14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 will be launched as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users during the first year after launch, and a little utility the company released two weeks ago allows these users to reserve their free upgrade right now and install the new OS when it becomes available on July 29.
Some users, however, aren’t getting the free upgrade reservation tool for various reasons, and Microsoft now provides some guidance on what went wrong and how to address it.
Basically, in order to get the free upgrade registration tool, your Windows computer needs to be up to date and running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 Update. This is essential not only to receive the free upgrade registration app but also the full operating system when it becomes available.
Are you a pirate?
Secondly, Microsoft says that Windows Update must be turned on and configured to receive updates automatically. If you’ve disabled automatic Windows Updates, the system cannot download the application and install it on your computer.
One of the other things that could block the app from reaching your system is also related to Windows Update, with Microsoft saying that users must not block or uninstall the necessary Windows Update functionality.
And last but not least, if you’re a pirate, it might be one of the reasons you’re not getting any free upgrade reservation apps. Microsoft says that, if your device is not running genuine Windows, you need to either provide a valid license or wait until Windows 10 becomes available and only then purchase the new operating system to upgrade to a genuine copy.
To set things clear, no, pirates won’t be getting any free upgrade to Windows 10, and their machines could actually get the upgrade, but without a license. This means that, once they install Windows 10, they can use it for a limited time before being forced to purchase a product key and activate their copy of the operating system.