Microsoft will offer Windows 10 for free in July

Lager

Lager

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Windows 10 will be released as a free update on 28 July, Microsoft has announced.

It will be the last major release of the 29-year-old operating system before Microsoft switches to a “Windows as a service” system, which entails updates being rolled out when ready.

This marks a change in Microsoft’s business model. The operating system will be offered as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 within the first year.

Each version of Windows has cost upwards of £100, although the majority of Windows users receive new versions of the operating system when buying a new computer, and not by upgrading the software themselves.

Microsoft made Windows 8.1, which restored the Start menu, as a free update to Windows 8. Windows 10 will bring back more familiar elements from Windows 7 and combine them with the modern look of Windows 8.1.
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http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/01/microsoft--indows-10-for-free-july
 
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Windows 10 will be released as a free update on 28 July, Microsoft has announced.
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Two months, can't wait. :)
 
Okay so after 29 July I update from windows 7 to windows 10. What happens after 1 year?

Do I have to pay for Windows 10? Can I go back to Windows 7? Will Windows 10 continue to work on my machine - but no more updates?
 
Not sure about the going back to Windows 7 option. I assume if you have a working key and do a fresh format/install it will work fine. Microsoft said they will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for a year. Thereafter you will need to pay for a Windows 10 license. Once you are on Windows 10, the product will be kept up-to-date for the life of the hardware.
 
Ecco said:
Okay so after 29 July I update from windows 7 to windows 10. What happens after 1 year?

Do I have to pay for Windows 10? Can I go back to Windows 7? Will Windows 10 continue to work on my machine - but no more updates?
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After a year your computer will work as normal and you'll still get updates. You won't have to pay for it. Don't know about going back to 7.
 
SammyD said:
After a year your computer will work as normal and you'll still get updates. You won't have to pay for it. Don't know about going back to 7.
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What if you have to reformat your PC or decide to upgrade your mobo etc?
 
Now I'm confused about this 1 year thing. Will you have to pay for a licence after year one?
 
4ftersh0ck said:
Not sure about the going back to Windows 7 option. I assume if you have a working key and do a fresh format/install it will work fine. Microsoft said they will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for a year. Thereafter you will need to pay for a Windows 10 license. Once you are on Windows 10, the product will be kept up-to-date for the life of the hardware.
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SammyD said:
After a year your computer will work as normal and you'll still get updates. You won't have to pay for it. Don't know about going back to 7.
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Which is it now?
 
Lager said:
Now I'm confused about this 1 year thing. Will you have to pay for a licence after year one?
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No. If you have a Win 7 or 8 license it's already paid for. You have one year to upgrade for free. If you haven't upgraded in the year after Win10's release, you might have to pay for your upgrade. However, once you upgrade, you get updated for the life of the device.

"Windows as a service" does not mean paying for an annual subscription. It is not Windows365. It simply means that instead of coming out with Big New Versions every few years, Windows from now on will simply be updated on a continual basis.
 
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Arthur said:
No. If you have a Win 7 or 8 license it's already paid for. You have one year to upgrade for free. If you haven't upgraded in the year after Win10's release, you might have to pay for your upgrade. However, once you upgrade, you get updated for the life of the device.
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Ok, now I get it. So you have a year to upgrade if you want it free of charge
 
Lager said:
Ok, now I get it. So you have a year to upgrade if you want it free of charge
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That's it. Exactly. If you want a free upgrade, then get it within 12 months of Win 10's release.

They have not said what happens after 12 months, so that does not mean that they will charge for it. We simply don't know because they haven't said. They haven't said because they probably haven't decided. They might continue to allow free upgrades, or they might not.
 
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