Microsoft creates Windows 10 licensing frenzy
So here is the thing, if you are participating in the Insider program, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 on July 29th for free, just like any consumer who has a valid license of Windows 7 or 8. The issue becomes is that if you do not have a valid license; what you can do is download an ISO of Windows 10 which Microsoft has made available for several builds of Windows 10, install that OS cleanly, then upgrade to the final build on the 29th and voila, you have a free version of Windows 10.
The Internet went ballistic over this issue and Microsoft subtly responded by bolting on to their initial blog post the words "It's important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer.*" At this time, the company has not said how or if they are going to verify that Windows 10 Insiders have a valid copy of Windows 7 or 8.
In short, by using a loophole that Microsoft has created because they released ISOs of Windows 10, you can go from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 10 for free if you put your moral conscience and ethics aside. Because the user never obtained a license of the OS with Windows 7 or 8, this method is technically pirating the OS.
But is this really an issue for Microsoft? Likely, not; there is a small probability that a few users of the Insider program have never purchased a genuine version of Windows 7 or 8. But anyone who is in the Insider program who is using the OS on a machine that previously had Windows 7 or 8 on it, is already eligible for the free upgrade so this loophole is of no value to them. You could make the argument that Windows XP or Vista users can save themselves a couple hundred dollars and use this method to upgrade to Windows 10 for free but if a consumer is still using XP, the likelihood of them jumping to Windows 10 is small as they have remained entrenched with the decades old OS. And even if a few do, the bottom-line impact of this loophole is minimal, except in China, where piracy runs rampant. But in that case, do you believe those users, who already pirated Windows XP, are going to buy Windows 10 in the first place?
Microsoft also made a few other subtle changes to the announcement post which appear to be legal verbiage to protect the company in the future regarding licensing of Windows 10. The company removed the words "remain activated" from their announcement post for Insiders who are upgrading to Windows 10 RTM for free which the Internet assumed was some type of work-around to eventually charge the users.
Microsoft Selects Dolby Audio for Windows 10 - 05/27/2015 08:10 AM
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and Microsoft Corporation announced today that Dolby Audio is selected to be a part of the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system and will be natively supported by the new Micr...
EU blocks Microsoft from trademarking Skype logo - 05/06/2015 11:07 AM
The General Court of the European Union has prevented Microsoft from registering the Skype name and logo claiming that it might be mistaken for telecommunications company Sky....
Microsoft reveals final namefor Project Spartan, calls it Edge - 05/04/2015 07:17 AM
Microsoft finally dropped the "Project Spartan" moniker and introduced Internet Explorer's successor, and announced it as Microsoft Edge this week....
Microsoft Surface 3 launches with quad-core Atom x7 CPU - 03/31/2015 05:12 PM
Not a popular and trendy thing anymore, but Microsoft launches the Surface 3 and it is powered by a quad-core Atom x7 Z8700 1.6GHz SoC. Staring at 499 USD you'll receive a version with 64GB storage...
Got a Pirated Windows ? Microsoft Will Offer Free upgrade to Windows 10 - 03/18/2015 02:32 PM
Ok weird, so what's the catch you might wonder ? Microsoft will offer free upgrades to Windows 10 to all Windows users, regardless of whether they are running genuine copies of the software. Windows...
Senior Member
Posts: 303
Joined: 2010-05-07
This. It's rather simple - Insiders continue as is, receiving new beta builds...just one of those builds will be RTM, with a limited duration license, as Insiders are expected to upgrade to the next beta build that will come post Win10 launch.
While a free Win10 final license would be wonderful, MS has no obligation to provide one. I'll probably remain in the Insider program and duel boot with 8.
Senior Member
Posts: 4558
Joined: 2014-01-17
This. It's rather simple - Insiders continue as is, receiving new beta builds...just one of those builds will be RTM, with a limited duration license, as Insiders are expected to upgrade to the next beta build that will come post Win10 launch.
While a free Win10 final license would be wonderful, MS has no obligation to provide one. I'll probably remain in the Insider program and duel boot with 8.
The initial blog stated exactly what you say Microsoft has no obligation to do. It was later corrected.
Where does this simple information come from because I'd like to read it from Microsoft about limited duration etc.
Senior Member
Posts: 11487
Joined: 2012-07-20
I think it will simply ask us to fill in our Windows 7/8/8.1 serial number.
At least I hope so.
Senior Member
Posts: 4558
Joined: 2014-01-17
I think it will simply ask us to fill in our Windows 7/8/8.1 serial number.
At least I hope so.
The topic is about Insiders getting Windows 10 for free. Nothing to do with legitimate Windows 7/8/8.1 users getting it.
Senior Member
Posts: 6643
Joined: 2010-08-27
I also believe those currently on the insider programme upgrading to the RTM version of Windows 10, need to remain on the insider programme if the licence isn't transferred over from Windows 7 or 8.1. The insider programme is reported to continue after Windows 10 release for the ongoing changes that Microsoft plan to implement in the Windows 10 service (that is, the ongoing updates) model.