You would be in your rights for feeling slightly confused about who gets the Windows 10 upgrade for free. Redmond has not only been diffuse concerning the matter of upgrades for folks using counterfeit Windows, but the company has now caused added confusion.

While we know for a fact – and this surely is an impregnable fact – that Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 users can receive the free upgrade, Microsoft could be blamed for being a little unclear about testers of the new OS. Last week we heard that anyone (XP users for instance) on the Windows Insider program would get the final version of Windows 10 when it comes out in July. This looked like it was confirmed by Gabe Aul on Twitter: “As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA (Microsoft Account) you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated.” Much to many people’s delight, no doubt. But it wasn’t exactly what some people thought it meant.

Microsoft has called this a “very complex topic”, and so has cleared up a few things. It turns out that if you are running Windows 10 as part of the Windows Insider program, and you’re running it on what was Windows XP or Windows Vista, you do NOT receive the genuine article when it arrives on July 29^th. BUT, you can stay in the program and keep receiving updates as long as you opt-in for the updates. If you don’t opt-in your build will expire at some point in the future.

Microsoft clarified on this matter: “As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well.” Those people not using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 who roll-back to their original OS, will be required to buy a new Windows 10 license.

What this does mean however is that you can get Windows 10 even if you joined the testing program using an older version of Windows. It also means that occasionally you’ll have to inure bugs.

Photo credit: Mr.TinDC via Flickr