Although the free upgrade offer ended in July 29, 2016, the users of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 still have a change to upgrade their PCs to Windows 10 for no cost. Microsoft has officially announced[1] that people who use assistive technologies have a chance to install the upgrade and prompted them to “take advantage of this offer before it expires on December 31, 2017.”
What really happened when Microsoft officially stopped the free Windows 10 upgrade offers was they terminated the forceful distribution of GWX tool. Officially that meant that there is no other way to upgrade to Windows 10 as to purchase the license. Nevertheless, tech-savvy users have revealed more than enough ways to install Windows 10 for free.[2]
One of the ways to do so is to install Windows 10 upgrade from Microsoft’s Assistive Technologies website. The company has provided the ability for users who use assistive technologies (narrator, on-screen keyboard, or high contrast desktop theme) to upgrade to use new accessibility features in Windows 10’s Anniversary Update.
Previously the software giant said that the free accessibility-based upgrade will not be permanent and promised to release the official announcement when the end of this offer will approach. That’s what it did.
From now on, people who use assistive technologies on Windows and opt for upgrading to Windows 10 for free can use the “last minute offer” and download Windows 10 at no cost.
While the “assistive technologies” upgrade is offered as an exception, the fact is that Microsoft isn’t checking if you have assistive technologies enabled. Some calls it a “loop,” but we are inclined to believe that Microsoft does that on purpose – to accelerate Windows 10 adoption rate.[3]
Upgrade to Windows 10 from the Accessibility Page for Free until December 31, 2017
Actually, even those who were skeptical about Windows 10 and ignored its present up until now will be forced to install it sooner or later. The only difference is whether you will do that for free (using the “last minute offer”) or purchase the license later in the future.
Microsoft is planning to switch to a single Windows OS version, Windows 10, in the future, meaning that Windows 7 and 8 licenses’ will expire and no feature and security updates will be provided. End of support will leave Windows 7 and 8 outdated and vulnerable to cyber attacks.[4]
Thus, to take advantage of the last opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, visit the “Windows 10 free upgrade for customers who use assistive technologies” page and download the upgrade tool. Click the “Upgrade Now” button, which will start the download of the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant. Run the tool and agree to the license agreement to continue.
Finally, despite the fact whether you installed Windows 10 for need or for will, make sure to update it regularly.
Jake Doe is the news editor at UGetFix. Since he met Ugnius Kiguolis in 2003, they both launched several projects that spread awareness about cybercrimes, malware, and other computer-related problems.
- ^ Customers who use assistive technologies can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost. Microsoft. Accessibility page.
- ^ Edd Bott. Here's how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. ZDNet. News coverage and analysis on the trends, technologies and opportunities.
- ^ Wayne Williams. Windows 10 continues to see very slow user adoption. Betanews. Tech news.
- ^ Gabriel E. Hall. 98% of WannaCry ransomware victims were Windows 7 users. 2SPYWARE. the sources of security and tech-related information.
