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PSA: Windows 10 Is Still Free For Those Who Use Assistive Technologies (theregister.co.uk)

Posted by BeauHD on from the free-of-charge dept.

BarbaraHudson writes: When is a deadline not a deadline? The Register is reporting that the Windows 10 upgrade is still free for 7/8.1 users. [Microsoft] had previously said that those who use assistive technologies would continue to be eligible after the July 29th deadline had passed, and I pointed out in a story last month that Microsoft hadn't figured out yet how they would be able to tell who would be eligible. Looks like they never did figure that one out. [The Register reports:] "Microsoft's year-long Windows 10 free upgrade offer ended over the weekend, but it's still possible to secure Redmond's finest -- even the new Anniversary Update -- for the low low price of 0.00 in whatever currency you prefer. The free upgrade is reserved for those who use assistive technologies, the many features that magnify text, offer text-to-speech or otherwise assist those who don't see or hear with the perfect acuity. But The Register browsed the site and found no checks before downloading. It looks like it's open to anyone."

3 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Oh thanks guys by fustakrakich · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ever think about keeping your mouth shut?

    Now they're going to close the tap for sure...

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  2. Re:Theyre not trying very hard to make people pay by Dracos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Their motivation has changed. They still want Enterprise to pay for it, but they want consumers to use it, thereby subjecting themselves to telemetry, data mining, and OS-level advertising. MS has decided that consumer data is worth more than consumer money. They're obsessed with users as a commodity now; that's why they bought Skype and LinkedIn. They don't care about those services, they want the users.

    The Win10 deadline came and went as almost everyone suspected, and with this change in consumer strategy they have zero incentive to raise the "price". I expect them to start moving up the non-enterprise end of life dates on previous versions instead. Win7 support ends in 2020? Not so fast, it's 2018. If you miss that deadline, pay $119 for the "safety and security" of Win10.

  3. Windows 10 = NOT free by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Windows 10 is *NOT* free. You have to give up your privacy and control of your personal computer to Microsoft.

    Just because something doesn't cost money does not make it free !