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Last chance – Microsoft’s offer that enables users to upgrade to its latest Windows 10 software for free expires today, ahead of a major update launching next week.
Friday is the final day Windows users running version 7 or 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 – which was released last year – free of charge.
Once the time period expires it will cost £99.99 for the standard version, and £189.99 for Windows 10 Pro.
The end of the offer comes ahead of the first major upgrade to Windows 10, called the Anniversary Update, which will be available to consumers from August 2. Those who are running Windows 10 will be able to upgrade once again for free.
“We are committed to delivering continuous innovation to you,” Microsoft said of the Anniversary Update, which features the Windows Ink tool that enables users to note-take and draw on any screen with a stylus and improvements to its virtual assistant, Cortana.
“Features that bring Windows Ink and Cortana to the mainstream; a faster, more accessible and more power-efficient Microsoft Edge browser; advanced security features for consumers and enterprises; new gaming experiences and new tools for the modern classroom.
“Everyone running Windows 10 will get these new features for free.”
More than 350 million devices have already been updated to Windows 10 since it was released in July 2015, however the program has been heavily criticised by some for what has been called “over-aggressive” reminders from Microsoft about the availability of Windows 10.
The technology giant’s reminder system saw some users cut off mid-task as the software automatically installed on their computers without warning, while one woman in the US won a payout from the company after suing Microsoft for lost earnings because the software fatally slowed the computer she used for her business after installing Windows 10 without her approval.
Microsoft initially stated its aim to have Windows 10 installed on one billion devices by 2018, however earlier this month scrapped that timetable, admitting “it will take longer” to reach that target.
If you need to find your Windows 10 update status, head to the Control Panel on your PC and then Windows Update.
