Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows 10 Free upgrade

BunnyJ said:

The thought is you/we will be able to download or create an ISO from the ESD that's used for the upgrade process.

That makes sense, thanks for the reply :)

Wynona said:

I have seen Newegg advertise DVDs with just the media, but without product key. They run in the range of $10.00 to $15.00, I think. Also, there will be ISOs to download, I'm sure.

You can expect both to be available, since Microsoft has said we can reinstall as many times as we want to.

Cool yes it makes sense, thank you as well for your reply

groze said:

@Wynona

I know that. Those that got the upgrade for free will still be able to install free even after free upgrade expires.

I thought I was clear on my post to winuser. Let say someone doesn't do the free upgrade till August 1st, 2016. He/she will have to pay one time to upgrade to 10 from windows 7 or 8.1 unless Microsoft extends the free upgrade offer. That what I meant on my first post.

It's very hard to get the true meaning of the "one year limit" on upgrading to Windows 10. Look at your statement: <The free upgrade only last a year after that you got to pay for it.> What I see is that "I can use the free upgrade for a year and then I have to pay for it." Even Microsoft's statements about the free upgrade weren't very clear. Clearly half of everyone reading about the free upgrade thought we could use it for only a year and then we had to pay.

Let's try this:

Microsoft is offering a free upgrade to Windows10 for Windows 7 and 8.1 users. This upgrade will be available for a year; you must upgrade by July 28, 2016.

OK, the real meaning is clear now; however, you will always have those who ask, "What if I forgot and waited until (you supply the date). Or one of a gazillion more questions.

The facts:

Microsoft is offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 for qualified users of Windows 7 and 8.x. Before your computer can be upgraded, Windows 7 must have Service Pack 1 and Windows 8.x must be Windows 8.1 Update. (That's 8.0 to 8.1 to 8.1 Upgrade). If you are not a business, you most likely qualify.

You have one year from July 29, 2015 to upgrade your Windows 7 or 8.x computer to Windows 10.

The Windows 10 upgrade will be for the supported life of the computer that gets upgraded.

If we try to say it this way, generally, we should be correctly understood.

Wynona said:

Let's try this:

Microsoft is offering a free upgrade to Windows10 for Windows 7 and 8.1 users. This upgrade will be available for a year; you must upgrade by July 28, 2016.

Even that is not very clear. And now you understand the reason why Microsoft has had such a hard time discussing this in a way that everyone can understand.

What I would say is that "Microsoft is offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 for genuine owners of Windows 7 and Windows 8.x, so long as you take advantage of the offer within 1 year of the release of Windows 10."

The key there is "offer". The offer is time limited, not the upgrade. But, even this can be read several ways by people looking to pick it apart.. so there is simply no good way to succinctly say it, without writing about 10,000 more words to qualify everything.

Mystere said:

Even that is not very clear. And now you understand the reason why Microsoft has had such a hard time discussing this in a way that everyone can understand.

What I would say is that "Microsoft is offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 for genuine owners of Windows 7 and Windows 8.x, so long as you take advantage of the offer within 1 year of the release of Windows 10."

The key there is "offer". The offer is time limited, not the upgrade. But, even this can be read several ways by people looking to pick it apart.. so there is simply no good way to succinctly say it, without writing about 10,000 more words to qualify everything.

Yeah, guess so.

And we have plenty of folks wanting to pick it apart.

Joan Archer said:

I've just read through this whole thread and as far as I'm concerned my little mind takes it to mean I can upgrade my machines that qualify during the first year after 10 is released.

The licence would last as long as the machine lives however long that may be.

If I don't do the upgrade during that time I would have to buy a copy of 10 to install, that is perfectly clear to me.

You nailed it Joan!
There are no other grey areas!

Edwin said:

You nailed it Joan!
There are no other grey areas!

Ha! Joan made it as clear as a bell, but I'll betcha a dollar to a do-nut that someone can pick even that statement apart! :)

Wynona said:

Ha! Joan made it as clear as a bell, but I'll betcha a dollar to a do-nut that someone can pick even that statement apart! :)

Oh, probably! Doesn't matter anymore, what's gonna happen is gonna happen, no speculation is gonna change that.

Joan Archer said:

I've just read through this whole thread and as far as I'm concerned my little mind takes it to mean I can upgrade my machines that qualify during the first year after 10 is released.

The licence would last as long as the machine lives however long that may be.

If I don't do the upgrade during that time I would have to buy a copy of 10 to install, that is perfectly clear to me.