Piracy not an option for Windows 10
There are still many businesses that run pirate software, often inadvertently, while there are whole countries where piracy of all kinds of software remains rampant. But Microsoft plans to eradicate the issue, as far as its operating system goes, by making the upgrade to Windows 10 initially free for all when it launches this summer.
Currently, while enterprises are locked into their volume licence agreements and are regularly audited, smaller businesses can pick up copies and install that multiple times or they can “borrow” licences from other PCs. All of these go against Microsoft’s rules, but the company is unlikely to come breaking down the doors.
When Windows 10 launches, it will be a free upgrade, regardless of the status of the current system installed on a PC. That means pirate versions of Windows XP or Windows 7 can be legitimised, whereas in the past, the upgrade would refuse to install. With a legitimate Windows 10, users can run all of Microsoft’s cloud services and install the latest apps.
Part of Microsoft’s reasoning behind this idea is that its users will become so used to running the apps and services, such as Skype, OneDrive and Office 365, that it will be too much hassle to go back to their pirated ways. These cloud-based services are also more likely to generate revenue for the company in the future, as users buy more storage, call minutes and other features.
The free upgrade offer is only going to be valid for a year from the launch, so Windows 10 users may need to plan to pay for the new installation. We expect that Microsoft could easily install a time limit on any PCs that previously had a pirate OS installed, with an expiry date. This would nudge users into paying a licence activation fee, to keep Windows 10 running.
Before your business considers its upgrade options this year, check with your IT support that all your software is valid so that you are not breaking any rules, and to make sure you don’t run into any issues post-upgrade. You should also consider the merits of using Microsoft’s cloud services http://www.oswin.com/microsoft-takes-fight-competitors-free-office-365/
