Windows 10 Free Upgrade for First Year

Jan 22, 2015

Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer

Microsoft has announced Windows 10 will be available for free for the first year after launch. Microsoft’s Operating System Group chief Terry Myerson made the announcement at the Next Chapter media briefing. This strategy he said is a way we shared our desire to redefine the relationship we have with you our customers. It’s also a way to get more users on a common Windows release across all types of devices to give developers a more unified platform for which to build their apps.

“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.

And just like any Internet service, the idea of asking “What version are you on?” will cease to make sense which is great news for our Windows developers. With universal Windows apps that work across the entire device family, developers can build one app that targets the broadest range of devices including the PC, tablet, phone, Xbox, the Internet of Things, and more

For enterprise customers and partners, we will continue to deliver exclusive value and offer extensive flexibility in how Windows 10 is deployed and managed as Windows evolves to become a service. For companies that require these enterprise-grade capabilities, Windows Software Assurance (SA) will continue to offer the best and most comprehensive benefits.”

Despite Microsoft making Windows 10 free upgrade, it expects your device to qualify for it;

“It is our intent that most of these devices will qualify but some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: 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 Windows 10 Enterprise outside of this offer.”

With all the features coming in Windows 10 and it being available for free as an upgrade I don’t believe you’ll like to be left out. Did Microsoft get it right this time around? What do you think?