Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users

We already knew that Windows 10 will be offered as a free upgrade to all Windows Phone 8 devices. Now Microsoft has unveiled that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users too.

This news was revealed at the 'Windows 10: The Next Chapter' event which took place today, where the software giant showcased the progress they had made on the platform since it was unveiled for the enterprise back in September.

However, there is a catch to the free offer. Those who wish to upgrade to Windows 10 for free will have to do so within 12 months of the Windows 10 launch - a date yet to be determined by the company. While Microsoft is being generous with the upgrade, they also want consumers to make the switch to Windows 10 quickly.

Windows 10 will unify Microsoft's desktop and mobile platforms, and it makes sense that the company will want as many customers as possible to run one version of Windows. This will also ensure that users get software updates quickly and developers can also reach a new generation of Windows users. Once Microsoft has its strong Windows user base on Windows 10, they will have a compelling marketing platform for their mobile OS as well.

During the event, Microsoft pointed out how it oversaw the "seamless" transition of some 600+ million users from Windows 7 to Windows 7 SP1, and is clearly looking to replicate that feat with Windows 10. Clearly the minimum requirements in hardware on a Windows 10 machine will match the requirements Microsoft placed for Windows 7 users.

Unfortunately Microsoft wasnt ready to reveal how much a Windows 10 license will cost after the 12 month grace period. While it may not be excessive as it has been in the past, the thought of getting something for free should be a sufficient pull factor to get more customers to upgrade to the latest version of Windows.