You’re not going to be able to upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 for pennies on the dollar. The bug that allowed users to update their PCs’ operating systems to the second-most recent version for free has been quietly closed by Windows. You now have to pay for a more contemporary OS if you’re tired of your outdated one.
Microsoft provided Windows 7/8 users a full year to upgrade to Windows 10 for free when it initially launched in July 2015. It gave assistive gadget users an extra year of usage starting in July 2016. (It was unclear how consumers were expected to validate their disability in order to take advantage of this specific offer.) Users using Windows 7/8 were then forced to purchase Windows 10—that is, unless they were unaware of a hidden exploit that allowed them to still get the updated operating system for free.
Even if the tech giant was not promoting free OS updates, customers could still obtain one by visiting the Windows 10 webpage. Users might click the enchanted “Upgrade this PC now” button after running the program without ever having to pay a single cent. However, Microsoft has since removed that choice as well, and customers will now have to pay $139 for a Windows 10 license in order to install the operating system on their devices.
Microsoft seems to be aware of consumers’ preference for the free Windows 10 exploit, based on language from a blog post from the Microsoft Device Partner Center that was published on September 20 and discovered by Windows Central. The post states, “Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10/11 ended July 29, 2016.” Additionally, the installation path for the free Windows 7/8 upgrade has been eliminated. There is still no cost to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
The last point isn’t really exciting—Windows 11 is still in its anticipated free upgrade window and is still relatively new. Additionally, fewer people will be able to utilize Windows 11 than prior OS versions due to its significantly stricter hardware requirements compared to any of its older siblings.