Recently, Microsoft announced at the WinHEC conference in Shenzhen that it plans to officially launch the Windows 10 operating system this summer. Although it did not inform the specific release date, from the perspective of a series of partners at the conference, Microsoft has already entered China for Windows 10. It is ready: they will use Lenovo, Tencent, Qihoo 360, Xiaomi, etc. in China to push Windows 10.
Microsoft announced at the Windows conference on January 21 that Windows 7 and Windows 8 can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free during the year of Windows 10. Although Microsoft has published a lot of relevant important content, there are some details that we still don't understand. For example, is it genuine after the free upgrade?
Recently, foreign media finally heard about the upgrade from Aaron Woodman, senior director of product marketing at Microsoft. All the details of Windows.
Which version can you upgrade to Windows 10?
The latest version of Windows 7 (SP1) and Windows 8 (8.1) can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free. If you are using an older version (the original version of Windows 7 or Windows 8), you must upgrade first. These upgrades are also free, but after upgrading to the latest version, Microsoft won't let you upgrade to Windows 10. Therefore, older users need to upgrade twice to use Windows 10.
When can I upgrade for free?
A year from the official release date of Windows 10 (sometime this summer), a specific version of Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 can be upgraded to Windows 10 for free.
What versions does the specific version mean?
Microsoft only allows users to upgrade their systems on their computers to Windows 10 for free. The free upgrade does not apply to the enterprise licensed version of Windows. If a large enterprise IT department wants to upgrade the company's computer, it can only purchase the license first. Similarly, PC vendors can't get free Windows 10 upgrade licenses for unsold Windows 7 and Windows 8 pre-installed computers.
Is it free for a year?
Woodman said that once you upgrade your PC to Windows 10 for free, it will always be free, and Microsoft will not collect money from you afterwards. Windows 10 is not a "free value-added" service. He said personally: "If you upgrade your system to Windows 10, you will always use Windows 10, there will be no extra charge. ”
Only a small number of people can't use Windows 10 for free.
Some people don't qualify for the free upgrade, but the number is not too much. Woodman suggests that even if you miss a one-year free upgrade period, Windows 10 is still free. He said: "Basically all users do not need to spend money for Windows 10. & rdquo; Users can use the new computer (the PC manufacturer will pay), use the company's computer (the company will pay for the upgrade) or use the free upgrade to use the new system.
But there are also some "edge cases" that only account for a small percentage of Windows users. For example, if you want to use genuine Windows 10 on your own computer or on a virtual machine, you must purchase a license (this should be a new installation, not an upgrade from genuine Win7/8.1). Woodman said: "We never said that Windows is free. "Microsoft will still make money from consumers who use Windows." Microsoft treats everyone who uses Windows as their customer, no matter how they use Windows or how much they spend on Windows ( Including no money). The more customers Microsoft has, the more potential software buyers and more Windows App Store users —— Microsoft can extract a portion of the rewards.
In addition, letting everyone use the latest and safe Windows system means that everyone has better security and privacy. Hacked computers can affect other computers. Data breaches and hacking can cost many companies (including Microsoft) money and customers.
About piracy
Around the world, 1.5 billion people use pirated —— or use Microsoft's own words to call "non-genuine" —— Windows license. Woodman said that even many people don't know that they are using a non-genuine system.
Microsoft's goal is to allow all Windows users to take advantage of this free upgrade to use the latest and most secure operating system. Woodman said: "Our ecosystem will bring a lot of value, they are future paying users. These customers are very important to Microsoft. "Before Woodman, Microsoft operating system director Terry Myerson has stated that pirated systems are still pirated after the upgrade.