Windows 7 and 8.1 Users Can Now Reserve Windows 10 Upgrade

Microsoft has confirmed the release of Windows 10 as 29th July, and certain Windows 7 and 8.1 users are able to reserve their free upgrade to the new operating system, thanks to a handy little icon in their Windows taskbar notifications area:

If you are a Windows 7 or 8.1 user and you don’t have the icon on your desktop, you need to make sure that you have installed the KB3035583 Windows Update from March. Without it, you will not be able to reserve your automatic Windows 10 update. After the update is installed, the icon should appear instantly. Once clicked, it offers a load of information about the new OS, and at the click of a button signs the user up to the free update.

The update window will even warn you about drivers and programs that either might become incompatible or will need to be reinstalled after the update, though an option titled “Check your PC”.

Windows 7 and 8.1 users have one year from Windows 10’s release date to take advantage of the free upgrade “for the supported lifetime of your device,” as Microsoft puts it, stressing that it is a permanent upgrade, not a free trial or limited version. Sadly, Windows RT and RT 8.1 users are not eligible for the offer.

Thank you CNet for providing us with this information.