Article updated on May 7, 2025 by Byothe
One thing is certain, Microsoft's communication around the migration to Windows 10 is not exactly clear and many interpretations of the Richmond firm's messages appear on the web.
Indeed, Microsoft has made several announcements about who could benefit from the free migration to its new Windows 10 operating system, available to all on July 29. Some of these announcements were a little ambiguous or incomplete, others were subject to modifications... in short, for a few months now it's been a bit confusing.
In a Microsoft blog post updated on June 22, however, we can get our bearings better... and here is an image that explains in which cases you will be entitled to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. This image is inspired by a publication by Digital Inspiration and presents the different possibilities in graphic form:
As you will have understood, if you have an official version of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, no problem for you, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free in a completely natural way. If you have an older operating system (Vista, XP, etc.) you will then have to go through the checkout and buy a Windows 10 license.
Where it gets complicated on the surface is if you installed a beta version of Windows 10… in reality, the rule is the same and it makes sense. If you installed Windows 10 Insider Preview on a Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 license, you will be able to upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 for free. If this is not the case, you will have to pay for your license… except that…
If you are registered with the Windows Insider Program, you will be able to continue using beta versions of Windows 10… until Microsoft changes its mind!
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