A while ago the web was abuzz with the rumor that even people who used a pirated version of Windows 7 or 8 may benefit from a free Windows 10 upgrade. Well, Microsoft has been trying to clear the matter for weeks now and they’ve finally settled it.
First of all, it has become clear that users of non genuine Windows WILL NOT get free Windows 10 updates. We’re talking about Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 here and the users who do have the genuine versions are getting the free upgrade to Win 10 for the first year the OS is available. The rumor about the non genuine thing started in March, when Reuters published a report quoting a Microsoft official.
It was all a misunderstanding in the end. However, there’s still a glimmer of hope for people who refuse to pay for Windows. Microsoft also wrote in its official statement that they “will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non Genuine state”. This could mean several things, like running Windows 10 with a watermark and getting the usual notification about getting the genuine version.
It could also mean you’ll be getting a notification on Windows 7 or 8 to give up on the non genuine thing and go with Windows 10. Microsoft has even prepared special offers for people with Windows in a non genuine state. Now that’s a pretty fair and non bully-ish approach to piracy…
