Windows 10 Upgrade Will be Free for Illegal and Pirated Copies
We all know that Windows will be releasing free upgrade for Windows 8 and Windows 7 users. Today Microsoft announced that it will be releasing its most advanced operating system this summer. But, in an unexpected statement, Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s Windows chief said in an interview with Reuters that it will be providing free Windows 10 to software pirates.
In an interview with Reuters, Windows Chief said:
“….offering free upgrades to Windows 10 to all Windows users, regardless of whether they are running genuine copies of the software.”
This means that millions of users running the pirated Windows copy will be able to avail the free upgrade offer. With this step, Microsoft wishes to re-engage the users. This is an unexpected step from Microsoft that has been thinking of the long term prospects.
Today Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will be arriving this summer, earlier than expected October launch. Back in January, Microsoft announced that it will be releasing Windows 10 for free to all PCs running Windows 7 and Windows 8. This free offer is valid just for a year, after that users will have to pay some undisclosed amount of yearly subscription fee.
In another interesting development, Microsoft is partnering with Xiaomi to test ROM based software to convert Android Phones to Windows phones.
Microsoft also said that it is partnering with Lenovo to provide Windows 10 upgrade services at its 2,500 centers.
[Update]
A Microsoft spokesperson clarified in a statement to Polygon that the upgrade to Windows 10 will not make the Windows genuine. It means that the non-genuine copies of the operating system will continue to be non-genuine.
The consumer free upgrade offer for Windows 10 applies to qualified new and existing devices running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1. Some editions are excluded from the consumer free upgrade — including Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to other Windows 10 enterprise offerings.
We have always been committed to ensuring that customers have the best Windows experience possible. With Windows 10, although non-Genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license. Non-Genuine Windows is not published by Microsoft. It is not properly licensed, or supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. If a device was considered non-genuine or mislicensed prior to the upgrade, that device will continue to be considered non-genuine or mislicensed after the upgrade. According to industry experts, use of pirated software, including Non-Genuine Windows, results in a higher risk of malware, fraud (identity theft, credit card theft, etc), public exposure of your personal information, and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions.
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