Microsoft Backtracks After Teasing an End to Free Windows 11 Upgrades
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20 Jan 2025 03:34:06 am.
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Microsoft’s deleted blog post said Windows 11 is free for a limited time | Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com
UPDATE:Microsoft has deleted its blog post that signaled the free upgrade path to Windows 11 could eventually expire. The company told us that the blog post contained inaccurate information and a misleading headline. The free upgrade to Windows 11 remains unchanged, Microsoft added.
Original story:
Still avoiding Windows 11? Don’t wait too long. Microsoft is signaling it’ll eventually stop offering theupgradefor free, forcing stragglers to pay up.
In a Tuesdayblog posttitled “Free Upgrade to Windows 11 (For a Limited Time Only)," Microsoft reiterates that support for Windows 10endson Oct. 14, meaning it’ll stop receiving security patches and new software updates.
To encourage users to migrate, the blog post notes that Windows 10 users "still have time to make the jump"—suggesting a Windows 11 upgrade won’t be free forever.
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In the same blog post, Redmond also said it'sending support for Office/Microsoft 365 appson Windows 10 after Oct. 14, 2025, denying the software further updates.
For now, Microsoft remains mum on when it’ll phase out the free Windows 11 upgrade. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But Microsoft ended the free Windows 10 upgrade for Windows 7 and 8 users in 2016, one year after Windows 10 launched. After that, upgrades started at $120.
So, it’s possible the free Windows 11 upgrade may stick around for a while.Accordingto Steam, about 55% of users have already migrated to Windows 11, but 42% remain on the older OS.
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Of course, not every Windows 10 PC can upgrade to Windows 11. The OS technically doesn’t support older PCs lacking a security feature calledTPM 2.0, although there are workarounds. For diehards, Microsoft is offering extended support for Windows 10, but only for customerswillingto pay $30 for one year of extra support.
Tags: Free Windows 11 Upgrades
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