Windows Insiders get free upgrade path to Windows 10

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Microsoft will give those who tested the next version of Windows through the Windows Insider program a free upgrade path to Windows 10 when the OS is released to manufacturing, meaning you will be able to upgrade to the final RTM version without the need of a clean install.

Update: In light of the confusion caused by the ambiguity of some of Microsoft's announcements, we have posted a new article explaining Windows 10's free upgrade offer.

When this news was first revealed by Microsoft's Gabriel Aul through Twitter yesterday, there was a bit of confusion as to how the upgrade would work, with some people speculating that the free upgrade meant a free Windows 10 license, however that is not the case.

Current Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 license holders will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge for the first year, meaning you do get a free upgrade. Those already using Windows 10 previews, will be able to upgrade to the final release code, but that won't make it a valid license outright.

Microsoft has yet to reveal how much Windows 10 will cost as standalone software. At the time of Windows 8's launch, Microsoft offered a short-term deal that allowed those upgrading from as far back as Windows XP to get Windows 8 for just $39. Of course, free is even better.

This is not the first time users get mixed signals from Redmond. Earlier this year Microsoft stated that pirates upgrading to Windows 10 will be able to do so without an existing valid license, but the license will remain invalid after the upgrade is complete. What seems clear is that Microsoft doesn't plan on giving away free licenses to anyone, but users with valid Windows 7 and Windows 8 copies will get a free upgrade for a limited time.

Windows 10 will launch this summer, potentially around the end of July, with a large array of new features. Those interested in testing out the OS ahead of release can still join Microsoft's Insider Program and download the latest preview build right now.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/60644-windows-insiders-get-free-upgrade-path-windows-10.html

 
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What if I tested it coming from mac or linux?How do I get a free year/license of windows 10?
 
You do not need to be a Windows Insider to get Windows 10 for free. Whoever wrote this article didn't pay attention that MS has announced several times that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade to those with Windows 7 SP1 and users with Windows 8.1 update installed. You will also be allowed to download the ISOs and upgrade that way.
Those with Win 7 SP1 and Win 8.1 update can simply upgrade through windows update system.

Apparently which I am not sure if everyone knew, your Win 7 or Win 8 has to be a valid license already, if not you can still upgrade but it still wont be a valid license.
You will still need to buy Win 10 if you don't have a valid license or want a valid license. The free upgrade is just that, a upgrade to 10 but MS is assuming you have a valid license, something that most may not have known about.
 
insect said:
Skidmarksdeluxe said:
But didn't they state earlier that those with valid 7&8 and even both would be entitled to a free upgrade?...
Click to expand...

For a year. After that, it becomes invalid and you have to purchase 10.
Click to expand...

This was only speculation, what was said is that you had a year to upgrade to get it for free.

Now this is not very clear, at all. Tim could you clarify a bit? Only those on the insider program will get a free upgrade now?
 
insect said:
For a year. After that, it becomes invalid and you have to purchase 10.
Click to expand...
No. As long as you have a valid license you do not need to buy Win 10 again. The free upgrade for users simply just last one year. Your Win 10 will not expire if you simply upgrade during that 1 year. You will only have to buy Win 10 if you did not take advantage off the free upgrade during that 1 year.
 
I'm a little worried about the launch times that have been mentioned *cough (AMD) cough* for Windows 10 in it's current state.

I took the plunge about a week ago now, I formatted my work PC, installed Windows 10, stuck all the drivers on, all my programs, restored all my files etc...

Now I like it, I prefer using it over Windows 8.1 for it's search functions seem to be considerably quicker and I find it deals with opening multiple programs and boots a lot quicker (this is coming from a SanDisk X300 SSD)

However, as an Operating System, it's not exactly "finished" or really that close for that matter, there are loads of bugs, the main one (and this is fairly common this one, just google it) is that the start menu just simply stops working, as in, you can't even click the button or press the windows key, it's literally broken. Which you can fix, but it's still very buggy, Windows Updates are now incredibly unclear, the settings menu for it is just a bit rubbish. I've found software (Intel Rapid Storage Drivers come to mind) that cannot find ".NET Framework 4.5" installed on the system, yet it's supposedly part of Windows 10 (which claims to be on 4.6).

I dunno, just feel Microsoft should be like "Yeah it's not coming out end of the Summer but more like early next year once we've got it a bit more stable and a little less buggy".

This means it would coincide more for the rest of the line-up for Xbox and Phones Plus Office 2016 would be out shortly after launch and Exchange 2016 etc...

Also, I've noticed Windows Server 10 has been rumored "not to be finalized until 2016". Now don't get me wrong, It's understandable that the server version take a little longer as Bugs and stability is crucial, I've got the latest Server 10 build running on my home server and I find basically same bugs with the start menu etc...

Just feels like they are unnecessarily rushing the desktop version of Windows 10 for no good reason...
 
@Burty117 as it has been mentioned again and again, the version they are currently working and the version they release for public testing are not in any way the same, you might as well be working with a half a year ago release.

I'm worried about the free upgrade, the article lead to believe only insiders are now getting free upgrade, what is it?
 
I enjoy Windows 7 too much to pay for Windows 10 in its current condition. Speculation about Windows 10 being a free upgrade was basically the only enticing detail for me to upgrade away from Windows 7.
 
From http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/about

Free Upgrade Offer*
Great news! We will offer a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified new or existing Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 devices that upgrade in the first year! And even better: once a qualified Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device, keeping it more secure, and introducing new features and functionality over time – for no additional charge. Sign up with your email today, and we will send you more information about Windows 10 and the upgrade offer in the coming months.
 
Kibaruk said:
@Burty117 as it has been mentioned again and again, the version they are currently working and the version they release for public testing are not in any way the same, you might as well be working with a half a year ago release.
Click to expand...

They said the same thing about:
Windows 8 - During Beta Microsoft said it wasn't the final design for "Metro"

Battlefield 4 - 3 weeks before release when the horrific beta ended "it'll be much better for final release"

Exchange 2013 - During testing it was pointed out that it used nearly double the resources over it predecessor "it'll be better" for the final release said Microsoft

Destiny - Loads of content promised during Beta, turned out the Beta was nearly a third of the game when it was released

Grand Theft Auto 5 - "We've tested this game very thoroughly and we're pretty sure no "game breaking" bugs exist", on launch cars would just randomly disappear and multiplayer was non existent.

iOS 8 - It was reported to Apple that WiFi issues existed 3 months before the official release, Apple claimed to have sorted it out, on release day, loads of reports of users losing WiFi all the time

These are of very few examples I could come up with just simply typing this post out but what I'm actually trying to get at is this:

Companies Lie, a lot, and in recent years you can nearly take the Beta, polish it slightly more and that's pretty much the launch product in most cases.
Why you still believe Microsoft have some crazy bug free version behind the scenes is beyond me and also makes no Logical sense, surely you'd want a decent build out where the start menu actually works reliably? Isn't that the entire point of a Beta?
 
Burty117 said:
I'm a little worried about the launch times that have been mentioned *cough (AMD) cough* for Windows 10 in it's current state.

I took the plunge about a week ago now, I formatted my work PC, installed Windows 10, stuck all the drivers on, all my programs, restored all my files etc...

Now I like it, I prefer using it over Windows 8.1 for it's search functions seem to be considerably quicker and I find it deals with opening multiple programs and boots a lot quicker (this is coming from a SanDisk X300 SSD)

However, as an Operating System, it's not exactly "finished" or really that close for that matter, there are loads of bugs, the main one (and this is fairly common this one, just google it) is that the start menu just simply stops working, as in, you can't even click the button or press the windows key, it's literally broken. Which you can fix, but it's still very buggy, Windows Updates are now incredibly unclear, the settings menu for it is just a bit rubbish. I've found software (Intel Rapid Storage Drivers come to mind) that cannot find ".NET Framework 4.5" installed on the system, yet it's supposedly part of Windows 10 (which claims to be on 4.6).

I dunno, just feel Microsoft should be like "Yeah it's not coming out end of the Summer but more like early next year once we've got it a bit more stable and a little less buggy".

This means it would coincide more for the rest of the line-up for Xbox and Phones Plus Office 2016 would be out shortly after launch and Exchange 2016 etc...

Also, I've noticed Windows Server 10 has been rumored "not to be finalized until 2016". Now don't get me wrong, It's understandable that the server version take a little longer as Bugs and stability is crucial, I've got the latest Server 10 build running on my home server and I find basically same bugs with the start menu etc...

Just feels like they are unnecessarily rushing the desktop version of Windows 10 for no good reason...
Click to expand...


Release a buggy OS? NO WAY. Windblows would NEVER do that!
 
Burty117 said:
surely you'd want a decent build out where the start menu actually works reliably?
Click to expand...
I know I do. I've had the Start Menu break on me with two builds. I've only installed 3 builds, and it was the last two (Slow Ring Builds) that broke.

Funny thing though: the Start Menu never broke, until MS decided to replace it. It only proves they don't want it fixed, or they would put it back the way it was.
 
Burty117 said:
I'm a little worried about the launch times that have been mentioned *cough (AMD) cough* for Windows 10 in it's current state.

I took the plunge about a week ago now, I formatted my work PC, installed Windows 10, stuck all the drivers on, all my programs, restored all my files etc...

Now I like it, I prefer using it over Windows 8.1 for it's search functions seem to be considerably quicker and I find it deals with opening multiple programs and boots a lot quicker (this is coming from a SanDisk X300 SSD)

However, as an Operating System, it's not exactly "finished" or really that close for that matter, there are loads of bugs, the main one (and this is fairly common this one, just google it) is that the start menu just simply stops working, as in, you can't even click the button or press the windows key, it's literally broken. Which you can fix, but it's still very buggy, Windows Updates are now incredibly unclear, the settings menu for it is just a bit rubbish. I've found software (Intel Rapid Storage Drivers come to mind) that cannot find ".NET Framework 4.5" installed on the system, yet it's supposedly part of Windows 10 (which claims to be on 4.6).

I dunno, just feel Microsoft should be like "Yeah it's not coming out end of the Summer but more like early next year once we've got it a bit more stable and a little less buggy".

This means it would coincide more for the rest of the line-up for Xbox and Phones Plus Office 2016 would be out shortly after launch and Exchange 2016 etc...

Also, I've noticed Windows Server 10 has been rumored "not to be finalized until 2016". Now don't get me wrong, It's understandable that the server version take a little longer as Bugs and stability is crucial, I've got the latest Server 10 build running on my home server and I find basically same bugs with the start menu etc...

Just feels like they are unnecessarily rushing the desktop version of Windows 10 for no good reason...
Click to expand...
Well you can get W10 early next year, it will still be free and by that time it will probably have those bugs fixed. It would be the same as releasing W10 later, maybe even better cause more people will use it and report all the bugs they find.

Almost every piece of software released these days is actually beta, especially games, and you are fooled into buying them thinking it's all good but actually you are beta testing their product for them and you probably paid already. No point in being an early adopter nowadays.
 
I've been using windows 10 technical preview and it's been great for the most part. I too have ran into the start menu problem a few times after updates. Easy fix that worked for me every time was just to logout of your MS account and login as guest. Then sign out of guest and log back in to your normal MS account.
 
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