Windows 10 Free Upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Users

Today in a big Windows 10 event, Microsoft announced about the upcoming Windows 10 preview build, various new features introduced in Windows 10, free upgrades to Windows 10 and a brand new web browser from Microsoft called “Edge” aka “Project Spartan”.

Lets talk about all of these in details:

Windows 10 Will be a Free Upgrade (Kind of)

Good news for all Windows users. Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.

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If you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free in the first year of Windows 10 launch. In other words, we can say that almost all Windows users will be able to update to Windows 10 absolutely free as most of the people have already moved to Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 OS.

Also once a computer device is upgraded to Windows 10, it’ll be able to receive all future feature updates at no additional charges.

Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will work like an Internet service and new features will be added immediately when they are ready without waiting for the next major release of Windows.

Also check:

Microsoft Edge (Spartan): New Web Browser in Windows 10

Microsoft also talked about a brand new web browser “Edge” (codename Project Spartan) present in Windows 10. Currently its under development and will be a part of Windows 10 operating system.

This new web browser has been developed for better compatibility with modern websites, reliability and performance. It’ll feature a fresh and minimal user interface matching with Windows 10 Modern (aka Metro) UI.

Windows_10_Spartan_Web_Browser.png

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It’ll come with many advanced features such as ability to annotate by keyboard or pen directly on websites, Reading view to have a distraction free view of the articles in a simplified layout and Cortana integration for finding and doing things faster on web.

[Review] Microsoft Edge (aka Project Spartan) Web Browser in Windows 10

New Continuum Mode in Windows 10

You might remember the hidden “Continuum Mode” present in the current Windows 10 preview build. We shared information about this secret feature in our exclusive Windows 10 review topic.

Windows_10_Continuum_Mode.png

Microsoft also talked about Continuum Mode which will allow Windows 10 to switch easily between keyboard/mouse and touch/tablet interface once it detects the transition. It’ll be a great feature for 2-in-1 devices such as hybrid PCs.

Microsoft Office and Other Universal Apps in Windows 10

Microsoft is working on universal Office apps which will provide touch-first experience across all Windows 10 devices such as computers, tablets and mobile phones.

Office_App_Windows_10.png

These new Office Mobile apps will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook.

UPDATE:

Download Free Office Mobile Apps for Windows 10

The next Microsoft Office suite for Desktop is also under development.

Windows 10 will also come with many other universal apps such as Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People, Messaging, Mail and Calendar. These built-in apps will have updated design that will look and feel same across all devices.

New Windows 10 Preview Build for Download Next Week

A new preview build of Windows 10 featuring almost all above mentioned features will become available for download next week. It’ll be released free to public and people who are using Windows 10 Technical Preview build in their computers, will be able to install this new testing build.

This new Windows 10 January Preview build will feature many new features such as Cortana (Microsoft’s personal digital assistant), new apps, Continuum mode, new Notification (Action) Center, etc.

The new Windows 10 build will be available in 25 more languages.

The build number of upcoming Windows 10 Preview might be 9924 or 9926.

So get ready to download and test new Windows 10 preview build in next week…

UPDATE:

New Update Build of Windows 10 Technical Preview Available for Download

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. ^^M$ will offer you to upgrade to Windows 10 on the the first year of release for free. Once you download that you can retain the OS for a lifetime. 1 year after release, M$ will switch back to the old-fashioned “you want the OS, you buy it with money” strategy.

  2. ^^
    >[1 year after release…]

    only for those who didn’t upgrade within the 1-year free2DL offer.

  3. @ratepv I dunno if you’re just being picky about the language, but given that 8.1 is a free upgrade from 8.0, they would by default get it to. If it makes you happier, Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users can get a free upgrade to Windows 10 in the first year after release.

  4. @ratepv : Microsoft has announced months ago that Windows 8 users are forced to upgrade to 8.1 (for free) to receive any future updates from the company, which means these updates will include the free upgrade to Windows 10 when it releases later this year.

  5. I think W10 will be going the way of Office (after the 1 year freebie). IOW, you can buy it outright, or you can subscribe to it. I am guessing they may have a bundle with W10 and Office 365. I am currently subscribe to Office 365, as between myself and wife, and a daughter in collage, desktop, laptop, phones, tablets, we fully use all of the 5 computer “seats” plus mobile devices. I will be happy to subscribe to W10, depending on $$$.

  6. The thing people don’t understand why microsoft is let free upgrade is because, the more people uses Windows 10, the more product from App Store will be sold, thus they will get the money, just like apple does and also because most people are still using Windows 7, like me 🙂

  7. Since “Spartan” wil be the new name of the Windows’ built-in browser, shall we say goodbye to IE?

  8. Will this upgrade is coming for all windows 7 version? I have a laptop with windows 7 basic oem.

  9. What still isn’t clear is what happens if I upgrade W7/W8/W8.1 and the system crashes more than a year later, requiring a complee wipe and reinstall of the previous windows.

  10. If you can write an article about How to transform windows 7 into windows 10 without using any transformation pack then that would be great!

  11. What will happen after one year? Are Windows going to get paid like regularly, like Office 365 or Adobe CC or it isn‘t claimed yet?

  12. ^^ No. There will be no yearly fees or subscription. If you have upgraded to or purchased Windows 10, it’ll be free for you on that device forever.

  13. If I upgrade my GENUINE Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 10, does it require activation (product key) or anything else like that ?

  14. My dad has one of the Windows 7 Professional MSCA subscription software will Windows 10 be available for him as of till now the app that asks for reservation for Windows 10 is not available for his PC.

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