It seems that Windows Insiders will be able to upgrade for free to the final version of Windows 10, and the operating system will remain activated. On a new article at the official Windows Blog, Microsoft’s Gabriel Aul, revealed a number of details regarding the future of the Windows Insider program after the July 29th release.
In the article, the software giant talks about how the Windows 10 upgrade process will work for testers, which according to the company will arrive as a simple update through the Windows Update service.
In addition, Microsoft talked about the activation process will work and what Insiders need to do to keep Windows 10 activated once the final version releases.
Previously, the company explained that users running Windows 8.1 Update and Windows 7 Service Pack 1 will get Windows 10 free of charge, but it was never very clear how the upgrade will work for those Insiders who have made a clean installation of the previews.
As part of the upgrade process, Microsoft has said in the past that users will need to be running one of the qualifying version of Windows in order to install and activate Windows 10, but now it appears that the activation process will change for Windows Insiders.
According to the wording on the Windows Blog article, Microsoft is planning to keep Windows 10 free for Insiders. The disclaimer here is that the company doesn’t specifically say out-right that it’s going to be free, but it looks that way:
“As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated. Once you have successfully installed this build and activated, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.”
It seems that the process will go as follow: users registered as Windows Insiders will need to be running one of the previews build of Windows 10, regardless if it was a clean installation or not. Then on July 29th, users will start receiving the upgrade as an update, and after the upgrade, testers can do a clean install of the final version of Windows 10 and keep it activated as long they’re connected with a Microsoft account that is part of the Windows Insider program.
This is a great news for everyone that has spent long hours trying the operating system and sending feedback to Microsoft to make Windows 10 better. Now it looks like that Microsoft will be giving away the Windows 10 to Insiders as a thank you for helping to shape the next version of Windows.
What do you think about how Microsoft is handling Windows 10 for Insiders? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Update, June 22, 2015: Microsoft has altered its blog post at the Windows Blog to remove the phrase “remain activated” to stop blog posts to promote the loophole that can allow users to obtain Windows 10 completely free without having a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8 license. However, it appears that Windows Insiders will indeed be able to upgrade, regardless if they had a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 install prior the clean installation of Windows 10.
Update, June 22, 2015: Microsoft once again updates its statement clarifying that the Windows Insider program isn’t a path to obtain a free a license of Windows 10, as Insiders will simply keep getting new builds of the operating system that are under development, which is a not a true full version of Windows 10, just a pre-release — nonetheless, the operating system will be free for Insiders. Here is all the updated info.
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].