Microsoft Entices Windows 10 Enterprise Subscribers With Free Upgrades
From the very first day of availability, Microsoft has been so determined to get Windows users to upgrade to Windows 10 that it offered free upgrades. Anyone who was rocking a copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 had an entire year to upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost, and that offer still stands for anyone who uses the accessibility features in Windows. On top of that, Microsoft announced today that customers with Windows subscriptions through its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program can also now upgrade their Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs to Windows 10.
What that means is customers subscribed to Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and E5 can bump their Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs and devices to Windows 10 at no cost. The same goes for Secure Product Enterprise E3 and E5 subscribers. Microsoft's free upgrade offer is a new perk to Windows cloud subscriptions in CSP, one that Microsoft deems important in order for users to continue to receive enterprise-grade security.
To take advantage of the offer, tenant admins for customers with Windows cloud subscriptions can log into the Office 365 Admin center with their Azure Active Directory admin credentials. Once inside, they'll see options to begin the upgrade process on the device they are currently using. They can also share the download link with others, create installation media, and troubleshoot installations.
Microsoft says that licenses issued from this process are perpetual and associated with the specific device being upgraded. The license will not expire or be revoked, even if the user stops becoming a Windows cloud subscriber in the CSP program. In other words, it's a no-strings-attached upgrade offer.
"We hope these new Windows 10 upgrade benefits will better enable businesses of any size—including those with PCs and devices still on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1—to work with a trusted partner to upgrade to enterprise-grade security and management with flexible, small business pricing from just $7 per user, per month," Microsoft said.
Microsoft has begun rolling out the new upgrade benefits now. It could take up to 48 hours for the options and links to appear in the Office 365 Admin center, so keep checking if you don't see it.
What that means is customers subscribed to Windows 10 Enterprise E3 and E5 can bump their Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs and devices to Windows 10 at no cost. The same goes for Secure Product Enterprise E3 and E5 subscribers. Microsoft's free upgrade offer is a new perk to Windows cloud subscriptions in CSP, one that Microsoft deems important in order for users to continue to receive enterprise-grade security.
To take advantage of the offer, tenant admins for customers with Windows cloud subscriptions can log into the Office 365 Admin center with their Azure Active Directory admin credentials. Once inside, they'll see options to begin the upgrade process on the device they are currently using. They can also share the download link with others, create installation media, and troubleshoot installations.
Microsoft says that licenses issued from this process are perpetual and associated with the specific device being upgraded. The license will not expire or be revoked, even if the user stops becoming a Windows cloud subscriber in the CSP program. In other words, it's a no-strings-attached upgrade offer.
"We hope these new Windows 10 upgrade benefits will better enable businesses of any size—including those with PCs and devices still on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1—to work with a trusted partner to upgrade to enterprise-grade security and management with flexible, small business pricing from just $7 per user, per month," Microsoft said.
Microsoft has begun rolling out the new upgrade benefits now. It could take up to 48 hours for the options and links to appear in the Office 365 Admin center, so keep checking if you don't see it.
