You can still upgrade Windows 7 and 8.1 systems to Windows 10 for free [View all]

When Microsoft launched its Windows 10 operating system, it knew that it had to convince customers to give it a try. The bad adoption of Windows 8 still haunted the company and it had to ensure that Windows 10 would not be a disappointment in regards to the adoption rate as well.

One of Microsoft's strategies to get customers to upgrade systems to Windows 10 was to offer it for free. Limited to the first year of release, Microsoft said, customers could upgrade systems running genuine versions of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free. The original license was upgraded to a digital license in the process.

Microsoft was confident enough to project that 1 billion devices with Windows 10 would be in use after two or three years starting from the date of official availability. The company missed the goal, despite pushing upgrades vehemently, but it also never stopped the free upgrade option.

Two years ago, I ran tests to see if it was still possible to upgrade from earlier versions of Windows to Windows 10 for free. Back then, this worked without any issues.

Today, I decided to re-run these tests to see if upgrades are still free. It should not come as a surprise that it is still possible to upgrade Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 devices to Windows 10 provided that these devices have a genuine license.


https://www.ghacks.net/2021/01/01/you-can-still-upgrade-windows-7-and-8-1-systems-to-windows-10-for-free/