Microsoft Clarifies Rumors of Updating Pirated Windows Copies to Legit Windows 10

There have been rumors all over the internet that Microsoft is going to let users running pirated versions of Windows update to the ‘legit’ Windows 10 once it is released. While Microsoft is going to allow just about anyone to upgrade to its latest distribution for free, that does not mean it is giving it away for free.

“We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10,” said Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s executive vice president of operating systems.

However, the confusion was made with the previous statement as to what kind of experience unlicensed upgraders will get. Apparently Microsoft told Arstechnica that pirated copies of previous Windows versions will be able to upgrade to Windows 10, but the Windows 10 they get will be considered an “unofficial” version.

“With Windows 10, although non-genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license … If a device was considered non-genuine or mislicensed prior to the upgrade, that device will continue to be considered non-genuine or mislicensed after the upgrade,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Microsoft did not clearly state what will actually happen or how the experience of Windows 10 will be to pirated versions once they upgrade. However, given the latter versions of Windows, the company might cut some major features, updates and even annoy you with blank desktops and popup messages, or even cut off access to the Window Store or the Xbox Video Store.

Thank you PCMag for providing us with this information