After the release of Windows 10 at the end of July 2015, Microsoft generously allowed users of licensed Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to upgrade to it free of charge for a whole year. However, not everyone took advantage of this - many liked the old system, many were not satisfied with the dampness and brakes of Windows 10 - in general, for a year new system is not even close to Windows 7, which takes up this moment more than a third of the desktop OS market. However, times are changing - Windows 10 is not worse than 7ki in terms of stability, it has several handy chips: the Cortana voice assistant, DirectX 12 support, the ability to create multiple virtual desktops, etc. - and more and more people want to upgrade, and Microsoft has made a loophole for them: the free upgrade option has been extended for users with disabilities. And here there is an interesting point - the use of the on-screen keyboard, which I think almost everyone who worked with Windows has used at least once in his life (and for owners of Windows tablets, this is generally the only way input). In addition, Microsoft does not verify in any way whether you are a person with disabilities or not, so you can safely use this way updates.
What does it consist in? You need to go to the free update site and click the "Update now" button, after which the download of the update program will begin. For its correct operation, you will need a completely updated Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1, as well as at least 10 GB of hard disk space. The size of the downloaded files will be about 4 GB. The update will be performed automatically, find out the received windows version 10 can be from the table below:
After the update, in order to assign the key to your computer, you need to sign in to your Microsoft account - this is done in the account settings: 
Everything, after that the key is tied to your device, and even after a clean reinstall Windows 10 to activate, you just need to log into your account again, after which activation will occur automatically.
- What to do if after the update the system is slow, slows down, programs crash or do not open at all? Alas, it happens, the update mechanism can work crookedly. IN in this case need to spend a clean windows installation 10 (this will delete all files from the disk, so it's worth moving them somewhere) - for this you need to go to this site and click the "Download tool now" button. In the downloaded program, select "Create bootable media for another computer" and follow the instructions of the program. To create bootable media, you need a USB flash drive with a volume of at least 4 GB (not all are suitable, since 3.88 GB is required on it - it is better to take 8 GB or more for confidence). After creation bootable flash drive you need to boot from it, select a custom installation of Windows and delete all partitions on the drive - the installer will create them again. As I wrote above, after such an installation and logging into the account, the system activates itself.
- What if I bought a new device without Windows 7 or 8 preinstalled (or my device has Windows 7 or less, Linux or macOS)? First, you need to install, activate and fully update Windows 7 or 8.1 on it, and then follow the instructions above to update to Windows 10.
The free upgrade to Windows 10, as reported by Microsoft, ended on July 29, 2016, and the upgrade path for persons with disabilities ended in late 2017. This means that if Windows 7 or 8.1 is installed on your computer and you have not updated on the specified date, having decided to abandon the upgrade to Windows 10, then officially in the future you will need to buy a new OS if you want to install it on your computer. (we are talking about the licensed version, of course). However, there is a way around this limitation in 2018 as well.
On the one hand, the decision is not to receive an update, but to stay on the current version operating system for someone it may be quite balanced and justified. On the other hand, you can imagine a situation when you can even regret that you did not update for free. An example of such a situation: you have enough powerful computer and you play games, but "sit" on Windows 7, and a year later you find that all newly released games are designed for DirectX 12 in Windows 10, which is not supported in 7.
Update 2018: this method no longer works. Upon completion of the main free update program, the official Microsoft website appeared new page - it tells that users using assistive technologies can also update for free. At the same time, no check for limited capabilities is carried out, the only thing by clicking the "Update now" button, you confirm that you are the user who requires special system capabilities (by the way, Screen keyboard - also a special feature and many people come in handy). At the same time, as reported, this update will be available indefinitely.
After clicking on the button, the executable file to start the update (it is required that a licensed version of one of the previous systems is installed on the computer). At the same time, the bootable system is normal; accessibility features are manually enabled by the user if necessary. The address official page updates: https://microsoft.com/ru-ru/accessibility/windows10upgrade (It is not known how long this upgrade option will work. If something changes, please notify me in the comments).
Additional Information:If in the period before July 29 you received windows update 10, but then you removed this OS, then you can on the same computer, and when you ask for a key during installation, click "I do not have a key" - the system is activated automatically when you connect to the Internet.
Free installation of Windows 10 after completing the Microsoft updater
To begin with, I note that I cannot guarantee the performance of this method, since at this point in time it will not be possible to check this. However, there is every reason to believe that he is a worker, provided that the time when you read this article has not yet arrived July 29, 2016.
The essence of the method is as follows:
- , we are waiting for activation.
- We roll back to the previous system, see. On the topic of this step, I also recommend reading the end current instruction with additional useful information.
What happens in this case: when free update, activation is assigned to the current equipment (digital entitlement), which I wrote about earlier in the article.
After "attachment" is possible (or a disk) on the same computer or laptop, including without entering a key (click "I do not have a key" in the installer) with subsequent automatic activation when connected to the Internet.
At the same time, there is no information that the specified binding is limited in time. Hence the assumption that if you perform the "Update" - "Rollback" cycle, then, when required, you can install Windows 10 in the activated edition (Home, Professional) on the same computer at any time, even after the expiration of the free update ...
I hope the essence of the method is clear and, perhaps, for some of the readers the method will be useful. Unless I can not recommend it to users for whom the theoretically possible need to reinstall the OS manually (rollback does not always work as expected) is very difficult.
Additional Information
Since rolling back from Windows 10 to previous operating systems with built-in system tools does not always work smoothly, the preferable option (or as a means of safety net) may be to either create a complete backup the current version of Windows, for example, using the instructions (the methods work for other versions of OS), or temporary cloning system disk to another disk () with subsequent recovery.
And if something goes wrong, you can perform a clean installation of Windows 7 or 8 on a computer or laptop (but not as a second OS, but as the main one) or if available.
Perhaps for some it will become news, but the Windows 10 Pro operating system, like any other of this line, is paid, that is, you have to pay money for it. Of course, most users prefer to use pirate assemblies, however, this is a direct violation of the law. To live honestly, you need to buy a license that is sold in the official Microsoft Store and many other places. The only problem is that it often costs more than an old computer or tablet.
As of December 19, 2017 for Windows 10 Home ( basic version) ask 8,699 rubles, while the version of Windows 10 Pro (advanced) will cost 14,199 rubles. Obviously, giving that kind of money for an operating system from Microsoft is not the smartest business. Lucky for all those from whom it was purchased licensed Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, because for a very long period of time, the American corporation allowed to update the license key to a newer one for free without any additional payments.
However, most Windows 10 users do not have any license, since they also used Windows 8 (8.1) in a pirated form. Fortunately, now everyone has a real opportunity to get a license for Windows 10 Pro for only 300 rubles. It will work in exactly the same way as the license purchased for 14,199 rubles, but with only one small difference. When the licensed version of the OS is bought in the official Microsoft Store, it is linked to the branded user account. If you buy it more than 40 times cheaper, then the user will only have a unique key, which will have to be kept secret from others.
Almost all modern computers, laptops and some tablets run on the operating windows systems 10 Pro, however, the cost of such devices sometimes may not exceed even 20,000 rubles. Speaking sensibly, it turns out that the buyer pays about 6,000 rubles for the hardware, and the remaining 14,000 rubles go to the OS license. To the delight of all consumers, in fact, everything turns out to be completely different.
Especially for computers, tablets and other devices that work right out of the box on Windows, Microsoft provides their manufacturers with an OEM version of the operating system. It also has its own unique serial key, which is used to activate the license. Such keys are sold on the eBay platform for only 200-400 rubles, and they will work on absolutely any computer.
In the eyes of the law - windows user 10 Pro, purchased for 300 rubles, will use licensed software. If we talk about the rules of Microsoft, then it prohibits the use of OEM keys on any other computers that do not work on this operating system out of the box. Nevertheless, this is only a formal rule, and no one has followed it for more than 10 years, since the first OEM keys appeared.
So why use a pirated version of Windows 10 Pro at the end of 2017, bothering with activators and other tricks, if you can once and for all buy a license OEM key for only 300 rubles, saving yourself a waste of time? You can buy a license for Windows at such a ridiculous price at trading platform eBay after reviewing seller reviews.
Such keys remain from failed computers and laptops, so they can be used for their own purposes without any fear. Buy license keys Windows 10 Pro is not worth it on Russian sites, because sellers often ask for 2-4 thousand rubles for them - it all depends on greed. If this information turned out to be useful to you, share the link to this article with your friends and acquaintances, because in this case they can also start using the licensed software.
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Windows 10 Enterprise
There are two basic Windows 10 Enterprise offerings: Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and Windows 10 Enterprise E5. Both can be purchased on a per device or per user model. They are only available through volume licensing.
Windows 10 Enterprise E3
The Windows 10 Enterprise E3 offering gives you access to the Windows 10 Enterprise edition and supports advanced protection against modern security threats, multiple operating system deployment and update options, and comprehensive device and app management. Select Volume Licensing programs offer Windows 10 Enterprise E3 with Software Assurance.
Windows 10 Enterprise E5
Windows 10 Enterprise E5 is the latest offering for customers looking to get the full benefits of E3, plus Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) in Windows Defender - a new service that helps enterprises detect, investigate and respond to complex attacks on their networks.
Windows Defender ATP powered by existing tools windows security 10, adds a new layer to the Windows 10 defense stack that is designed to handle threats already in the environment. With a combination of client technologies built into Windows 10 and an efficient cloud service, this tool helps enterprises identify threats that have successfully crossed other lines of defense, learn how endpoints have been impacted, and provide guidance on how to respond.
Software Assurance for Windows
Windows Software Assurance Licensing Per Device
You can license Software Assurance for Windows per device as follows.
- When you purchase a Windows 10 Enterprise upgrade license through a Volume Licensing program, you can also purchase Software Assurance for that license.
- To access Windows Software Assurance benefits for devices (such as thin clients) that do not qualify for the program, you can purchase a VDA for Windows subscription.
Windows Software Assurance Licensing Per User
There are 3 options for Windows Enterprise per user licensing: Windows 10 Enterprise E3, Windows 10 Enterprise E5, and VDA for Windows. This allows companies to tailor Windows licensing to their users, choose the most flexible way to deploy and access the OS. different devicesas well as simplify licensing and windows management... User licensing will help you:
- provide employees with access to Windows Enterprise on any device;
- choose in which format to provide the operating system - locally, using virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or Windows To Go *;
- simplify licensing by counting users instead of counting all of their different devices, and implement Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) without wasting time tracking all devices and licenses.
Additional help in choosing the right licensing option per user and more detailed description Windows Enterprise access rights and other Software Assurance benefits can be found in (PDF 959 KB).
For those users who are a little unaware of the latest news about Windows 10, we remind you that its release is scheduled for July 29. Microsoft said that owners of licensed versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be able to install it for free. But numerous owners of pirated copies, according to Microsoft, will not be able to activate Windows 10.
However, on June 19, Gabriel Aul, the head of the Windows Insider program, published a blog entry regarding changes in the operating system testing process. Among other things, he wrote that all users participating in windows program Insider and those with a Microsoft account will be able to get a free licensed version of Windows 10.
If you are using a test build as part of the Insider Preview program and linked it to your MSA (Microsoft Account), which you used when registering for the testing program, then you will receive the final version of Windows 10 for free in activated mode... After installing and activating the final release, you can then perform a clean installation of the system if you want to start from scratch.
Gabriel Aul
What does this mean and what actions do you need to take if you want to get Windows 10 for free, but cannot boast of having a licensed copy of Windows?
- Create, if you haven't already done so, a Microsoft account. This can be done.
- Register for the preliminary windows assessments (Windows Insider Preview). Use the previously created Microsoft account for this.
- Download Windows 10 Insider Preview from this page. Please note that test loading times windows assemblies 10 will likely be limited to the final release date. So hurry up!
- When installing and pre-setting system be sure to use that account Microsoft, which was used when registering with Windows Insider. This is necessary so that a license for Windows 10 is linked to your account, which will allow you to activate the final version of the system on July 29 or later. Note that there is also hardware binding, so install a few copies of Windows 10 on different computers will not work.
Will you install Windows 10 if you actually get it for free?