Microsoft is ready to make some bold moves for the launch of Windows 10. The Redmond, California company will be offering free upgrades of Windows 10 to anyone who is using Windows right now, even to those who are currently running pirated copies of the software. Yes, you read that right, even pirates can upgrade for free to Windows 10.
Windows 10 free upgrade to even pirated Windows users
Microsoft earlier said that Windows 10 would be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. The company wants to provide their latest and greatest operating system to all users, but it doesn’t stop there, as now the company has revealed that even those running unlicensed versions of the OS are eligible to upgrade for free.
This move is Microsoft’s attempt to convince everyone to use free, but legitimate versions of its Windows 10 operating system. This would be a major blow to the Chinese market where studies show that nearly three-quarters of all PC software is pirated.
Speaking to Reuters, Microsoft’s operating system chief Terry Myerson said that “We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10.” This move is to “re-engage” millions of users in countries such as China where piracy is a big problem.
Myerson further said that Windows 10 would release globally sometime this summer. This is the first time that someone from Microsoft is officially pointing out to a time frame.
There are still some questions, for example, would Microsoft issue new licenses to those users who are upgrading from pirated copies? How would it work?
As the launch nears, we will get to learn more about Windows 10. For now, this surely is a great news for those running on unlicensed versions. But is there any catch? That is still to be seen.
