Microsoft changes the definition of "free"

[sophisticles]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/12/22/windows-10-free-upgrade-key/

After this your system will automatically begin the upgrade process to Windows 10 Pro. So why do I say ‘Free’? Because while Microsoft is freely giving out the key it stresses this only permits the upgrade to be carried out, it doesn’t give you a free copy – that still needs to be Activated and that then prompts the user for payment.

I'm wondering if there's anyone here that's willing to confirm this, maybe use a spare hdd to see if in fact this is happening. I would try it but I have stopped using any Windows OS in my home, I refuse to install and run that OS after this whole Win 10 fiasco.

[ndjamena]

What do you think it says?

They're talking about upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 10 Pro, of course that's not free. The key is just a command to identify the upgrade desired.

I already have Windows 10 Pro. I upgraded it from Windows 8.1 Pro, which had been upgraded from Windows 8 Pro, which in turn had been upgraded from Windows 7 Pro.

Since the final free upgrade to Windows 10 I've since reformatted my solid state drive and re-installed windows, it went off without a hitch and without me needing to enter the key again.

Plus, I didn't pay a cent for the privilege.

[Poppa_Meth]

Yes this key is just there to prevent an extra step in the process. If you had a home version you'd have to upgrade to Win10 Home them to Pro from there if that's what you wanted. With this key you go straight from a Home version to a Win10 Pro version.