While Microsoft ended its free upgrade to Windows 10 offer in 2016, the company still allowed Windows 7 and 8.1 customers using assistive technologies to install the new operating system for free for now. The Assistive technologies offer for Windows 7 and 8.1 was launched shortly after the release of the operating system. Windows 10 comes with many new accessibilities features including improved Narrator experience, built-in eye tracking and more.
Microsoft last year confirmed that the free Windows 10 free upgrade will expire in January. Today, Microsoft finally closed the official loophole which allowed Windows 10 installation for free on Windows 7 and 8.1 devices with assistive features installed.
While Microsoft has been advertising that free Windows 10 installation is only available for assistive technologies enabled PCs, the company actually never performed any checks to verify whether the accessibility features are running on a computer or not.
Microsoft has also updated the support page stating the free upgrade offer has expired and interested customers are now required to purchase the retail copy of Windows 10 operating system from retail and online stores.
“Thank you for your interest in Windows 10. The free upgrade offer extension for Windows 7 and Windows 8 customers who use assistive technologies expired on December 31, 2017. As an alternative, Windows 10 software and devices are available for purchase from retail and online stores,” Microsoft said.
Despite the free Windows 10 upgrade offer has expired, you can still clean install the operating system with Windows 7 or 8.1 product key and Microsoft will grant you a digital license.
