Free Windows 10 upgrade is coming to an end

Free Windows 10 upgrade is coming to an end so what does it mean for me ?  When Windows 10 was released to consumers in July of 2015, it was free for all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users for one year.  Microsoft decided to become like Apple where the operating system was the show piece but the overall experience of using the new operating system was.  The free operating system offer created a huge spike in upgrades by consumers, with Microsoft going as far as proclaiming that over one billion users will activate Windows 10 in the coming years on many devices.  Keep in mind that the new marketing campaign is pushing the concept of universal usage for Windows 10 from computers to Xbox consoles.  So in theory a developer can write one application for many devices.

Windows 10 has been a huge success for the company, with over 300 million active Windows devices and they do feel confident that they will reach their goals for dominating Window users with one slight issue that is coming soon, July 29th is the final day to grab the free upgrade.

The free operating system upgrade is offered for all Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 users up until July 29th, after that day you will have to purchase a license from the Microsoft Store or from any other retailer who carries the operating system. Windows 10 Home runs for $119.99 (plus tax) and Windows 10 Pro runs for $199.99 (plus tax).

Microsoft also offers a “Windows 10 Pro Pack” which allows a consumer to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro, and it runs for $99 (plus tax).

If you did execute the free upgrade then that license is valid for the life of that device which is basically the right way since it did come with a valid Windows license that was given up, so even if you think that it is a free upgrade you really are still paying for it one way or the other.  In simple terms, smoke and mirrors.  There are some that decided to go back to Windows 7 since it was simpler to use but reality for most is that Windows 10 has been pretty solid success.

So for the final batch of either Windows 7 users which is largely in the corporate world or the few rebels that have decided to make a stand they will lose out on the free upgrade.  This could be a not so bad thing since hardware always detects what the operating system can possibly do and as recommended to purchase new equipment with the latest operating system.  For those holding out, the clock is ticking.  Read More