If I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

[Windows Central Question]

if I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

Will we all have to pay for Windows 10 after July 2016, either monthly, yearly, buy a license, etc? if so, what will the price be? Also, how long will MS support Win 7?

 

[a5cent]

Re: if I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

Yes, that installation of W10 on the machine you upgraded is free forever.
If the computer breaks or you buy a new one, you'll also need a new Windows license.

 

[mj0]

How exactly does Microsoft know that I've upgraded my license? Do I have to log into the system with a Microsoft account or can I remain using my local user account? This must surely be saved somewhere but where and how?

 

[Nokia5110]

How exactly does Microsoft know that I've upgraded my license? Do I have to log into the system with a Microsoft account or can I remain using my local user account? This must surely be saved somewhere but where and how?

You ccan use local account, as long as you do not want to get something from the store. Automatic sign in is what I do...

 

[mj0]

How exactly does that answer my question?

 

[Satorindley]

Yes if you claim your upgrade upgrade within the 1 year time frame it is free FOREVER. Even after July 2016 it will be free at no additional cost. This is simply a marketing plan to get as many people on Windows 10 as fast as possible to attract developers to build apps. For a question as straight forward as this please just use Bing or Google.

 

[a5cent]

How exactly does Microsoft know that I've upgraded my license? Do I have to log into the system with a Microsoft account or can I remain using my local user account? This must surely be saved somewhere but where and how?

It's explained in the first post here:

http://forums.windowscentral.com/wi...s-10-activation-upgrade-installation-faq.html

 

[mj0]

Thanks. So that means it's not associated with my Microsoft account but simply stored somewhere on Microsoft's servers (aka the "cloud") independent of any user accounts, Microsoft accounts, etc. Correct?

 

[a5cent]

Re: if I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

Yes. I believe so.

Caveat: I recently read a statement from an MS rep saying the process is anonymous, which suggests no such association exists. I'm not aware of this being legally guaranteed however.

 

[taymur]

Re: if I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

Will we all have to pay for Windows 10 after July 2016, either monthly, yearly, buy a license, etc? if so, what will the price be? Also, how long will MS support Win 7?

If you upgrade your activated windows 7 PC to windows 10 within this year, yes it will be activated on windows 10 (for ever), end of story.

however, the license that you just received for windows 10 is hooked to the PC, meaning if you decided to break your PC in two pieces, and get a new one (OS FREE), Microsoft wont allow you to install your previous windows 10 on the new laptop, it just wont work, the new laptop wont activate.

 

[mjyumping]

Re: if I install Windows 10 now, is it free forever?

It's free forever on that motherboard only. If you buy a new motherboard, you pay the license again