In just 30 days the free offer of Windows 10 for those on Windows 7 and 8.1 systems will come to an end.
Everything we have heard and seen from Microsoft over the last several weeks confirms that there are no plans to extend this offer in any manner whatsoever.
In fact Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate VP of the Windows and Devices Group, said this back in early May:
"The free upgrade offer to Windows 10 was a first for Microsoft, helping people upgrade faster than ever before. And time is running out. The free upgrade offer will end on July 29 and we want to make sure you don’t miss out."
As of today, there are over 350 million active devices using Windows 10 according to Microsoft. If you want to make sure you have the option to get Windows 10 at no cost and join that growing group then you need to take those steps in the next few weeks or pay $119 for a Windows Home upgrade or $199 for an upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
The Windows 10 upgrade process will get your Digital License for Windows 10 on your system registered anonymously with Microsoft and then you can revert back to Windows 7 or 8.1 until you are ready to make the move to Windows 10. In fact, the ability to easily revert right back to your previous operating system is built into Windows 10 and you have 30 days to perform that roll back action.
Who knows, maybe you can perform the free upgrade to Windows 10 and try it out for a week or so and see what it is like. It just might prove to be the right fit for you and your hardware.
Last month I shared the two best methods to perform that Windows 10 upgrade that would insure your device was properly activated with a Digital License so that your hardware would retain the eligibility for the free upgrade after the deal expires. If you use either of those methods then it should result in your device getting the proper entitlement and that means the upgrade will always be available at no cost on that system.
In fact, with the new Activation Troubleshooter in the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update which becomes available on 02 August, you will even be able to retrieve that licensing after most hardware upgrades including a motherboard change according to Microsoft.
Look, when I was on active duty in the United States Navy, I used to always encourage Sailors to not burn any bridges even if they planned to only serve one hitch in the service. It basically keeps all options on the table and available. Well this free upgrade is like one of those bridges and there is no reason to burn it down just because you have no plans to upgrade to Windows 10 right now.
The reality is you just never know what the future might hold unless of course you have $119 or $199 dollars to toss towards that upgrade down the road.
But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.
