Technically, Windows 10 is free for anyone and a little bit annoying!

[Zoom7000]

Just read Gabe Aul's updated post on Windows 10 being "Free" for Geniune Windows 7 and 8.1 user. However, my understanding of this part...

 

Do you want to continue as a Windows Insider and keep getting preview builds after 7/29?
Or do you want to upgrade your Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system that has been getting Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to the 7/29 release and stop being an Insider?

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

I agree. It's really unclear - I've seen multiple interpretations of what they actually mean about it being free and I'm still honestly none the wiser! 

[Dot Matrix]

Yes, but you all saw how unstable the builds of Windows 10 were. That is not something to suggest as a method of upgrading a XP or Vista user.

[Clirion]

I do not find this unclear at all. 

 

If you want to beta the software, keep it installed.  So any new updates will hit your system period.  If it trashes the system, oh well, your a alpha/beta tester.  If you find a build that you like, it does not matter because that build will be disabled, and you will have to move up to the next test.

 

Otherwise, you have one year to get the update free, after that you will pay for it.

[Zoom7000]

Yes, but you all saw how unstable the builds of Windows 10 were. That is not something to suggest as a method of upgrading a XP or Vista user.

I've been running Windows 10 as my main OS on my primary desktop PC since 10078 and I haven't noticed any Earth shattering issues with stability. Even the Technical Preview was highly usable. It's definitely not recommended, I agree, but it is essentially still a loophole for a free upgrade. All you have to do is read the forums on what the latest release is like and then either choose to update to it or not. When you are nearing the expiry date, update anyway!

[Zoom7000]

I do not find this unclear at all. 

 

If you want to beta the software, keep it installed.  So any new updates will hit your system period.  If it trashes the system, oh well, your a alpha/beta tester.  If you find a build that you like, it does not matter because that build will be disabled, and you will have to move up to the next test.

Not really, they don't disable old builds immediately after a new one has been released. They usually have a pretty long shelf life. So you could in theory install a decent build and hold off installing any other builds until the very last minute.

[MikeChipshop Member]

 

Just feel that they are making the whole process rather difficult or long winded. Either simply charge for Windows 10 or make it free for all. The free for a year if you meet this criteria and that criteria and loopholes to get round all of it just doesn't seem to make life easier for anyone!

 

What's complicated though?

 

If you want to upgrade from an eligible instal, you can. Want to buy a retail version? You can.

Want to continue beta testing with every new build? You can.

[Clirion]

Again,

This is not confusing and is not free for all.  If you want to continue to do the testing and sending the telemetry data back to MS, feel free to. I do not expect any company to make people pay for true beta testing.

I am sure MS makes it as stable as possible even in beta, but the risk is there.  It is completely up to you.

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

It's easy enough....

 

[1] Stay as a Windows Insider and you get regular insider updates but no actual license, however you will remain activated.

 

[2] Transfer your license from a licensed copy of Windows 7/8.1 and have a licensed and activated copy of Windows 10 but it's not retail, so you cannot transfer it to a new PC.

 

Where's the confusion?

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Just read Gabe Aul's updated post on Windows 10 being "Free" for Geniune Windows 7 and 8.1 user. However, my understanding of this part...

 

 

... Seems to suggest that if you stay on or sign up for the Windows Insider Program, you can install the latest post RTM release of Windows 10 and keep getting activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program for free. I know that it's potentially unstable releases and not for primary PC/Laptop/Tablet use, but I can't see those who wouldn't pay for a genuine license being too bothered! Essentially, all you are doing is installing more frequent Windows Updates!

I don't see any problem with this, you are running a beta version of the OS. Microsoft gets testers, customers hopefully get a better OS from data collected / feedback from people running the preview.

You are helping Microsoft, the least they can do is not charge you for the OS.

 

Also, the 2nd part about if you chose to leave the Insider program seems to suggest that if anyone has installed Windows 10 on a PC that did have a Genuine 7 or 8.1 license, but installed from an ISO on to a formatted hard disk, you will need to reinstall Windows 7 or 8.1 and then upgrade to Windows 10 in order to be activated. As such, it seems that if you want to install a clean copy of Windows 10, from an insider build without a previous Windows 7 or 8.1 installation, you'll have to do the following:

 

1. Install Windows 7 or 8.1

2. Activate Windows 7 or 8.1

3. Run Windows Updates so that you can get the required update to get Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store

4. Update to Windows 10

5. Activate Windows 10

6. Reinstall either using fresh start option or from ISO if provided by Microsoft

 

Just feel that they are making the whole process rather difficult or long winded. Either simply charge for Windows 10 or make it free for all. The free for a year if you meet this criteria and that criteria and loopholes to get round all of it just doesn't seem to make life easier for anyone!

You can thank all the people who moaned about anyone been able to get a free copy of Windows 10 for that. Microsoft where likely fully aware, however it probably benefited them more in the long run.

[Kelxin]

 Microsoft where likely fully aware, however it probably benefited them more in the long run.

 

 

Ummm huh, what?  That sentence doesn't make any sense at all.  Where's Microsoft?  What?

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Ummm huh, what?  That sentence doesn't make any sense at all.  Where's Microsoft?  What?

Microsoft were likely fully aware people without genuine Windows licences could install the Windows 10 Preview and get a genuine Windows 10 licence if the user opted out of the preview program at the RTM. However Microsoft were probably not bothered about this, the more users on Windows 10 the better for them.

[Kelxin]

You get a "Free" license for participating in the test program up to RTM.  You don't have to continue the test program to keep that one free license.

[MikeChipshop Member]

You get a "Free" license for participating in the test program up to RTM.  You don't have to continue the test program to keep that one free license.

 

No, you don't. You only get a free licence for anything if you have a qualifying product to upgrade from.

 

You can continue to stay on the Preview Program and get to use the software without paying, but you don't get your own personal licence.

[xendrome]

No, you don't. You only get a free licence for anything if you have a qualifying product to upgrade from.

 

You can continue to stay on the Preview Program and get to use the software without paying, but you don't get your own personal licence.

 

This is correct, it was CLEARLY outlined in one og Gabe Aul's post. If you choose to stay in the Insider Preview program your license is activated but the builds will expire just like they do now.

[Kelxin]

This is correct, it was CLEARLY outlined in one og Gabe Aul's post. If you choose to stay in the Insider Preview program your license is activated but the builds will expire just like they do now.

 

Ah, I found an article that outlined what happened.  I've been in the Caribbean since the 20th last month, which previous to they had different wording on Microsoft's page, which they have since changed.  >> This article spells it out what happened.  http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/06/microsoft-clarification-kinda-clears-up-free-windows-10-license-confusion/

[Steven P. Administrators]

You should be able to install a clean copy of Windows 10 simply by using your Windows 7 or 8 key, not confusing at all?

[Noir Angel]

I see no reason why there's such hubbub about this anyway. You want to keep using the software for free on a non qualifying setup there's inevitably going to be a tradeoff. Can't say I'm bothered by that, I personally probably won't opt into the insider program but if other people want the software for free that's just the price they'll have to pay. It's a deal that works for Microsoft anyway, the more telemetry they get the easier they're going to be able to squash bugs, so they'll actually be doing something that helps everyone using the OS. Yay for pirates?

 

I'm sure some people's holier than thou dar will be bleeping like a fleet of B17s is off the coast but this isn't a bad thing. The more telemetry MS get the better things will be once those builds make it to final release.

[Eric Veteran]

You should be able to install a clean copy of Windows 10 simply by using your Windows 7 or 8 key, not confusing at all?

 

I think you have to install it as an upgrade first to register the old key with your MS account. This is where the confusion is I suppose. An option to just ask for your previous key once during a clean install would be nice.

[Steven P. Administrators]

I think you have to install it as an upgrade first to register the old key with your MS account. This is where the confusion is I suppose. An option to just ask for your previous key once during a clean install would be nice.

Yeah I have asked Microsoft to clarify this and they aren't.. seems their representatives for these questions are as confused as us.

[Kelxin]

Yeah I have asked Microsoft to clarify this and they aren't.. seems their representatives for these questions are as confused as us.

 

What is confusing the matters even worse, previously you actually had to be a beta tester to get the software for testing, and as a beta tester you DID get a free license of the software permanently without having to continue putting your machine in jeopardy.   Now you only get it if you want to permanently be in a testing environment, how does that even make sense?

 

I see so many chiseled steps in the demise of the Windows ecosystem including Technet getting killed, MSDN pricing changes over the past 2 years, beta program changes, Microsoft moving away from any permanent activation system (yea, its lovely when a client calls you accusing you of selling them pirated software just because they've been on vacation for 6 months with no internet and Windows pops up saying they're a victim of counterfeit software), but also brings up more questions that Microsoft refuses to clarify for me also.  

 

For example, many OEM machines from larger manufacturers use SLIC tables to activate their copies of windows with specialized serial numbers from those manufacturers that are used on thousands if not hundreds of thousands of computers.  Will Windows 10 activate on those computers and be free also?  I've read that the copy of Windows 10 is ONLY for that one PC, but Microsoft has not clarified how it will behave with any major repair job such as the motherboard failing, or upgrading the processor.   My understanding up to this point, is Microsoft is considering the motherboard as the "main component" of the pc, and if that's replaced, it's considered a completely new computer (which will need a new copy of windows).

 

Much of this is very disturbing and has me hoping it is all incorrect.

[xendrome]

I think you have to install it as an upgrade first to register the old key with your MS account. This is where the confusion is I suppose. An option to just ask for your previous key once during a clean install would be nice.

 

I believe this is correct also, and to do a clean install via the free offer, just choose not to keep any files/settings in the Setup UI. Or if you do upgrade and have problems, you can do a system refresh after.

[Xerxes]

EDIT2: I am just really confused and as a result writing alot of rubbish . I have read somewhere, cannot find it (so maybe imagined it?), that the reason my Ultrabook has not received the Get Windows 10 update icon because it is not eligible for the free update (it is definitely a genuine copy, I bought it with OEM Win8 preinstalled and updated to 8.1 when it released). I've tried Googling it but get conflicting results. Seems nobody actually knows who is entitled to what? are OEM pre installed copies of Win8/8.1 eligible for the update? or do I need to buy Win10 if i wish to upgrade? My desktop with Win8.1 Pro got the update and so did my old desktop running Win7 Ultimate. So just confused...