Microsoft explains in more details what’s going to happen when upgrading a non-genuine version of Windows to Windows 10. Previously, the company said that will be “upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine or non-genuine, to Windows 10”. Then after a lot of customers thought they would be getting a free copy of Windows 10, even though they didn’t have a valid product key, Microsoft noted that users will upgrade to Windows 10 for free, but the process will not make the operating system genuine. However, today, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson clarifies what actually is going to happen.
According to Myerson, if during the upgrade process Windows can’t be verified a watermark will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen notifying the user. In previous versions of Windows, the message said “This is not a genuine copy of Windows”, we still don’t know how the new watermark looks like, but Microsoft is likely to show a similar message. The company advice that if you buy a machine that displays the watermark message, you should return the product immediately and demand a genuine Windows device.
In addition, the software maker says that non-genuine versions of Windows won’t be left in the cold and the company will soon announce a campaign with partners to offer a “very attractive” deal to upgrade to Windows 10.
While the company is finally being more clear on what’s going to happen when users try to upgrade to Windows 10 from a pirated version of the operating system, there is still a few questions yet to be answered. For example, once the watermark appears will users have a limited number of days to obtain a valid product key? Will Windows 10 start rebooting after a certain number of days? And will the operating system continue to receive updates?
Also, it’s unclear how Microsoft’s offer will work, because if it’s a very good offer, how this will stop customers from installing a pirated version of Windows to then upgrade to Windows 10 for less money?
Source Microsoft
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].