Using a pirated Windows? Here's how you can get Windows 10 for free

Microsoft launched the latest version of their operating system, Windows 10, on July 29, 2015. The operating system is available as a free upgrade to all those who own the predecessor operating systems—Windows 7 and Windows 8. However, if you are running a pirated version of Windows on your desktop, you cannot upgrade or install Windows 10.

But here is a catch—Microsoft is distributing Windows 10 for free, even if you are using a pirated copy. The compromise—you will have to be a lab rat for the tech giant. What it means is that Microsoft will give you the free copy of Windows 10, provided you agree to become a ‘Windows Insider’.

So what is ‘Windows Insider’? In June 2015, Microsoft had unveiled Windows 10 and had also announced that those who don’t qualify for a free copy of the Windows 10 upgrade (this includes certain versions of Windows 7 and 8.1, and those who use a pirated copy of the operating system), can agree to become a ‘Windows Insider’ and get it free.

Installing Windows 10 under the ‘Windows Insider’ agreement is like being a guinea pig and will have to receive all updates and patches when in beta mode. You have to keep doing it to keep your copy of Windows 10 for free, else it will be invalidated. Basically, these updates and patches will help the developers test out the updates and get feedbacks, error reports, bugs and more, before releasing it to public as a final release.

Yes, this is definitely a catch, but also seems to be a fair deal where you help Microsoft test Windows 10 and you will get to use it for free. This will be a big chance to be part of the future development of the operating system and help curb the piracy—a big win-win scene for Microsoft.

The only issue here would be that you will have to keep your system connected to the internet and make sure you have a sufficiently fast and unlimited bandwidth to keep your system running. So you now have to make a deal with yourself—free Windows 10 for you or prefer to pay for it.

For those who own a valid license for Windows, click on this link to know if you qualify for a free upgrade and download the latest Windows 10 operating system for your system. Make sure you run the compatibility test for your hardware and software before you plan to install Windows 10 on your existing system. If you want to manually download and install Windows without waiting for it to be done automatically, click here.

Microsoft will keep the support lines open (End of support) for Windows 10 till October 13, 2020 and will keep giving an extended support till October 14, 2025.

For those who own the older versions of Windows, do note that Windows Vista support will end on April 11, 2017, Windows 7 on January 14, 2020 and Windows 8 on January 10, 2023. So if you plan to keep using your existing Windows operating system version, you should make sure you keep those Windows Update options enabled at all times.