[UPDATE] Microsoft won’t support your system if you upgrade to Windows 10 from a pirated old version of Windows

Microsoft created waves in past few days when it announced that it will allow free upgrades to Windows 10, to even those who have a pirated old version installed on their systems. However, the Redmomd giant has now revealed the catch behind that announcement.

So what’s the catch you ask ? Well, as the headline says, while it will let you upgrade to Windows 10 from a pirated older version, Microsoft won’t support your system after that.

In an interview to ArsTechnica, a Microsoft Spokesperson said,

With Windows 10, although non-Genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license. If a device was considered non-genuine or mislicensed prior to the upgrade, that device will continue to be considered non-genuine or mislicensed after the upgrade.

A similar statement was noted at VentureBeat,

Although non-genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license.

Non-genuine Windows is not published by Microsoft. It is not properly licensed or supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.

So what happens to systems which have been running a non-genuine Windows, and upgrade to Windows 10 ? Well, its likely that their Windows might expire a limited testing time, and they may not receive any security updates from Microsoft.

The move, while annoying those who run pirated Windows copies, may actually be a real serious step in countering piracy across software. By providing Windows 10 to pirate copy owners, Microsoft gives them a chance to experience its new OS, and if the price point is kept affordable enough, many may migrate to a legit Windows 10 copy.

We’ve mailed Microsoft for comments, and will update the story once we hear from them.

Update :

A Microsoft Spokesperson, confirming the above news, told The Tech Portal :

The consumer free upgrade offer for Windows 10 applies to qualified new and existing devices running Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.  Some editions are excluded from the consumer free upgrade – including Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to other Windows 10 enterprise offerings.

We have always been committed to ensuring that customers have the best Windows experience possible.  With Windows 10, although non-Genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license. Non-Genuine Windows is not published by Microsoft. It is not properly licensed, or supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. If a device was considered non-genuine or mislicensed prior to the upgrade, that device will continue to be considered non-genuine or mislicensed after the upgrade.