Free Update to Windows 10 email from Microsoft confuses me.

pintree3 · 18 Mar 2015

Hi, I received an email from Microsoft saying it is offering an free upgrade for those of us 'qualified' who have Windows 7, Win8.1 ....... See attached image. Anyhow as you can see from it, it sounds good so now it's just a question of getting the details to see who exactly qualifies. So you link to it and then...wait.what happened to what the original advert said? As you can see from the 2nd image the link is to update from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1--none of which related to the original advert. Which tells me that the link is wrong. So I was wondering if anyone has checked into this or if they know how to contact Microsoft regarding it.
Thank you

pbcopter · 18 Mar 2015

The first tells of the availability of a free upgrade from Windows 7, or 8.1 to Windows 10 when it is released.

The second screen shot is referencing upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1, so that you will be ready for Windows 10.

pintree3 · 18 Mar 2015

pbcopter thanks. I was aware that W10 is not available yet, so I thought that the link would say who exactly would be eligible, since it says for "qualified new or existing.....'' therefore the question hanging is. "Who is eligible?" It also mentions W8.1 owners and not W8.0 yet the link shows only how to update from 8.0 to 8.1. Theoretically at least, Win 8 holders are not eligible so they must update to win8.1 but what of us who do have w8.1 (and in my case also W7 on a different computer)? The link only shows the upgrade from W8 to W8.1 and absolutely nothing in reference to anything else hence my confusion. So who exactly can do this? When can it be done? and How can it be done? is not answered.
Thanks again

carwiz · 18 Mar 2015

Windows 8.0 is no longer supported. To receive the free upgrade to 10, you must be on 7 or 8.1. If you're on 7, you can stay there until 10 is released. If you are on 8, you'll have to upgrade to 8.1 first. Which was a free upgrade a long time ago. This is another chance to go to 8.1.

Everyone is eligible except Enterprise versions. They will have their own offer. It's also dependent on your hardware in that it must meet the minimum requirements. And, of course, you must have a valid install. The upgrade will come through Windows Update.

It is our intent that most of these devices will qualify, but some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. ISP fees may apply. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. We will be sharing more information and additional offer and support terms in coming months.

OvenMaster · 19 Mar 2015

"...we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device..."

Congratulations to Microsoft for the most brazen use of weasel words I've ever seen.

Who precisely will decide on the supported lifetime? The device maker? Microsoft? The end user? Software vendors? Intel or AMD? The motherboard maker? A built-in countdown clock? A Microsoft activation server?

Phone Man · 19 Mar 2015

OvenMaster said:

"...we will continue to keep it up to date for the supported lifetime of the device..."

Congratulations to Microsoft for the most brazen use of weasel words I've ever seen.

Who precisely will decide on the supported lifetime? The device maker? Microsoft? The end user? Software vendors? Intel or AMD? The motherboard maker? A built-in countdown clock? A Microsoft activation server?

Why so negative? MS has not announced the details and after they do then you can bitch about a FREE upgrade all you want.

Jim

carwiz · 19 Mar 2015

It will most likely be tied to hardware and technology. As older equipment becomes unsupported by WHQL/OEM drivers or they just flat become obsolete, don't expect MS to update your hardware. If you're still running a 486 processor, I suspect it won't qualify. :) And, you will have a choice. Don't move to Windows 10.

elanus · 19 Mar 2015

"Congratulations to Microsoft for the most brazen use of weasel words I've ever seen."
100% agree. Probably there will be few pages of T&C lol.

"As older equipment becomes unsupported by WHQL/OEM drivers or they just flat become obsolete, don't expect MS to update your hardware. If you're still running a 486 processor, I suspect it won't qualify"
You are missing the point completely. First, if device is not Win 10 capable, you can not even install Win 10 on it. However real issue is: my new device is Windows 10 capable today, but let say it is not manufactured anymore after 3 months. And manufacturer shuts down the business. What happens?

"And, you will have a choice. Don't move to Windows 10"
Sure, my / our choice ...

carwiz · 19 Mar 2015

That can/does happen with every version of Windows. It was the reason I built a new PC for Windows 7. The clunky old XP machine wouldn't support the graphics in 7 and it had about a half a Gig short of being useful. Much of the OEM software was not compatible either when I ran the upgrade check. I could have purchased a display card, added more memory and fumbled around with IDE drives but why? It was OLD! :)

How many PCs today have floppy drives and QIC tape backup systems much less IDE disk drives? If you're going to live at the edge of technology, sometimes you have to make the cut or get cut. Heck, USB 3.0 devices are just now becoming plentiful. USB 3.1 is already out and doubles the 3.0 speed. It's hard to understand why anyone would use USB 1 or 2 devices but they are.

OvenMaster · 21 Mar 2015

carwiz said:

How many PCs today have floppy drives and QIC tape backup systems much less IDE disk drives? If you're going to live at the edge of technology, sometimes you have to make the cut or get cut. Heck, USB 3.0 devices are just now becoming plentiful. USB 3.1 is already out and doubles the 3.0 speed. It's hard to understand why anyone would use USB 1 or 2 devices but they are.

1. I just removed both my IDE hard drives two weeks ago.
2. The "edge of technology" isn't all roses and rainbows. "New" does not automatically mean "better".
3. All my USB devices are USB 2 speed; my Xbox 360 gamepad, mouse, printer, and Philips GoGear ViBE mp3 player.

Free Update to Windows 10 email from Microsoft confuses me.

Free Update to Windows 10 email from Microsoft confuses me.

Weasel words