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Free Upgrade to Windows 10 after The Public Deadline

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Free Upgrade to Windows 10 after The Public DeadlineAffiliate
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Lsand241 on 02/08/2016 - 17:19 microsoft.com (5101 clicks)
Last edited 02/08/2016 - 19:26
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Free upgrade is officially for customers who use assistive technologies, but at the moment apparently works for everyone.

Microsoft FAQ: "We have not announced an end date of the free upgrade offer for customers using assistive technology. We will make a public announcement prior to ending the offer."

However, as pointed out by wintoand, Microsoft is planning to block it in the coming weeks and make it available only with Microsoft support:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsoft-to-block-free-windo…

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closed Comments

        • imcold on 02/08/2016 - 19:37

          @The Land of Smeg:

          Like Cortana?

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 19:51
          +1

          @imcold: I don't use Cortana, but that is a good example (even though I think that using Windows 10 to access Google Chrome to access Google is more assistive). But I use High Contrast or f.lux (easy on eyes and looks more minimal), On-screen keyboard (useful for remote sessions from a Tablet/Phone), keyboard shortcuts (Control-C, Control-V, Control-Z, etc.) or AutoHotKey (easier than using Mouse). It is just so endless of so many little things possible that qualify as being classed as "assistive technology" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_accessibility

          Just because some of these things were designed with accessibility in mind, doesn't mean that an Able bodied person can't use them too.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 20:15
          -2

          The intent behind the continued free upgrade is to assist the disabled community. It is being abused. Just like able bodied people claiming a disability pension would pi5s off 97% of the community. I guess we gave a lot of 3%r's here.

        • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 20:19
          +1

          @TightBottom: Not sure is serious or seriously trolling… I'm going to chalk it up as troll and move along. :)

        • StewBalls on 02/08/2016 - 21:06

          @ryang: That's being pretty generous. ;)

        • jorf on 03/08/2016 - 10:20
          +2

          You make it sound like this isn't a deliberate move by Microsoft. Do you think they're stupid?

          It's in their best interests to have as many people using Windows 10 as possible. Providing a free upgrade with an expiry date was a clever way to get people to upgrade as quickly as possible. Providing a "loophole" that lets them get away with STILL providing a free upgrade after the expiry date is even better. Those who are happy to pay will pay. Those who aren't willing to pay will still get their upgrade without resorting to piracy.

  • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 18:02
    +4

    Word on the street is that they've only disabled the auto-upgrade application - you can still upgrade (for free) manually, via Media Creation Tool or ISO/USB if you've already got it.

    • Diji1 on 02/08/2016 - 18:56
      +3

      Word on the street yo.

      • Antikythera on 02/08/2016 - 20:57
        +2

        not sure if true but i read you can use the auto-upgrade by setting your clock / date to 27th of July

        • dadeadman on 02/08/2016 - 22:18
          +1

          I don't think that would work(after free update offer is over). You get a new activation from MS. You can change date of your computer but not MS servers.

    • nd12 on 03/08/2016 - 08:22
      +2

      I read that in Stringer Bell's voice

    • rompastompa on 03/08/2016 - 13:17
      -1

      You Excel in such knowledgeable information.

  • wintoand on 02/08/2016 - 18:02
    +2

    Microsoft to Block Free Windows 10 Upgrade “Assistive Tech” Trick
    You can roll the date back I have heard.

    • llama on 02/08/2016 - 22:05
      +1

      Just download the installer from that page - that is what happens when you click the linked button.

      Then can run the "Assistive Installer" at any time. I did one yesterday.

      But hell it's slow compared to doing a fresh install.

  • supaderp on 02/08/2016 - 18:24
    +1

    Bugs when upgrading. Drivers don't automatically update.
    Much better to mount it on USB and install it.

    • yanman on 02/08/2016 - 21:19
      +1

      Upgrading gets u the free license. Once you get that then you can re-install from scratch and retain it. Only works if you upgrade initially though.

      Also works if you use daz's activator then upgrade =D sssh don't tell Bill

      • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 21:54
        +2

        You can (could) do a fresh install upgrade if you used build 1151 (latest as of 1-2 months ago). It would ask for a key and you could enter a Windows 7 or 8 key to proceed.

        If you had an OEM BIOS key (HP, Dell, etc) it picks it up automatically and bypasses that step.

        • Jackson on 10/08/2016 - 00:17

          Sorry are you saying if you have that build it still works? I am assuming that build would have been closed by now. Do you know of a way to do a fresh install with the assistive technologies build? Or a way to get the assistuve technologies iso so it can be installed from USB?

        • ryang on 10/08/2016 - 07:52

          @Jackson: Try this;

          https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/software-download/windows10

          Should give you the option to create ISO or USB. If you create an ISO, you can write it to USB later on (with something like rufus). Once you have the media, you can boot to it from the BIOS and do a fresh install.

          Good luck!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 18:42
    -4

    Stupid is as a stupid does.

  • watson4884 on 02/08/2016 - 18:44
    -7

    if you quitted ur job and ur boss is not good to u…
    remember to upgrade win 10 all the computer before u go…

    • kevinMario on 02/08/2016 - 19:00
      +1

      *quit

    • Shaw on 02/08/2016 - 19:22
      +1

      Huh?

      • jv on 02/08/2016 - 22:55
        +4

        watson4884 writes instruction manuals for Chinese furniture makers.

    • Findo on 03/08/2016 - 02:54

      You sure the past tense of quit isn't 'quat'?

  • B3 on 02/08/2016 - 19:40

    I upgraded from 7 to 10 and then downgraded back, which (I believe) means I can still upgrade back to 10 at any time if I happen to feel like it.

  • decr on 02/08/2016 - 19:52
    +2

    Microsoft's latest bugpack? Yeah nah. Good luck with it.

  • Top G on 02/08/2016 - 19:56
    +2

    Clickbait is a bargain these days?

  • Joxer on 02/08/2016 - 19:57
    +1

    I reserved a copy so to speak but for some reason i see no link to upgrade. Keeps asking me to (and I want to because windows 8 is painful) but it just won't.

    I upgraded win 7 starter on an old netbook that was a good idea

    • llama on 02/08/2016 - 22:07

      I reserved a copy so to speak but for some reason i see no link to upgrade

      You cannot reserve a copy. You either installed it, or you didn't.

      If you installed, then future installs are pre-activated.

      Keeps asking me to (and I want to because windows 8 is painful) but it just won't.

      What keeps asking you?

      • Joxer on 05/08/2016 - 20:38

        It has the windows 10 notification in the tray, i click it and it has windows with the spiel to upgrade to 10. When I click "get windows 10" it says your upgrade is reserved and I'll get notified to download it.

        But nothing happens… It all says it's reserved a copy i can install for free at any time, I just can't seem to find how to install…

        • llama on 06/08/2016 - 22:31

          But nothing happens

          That is because the upgrade offer has ended.

          It all says it's reserved a copy i can install for free at any time

          It reserved a copy that you could install at any time prior to 29th July, 2016.

          I have PM'd you with a solution

        • llama on 06/08/2016 - 22:46

          You have PM switched off

          Go here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/windows10upgra…

          Click the agreement button. Download the installer and run it.
          Choose "English International" version (not the English)

          I recommend doing a clean install. You can also do a upgrade but "keep nothing" or "keep documents and settings" if you like.

          When it first prompts for your Licence Key, do not enter anything, just click NEXT (I don't have a key).

          Check your activation status at the very end after the updates are installed. If needed, enter the old Win7/8 key on the activation page, and it should all come good.

          After it's done, check if you have Anniversary Version (version 1607) as that is the brand new one. If not, you can download an ISO and run the upgrade straight away, or you can wait a few weeks for Windows Update to give it to you.

        • Joxer on 07/08/2016 - 15:23

          @llama: this was all attempted prior to 29 July, but I'll check out the links you provided me when i visit the folks. I upgraded a second laptop of theirs at exactly the same time (acer) without any issue.

          It's the folks HP laptop which is running 8.1.

        • llama on 08/08/2016 - 19:11

          @Joxer:

          You cannot update some laptops that have OEM licences. I tried it on my HP licences and it won't work.

        • Jackson on 10/08/2016 - 00:08

          @llama: hey mate, just a question about this, a mate has an Asus with windows with bing, he doesn't actually have a key, there is no sticker and in computer properties it just says "this copy of windows is registered" or something along those lines without displaying the key. When he downloads the installer it tells him he doesn't have enough free space and its impossible to get enough with his 32Gb primary drive.

          When you say you recommend doing a clean install, I don't think it gives him the option before asking him to free up more space. MS recommended he download an iso from somewhere to a USB, however what I don't get is how does that iso then knows he is eligible now that the time has run out on the normal upgrade process? Will try posting a link to the iso shortly

        • llama on 10/08/2016 - 10:28

          @Jackson:

          You cannot do a 100% clean install (booting off USB media)using existing key, even if you can get it. You will have to do an upgrade.

          Once ypu get inside the upgrade, then you can choose to keep existing data or delete the lot (reformat)… but you gotta get inside the installer first.

          There IS an option to use external storage for the update data files. I cannot check at the moment, but Google for "windows 10 upgrade limited space" of similar and find the M$ article on it.

          Basiczally, you invoke some special command to save the dopwnloaded files to USB, and then proceed with the in-place upgrade.

          Be very careful that you have all the drivers etc for the Assus. If not, you may brick it. Read Asus website first for the process to load Win10… some of the embedded devices have special needs. Also, you may not even be eligible to upgrade, as teh licence is not retail. Again, google FIRST and make 100% sure.

        • ryang on 12/08/2016 - 16:46

          @Jackson:

          https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10/

          Run the tool on any PC, save to USB and do the install from there. This will let you do a fresh install - wipe the lot. Don't listen to llama - you don't have to do an upgrade. The Windows keys are saved in the BIOS and Win10 is smart enough to look there.

        • Jackson on 12/08/2016 - 18:46

          @ryang: smart enough or dumb enough? If that's the case how can they turn off upgrades for the rest of us and not accessibility users?

  • TravelMonkey on 02/08/2016 - 20:05
    +1

    Love the hysteria and fanboi mania here. I'm still happy with Win2K and Vista Business. Real OSes with no bull. AND I'm happy with a legit copy of Office 97….. Nothing needed after that.
    YMMV but I don't need cloud and constant changes just to make my PC look like playschool.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/08/2016 - 20:42
      +2

      whoa hold on cowboy, Windows ME was the bomb!

      • StewBalls on 02/08/2016 - 21:00

        Windows ME was a bomb!

        Fixed. :)

        Pfft. Real men are still using DOS 6.22 & WordPerfect 5.1!!!

        • ryang on 02/08/2016 - 21:55
          +2

          DOS 6.22

          Puh.. Who has the time to upgrade?!

        • AlexF on 02/08/2016 - 22:33
          +1

          DoS 6.22

          Too hip, you whippersnapper. CP/M-86 for reliability and software choice.

        • grog on 02/08/2016 - 23:46
          +1

          Dos shell forever…

        • espcookie on 04/08/2016 - 11:07
          +2

          @AlexF: If only I'd kept my old Aussie-made Microbee with MicroWorld BASIC DGOS on a Z80 CPU - then I'd show em old school.

        • AlexF on 04/08/2016 - 13:59
          +3

          .. old Aussie-made Microbee ..

          most hip Australian younglings wouldn't believe once there was an Australian-designed and made computer; or, for instance, IBM used to make computers in Australia (Wangaratta).

          Their descendants won't believe that once there were Australian-designed and made cars.

          Past is so easy to forget.. At least, we'll have beef.

        • ryang on 04/08/2016 - 14:50

          @AlexF:

          At least, we'll have beef.

          Doubtful.. We'll be exporting beef, sure. But it'll be too expensive for anyone here to afford! :)

        • muncan on 07/08/2016 - 09:13

          TIL I'm not hip. http://i.imgur.com/uQLTVRU.jpg

        • Jackson on 08/08/2016 - 21:10

          @AlexF: They were Aussie? No wonder they sucked and there was no software, at least not much worth using. I never understood why my school spent so much on these instead of just buying a load of C64s

        • AlexF on 09/08/2016 - 15:51

          They were Aussie?

          yeah, just like you.

          No wonder they sucked …

          oh…

          I never understood why my school spent so much on these instead of just buying a load of C64s

          Like Atari 400/800, C64 was basically a games machine - not what Education Departments of that time was looking for.

        • Jackson on 09/08/2016 - 23:50

          @AlexF: there were multiple issues back then with teaching computers, not least of which was people in schools not really knowing what to do with them. What they should have nbeen teaching kids is how to code, not fart arse around on some app. Technically you can teach this on anything, the c64 booted into basic after all. The dept seems to have caught on at least now.

          And yeah we're all Aussie, and being able to criticise yourself is virtuous

    • Mumbles on 03/08/2016 - 03:10

      I'm with TravelMonkey and prefer the older operating systems for lower memory requirements.

      Win2K had support for plug-and-play, 32bit drivers, dual core CPU's, SATA support, RAID support.
      I remember that Microsoft used to provide convertors for older versions of MS Word and Excel to read files from newer versions.

      I was forced kicking and screaming to upgrade Win2K to WinXP to get Microsofts latest DirectX, .Net and Internet Explorer.

      • Duff5000 on 22/08/2016 - 12:44

        IIRC older windows doesnt play nice with SSD's whereas newer OS's fully support them. I would hate to go back to HDD these days.

    • Windows7forever on 03/08/2016 - 07:52
      +2

      I prefer older versions of software too because they run very snappy and fast. Office365 load bloats compared to office 2003 version. Some of the new features are BS anyway.

  • PeeDee on 02/08/2016 - 20:55

    You guys know I can get the full version for free? i.e. not the upgraded.

    • battler on 02/08/2016 - 21:13
      +3

      no, we didn't.

      • StewBalls on 02/08/2016 - 21:17
        +1

        Agreed, news to me…pray PeeDee, do regale us with your tale of operational fortitude, it could truly be a CSB! ;)

        • PeeDee on 02/08/2016 - 21:45

          Lol oops. Didn't look back at what I wrote and didn't mean to come out that way.

          *Do you guys know HOW I can get the full version for free?
          Is there a way?

        • llama on 02/08/2016 - 22:09

          @PeeDee:

          *Do you guys know HOW I can get the full version for free?
          Is there a way?

          Yes. And yes.

          But if we told you, we'd have to kill you.

        • muncan on 02/08/2016 - 22:09
          +1

          @PeeDee: you'll need a peg leg & an eye patch

        • Agret on 03/08/2016 - 01:28

          @PeeDee: if you are a university student you can get it from dreamspark premium. Otherwise if your employer is a volume customer of Microsoft you can use the "employee use" program to get it for like $15

  • 17833 on 02/08/2016 - 22:09

    This has already been posted by scrimshaw a couple of months ago https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/250921
    I guess because this is a deal and the other a forum topic it technically isn't a dupe?

  • Geekomatic on 02/08/2016 - 23:25

    I was called to help a guy set up his printer tonight. He couldn't get his CD to run.

    Turns out that Win 10 upgraded without him allowing.

    Now, his BRD in this fairly high-end Toshiba laptop doesn't have a driver & does not show in drive management.

    WTF?

    Really- (profanity) M$. They "could have" alerted people & released a "should I upgrade" tool —> but of course, they didn't because better to foist it & then stick it there after 30 days (that must have been a legal requirement, otherwise M$ would have pulled the ladder from the pool immediately). A compatibility component could have been built into the installer to warn people if critical functions would be broken. M$= ALL about the money.

    • Diji1 on 03/08/2016 - 00:32

      Yes, unfortunately they made Windows behave like malicious software.

    • wyrmy on 03/08/2016 - 10:54

      Actually they have something like that. If what is considered critical drivers aren't compatible the upgrade basically says "sorry this PC is not compatible."
      The issue would be Toshiba not marking drivers as incompatible or deciding the BR drive wasn't important enough.
      Not defending MS here, just saying that you can't expect the OS to know about and test every device on the planet. That is what the manufacturer was supposed to do in the 1+ year of dev builds they had before public release.

      • Geekomatic on 04/08/2016 - 15:46

        Well, it doesn't really matter what sort of "tool" M$ might have, nor whether OEM's have drivers—> M$ do NOT have the right to install their shite OS without permission.

        I've been getting calls for help to reinstall Win 7. People shouldn't have to pay someone to fix something that M$ did, on purpose, & through nefarious means. I actually think there ought to be a class-action lawsuit against them for this.

  • LoserScott on 02/08/2016 - 23:34
    -4

    Was installing windows 10 from my current windows, had to harddrives, as i was installing windows 10 it said it needed to restart, i thought "oh no" i ripped out the hdd os, then the bootmanager failed to load, as i loaded it up, when i added the hdd with windows ten, it loaded up win ten and reverted to my old os with no oem key.

    It was mapping all my drives merging my old one to my old drive ignoring my intended install.

    I will use a usb and force it to a drive, i can see why they got sued for aggressive installs.
    MS are tyrants, job cuts, closure of studios, they killed of project spark, servers are deleted, cancelled so many projects..

    All they have is the xbox and the business sector.
    Wouldn't work for tthem.

    • llama on 06/08/2016 - 22:49

      You obviously hate Microsoft. So you should not be installing their operating system.

  • SilentBob on 03/08/2016 - 05:33
    -3

    Couldn't pay me to use windows 10….

    Well you could but It would have to be a LOT

  • Windows7forever on 03/08/2016 - 07:54

    I'm only using W10 reluctantly because it came pre-installed on my new laptop. Ubuntu and W7 is a much better combination.

  • EightImmortals on 03/08/2016 - 09:06
    +1

    Would love to move to Linux but after spending a LOT of time online getting a Linuxmint install to do what I wanted (mostly)it recently crapped itself and wouldn't work at all. (I think it went pear-shaped after I installed some VM ware on it? ) I was using a spare SSD to run it on, so no huge deal but was still disappointed after the amount of time I put into it. Windows 10 just works and using shutup 10 and a powershell script I found that removes a lot of the bloatware it's been quite good.

    Anyway, too offtopic I guess. I love the concept of Linux but the execution of it seem to be akin to learning a foreign language. Not that I'm a complete noob either, my 'pc' experience goes back to the late 70's. :)

    • ozmu on 03/08/2016 - 10:14

      I'm totally with you there. Every time I tried the linux flavour of the time for the last 10+ years, this has been the story. Some very basic things that we take for granted in the Windows world would require you to jump to a terminal session downloading stuff and tinkering with configs etc. Can't be bothered with a Windows replacement that can't do all that Windows has been doing for decades.

      • EightImmortals on 03/08/2016 - 12:45

        Yeah good point, even getting it to recognise and mount HDD's and NAS's when the system starts up was a huge chore where Windows just does it. Though I noticed Linuxmint 18 is out so I might tinker with that for a bit as I don't have enough anguish in my life right now. :)

    • Geekomatic on 04/08/2016 - 15:56
      +2

      Been using Mint, exclusively, since 2009. I'm def not a true-blue Linux geek, but I've never had issues that couldn't be fixed…The Mint forum folks are so helpful, too— I've usually gotten an answer the same day I post a query. Other times, I jumped onto their IRC & got answers immediately.

      Different strokes, I suppose— but Windows is just so horrible to use (& Apple is just as bad, to me) that I had to get away from it.

      For anyone else wanting to try Mint, go online & Google "to do after installing Linux Mint". You'll see lots of great articles about getting properly set up so it's fast & simple to navigate. It will save you a lot of time getting it just as you want it.

      • Jackson on 09/08/2016 - 23:54

        Same as you but using Ubuntu,tbh tho between using W7 at work and Android at home I am doing less and less on linux

  • BargainKen on 03/08/2016 - 11:11
    +1

    I didn't find the transition to windows 10 all that difficult to be honest. Requirements higher? I don't think so. I'm running it on a 10year old core 2duo E6600 with 4 gig ram. Ran xp, vista sp2, win7 and now win10. Still pretty zippy for an old beast

    • Geekomatic on 05/08/2016 - 22:37
      -2

      BargainKen: If you're lucky, your system & drivers are available for 10, if not, you get a whole lot of pain (including trying to "roll-back" only to have that also fail).

      What I'm getting calls for is the folks who did NOT want the upgrade, but was forced anyway. Where is the class-action against M$?

      And what's with the M$, "you only have 30 days to decide" bit? Sounds like Ransonware?

      No reason to place any "end-point", at all.

      M$ is horrible. It is.

  • mickeyjuiceman on 04/08/2016 - 15:46

    The perfect OzBargain thread, a combination of tinfoil-hat-wearing weirdos with people willing to assert that they use software in a way they don't in order to get something for free that they could have grabbed any time in the past year for free.

  • spazattack91 on 09/08/2016 - 19:30

    Yes! so happy after buying a refurb surface pro 3 literally a day before the upgrade expiry. This is ecactly what I was looking for!

  • edshays on 10/08/2016 - 14:48

    Whilst the pop-up for Windows 10 upgrade is gone, I did manage to activate a copy of Windows 10 with a clean install, using the Windows 7 OEM key on the laptop. It looks like this method is still working for now.

    • ryang on 12/08/2016 - 16:47

      Yep, did exactly the same today. Older HP business desktop. It didn't grab the BIOS key, but it was quite old.. Key on the OEM sticker worked! :)

    • kawinuyo on 28/08/2016 - 17:28

      Ditto, only built a new comp last week still managed to use old windows 7 key to activate this way yesterday

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