This end date will be no sooner than October 5, 2022.Ī Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the above statement represents Microsoft's plans for the free Windows 11 upgrade offer. However, Microsoft reserves the right to eventually end support for the free offer. The free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems. Panay's Wednesday statement conflicts with a published Microsoft FAQ document that specifically addressed the question of when the free upgrade to Windows 11 will end. For instance, this July PCWorld article explained that Microsoft accounts are essentially 'unavoidable' for Home edition users upgrading to Windows 11, citing comments from unnamed people 'close to Microsoft.' It's easy to find advice on performing clean installs of the Windows 11 Home edition that use a local account instead of a Microsoft account, but these attempts ultimately may not work. Use of a Microsoft Account is listed as a requirement for Windows 11 Home edition users. Possibly, it means Microsoft is considering shortening the free upgrade offer for Windows 10 Home users, but the statement is somewhat ambiguous.

Panay's statement above contained a footnote indicating that his statement pertains to 'devices that have a Microsoft Account (an MSA for Home edition) and have eligible releases and compatibility.' 'Today, we're excited to share that the upgrade offer to Windows 11 is beginning to enter its final phase of availability putting us ahead of our initial plan of mid-2022 1,' Panay stated. He obliquely suggested that the free upgrade offer could end before mid-2022, and possibly it just could end for Home edition Windows 10 users. The notion that Microsoft may end the free upgrade offer comes from Panos Panay, chief product officer for Windows and devices.

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