Microsoft closed its Windows 10 free upgrade offer on Jan. 16. Microsoft initially had set the deadline for a free upgrade to July 29, 2016. However, later on, the Windows maker extended the timeline to Dec. 31, 2017 for those who deploy the assistive technology. Later, it was further extended to mid-January.
Windows 10 free upgrade over
Assistive technology comprises built-in features like Narrator and Magnifier along with keyboard shortcuts and the on-screen keyboard.
The assistive technology site was recently updated to say: “If you use assistive technologies, you can upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost as Microsoft continues our efforts to improve the Windows 10 experience for people who use these technologies. Please take advantage of this offer before it expires on January 16, 2017.”
Even though Microsoft kept the Windows 10 free upgrade offer open for those using the assistive technologies, it has been reluctant to check to see if only those using such tech were upgrading. This meant that anyone wanting to upgrade to the Windows 10 for free was allowed to do so. It was done intentionally as the company wanted the customers to upgrade to the latest operating system.
There are many reasons why Microsoft wanted users to upgrade to the latest operating system. The Windows 10 comes with the most up-to-date APIs, allowing developers to offer their apps and products to more users. Further, data from NetMarketshare suggests that around 7% of users had not upgraded to the latest version by July 2016, notes PCWorld.
Microsoft Windows 10 is a natural upgrade to its predecessors with advanced bug fixes, patches and period updates. The company has already withdrawn support to Windows 8.1 on Jan. 9, five years after its launch. Now, there would be no upgrades to Windows 8.1, and no new features and bug fixes either. The company, however, has added the operating system to extended support, offering security updates for the next five years until 2023.
Modernizing Windows 10 control panel
Separately, Microsoft is investing in upgrading and adding new features to the Windows 10. Users for a long time have not been satisfied with the cosmetic changes to Windows saying Microsoft has not tried to revive the older features, but instead the company has added a slew of new features with every upgrade.
However, things are changing with the Windows 10. The company is investing efforts in modernizing the decade-old features and elements of the operating system. Microsoft is doing away with the settings in the control panel, and is instead shifting it to the settings app. In future, Microsoft could even come up with a single application, a one-stop solution for every major setting and configuration, notes ArsTechnica.
Reportedly, Microsoft is also building a brand new fonts page for the Settings app. The new settings tool comes with a previewing feature that would allow the user to select the preview text instead of built-in canned phrases. Additionally, the new settings control would come with the ability to buy new fonts. Microsoft is also adding Windows language packs and localization to the store, notes Ars.