October 3, 2023
Microsoft is ending its free upgrade offer from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 or 11 which it officially ended in July 2016. Although, users were still able to upgrade their operating systems to 11 using old Windows 7/8 keys.
This news comes several years after Microsoft initially ended the free Windows upgrade in July 2016. Despite this cessation, a loophole permitted Windows 7 and 8 users to exploit the system and get the free upgrade anyway. This loophole has now been permanently closed.
Microsoft unveiled the global Windows 10 update seven years ago in July 2015. However, older Windows users were allowed to upgrade to this version of Windows for free, for one year. This free upgrade option, however, came to an end by 2016. Those with Windows 10 can still upgrade to 11 for free, Microsoft said in its announcement.
Couple of years later came the new and fresh Windows 11 update, which was once again free for the older Windows users. Nonetheless, due to a breach in the installation path, Windows 7 and 8 users were still able to utilise their old keys to download and enjoy this latest update for free.
Surprisingly, Microsoft silently left this loophole open, although this chapter has now come to an end. Microsoft has made it clear on its ‘Device Partner Center’ page that the free upgrade fizzled out as of July 29, 2016, and has also removed the installation path for Windows 7 and 8 users.
The sources for this piece include an article in Mashable.
