Windows 10 Still Free [to some] until December 31, 2017
Microsoft allowed everyone using Windows 7 and Windows 8 to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge for one year from the date of the initial release in 2015.
And since then anyone using any of what Microsoft calls “Assistive technologies” can still get Windows 10 free of charge. So what in the world are Assistive technologies? Just about everything you’ll find if you press Windows Key + U ( or open the Ease of Access settings). Things such as Magnifier, Narrator, High Contrast, etc. qualifies as an “Assistive technology”.
So, does this mean that if you used Narrator or Magnifier a few times you qualify? According to Microsoft you do. As far as we know anyone who uses any assistive technology and is using Windows 7 and Windows 8 can still get Windows 10 free of charge, but only until December 31, 2017.
There is a huge gray area here as to who needs assistive technologies and who has used them a few times. And we think Microsoft is smart enough to know this – but as far as we know they’ve never challenged anyone who upgraded to Windows 10. And we’re not advising anyone either way – we’re just letting you know that if you want a upgrade to Windows 10, and you currently have Windows 7 or Windows 8, and you use any “assistive technologies” you have until December 31, 2017.
Here’s what Microsoft has to say:
The accessibility upgrade offer expires on December 31, 2017.
We are not restricting the upgrade offer to specific assistive technologies. If you use assistive technology on Windows, you are eligible for the upgrade offer.
You can read more from this Microsoft page.