If you haven't yet switched to Windows 10, either by upgrading your current PC or by buying a new one, it's not too late to do so for free. That is if you're reading this before the end of 2017, when Microsoft has decided to end free Windows 10 upgrades for good. So, you'd best act quickly...
Microsoft launched Windows 10 in July 2015, and, for exactly one year, Windows 10 was available for free. However, since July 2016 there has been a workaround allowing anyone to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. You have to claim to use assistive technologies, but that's not much to ask.
Free Windows 10 Upgrades for Everyone!
Unfortunately for anyone yet to take advantage of the assistive technologies workaround, Microsoft has announced it's ending the free upgrade offer on December 31, 2017. As discovered by ZDNet, the company has updated the Windows 10 upgrade page for assistive technologies, stating:
"If you use assistive technologies, you can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies. Please take advantage of this offer before it expires on December 31, 2017."
As far as we know there are no plans to offer free Windows 10 upgrades in the future, so it looks like this is the last opportunity anyone will have to upgrade to Windows 10 without having to pay for the privilege. So if you have been umming and ahhing this is your chance to act, and act fast.
How many people are in that situation is anyone's guess. After all, Microsoft spent a whole year nagging people to upgrade to Windows 10, so it has to be assumed most of the holdouts actively chose not to bother doing so. Still, if you genuinely missed out, mark the date in your calendar.
People Don't Like Paying for Stuff
The jury is still out on Windows 10. The updates released since the initial launch have greatly improved things, but Windows 7 is still more popular than Windows 10 in terms of market share. And now that people are going to have to pay for it, the adoption rate may slow down even more.
Have you switched to Windows 10 yet? Did you willingly upgrade for free? Or were you forced to start using Windows 10 when you purchased a new PC? Will you be making use of this workaround before the deadline passes? Please let us know in the comments below!