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Microsoft Recommending Customers Contact Support for Windows 10 Upgrades Not Completed by Deadline

If you didn’t manage to upgrade your Windows 7 or Windows 8 machine to Windows 10 by the July 29th deadline, there still may be hope according to Microsoft.

The Windows 10 free upgrade, launched in late July 2015, has now come to an end. The program from Microsoft enabled users running qualifying copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8 to upgrade to Windows 10 for free until July 29th, 2016. ended. Starting this week, though, many procrastinators including members of my family started scrambling to get the free upgrade before time ran out. For many, though, the last minute rush was greeted by a collection of errors and setup failures. We compiled a collection of the top Windows install errors, as well as a few dozen other articles to help users get upgraded. Because of the infinite HW/SW configurations which exist, there, unfortunately, isn’t a one size fits all approach.

That said, users who are just crossing the finish line after July 29, 2016, it looks like Microsoft might give you a reprieve.

Expire Offer

Microsoft Might Give Some Customers Amnesty for Not Finishing Windows 10 Upgrade On Time

Several replies from Microsoft Support Engineers and Moderators on the Microsoft Community are recommending different solutions to customers caught up in the Windows 10 upgrade storm. A sticky note posted on the forum provides a Question & Answer scenario. Microsoft Forum Moderator, Yaqub K asks:

Is the Windows 10 free upgrade offer still available? Do I still qualify for the free offer if I’ve already downloaded Windows 10 to a USB drive, but haven’t yet upgraded my device?

Microsoft Forum Moderator Rohit Chettri responds:

Hi,

No, the Windows 10 free upgrade offer ended on July 29, 2016. To have qualified for the free offer, all upgrades must have completed and reached the “Welcome” screen by 11:59 PM UTC-10 (Hawaii) on July 29th; this is one worldwide point in time.

Windows 10 will continue to be available for purchase, either on a device or as a full version of the software. A discounted “upgrade” version of Windows 10 will not be for sale.

You can find answers to these and other questions about the upgrade to Windows 10 at the Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ.

Via Microsoft.com

Another Forum Moderator, Charles [MSFT] replied to a thread with the following recommendation for customers still trying to complete the upgrade.

Hi Luna368,

The Free Upgrade Offer has expired. Microsoft understands that some people might have had trouble installing in the final days.   Contact Microsoft, explain your problem upgrading to Windows 10. Our support agents may be able to help complete the upgrade you started before the deadline.

Charles

Via Microsoft.com

Exciting but not surprising news from Microsoft! I would however not delay any further! Get upgraded as quickly as you can! If you need more help, read our article for instructions on how to use Contact Support in Windows 10 to contact a Microsoft Support Agent. Some users are now reporting the Media Creation Tool used to download Windows 10 install files is now downloading the latest build 14393, which officially launches on August 2. Need more help? Join our free Windows 10 forums for lively discussions, tips and troubleshooting Windows 10 installations.

5 Comments

5 Comments

  1. holdum333

    July 30, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Many kudos Andre! Thank you for this most useful blog, I’ve been wondering if MS might offer more time to PC users. You are much appreciated my friend
    Thank you!
    Gary!

  2. MerryMarjie

    July 31, 2016 at 11:55 am

    I have an old computer running Windows 7 (not my primary computer) and decided to upgrade to Windows 10 on Friday. It took a while but Windows downloaded, then installed, and then when it was verifying the whole process, it got “stuck” at 96%. I waited for an hour hoping it would keep going, but then I tried restarting, but the computer wouldn’t boot into Windows. I tried a hard reset by pushing the On button, but the computer didn’t respond at all, no lights, no whirring, no fan. I ran into that problem once before and think my computer guy can get it to restart, but where am I on the free Windows 10? Will it ever finish “verifying” the data?

    • Andre Da Costa

      July 31, 2016 at 2:27 pm

      Hi MerryMarjie,

      Microsoft has extended the free upgrade offer on a case by case basis for the next two weeks.

      I suggest you download the ISO using the Media Creation Tool then perform a custom install. Check our forums for details and assistance:

      http://windows10forum.com

  3. Greg Conquest

    August 1, 2016 at 7:12 pm

    From what I’ve read, if you enable Accessibility features (for people with auditory or visual disabilities), you may still be able to do the upgrade.

  4. thom r

    August 5, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Will Microsoft leave the rest of us alone?

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