Windows 10 price: Microsoft's new operating system might not be as free as it seemed

The company has released a new explanation after confusion followed a post by Microsoft clarifying the terms of its free giveaway

Terry Myerson silhouetted against the backdrop at the Windows 10 launch event (Microsoft)

Microsoft has finally confirmed who exactly will get a free upgrade to Windows 10 — after saying that almost everyone would get it, and then apparently taking that back.

Normal Windows 7 and Windows 8 and 8.1 users will receive free upgrades to the new operating system. And all Enterprise users and business will have to pay for it.

But the confusion revolved around those that are using the Windows “Insider” previews, which lets people try out early versions of the software in return for giving feedback to Microsoft. The company initially indicated that those using those preview versions would automatically get upgraded to the real Windows 10 — whether or not their copies were genuine.

Now, Microsoft has said that those on the Insider programme will get a free copy of Windows if they would have been eligible before they joined, such as if they upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1. The insider programme “is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems,” the company says.

The other way that members of the preview will be able to keep their new version of windows is to stay on the Insider Programme: “Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program”, the company writes.