2015

Sony Xperia S said:
I wonder what is so special and good about it?

Mine boots in 5 seconds on a non UEFI board (5 seconds after POST, not 5 seconds from powering up). That's using an SSD though but I guess it'd take even less on an UEFI board with all the bells and whistles enabled.

Ahhzz · Jan 21, 2015

Sony Xperia S said:
Service packs are free, consider Win10 a second service pack to Win8.

Most intelligent post this year, so far.

Crap Daddy · Jan 21, 2015

Is Bill Gates confusing his charity work with Microsoft, or is this Nadella's way to turn things around in the company by giving away the most precious asset?
Either way there has to be a catch, nothing's free in the free world. But it sounds good.

Scrable · Jan 21, 2015

Chaitanya said:
Will be waiting for reviews and will try it in some store before upgrading to Win10 from Win7. Luckily I didnt make a mistake of upgrading from Win7 to 8 .

Same. At least we have a year to do it.

EYE4ONE · Jan 21, 2015

That was the worst presentation for a New Product I have ever seen from a large corporation. The lack of enthusiasm from the host was apparent and the continued pacing back and forth onstage was highly irritating. I stopped watching after 5 minutes and will wait for Online Techies to get a general synopsis.

0zzy · Jan 21, 2015

Wonder if pirated copies wil be able to upgrade. Most likely not due to them not being genuinely activated.

TRWOV · Jan 21, 2015

Crap Daddy said:
Is Bill Gates confusing his charity work with Microsoft, or is this Nadella's way to turn things around in the company by giving away the most precious asset?
Either way there has to be a catch, nothing's free in the free world. But it sounds good.

Well, most end users don't upgrade Windows versions at all, they upgrade when buying new PCs so this might not affect MS too much if at all. Also, I think this free upgrade won't work with VLK or KMS keys (corporate) just with retail keys, otherwise that would be suicidal for MS as you say.

adulaamin · Jan 21, 2015

I'll be upgrading to 10 once it becomes available. I hope it won't be subscription based after one year though.

64K · Jan 21, 2015

TRWOV said:
Also, I think this free upgrade won't work with VLK or KMS keys (corporate) just with retail keys, otherwise that would be suicidal for MS as you say.

That's what I've been reading too. This will only be for personal use upgrades not businesses that buy multiple use keys.

Crap Daddy said:
Is Bill Gates confusing his charity work with Microsoft, or is this Nadella's way to turn things around in the company by giving away the most precious asset?
Either way there has to be a catch, nothing's free in the free world. But it sounds good.

MS may go to a subscription model or they may be hoping to make up the loss by pushing apps from their store.

Ahhzz · Jan 21, 2015

The tech talk I'm seeing appears to back it being a repeat of the Windows 8 Fiasco, but an apology for screwing the pooch on Windows 8, and making it free to upgrade for the first year instead of $40 like Win8 was. Basically, if you have win7 or Win 8 legitimately obtained, and not on volume licensing (which already has a different update/upgrade model), or a win 8 mobile device (jury is still out on whether that covers tablets as well as phones), you can upgrade to Windows 10 if you do it within the first 365 days of release. After that, if you want to upgrade, or build your own, you'll have to purchase the license.

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Windows 10 to be Free Upgrade for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 Users

btarunr

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