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Windows 10 will be free to all Win 7 and 8.1 users, but there’s a catch

Microsoft just announced that all users running on current Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, and Windows 7 PCs and devices will be upgraded to the Windows 10 operating system, but there’s a catch.

Yugatech 728x90 Reno7 Series

Windows10-devices

In a press conference, Microsoft says that the new OS will be available as an upgrade to qualified Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 hardware for free only during the first year after the OS is released to the public. A footnote in the Windows website suggests that the Redmond Giant is still figuring out pricing for the new platform once the first year free period expires. Several versions are excluded in the upgrade, such as the ill-fated Windows RT.

*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. ISP fees may apply. 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. We will be sharing more information and additional offer terms in coming months.

Windows 10 now features a more streamlined start menu and taskbar, UI overhauls to the settings and Control Panel, ability to expand the start menu to full screen, more security and privacy options, and deep Cortana integration on the PC. Project Spartan, the new successor to Internet Explorer, is also unveiled at the event.

Windows10-Lumia1520

In the version tailored for smartphones and tablets, you are now able to change the backgrounds, live tiles are now shown with more real-time information, and unification with the desktop OS is achieved in the form of universal apps such as Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar, and the integrated app store, bringing in a more seamless experience.

For its next-generation gaming console, Microsoft aims to make gaming on the XBOX One a more social and interactive experience. A new keyboard shortcut, Windows+G, will give users the function to record their games directly to share to their friends and followers in XBOX Live. Gamers can now enable XBOX game streaming to Windows 10 devices later this year.

Windows Holographic

The Redmond Giant also demonstrated its new Windows Holographic software, enabled via default on Windows 10, as well as a new hardware called Microsoft HoloLens. This enables the consumers to create and view objects and animations in 3D space.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes that Windows 10 can bring in their vision of consumers choosing Windows as an innovative experience and loving it, rather than needing it, and Windows 10 will be a key component in realizing that vision as it is the core to all software it will build. “Windows 10 is built for a world where there are going to be more devices on the planet than people,” he said.

The next Technical Preview for Windows 10 on the PC will be available for free to Windows Insiders in the next week and for the first time on phones later in February. Insider reports expect the new OS to be ready and arrive to consumers by late summer or early fall this year, along with the new Microsoft Lumia flagship devices.

Photos: Windows website, CNET

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Get in touch with Carl at @lamielcarl on Twitter or visit his website for more updates!

55 Responses

  1. Avatar for guest guest says:

    windows 10 is a flop it does play my dvs or music cds and it is crap and windows 10 menu is not windows 7 menu it is crap install a pc game and it say not in xbox format and it will not print from my new printer at all so it is i am sorry to say a crap do not put on your pc or download it it is crap

    • Avatar for igniculus igniculus says:

      i’ll have to see it myself, come this september/october for the final build of windows 10…i will find out. For now chillax muna ako with windows 8.1 :)

    • Avatar for igniculus igniculus says:

      and didn’t you know? Were you not informed? Haven’t you read the articles? That what you are using is a ‘Technical preview?’ LOL

  2. Avatar for Thristan Thristan says:

    It is free for those who upgrade for the first year upon release…like a promo/early adopter thing. No subscription. Nothing happens after the 1st year. As long as you upgrade within a year of release.

    http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/01/21/the-next-generation-of-windows-windows-10/

    “This is more than a one-time upgrade: once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no cost. With Windows 10, the experience will evolve and get even better over time. We’ll deliver new features when they’re ready, not waiting for the next major release. We think of Windows as a Service – in fact, one could reasonably think of Windows in the next couple of years as one of the largest Internet services on the planet. “

  3. Avatar for reireirei reireirei says:

    why am I not excited? I was excited when windows 7 was announced because that flop of an OS called Vista will finally be replaced… but now I was expecting something similar… but in vain.

  4. Avatar for Lucio Lucio says:

    Who cares?!
    I can get this in Greenhills for only 200.

  5. Avatar for TagalogNaItu TagalogNaItu says:

    Para klaro sa lahat, tagalog na po ito. Hindi mag-eexpire yung “Windows 10” pag nag-upgrade ka sa loob ng isang taon pagkalabas/pagka-launch nung “Windows 10”. Magkakaron lang ito ng bayad kapag lumagpas na ng isang taon pagkalabas/pagka-launch nung “Windows10”

  6. Avatar for Catch Catch says:

    Catch! =))

  7. Avatar for readhere readhere says:

    see nyo nalang dito for clearer explanation…hopefully…

    http://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-windows-10-will-not-be-sold-as-a-subscription/

  8. Avatar for fce fce says:

    “i guess not a lot of readers here are dimwitted like the writer. agree on the early adopter policy by microsoft. this pushes the OS install base rise quickly than when they charge you. heading misleading because there is no catch.”
    @ Ragu, @ Glass…. I think it is a click bait headline to grab the reader’s attention. The upgrade to Windows 10 is free and permanent, and no strings attached as long as it is done within a year of its release. There’s no catch in this.
    The late comers who waited for over a year to upgrade will be the one paying.

  9. Avatar for Pogi Pogi says:

    Tama naman yung title ng article.. Pero dito may mali —> Microsoft just announced that all users running on current Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, and Windows 7 PCs and devices will be upgraded to the Windows 10 operating system, but there’s a catch.

    Dapat “….and devices CAN be upgraded to windows 10 OS for free, but there’s a catch.”. Option naman kase ng user kung mag uupgrade sya so hindi dapat gamitin yung “will be”. Di rin ako magaling mag-english pero dapat double check din pag may time para hindi nalilito mga readers. Peace!

  10. Avatar for christian christian says:

    It seems there’s still confusion. It is very clear from this post that for the first year it’s available, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free if you have Windows 7 or 8. You will not pay for it. After that year is up, nothing will happen to your Windows 10 license. If you do not upgrade within that year, however, you will have to pay for an upgrade. The offer expires after a year, not the upgrade.

  11. Avatar for kusina101 kusina101 says:

    pano kung nasira hdd mo? reinstall ulit ng win7/8 then upgrade ulit sa win 10?? what if nasira after 1 year??

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