14 DAY TRIAL // A blog post that Microsoft published last week suggested that the company might be offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 RTM to everyone running the preview build of the operating system, thus giving away some kind of reward for helping them test and improve the new Windows.
While for some this really made sense, especially because Microsoft wants to make Windows 10 available on as many devices as possible, the company now explains that what it was trying to say was that the new OS would only be available with a genuine license to those already running genuine Windows 7 or 8.1.
On July 29 when Microsoft should release Windows 10, Windows Insiders will be offered two different options: to remain in the testing program and receive new Windows 10 builds as they are being developed or to opt out of the Windows Insider effort and stick to the stable version.
If they go for the second option, they’ll have to choose between purchasing a Windows 10 license or, if they previously upgraded from a genuine Windows 7 or 8.1, to continue using the operating system as it gets automatically activated.
Those who do not get a license will have to roll back to their previous operating system because at some point Windows 10 builds will expire.
Microsoft wants insiders to stay on board
Gabe Aul, head of the Windows Insider program, said that the hopes the majority of testers would remain part of the program and would continue helping the company develop future Windows updates.
“It is our hope that the vast majority of Windows Insiders who have been with us since we announced the program last year will continue forward, and it was in that light that we authored the blog post about upcoming changes to the program,” Aul said.
So there you have it: Windows 10 will only be available for users with a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, so there’s no such thing as a free lunch. At least, not for now and not for insiders.