Microsoft Backtracks on Free Windows 10 Upgrade for Software Pirates
Microsoft has changed its mind after all. After announcing a few months ago that Windows 10 will be free even for software pirates, it has taken back that announcement and has instead said that they will no longer be eligible for the free upgrade.
According to a report in Tech Times, Terry Myerson, who is chief of Microsofts's operating system unit, said in a blog post that the free upgrade to Windows 10 will no longer be available for devices who are running on non-genuine or pirated versions of Windows 8.1 despite earlier plans of the company to "re-engage" millions of users who make use of pirated versions of the OS, most with which are said to be found in China.
"While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we've always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state," he said in a blog post.
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Based on this recent pronouncement, the company is possibly planning on continuing their regular notifications to those non-genuine users in the form of what is called "nagware." Non-genuine users will also see a watermark that says that their devices are running on a pirated copy. Myerson continued by saying that these unofficial copies have a "high risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of your personal information and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions."
While this is being done, Microsoft also intends to engage non-genuine Windows users in a more positive way, by offering bundled promos that will be attractive enough for them to invest and switch to genuine software. These promos will be done through partnerships with device manufacturers.
The Tech Times report noted that not all non-genuine users are guilty of piracy as some of them may have been victimized by unscrupulous resellers who pass off non-genuine software on the devices they sell.
"Microsoft and our OEM partners know that many consumers are unwitting victims of piracy, and with Windows 10, we would like all of our customers to move forward with us together," Myerson added.
