14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has released an update for the infamous Get Windows 10 app, also known as GWX among users of Windows 7 or 8.1 who have been trying so hard to stay away from the upgrade to the new operating system.
While the previous updates that Microsoft published for this app used to reactivate the application in case it was manually disabled by users, this new version actually introduces a countdown timer to July 29, the day when Redmond officially ends the free upgrade promo and makes Windows 10 available for new users only with a fee.
The Get Windows 10 app was officially launched in June 2015, nearly two months before the debut of Windows 10, in order to prepare computers for the upgrade to the new OS. It’s built for Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs and can check for various compatibility issues in order to ensure a smooth transition to Windows 10.
The app behind all the forced upgrades
Since then, however, the Get Windows 10 app has often been blamed for many forced upgrades, with users complaining that their computers got upgraded to the new operating system without them specifically requesting it. Many decided to simply remove the Get Windows 10 app to be able to stick with their existing OS install and avoid any accidental upgrades that could occur.
The free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 users ends on July 29, so when clicking the Get Windows 10 app icon in the System Tray, you see a countdown to this date, with Microsoft thus having one last shot at convincing you to make the switch. Everyone else who wants to install Windows 10 after this date needs to pay the price of a full license, which starts at $119.99 in the United States for the Home version.
The new version of the Get Windows 10 app was released on July 19 via Windows Update, so it should already be there on your Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs if you’re running an up-to-date version of Windows.