Windows 10: Three Reasons Microsoft Stopped Free Windows 10 Upgrades

"I don't think they will pull the free upgrade offer early, but don't expect them to extend it longer either."

They easy way around this 'deadline' is to Upgrade now and then immediately rollback, thereby saving the activation for the device on MS servers for future re-install ... for free.

 

"will soon start charging for Windows 10" is all I saw mentioned, which to me means after July 29th. I think some here are reading to much into what was said. Plus, it's not Microsoft saying it? It's just news for the sake of news. IMHO.

 

Call it what it is clickbait

 

I visited without that certain thing and didn't get any viruses or malware but I had flash set to "Ask to activate".

 

As with some here, I agree there will be a small increase close the the July 29th end date. But, as time goes by and Windows 10 breaks or fails to install properly in the future. Where people are left having to try and reinstall what happens then? There could be a decrease of Windows 10 use, whereby people just revert back to their old systems and reinstall what they previously had bought. I know I would.

 

I wouldn't put a lot of stock in what a news entity prints. Generally it is only half true if that. I'm sure Microsoft will hold to the 1 year upgrade.*Huh

 

Well.. first off this article/blog is from an individual who has traditionally been very anti MS I'm not shocked that he's continuing to knock MS at every turn.

Now onto the content.. MS will drop the free upgrade in July, the 29th as they have stated for some time. And the article does not state or suggest that it will be terminated any sooner. Really.. the author is also stating that he hopes that MS will extend the free upgrade offer.

See... there is no comment about dropping the free upgrade before the end of July. If you doubt me.. read the article. You don't get a virus. *Wink

Overall I have to say this was a nice article that took a business view of the free upgrade.

 

I see no reason why anyone, and I do mean anyone, has ground to object/complain about the end of free upgrade. Nor any ground to request an extension.
One year is more than generous.
I am no Windows fanboy, but MS has given us enough time to try and decide.

 

What would be the point of extending it? Anybody that hasn't upgraded by the 29th, likely never will upgrade that device. I can't see them getting too many more takers after that date. New devices will ship with 10 on them anyway. Good riddance to the GWX App, and the nags IMHO.

 

I agree and I don't think there will be an extension either. It's not advantages for OEM's for this to occur.

 

Hi there

A large company like Ms will honour its agreement by allowing free upgrades to those eligible for a year -- and the chances are also that if you DOWNLOAD the upgrade via the migration tool and write an USO on a USB etc before the expiration of the deadline you'll be able to still update from W7 etc (a guess here - IMO the updates will check download date and if you've downloaded before the deadline you can still update in your own time -- although there's still over 2 months to do it for those interested).

Even if you aren't convinced to use W10 at the moment -- why not backup your current W7, upgrade with W10, back that up and then restore your W7 system. That way you've got the ultimate choice and flexibility for as long as you need it. Then say 6 months later and well after the deadline say you want W10 --well you've got the W10 image you backed up to restore !!!.

Can't really see what all the fuss was about -- IMO Ms made a MORE than generous offer distributing an OS that has performed on the whole perfectly satisfactorily to probably Millions of users.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Jimbo

You shouldn't even need to do an windows 10 image but it would be a good idea. This should work. Do an image or two for windows 7 computer, then upgrade to Windows 10. Make sure it activates. Then restore your computer using the windows 7 image. Once you upgrade, your computer will always have digital entailment. Then you can do a clean install or upgrade to windows 10 at anytime. Note if doing a clean install of windows 10 or upgrade, don't enter a key if/when asked.

Here is kind of how I do it (Not exactly step by step but close) with a MBR partition.
Do two image backups using Macrium outside of windows. Takes a little longer.
Then upgrade window 7 or 8.x to Windows 10.
Let Windows 10 install all the necessary drivers and updates.
Make sure windows 10 activates
Optional-Do two image backups.

Here is how I would get back to windows 7
Using MiniTool Partition Wizard Free 9.1 boot cd
Delete all partition
Create a empty Ntfs Primary Partition for the whole drive. Select MB as the partition aliment.
Boot up to Macrium reflect
Restore your image.
Reboot when done.

If your disk has an OEM partition, you may need to use either windows 7, 8.x or 10 rescue or install disk to use a clean command to delete the OEM partition. Not sure if gparted will be able to delete the Oem partition.

I may have missed a few steps. Proceed with caution.

 

I'd have to agree. Microsoft has been more than fair about it. I've stuck with Windows 8, but I've had every opportunity to upgrade had I wanted to.

When you think about it, Microsoft has been even more than lenient with XP users who stayed overtime with the OS and are using the POS Ready updates. Those users have been productive for two years post-support without any whimper from Microsoft. They could have plugged the holes at any time. Time to move along though.

Those who wanted Windows 10 would have embraced it by now. And while adoption form here on in may slow down a bit, it will continue over the next decade.

 

@Jody Thornton

What about Microsoft goal--windows 10 being on 1 billion devices in 2 to 3 years? Eliminating the free upgrade that will slow down that goal or not even make it in that time. Even Forbes website didn't answer that question.

 

Who else has given away a $120 product FREE for a year??

MS guessed that making it free would cause the adoption numbers to skyrocket! -- and it did, for a long time.

Not only has the adoption rate slowed, the market prevalence of Win10-upgrade-prevention utilities has grown, as well.

It's probably safe to presume that 90% of the folks would wanted the free upgrade already have it -- so letting the free upgrade run on longer is not going to get more converts.