Skip to main content

Microsoft to offer an ‘attractive’ Windows 10 upgrade to ‘non-genuine’ users

As the old piracy motto goes, why buy it if you can get it for free? While the potential for jail time is one big reason, that isn’t always enough to make pirates think twice. Now, Microsoft hopes to win over some of these individuals in time for the release of Windows 10 this summer, according to PCGamer.com.

In an update posted to the Windows blog on May 15, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson wrote that the company will be releasing a “very attractive” Windows 10 upgrade offer to those running older devices in a “non-genuine” state. However, Myerson specified that a free upgrade will not be available on non-genuine Windows devices. He would not provide any more specifics at this point in time.

Recommended Videos

Non-genuine (or pirated) versions of Windows have a high risk of malware, fraud and exposure of private information, and Myerson reminded readers that Microsoft does not support pirated versions of the operating system.

“When we can’t verify that Windows is properly installed, licensed, and not tampered with, we create a desktop watermark to notify the user,” Myerson wrote. “If you ever encounter this watermark on a new machine, I encourage you to return the device immediately to the retailer from whom you purchased it and request a genuine Windows device.”

On the official Microsoft website, the company encourages its customers to return any pirated software they may have accidentally purchased unlawfully and ask for a refund. In the event that a vendor won’t refund you, Microsoft suggests reporting the individual to the Consumer Affairs Office and the Better Business Bureau.

A survey of 15,000 people from 33 countries around the world found that 57 percent of computer users pirate software, according to The Huffington Post. About 5 percent of computer users say they’ve “always” pirated their software, highlighting the severity of the problem. Time will tell how many of these users Microsoft will be able to coax into compliance.

Krystle Vermes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, blogger and podcaster with a background in both online and print journalism. Her…
Microsoft backs off on pressuring Windows 10 users to upgrade
Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens.

Microsoft has announced that it will ease up the aggressive add tactic to get Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 after receiving negative backlash from users, as Windows Latest reports. There is no official word on whether stopping the full-screen multipage popups is permanent, but a plan to “share a new timeline in the coming months” was mentioned.

Windows 10 Home users saw these ads, but some Pro and Business users also saw them after rebooting their computers. Regardless of who saw them, the ads’ pause comes as the Windows 10 end-of-life date, October 14, 2025, approaches.

Read more
Microsoft is backpedaling on future Windows 10 updates
The Windows Update screen in Windows 10.

Windows 10 is on its way out, with support ending in October 2025. That isn't changing, though Microsoft's approach to rolling out new features in the meantime definitely has. In a surprising move, Microsoft announced in a June 4 Windows Insider Blog post that it is bringing a Beta Channel for those Windows Insiders currently running on Windows 10 version 22H2.

This means that despite the end of support, Windows 10 users will continue to get some new features that were initially restricted to Windows 11, such as the new Copilot app. It's also possible that other features may be on the way, but Microsoft has not released any further information on the subject. It was originally stated that Windows 10 version 22H2 would be its final feature update, but that appears to not be true anymore.

Read more
Microsoft plans to charge for Windows 10 updates in the future
Windows 11 and Windows 10 operating system logos are displayed on laptop screens.

Microsoft has confirmed it will offer security updates for Windows 10 after the end-of-life date for the operating system for consumer users but for a fee.

The brand recently announced plans to charge regular users for Extended Security Updates (ESU) who intend to continue using Windows 10 beyond the October 14, 2025 support date.

Read more