Windows 10 Free Upgrade Offer Ends On July 29, 2016
The end of Windows 10 Free Upgrade offer is right around the corner. Microsoft is officially closing down the Windows 10 Free Upgrade offer on July 29, 2016. You can also take a look at the official countdown here. July 29, 2016 will also mark the first anniversary of Windows 10 release. Wondering what will happen after the Windows 10 Free Upgrade offer ends? Obviously, you will not be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free anymore but what else will happen? What will be the cost of Windows 10 after the free upgrade offer ends? Will Microsoft release upgrade versions of Windows 10 for purchase?
If we look back in time, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 would be a free upgrade. To be precise, Terry Myerson first announced it in a Windows Experience blog post, dated January 21, 2015.
Today was a monumental day for us on the Windows team because we shared our desire to redefine the relationship we have with you—our customers. We announced that a free upgrade for Windows 10 will be made available to customers running Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 who upgrade in the first year after launch.
Afterwards, on July 28, 2015, in another Windows Experience blog post, Myerson reiterated the Windows 10 free upgrade policy.
From the beginning, Windows 10 has been unique—built with feedback from five million Windows Insiders, delivered as a service with ongoing innovations and security updates, and offered as a free upgrade to genuine Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 customers.
As the end came nearer and nearer, we all have noticed how Microsoft started pushing Windows 10. The Get Windows 10, or GWX program is targeted toward Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. Through the GWX, Windows 10 was pushed as a recommended upgrade via Windows Update. Later on, Microsoft started “forcing” Windows 10 upgrade to all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.
Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro Retail Price
Looking at all this, it is very clear that Microsoft really wants every Windows user everywhere to be running Windows 10. All these tactics seems to have played in favor of Microsoft as Windows 10 is now running on 300 million active devices. In a recent blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, the corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, said:
And, today, we want to remind you that if you haven’t taken advantage of the free upgrade offer, now is the time. The free upgrade offer to Windows 10 was a first for Microsoft, helping people upgrade faster than ever before. And time is running out. The free upgrade offer will end on July 29 and we want to make sure you don’t miss out. After July 29th, you’ll be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for $119.
As clear from the post of Yusuf Mehdi, you will be able to purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home edition for $119.99. Now the question arises about the cost of Windows 10 Pro edition? Well, if you visit Microsoft Store, you’ll find that you can purchase both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro as a download or on a USB flash drive. Windows 10 Pro will cost you $199.99.
Will There Be Any Windows 10 Upgrade Versions?
The chance of Microsoft releasing special upgrade version of Windows 10 are very slim. Microsoft ran the free upgrade offer for a year for all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10 after July 29, 2016, it is highly likely that you may have to pay the full retail price of Windows 10. This is just a speculation based on many factors including how Microsoft released Windows 8.1 in the past.
Coming Back to You, What Do You Think? What Will You Do?
Will you keep running Windows 7, or Windows 8.1, and not upgrade to Windows 10? Will you take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offer before it ends on July 29, 2016? Share your opinions with us below.
