We have already said that Windows 10 is free for those with Windows 7 and 8.1, but Microsoft's intentions have not always been clear and it took several declarations before finally understanding what was meant by "free" about Windows 10. For example, at some point it seemed almost that Windows 10 was released as a subscription product with annual subscription or even that it could be installed for free even with a pirated Window.
A few days after the final US release of July 29, we see here what the real costs of Windows 10 are, if it is really free, what are the limitations and how Microsoft thinks of making money with Windows 10 .
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Windows 10 is definitely a free update for those who have a PC with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 on it .
On these PCs you will see a warning to download Windows 10 if the Windows Update service is active and automatic.
Even those who are using Windows 7 without Service Pack 1 or the original version of Windows 8 will be able to update for free to Windows 10 after installing all the updates for these versions of the operating system.
This free offer lasts for one year, so you have time to press the button to update from 29 July 2015 to 29 July 2016 . After July 29, 2016 it will be impossible to get Windows 10 for free.
Once Windows 10 is installed, there will be no expiration and the license will be validated forever, or almost, without having to pay for subscriptions or subscriptions.
Even after a year has passed, the installation of Windows 10 will continue to work and receive updates.
The subscription licenses are only those purchased by volume, for companies.
So what does Microsoft mean when it talks about " Windows 10 as a service " "> Xbox Streaming Music, similar to Spotify, Apple Music or Google Play Music.
- Microsoft Office, which will already be present with new apps in Windows 10, with the possibility of buying the desktop version of Microsoft Office or of subscribing to an Office 365 subscription directly.
- Skype, included in Windows 10 to call landline and mobile phones from the PC.
- Other services that will probably be added over time.
In reality, however, Windows 10 will not be free forever after upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8 .
Microsoft says they will continue to receive security updates on a PC " for the life of the device ."
Basically it means that Windows may malfunction or no longer work on an aging computer.
Precisely, whatever version of Windows will be in 20 years from now, it probably won't support current PCs.
If this is obvious enough, what will disappoint many people concerns the possibility of transferring Windows 10 to another PC instead.
Once you upgrade to Windows 10, this will work forever on that PC, not others.
In practice, it should be impossible to transfer the installation of Windows 10 to another computer without paying another license.
In other words, you will not be able to switch computers and install the same version of Windows 10 found on the old PC.
Conversely, those who benefit from the free upgrade to Windows 10 can continue to use that copy of Windows 10 if they need to reinstall Windows in the future on the same PC.
For those who have an updated version of Windows 10, it may be necessary to purchase a new copy of Windows 10 if you change your computer or if you replace the motherboard.
Microsoft said Windows 10 is licensed to the device and not to the person.
On the question, however, some doubts remain as the free update to Windows 10 still maintains the properties of the license that was on the Windows 7 or 8.1 system updated so the license remains OEM even with Windows if it was before.
In an official response on Microsoft's forum answers, it was written that if you upgrade from a full retail (non-OEM), transferable version, it will continue to be transferable even with Windows 10.
Basically, balancing the various declarations, there should really be no problems if you are going to install on another PC a new Windows 7 or 8 with a transferable license and then perform the free update with Windows 10 .
None of this excludes, however, that Microsoft may change tactics in the future, perhaps releasing Windows 11 in five years, decreasing support for older PCs.
What is certain is that right now you don't have to spend money to get Windows 10 for free if you already have a Windows 7 or 8 PC.
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