Microsoft is accused of being confused in the Win10 license. Five questions are ambiguous

A few days ago, foreign media ZDNet published a commentator article saying that Microsoft hopes that Windows 10 will run on every computer in the world. So they will upgrade Windows 10 for free for Windows 7 and above in the first year of release. But Microsoft doesn't seem to be completely out of the previous Windows charging model, which is why there have been recent rumors that Microsoft does not provide support for piracy: after Windows 10 is upgraded, it is blacked out every hour.

Microsoft's business model for Windows has remained the same for many years: Selling Windows, consumers pay for upgrades. Enterprise customers upgrade for volume licenses, including a range of advanced management features or additional technical services (and of course paid for).

For years, Microsoft has adopted the authenticity of stickers and licenses to help prove that a PC running Windows is genuine. (As shown below)

As early as January, Windows Department President Terry · Melson announced that Windows 10 will be free to upgrade to Windows 7 and above customers in the first year of release. ; Please pay attention to the word "customers". Terry · Melson did not use the word "consumers" on the Windows blog. Foreign media also noted that there is an asterisk comment at the end of this article:

As long as the hardware and software symbols are required. There is no additional charge for the upgrade. The availability of features may vary from device to device. Exclude certain versions. Learn more at http://www.windows.com

At the Shenzhen WinHec conference last week, Microsoft even proposed the slogan “Free upgrade” in China (probably a partner shout of). Later, Reuters telephoned Terry · Melson, who said: “Yes, we offer upgrades free of charge to all eligible Chinese users, both genuine and non-genuine users. “

The foreign media confirmed that they exchanged information with Microsoft spokespersons via e-mail and asked if this free upgrade is applicable to the whole world and got a positive answer. The world is free to upgrade, whether it is genuine or pirated. However, less than 24 hours, the foreign media received a formal official statement reviewed by Microsoft:

The free upgrade of Windows 10 for consumers in the first year is applicable to running Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 Eligible devices with Windows Phone 8.1.

Free upgrade does not include the enterprise version of Windows 7/8/8.1.

Customers in volume licenses will receive a Windows 10 upgrade for free.

However, there are still a few questions that are not clear:

1. How do users who run Windows 10 Preview prove that their Windows is eligible, or genuine?

2, users running Vista, XP must pay to upgrade?

3. How do I get Windows 10 installed in a virtual machine or a user who installs Windows 10 on a MacBook?

4. After Windows 10 is released for one year, do you need to pay for the upgrade?

5. If a one-year free period expires, Windows 10 system crashes, or replace hardware, reinstall Windows 10, is it necessary to pay for genuine?

Microsoft's choice will not only affect its bottom line and pirated software, but will also affect other Windows 10 users. Pirated software affects the entire Microsoft ecosystem, but making decisions about this issue is not easy. If Microsoft allows pirated software to be easily upgraded for free and enjoys the benefits of genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.x users, it will undoubtedly be dissatisfied by paying users. But if pirated software can't experience the crucial part of Windows 10, they will return to the status of “non-genuine”, just like the previous versions of Windows.