Microsoft: Only ‘Genuine’ Windows 7, 8, 8.1 Users Eligible For Free Windows 10 Upgrade

Microsoft has cleared up confusion about who is eligible for a free Windows 10 upgrade, explaining that only ‘genuine’ Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users will be able to download the commercial final version when it is made available on July 29.

Windows Insiders have been testing preview versions of the software for a number of months, ironing out flaws and making suggestions. Microsoft says that when Windows 10 is released, insiders will have a choice of remaining in the preview programme or upgrading to the full version.

Essentially this means, anyone who doesn’t have a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8, such as Windows XP and Vista users, will be required to stay in the Insider programme and subject to any potential bugs or flaws of preview versions if they want to continue to remain Windows 10 users.

Windows 10 upgrade

“As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well,” said Microsoft’s Gabe Aul, who apoloigised for the confusion and said anyone who upgraded to Windows 10 would be bound to the terms and licenses of the ‘free’ update offer.

“This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.

“It is our hope that the vast majority of Windows Insiders who have been with us since we announced the program last year will continue forward, and it was in that light that we authored the blog post about upcoming changes to the program. I regret that this caused confusion about who was or was not eligible for the Windows 10 upgrade offer, but hope that this helps to clarify.”

Release date

A notification in the system tray of eligible Windows machines is currently inviting users to ‘reserve’ their upgrade, an initiative to help Microsoft predict demand and make people aware of the offer.

Windows 10 will initially only be available for PCs and tablets, but will eventually be available on phones, sensors and a number of other devices. It is hoped the platform will remedy many of the criticism of Windows and Windows Phone by offering a consistent experience across multiple machines.

Windows 10 heralds the return of the Start Menu, the introduction of Cortana and the Microsoft Edge Browser, features support for biometric authentication and Continuum ensures the operating system is optimised for different types of inputs.

Last month Microsoft revealed details of a number of developer tools designed to make the process of creating and porting software for Windows 10 much easier, ensuring a wide range of apps for consumers and enterprises.

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