Timely reminder that you can still get Windows 10 for free as an upgrade.
Microsoft ended their year long free Windows 10 upgrade program for consumer customers on 29 July 2016 just prior to the release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in early August.
There is however, one group of customers that still have access to that free Windows 10 upgrade. If someone is on Windows 7 or 8.1 and they use Assistive Technologies then the upgrade is still accessible.
Just click the Microsoft Official link - there is no check that you are using Assistive Technology, it's just a free upgrade.
Top comments
mtor609
4 Oct 163#11
Have never & will never upgrade to windows 10.
Far too many privacy issues.
Windows 10 will always be free for that reason
All comments (52)
KiNG
3 Oct 16#1
handy tip, thanks
mistafaz
3 Oct 16#2
Thanks, will prove useful
redondo
3 Oct 16#3
will it check your windows 7 to see if its an OEM serial number ?
I bought this used as a back-up computer , it originally had Vista , has windows 7 now but I have no paperwork on it
I would hate to see it bricked by Microsoft !
luvsadealdealdeal to redondo
4 Oct 161#4
no paperwork is needed to see if you have a legitimate copy of Windows installed
This PC ---> right click ---> Properties ---> brings up basic information about your computer
if it says 'Windows is activated' then your copy of Windows is legit
use Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (free download) to get your Windows activation code/ product key in about 30 seconds, make a note of it in case anything goes wrong with the upgrade ---> if it did, you would just re-install W10 and use this product key to get W10 activated again by Microsoft
[there is no central file held by Microsoft of who owns which computer & its product key - each computer holds its own evidence of legitimacy]
luvsadealdealdeal
4 Oct 161#5
actually if anybody had a W7 or W8 operating system of doubtful provenance, this upgrade is a neat way to give yourself a 100% legit copy of W10
when you upgrade you will get a brand new unique product key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
people who have borrowed a W7 or W8 product key in the past, or bought one for a couple of quid, may find it activates at first then a few months later gets bricked (as redondo quaintly expressed it) when MS systems see it has been used additional times, eg when your dodgy seller sells the same product key to another chancer
nobody else will have your shiny new W10 product key
coathanger
4 Oct 16#6
What exactly is Assistive Technologies?
KiNG to coathanger
4 Oct 16#7
pretty sure its something like the speech option in windows or accessibility options its referring to, but as the OP points out they don't seem to check.
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
4 Oct 162#8
Assistive technologies are used by people with varying disabilities, be they physical, speech/hearing impairment etc.
My main concern is that if so many people "claim" to use these technologies (which include screen readers, speech to text etc) without any legitimacy then Microsoft may decide to pull the plug thus depriving genuine disabled users - something I am sure none of us would applaud.
luvsadealdealdeal to MrBeansDrivingInstructor
4 Oct 16#19
Seeing as this free upgrade offer is also available worldwide - incl obviously in China, India, other poorer bits - & richer bits where people also need to save a buck or 2 - I don't think a listing on Freebies where it might attract mild interest is going to change Microsoft's thinking on the matter :smiley:
spannerzone to MrBeansDrivingInstructor
6 Oct 16#47
Assistive technologies probably includes items such as the screen maginifer or using a high contrast screen setting, something many people can easily choose to use if they want..... if you use this as the upgrade path it's hardly much of a deception and honestly cannot see how this will suddenly make MS pull all assitive feature from Windows to stop people taking advantage.
In all honesty I suspect MS are quite happy if yet more people upgrade to W10 from 7 or 8 using this method, if it was something of concern then they'd make it a lot harder to get the free upgrade! making you jump or crawl through several hoops.
Windows 10 has the potential to earn more $$$ with apps and such like for MS going forward so the more people that have it the better for MS.
rajurocks
4 Oct 16#9
Heat added. I will try it out this weekend. I have a legit windows 7
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
Microsoft ended their year long free Windows 10 upgrade program for consumer customers on 29 July 2016 just prior to the release of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in early August.
There is however, one group of customers that still have access to that free Windows 10 upgrade. If someone is on Windows 7 or 8.1 and they use Assistive Technologies then the upgrade is still accessible.
Just click the Microsoft Official link - there is no check that you are using Assistive Technology, it's just a free upgrade.
Top comments
Far too many privacy issues.
Windows 10 will always be free for that reason
All comments (52)
I bought this used as a back-up computer , it originally had Vista , has windows 7 now but I have no paperwork on it
I would hate to see it bricked by Microsoft !
This PC ---> right click ---> Properties ---> brings up basic information about your computer
if it says 'Windows is activated' then your copy of Windows is legit
use Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (free download) to get your Windows activation code/ product key in about 30 seconds, make a note of it in case anything goes wrong with the upgrade ---> if it did, you would just re-install W10 and use this product key to get W10 activated again by Microsoft
[there is no central file held by Microsoft of who owns which computer & its product key - each computer holds its own evidence of legitimacy]
when you upgrade you will get a brand new unique product key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
people who have borrowed a W7 or W8 product key in the past, or bought one for a couple of quid, may find it activates at first then a few months later gets bricked (as redondo quaintly expressed it) when MS systems see it has been used additional times, eg when your dodgy seller sells the same product key to another chancer
nobody else will have your shiny new W10 product key
My main concern is that if so many people "claim" to use these technologies (which include screen readers, speech to text etc) without any legitimacy then Microsoft may decide to pull the plug thus depriving genuine disabled users - something I am sure none of us would applaud.
In all honesty I suspect MS are quite happy if yet more people upgrade to W10 from 7 or 8 using this method, if it was something of concern then they'd make it a lot harder to get the free upgrade! making you jump or crawl through several hoops.
Windows 10 has the potential to earn more $$$ with apps and such like for MS going forward so the more people that have it the better for MS.