Can I still upgrade to Windows 10 for free? (July 30, 2016)

[Eug]

Just kidding. 😉 All three of my machines are on Windows 10 1511 now.

Two were upgraded to Windows 10 a year ago, and one last week.

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Note though that people who use assistive technologies can still upgrade to Windows 10 for free. I wonder if this is Microsoft's way to get all the procrastinators on board. Check out the page here:

Windows 10 free upgrade for customers who use assistive technologies

For the general public, the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 ends on July 29. However, if you use assistive technologies, you can still get the free upgrade offer even after the general public deadline expires as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies.

With the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, we’ve taken a number of steps to improve the accessibility of Windows 10 accessibility. To learn more, read our blog that details some of these improvements.

Before you upgrade, please check with your assistive technology provider(s) to learn more about their software compatibility with Windows 10.

If you want Windows 10 now and are ready to take advantage of the free upgrade offer, click the button below to get started.

Yes, I use assistive technologies and I am ready for my free upgrade to Windows 10.

 

[nerp]

It does seem like there's no enforcement. I'm wondering if it's because they really don't want to deal with the administrative nightmare of confirming people are disabled. Either way, interesting loophole. Sort of like how you can buy academic versions of software at Staples. Not sure if you still can, but I've picked up a copy of office at a steep discount for an academic version from a retail store.

 

[readymix]

started an old w7 notebook that had not been updated since July'14 at 12:30 am ET today, the 30th. Bailed at 1:30 am while still in w7, then restarted the process 8am this morning. Guess i beat the deadline, w10 activated.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I feel terrible. I entered this thread with the hope of providing a sarcastic response only to discover that Eug has found a legit workaround for the deadline. I will try to keep a picture of a bottle of Midol handy just in case I get the opportunity to post it in a thread. 😀

 

[nerp]

Also, 7 and 8/8.1 keys are still working at this time. Installing clean with those keys is still activating.

My guess is they're giving people who waited until the last second to sort out whatever glitches they might have. Or, they'll quietly allow it but the actual marketing push within Windows 7 is over. We'll see.

 

[Childs]

started an old w7 notebook that had not been updated since July'14 at 12:30 am ET today, the 30th. Bailed at 1:30 am while still in w7, then restarted the process 8am this morning. Guess i beat the deadline, w10 activated.

I was trying to update a Windows 7 VM over the last couple days, and it would never get past 99% installing (before even the first restart after running the assistant). I restarted the process at least 5 times. So last night after the official deadline expired I said f it and left it alone (after the install ran 12+ hours). I check on it this morning and it was fully upgraded to Windows 10 and activated. Its weird because the first time I tried it Wednesday night and let it go into Thursday afternoon it didnt complete. So much hassle for a VM I'll probably forget I have in a month lol.

When I upgraded my gaming pc running 8.1 Thursday night the whole process took less than an hour. I dont know if it was Windows 7 or the VM that was causing the problem, but it may be that simply starting the upgrade assistant reserved the entitlement for the key.

 

[nerp]

It's tough to pinpoint why some installs hang at 99% for so long. They usually seem to iron themselves out, though.

 

[Craig234]

It does seem like there's no enforcement. I'm wondering if it's because they really don't want to deal with the administrative nightmare of confirming people are disabled. Either way, interesting loophole. Sort of like how you can buy academic versions of software at Staples. Not sure if you still can, but I've picked up a copy of office at a steep discount for an academic version from a retail store.

That's lying and stealing.

 

[TeknoBug]

If you have ZoomText on Win 7, uninstall it and deactivate the key before upgrading to 10, the upgrade will nuke ZoomText and the key will still be in use.

 

[Craig234]

It's tough to pinpoint why some installs hang at 99% for so long. They usually seem to iron themselves out, though.

Mine spent over an hour at 99% - but after a long time finishing and nothing else happening I came back and Windows 10 was up. Total time to close was 5 hours plus the wait.