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Good news, pirates: Windows 10 is still free even if you’re stealing Windows now

Published Mar 18th, 2015 3:33PM EDT
Windows 10 Free Upgrade Download
Image: Microsoft

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Microsoft is on a roll this week when it comes to Windows 10, revealing at WinHEC in China not only a release timeframe for the operating system, but also a new password-free biometric authentication feature. The company also detailed a potentially sneaky way of converting Android users to Windows 10 without making them purchase new hardware.

On top of that, Reuters reports that Microsoft has some good news for pirates as well, revealing that they’ll also receive free upgrades to Windows 10 even though they don’t own licenses for their current Windows versions.

FROM EARLIER: Microsoft’s new scheme could become Google’s worst Android nightmare

“We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10,” Microsoft’s Terry Myerson told the publication in an interview, without elaborating on the matter. The exec added that the plan is to “re-engage” with the millions of Window users in China.

It’s not clear though, as Gizmodo points out, whether the move is specifically aimed at the Chinese market, or whether pirates in other corners of the world will also be entitled to free upgrades to Windows 10.

Reuters further adds that three-quarters of PCs in China run unlicensed software, according to recent studies.

Microsoft also announced that it will partner with a variety of local companies, including Lenovo, Xiaomi, Tencent and Qihoo 360, in order to speed up Windows 10 updates and adoption in the region.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.