Microsoft Backtracks on Free Windows 10 Upgrade for Pirates

Contradicting previous reports, Microsoft has confirmed that it will not be offering free Windows 10 upgrades to people using pirated copies of Windows 7 and 8.1. Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of Operating Systems, says that pirates will be offered “very attractive” upgrade options, but that they won’t be getting Windows 10 for free.

“While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we’ve always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state,” Myerson writes on Microsoft’s Windows Blog. “In addition, in partnership with some of our valued OEM partners, we are planning very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers for their customers running one of their older devices in a Non-Genuine state.”

“Non-Genuine Windows has a high risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of your personal information, and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions,” he added. “Non-Genuine Windows is not supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.”

Previous reports suggested that Microsoft would offer a rudimentary, stripped-down version of Windows 10 as an upgrade for pirates using eligible previous versions, with the desktop embedded with a watermark. Now we know for sure: if you’re a pirate, you will have to pay.