Upgrade to Windows 10 for free

Legal upgrade to Windows 10 for free was available exclusively according to the following rules:

• The offer to upgrade to Windows 10 for free using the Get Windows 10 (GWX) application ended on July 29, 2016.
• All upgrades must be completed by reaching the Welcome screen no later than July 29, 2016 at 11:59 PM UTC-10 (Hawaii). This time limit applies worldwide.

At the same time, however, Microsoft extended the possibility of a free upgrade for users who use so-called assistive technologies until January 16, 2018. However, after this time, it is no longer possible to upgrade legally without purchasing either a full or upgrade license for Windows 10.

The precondition for the creation of a license is its placing on the market by the copyright holder or its placing with his consent. If the upgrade took place during the validity of this offer and the user also purchased a legal underlying license (ie Windows 7 / Windows 8.1), it can be claimed that a license was created, ie the right to use the Windows 10 operating system, because the upgrade was performed in within the conditions set by the copyright holder. As the moment of creation of this right, we can mention the moment when the EULA (MSLT) was agreed during the installation of Windows 10. This license is also transferable (as well as the license coming from the OEM / Retail distribution channel), based on the exhaustion of the rights to control further distribution of the software copy within the EU. Thus, the software can be re-installed/upgraded on another device, provided that other legal rules are observed (for more see Secondary licenses from the free market).

However, if the above conditions are not properly met, it is technically possible to activate Windows 10 with a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 product key, but the Windows 10 license will not be created due to non-compliance with the terms of the copyright holder.