Windows 10 will be free upgrade for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 users

Microsoft announced today that Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade for users of devices running Window 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 for a time.

The announcement was made by Terry Myerson at an event showcasing Windows 10's consumer experience features to date. The next iteration of Microsoft's most popular product will be released later this year, projected for the fall, and will let Microsoft close the door on the Windows 8 era.

It's not clear how exactly the free upgrade will work for users running Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, but it will be limited to its first year of availability.

No doubt an upgrade will depend on hardware, and limited to verified genuine copies of Windows.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 21 Jan 2015 12:53

hearme0

This is good news..........good news indeed.

As a network engineer, I'll be hopping on this OS the moment it's made available to replace my 7.

Then on to vetting the OS for corporate implementation. So far it's great.

21.1.2015 14:04 #1

Mrguss

If I want a W-10 I just buy another machine.
As long W-7 work like a champ. Why break something is not broken !?

Live Free or Die.
The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.

21.1.2015 16:21 #2

Interestx

I suppose we will await details but I'm pleased about this, nice one Microsoft.

21.1.2015 16:39 #3

DarthMopar

A nice surprise...Well played, Microsoft. -Now don't screw it up!

21.1.2015 23:02 #4

spunkee1

i loved win7,oh dear hope they don't stuff it up like win8.
& when is 'fall'-when its supposed to be released?

22.1.2015 00:38 #5

leemoo

Originally posted by spunkee1: i loved win7,oh dear hope they don't stuff it up like win8.
& when is 'fall'-when its supposed to be released? Means Autumn for the UK mate.

22.1.2015 04:58 #6

xnonsuchx

Still gonna use Win7 as long as possible. Win10 is still basically Win8.

22.1.2015 08:29 #7

aw2600

Microsoft is likely jumping on the "free OS upgrade" bandwagon for two reasons. 1) To compete with Apple's free OS upgrade policy. 2) To get users off of older OS versions so that support for those old versions can be ended sooner.

22.1.2015 08:43 #8

bhetrick

I read an article on a different sight where they thought it might be possible that "win 10 free for the first year" could mean that MS is considering a subscription based os.

After reading it I could very easily see MS pulling some crap like that.

22.1.2015 09:11 #9

Interestx

Originally posted by bhetrick: I read an article on a different sight where they thought it might be possible that "win 10 free for the first year" could mean that MS is considering a subscription based os.

After reading it I could very easily see MS pulling some crap like that. I would bet the house that is not what is happening.

If Microsoft were to do this they would firstly have to spell it out clearly beforehand and secondly see almost none of the Win 7 & 8 users migrate to Win 10.

I doubt they would be so idiotic as to follow this, frankly, idiotic idea.

22.1.2015 13:14 #10

bhetrick

Originally posted by Interestx: Originally posted by bhetrick: I read an article on a different sight where they thought it might be possible that "win 10 free for the first year" could mean that MS is considering a subscription based os.

After reading it I could very easily see MS pulling some crap like that. I would bet the house that is not what is happening.

If Microsoft were to do this they would firstly have to spell it out clearly beforehand and secondly see almost none of the Win 7 & 8 users migrate to Win 10.

I doubt they would be so idiotic as to follow this, frankly, idiotic idea.
I wouldn't bet for or against it. There were no facts involved, it was just how they interpreted it's possibility. It could be the stupidest idea ever or the greatest idea ever.

And I fail to see how it would be idiotic when there are other software dev's who do just that for their product; have it subscription-based. Or even no more idiotic than MS's (and Sony) subscription-based online console gaming.

If you sit back and think about the idea a bit you can see it wouldn't be a surprising move on MS's part.

Going subscription would all but kill the Win10 piracy. People wouldn't need to torrent copies or buy burnt copies from (ebay, etc.). Naturally there'd be those who are looking for keys/cracks after their year's up but if a year's license is in the right price range, it could have the potential to be a hit.

Plenty of people hate paying $100-$150 for an os so they pirate it. But if you could get a legitimate copy for free and then keep it legitimate and up to date yearly for a cheap price then many may choose to go that route.

I know I was considering trying Win8 a few times but being happy with 7 I wasn't about to shell out another $100 for an os. Now, if I could have "licensed" Win8 for a year for $15-$20 I would have and that would have been great. With a new os coming out now I would have only been out that year's subscription instead of $100.

22.1.2015 14:33 #11

aw2600

I realize that Apple has a different business model because their OS is tied to hardware that they also sell. (At high prices.)

I could still see Microsoft going the free upgrade route. Buy the OS once - off the shelf or with a new PC - and get upgrades free. Most hardware would only support an upgrade or two before it would need to be replaced anyway. This is just a big step for Microsoft as they have traditionally made a large chunk of their revenue from Windows.

Don't forget ... Microsoft's new mandate is to be a "devices and services company". That could mean that they intend to go the full subscription route down the road.

22.1.2015 15:35 #12

Mrguss

Originally posted by xnonsuchx: Still gonna use Win7 as long as possible. Win10 is still basically Win8. If W-10 will be as stupid as W-8. Most people (including me), we will do better migrate but to Linux once & for all, and leave M$ behind.

Just my $0.02

Live Free or Die.
The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.

22.1.2015 16:02 #13

megadunderhead

Honestly i agree completely 100%

i am tired of microsoft and there crap.

22.1.2015 21:18 #14

bhetrick

Originally posted by Mrguss: Originally posted by xnonsuchx: Still gonna use Win7 as long as possible. Win10 is still basically Win8. If W-10 will be as stupid as W-8. Most people (including me), we will do better migrate but to Linux once & for all, and leave M$ behind.

Just my $0.02 I'd love to be rid of this Win crap also. Unfortunately, my gaming requires Windows.

22.1.2015 21:30 #15

BobShaft

I don't think the OS will be subscription based. At least not for a while.

link

But, Microsoft does want to get as many people as possible on the new OS to make it easier for them to sell you subscriptions to things like Office 365.

I assume they will be pushing the "Microsoft Store" a lot too.

23.1.2015 09:33 #16

bhetrick

Originally posted by BobShaft: I don't think the OS will be subscription based. At least not for a while.

link

But, Microsoft does want to get as many people as possible on the new OS to make it easier for them to sell you subscriptions to things like Office 365.

I assume they will be pushing the "Microsoft Store" a lot too. Thanks for link.

23.1.2015 09:37 #17

Interestx

Like I said, for the vast majority, any fee after this imagined 'free for the first year' for the Win 10 OS would have been commercial suicide.

Microsoft may be many things but they are not blind to this nor that stupid.

Hopefully Win 10 will repeat Win 7's reliability & convenience - cos no matter what the hate gang say Windows remains the OS of choice for the vast majority & that is no accident, there simply isn't another competing OS with the same level of compatibility & ease of use....but don't get me wrong, I would ove to see some genuine competition here it's just that so far there really isn't any.

I'm looking forward to DX12 too, looks like 2016 is going to be the year I jump for building a new PC :)

23.1.2015 18:16 #18

ZippyDSM

Heck it might be time to buy win7 finally!

Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.

---
Check out my crappy creations
http://zippydsmlee.deviantart.com/

24.1.2015 00:01 #19

Interestx

I wouldn't hesitate Zippy, I got Win 7 at a big discount when it was first released (& then waited a few months to be sure it's was getting - & keeping - the initial good reviews).
It's been great, far more reliable than XP.

24.1.2015 11:39 #20

bhetrick

Originally posted by Interestx: I wouldn't hesitate Zippy, I got Win 7 at a big discount when it was first released (& then waited a few months to be sure it's was getting - & keeping - the initial good reviews).
It's been great, far more reliable than XP. Definitely agree; Win 7 is a beautiful upgrade from XP. It was a nice, easy transition and runs great.

Really, I think the only reason I'm interested in 10 is for the dx12. We're seeing some good advancements in tech. Gaming's going to be great.

24.1.2015 11:50 #21

Mrguss

Originally posted by Interestx: I wouldn't hesitate Zippy, I got Win 7...
It's been great, far more reliable than XP. I keep my Machines with the OS they coming from.
Yes I upgrade them, from Home Edition to Pro, etc. and from SP2 to SP3, etc.

The XP's do a better job that W-7's (32bit, 64bit) when I run VidCoder video files on it & probably the same happen with the results, using others programs or maybe is the older versions of the app, or else.

Just saying.

Live Free or Die.
The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.

24.1.2015 15:10 #22

mightyzog

Why do I feel like they are peddling a free to play game??? As soon as they inserted the windows store into windows 8 .... The writing was on the wall!!!

25.1.2015 07:30 #23

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