Windows 10 Preview is finally here, and while everyone can get it right now and see what's new, there still are a few uncertain things that should be clarified in the coming months by Microsoft itself.
One of the most important aspects of Windows 10 is the final price of the product, as some people that were more or less close to the matter indicated that Redmond could make it free of charge for Windows 8.1 users and very affordable for those running Windows 7.
According to Russian leaker WZor, who has a good track on Windows information apparently thanks to Nokia insiders and other partners, the free Windows 10 offer will be limited to a special category of Windows 8 users and won’t be available to all those running the operating system.
Of course, Microsoft has refused to talk about such a plan during its San Francisco Windows 10 event, but Terry Myerson and Joe Belfiore promised to disclose these details in the coming months.
This isn't confirmed by Microsoft, but the plan which WZor disclosed a few days ago is the following: offer Windows 10 free of charge to buyers of the full retail version of Windows 8, while those who purchase a computer with a pre-installed build of its modern operating system would still have to pay for the upcoming product.
What's more, the source says, Windows 7 could be allowed to upgrade directly to Windows 10, without the need to first move to Windows 8 or 8.1. The price of this upgrade is likely to be around $30 (?23), but this could change before the final product comes out.
Back in October 2012 when Windows 8 was launched, Microsoft allowed Windows 7 users to upgrade to the new OS for only $15 (?11.5), but only for the first three months after the debut.
While there's no doubt that a free Windows 10 upgrade is really good news for those on Windows 8, there's one single reason that makes such a scenario almost impossible.
Offering Windows 10 free of charge only to those who purchase the full retail version of Windows 8 would practically kill new PC sales running the modern operating system, and there's absolutely no doubt that neither Microsoft nor its partners can afford this right now.
What's more, Microsoft's documents revealed that all Windows 8 computers purchased until the final version of Windows 10 is released would be able to be upgraded to Windows 10 and run it flawlessly, so price cuts are more likely to be offered to everyone.
