Microsoft’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) free and unprecedented update to Windows 10 expires on July 30. As the promotion reaches its deadline, chances are you already know, and you either have it, or you are looking right now at the ninja icon in the lower corner of your screen asking you to upgrade to Microsoft’s latest OS.
In the case you don’t have the upgrade, the tech company offers a new tool to make it easier: a full-screen countdown clock, counting the days, hours and minutes till Window’s full disappointment on you.
12 months ago
On July 2015, Microsoft launched Windows 10, which is said to be their last system. Over the past 12 months, they have pushed users to change their older versions, and the free upgrade quickly changed to an optional update and finally turns into a recommended upgrade that periodically prompts you to “install now” or “remind me later.”
If you are on this fence, it’s decision time. Take a moment to see some reviews about Windows 10. The general consensus is that it’s better, faster and works best with Office 365. Either way, you can always return to an old version with a system backup and Windows Recovery options that take no longer than 10 minutes.
All PCs running a verified Windows 7 or Windows 8 qualify for the free update. If you don’t find it, either activate automatic updates on the control panel or head over to Windows’s official website.
If you answer is still no, the pleading will stop at the end of this month. Keep in mind that Windows 10 will cost 130$.
So, why the nagging?
They aimed for 1 billion devices running Windows 10 by the end of 2016. To achieve this, they devised two key strategies:
One, to offer a free upgrade and catch all of those low hanging users. This scheme worked and is coming to an end, as Windows 10 is the fastest-growing Windows version in history.
And two, a big part of Windows 10 is that apps can run on any kind of device that support the OS, without any modification. Nevertheless, this advantage failed to lift the Windows smartphones as the mobile devices market grew 3.0% in the first quarter of 2016, Windows Phone sales fell 2%.
Currently, an estimated of 350 million devices are running on Windows 10, and the company has abandoned its original goal in favor of upgrading its existing services.
On August 2, Microsoft will deliver the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, a free upgrade that brings new style and security features. Also, the tech giant will keep working on its popular apps, such as Cortana, Office, Evernote or One Drive.
Meanwhile, Windows 10 is set to be Microsoft’s Swiss Army Knife, as it will continuously upgrade to avoid a new OS.
Source: Windows Central