Microsoft had shed more light on how it’ll handle the free Windows 10 updates as it pertains to users rocking pirate copies of existing versions.
Just yesterday the firm surprisingly said it would still offer a free upgrade to those with illegally obtained copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
However, Redmond isn’t wiping the slate clean with its offer. Today Microsoft revealed copies of Windows 10 afforded to pirates would remain “unsupported” and “not genuine.”
What that actually means for users remains a little foggy. Will the firm only offer limited access to the operating system? Will the update simply be a trial that expires after 30 days? Will those pirates get further updates and bug fixes?
A Microsoft spokesperson told Venture Beat it plans to offer users with non-genuine copies of the OS a path to legitimacy, but didn’t go into specifics.
In a statement, the firm wrote: “
Read more: Windows 10 features: What’s new?
While Microsoft didn’t state it explicitly, the ‘get genuine’ scheme is likely to involve asking pirates to buy a copy of the operating system, rather than continue their free ride.
Microsoft has an opportunity to virtually irradiate piracy if it chooses to offer unprejudiced free Windows 10 access to those who’ve skirted the rules in the past, but its equally understandable why the company wouldn’t wish to go down that road.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
