The Inquirer was nice enough to compile a list of requirements to get a free upgrade to Windows 10, based on the rather confusing information which is being provided by Microsoft. Windows XP and Vista users as well as any and all Enterprise customers will have to pay; prices are expected to be similar to previous releases. If you run Win7 then you have until 27 July 2016 to click that little upgrade icon to reserve your copy for installation once the new OS is released. If you are running Win8 then you must upgrade to Win8.1, from there you are qualified. If you ran the beta, as in you were a member of the Windows Insiders Programme, it depends on your current Windows license, the fact that you tested will not grant you a free copy of Windows 10. If you pirated or have lost your key then you are SOL, as are those running Linux as The Inquirer amusingly points out.
"MICROSOFT has been a little less than helpful in clarifying the terms of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer, and The INQUIRER is here to help."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Facebook SSD failure study pinpoints mid-life burnout rate trough @ The Register
- Microsoft looking to charge extra licensing fees for high-end notebooks @ DigiTimes
- Incoming! Linux 4.1 kernel lands @ The Register
- Hackers Exploit MacKeeper Flaw To Spread OS X Malware @ Slashdot
- TP-Link Archer C9 AC1900 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router @ eTeknix
This confuses me greatly. My
This confuses me greatly. My work computer is windows 7 prof and no upgrade icon. Home computer is Windows 8.1 and no icon either. Both are up to date, and automatically install important updates.
Because your work computer
Because your work computer has a bulk enterprise licensed custom image, and your IT department is the one doing the updates, via your IT department’s approved customized Image. I seriously doubt your work computer has automatic updates enabled, if your are in an enterprise of medium or larger size, as those updates would need to be tested before deployment by your company’s IT department, most enterprises utilize Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and other tools to keep the corporate PCs updated. What department do you work for at your job?
Do a manual update on your
Do a manual update on your Win 8.1 machine and verify it is currently activated. You should see it come up.
Enterprise versions, like the one at your work will not see it. In fact if you do you should be afraid; be very afraid.
Thank you both for
Thank you both for responding, I will have to try the manual update tonight.
I’m one of the few people in my company that has a laptop with a non Enterprise OS. I apologize, should have mentioned that in my first post.
Not interested in a free
Not interested in a free upgrade to a potentially subscription OS, once windows loses the numbers and becomes just windows! I’ll stick with the bought and paid for windows 7, sans the TIFKAM tiles app store ecosystem baked onto the 8, and above 8 numbered OSs. It’s 2015 and about 5 years before 2020 so maybe some further pain will bring M$ around to getting rid of the OS that makes the user the product for the profits off of the personal metrics selling, and app store 30% extra of the top on software. I’d rather pay for mine and own it ought right, than get a freebee that is chained to a subscription OSAAS pay to play system. M$ wants to become the COMCAST of OS providers, with users’ PC/Laptop hardware becoming no more than just connected appliances/modems à La Mode to another billing service.
I buy HP, ASUS, etc. branded PCs/Laptops from third party independent OEMs, and I am not buying any M$ branded hardware, or closed software ecosystem, so I’ll choose to forgo any future M$ OS product, and go with a Linux based alternative.
I can not wait until there are laptops offered with Steam OS, right out of the Box, and without the windows Tax. I’m getting tired of the lack of OS choices on new laptop hardware.
Do a disk backup and upgrade.
Do a disk backup and upgrade.
If win 10 does not turn out the way you want it restore the disk.
I really doubt Win 10 will be 100% app store base. There is just way to much to loose.
That will be hard to do if,
That will be hard to do if, as we suspect, the upgrade burns your old license. You won’t be able to activate your older version of Windows for any fresh installs- nor can you get any any straight-up updates.
Here is the proper scoop on
Here is the proper scoop on what the windows insiders will get once Windows 10 goes live http://www.winbeta.org/news/insider-preview-users-wont-need-reserve-their-free-upgrade-windows-10-rtm
“If you run Win7 then you
“If you run Win7 then you have until 27 July 2016 to click that little upgrade icon to reserve your copy for installation once the new OS is released.”
Wait, so you have to reserve or you won’t ever be able to get the free upgrade? Or will the icon just disappear and there will be some other way to upgrade, via MS site maybe?
The free upgrade offer for
The free upgrade offer for current Windows 7 / 8.1 users is only for a year. So if you do not reserve your free copy with in that offer period you will have to buy a license for Windows 10 just like other non upgrade or custom built new machines will have to do.
I knew that the free upgrade
I knew that the free upgrade was only available for a year, but the above was making it sound like if you didn’t reserve it, you wouldn’t be able to get it. However, read on a MSN blog post;
“You will also be able to download and install the free Windows 10 upgrade from day one even if you didn’t reserve it prior.”
Which confirmed what I’d previously read about the 1 year upgrade offer.
MS looks like it is in bridge
MS looks like it is in bridge burning and and scorched earth mode. If you do this update, the license for your older version of Windows is invalidate.
Caveat Emptor. Nothing is for free. It will cost you your old OS. Windows 10 will open some doors you pay to open, but it will also be your cop if you don’t. I won’t mention spy … oh wait … I just did.