Microsoft has issued a clarification about the eligibility of receiving a free copy of Windows 10 after a number of publications (including us) interpreted one of Microsoft’s statements that the latest operating system will be available for free to anyone to becomes a part of Windows Insiders program – even if they don’t run Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
When we originally reported the story, The original blog post didn’t have any statement that talked about the requirement of having a licensing copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to be eligible for a free copy of Windows 10.
However, the post has now been updated with a clarification that mentions this requirement. It now has a statement that reads: “It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer.”
[Read: Microsoft Windows 10 build 10147 leaked online]
If we go by the original blog post, it was possible for anyone to obtain a free copy of Windows 10. All they had to do was register for the Windows Insiders program and opt-in to receive the updated builds as Microsoft rolls them out right through to the final public release on July 29. Microsoft states that Windows Insiders will automatically receive the public build of Windows 10 through Windows Update when it is released.
This meant anyone running Linux or Mac OS X could have also received a free copy of Windows 10. However, the clarification now means that you won’t get it if you don’t have a licensed copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
