Testers Getting Windows 10 For Free? Maybe Not

Microsoft just can’t seem to make up its mind regarding who is eligible for a free Windows 10 upgrade, or at the very least is struggling to communicate it clearly. Over the weekend, news broke that Microsoft would offer a free, full upgrade to Windows 10 to any member of the Insider Program who had downloaded the preview build of its new operating system. However, the Microsoft blog which broke the news has been silently rewritten. On Friday, the post said that Windows Insiders would “receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated,” but a stealth edit has removed the words “remain activated,” suggesting a volte-face on the part of Microsoft.

Then yesterday, Gabriel Aul, Head of the Windows Insider Program, revealed on Twitter that, in fact, Windows Insiders would get a free, permanent Windows 10 upgrade, so long as they had a valid Microsoft Account (MSA):

@ZacB_ @joebelfiore Yes, as long as running a prerelease build connected with registered MSA:http://t.co/vlaGyfwzbr

— Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) June 21, 2015

If that is still the case, then why was the blog post reworded? Has Microsoft’s policy changed, did the company misspeak, or is it deliberately muddying the waters in order to obscure a method by which customers can bag themselves a free copy of Windows 10? Expect further clarification/obfuscation soon.

Thank you Engadget for providing us with this information.