Microsoft announces Windows 10 free upgrade for all testers (Windows Insider Program) [Updated]
Microsoft, clearing all doubts and confusion, has officially announced that all Windows Insider testers will receive free Windows 10 upgrade. We all know that Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will get free Windows 10 upgrade. Yes, you do have to upgrade within a year of Windows 10 release on July 29, 2015. The latest announcement puts a smile on the faces of all Windows Insider program tester. So, now to receive Windows 10 free of charge, all you need to do is clean install the latest preview of Windows 10 build 10130 on your computer. Login with your Microsoft Account that’s registered for the Windows Insider program and wait for the final version of Windows 10. It doesn’t matter which Windows edition you had, after you receive Windows 10, it will stay genuine.
Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul has confirmed this method on Twitter yesterday when he was promoting a new blog post detailing new changes to the way the Redmond software giant tests Windows 10.
As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA (Microsoft Account) you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated.
With the release of Windows 10 on July 29, Microsoft is changing the way Windows users used to receive updates and new upgrades to the operating system. Microsoft will use Microsoft Account to deliver updated builds to users. To test the new methods, the software giant needs testers who will voluntarily opt-in to keep receiving future test versions of the operating system. Thus the new move to offer all testers free Windows 10 upgrades is completely justifiable.
How to get a genuine free copy of Windows 10?
So, if you’re running an older version of Windows, like Windows XP or Windows Vista, you have a very good option to get a free copy of Windows 10. Just visit the Windows Insider web page, opt-in the Windows Insider program using a Microsoft Account. Download and install the latest preview on your computer. Don’t opt for a local account while installing. Connect it with your Microsoft Account registered with the Windows Insider program. You’ll get a copy of genuine Windows 10 free of charge on July 29th.
Update: Microsoft confuses everyone again who will receive Windows 10 free upgrade. At first, Microsoft made it sound like Windows XP and Vista users have a chance to get Windows 10 free of cost if they opt to become a Windows Insider program member. After the news got viral, Microsoft silently changed the blog post as pointed out by Ars Technica. The official blog post now reflects the changes to the Windows Insider preview program. As you have read in the post above, Microsoft initially said that Windows Insider program members running Windows 10 Preview version would “receive the Windows 10 final release build and stay activated” but then modified it to “receive the Windows 10 final release build,” which is basically the latest beta version of Windows 10, members of Windows Insides will get before the release of Windows 10.
What are your thoughts about the confusion created by Microsoft about who will get free Windows 10 and who will not? Share your opinions through comments below.
