TECH
Windows 10 Preview Users
to Get Genuine Final
Release Build for Free
M
icrosoft put up a blog post detailing important
changes ahead of the release of Windows 10 for
PCs and tablets on July 29. This included a hitherto undetailed way for users to get a genuine Windows
10 copy for free, and even stay activated - all they needed to do was to join the Windows 10 Insider Program,
install the preview (build 10130), and connect their Microsoft Account. On release day, preview users would
receive the final release build as a regular update.
However,the company had updated its stance and the
blog post. While Windows Insiders (Windows 10 Insider Preview users) will receive the final release build of
Windows 10,
the build will
not
remain
activated.
The author of
the blog post,
Microsoft's
General Manager for Operating System
Group's Data
and
Fundamentals Team,
Gabriel Aul, on
Twitter further
clarified
the
build will remain genuine.
The
stance
change is significant, as users can fresh
install the Windows 10 Insider Preview
build from an ISO file without requiring a licensed copy
of Windows - giving new users a method to get genuine
Windows 10 for free without paying a dime. The blog
post also added, "Once you have successfully installed
this build, you will also be able to clean install on that
PC from final media if you want to start over fresh."To be
precise, the blog post had initially read, "As long as you
are running an Insider Preview build and connected with
the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Win-
dows 10 final release build and remain activated." It was
updated on Saturday to remove the last three words.
This implies at some point, Windows Insider users will
have to pay to remain activated, and enjoy the full range
of services - though what activation brings hasn't yet
been specified.Aul adds that the Windows Insider Program for Windows 10 will continue after the release of
the final build, and that Windows Insiders will continue to
receive updates. Aul does not clarify however if activation is required to receive updates. Another addition in
the updated blog post was further clarification regarding
the free Windows 10 upgrade offer. Aul said, "It's important to note that
only people running
Genuine
Windows 7 or
Windows
8.1
can upgrade to
Windows 10 as
part of the free
upgrade offer."To
recall, the Redmond giant had
last month backtracked a