Upgrade to Windows 10 remains free for users with accessibility options

Until the end of July, users can upgrade from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 for free, but users of accessibility options such as screen readers will not be subject to this deadline. According to Microsoft, they can switch to Windows 10 at any time for free.

Microsoft’s Daniel Hubbell breaks the news in a short blog post. Accessibility options in Windows are tools for people with disabilities. These can ensure that people can still use a computer effectively despite a disability. Windows 10 itself has several of these technologies built in; Users have access to a magnifying glass, a narrator who reads text, the ability to enter voice commands, and more.

It’s not clear at this time whether Microsoft will extend the Windows 10 upgrade after July only to users of accessibility options built into Windows itself, or also to users of similar third-party technology. Microsoft does recognize that third-party technology in its accessibility roadmap for the operating system. In addition, it remains to be seen how Microsoft will make this work; the company will have to guard against users who only use accessibility options to get a free upgrade after the deadline.

After July 29, the upgrade to Windows 10 will no longer be free. Users who want to upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1 to the latest version after that will have to pay. In the US, the switch to Windows 10 Home will cost $119. A euro price is not yet known.