Windows 10 free upgrade eligibility: why not on my laptop?

I use three computers:

Personal desktop computer with OS history from last format: Windows 7 -> Windows 8 Pro -> Windows 8.1 Pro - Eligible for free Windows 10
Personal ASUS laptop computer with history: Windows 8 Pro -> Windows 8.1 Pro - Not eligible for free Windows 10
Work HP laptop with Windows 8.1 Pro freshly installed and connected to AD domain - Not eligible for free Windows 10

I am not interested on upgrading the work laptop, but I would like to know why did I find the free upgrade promotion on desktop (by chance, the one I do not want to upgrade yet) and not on my personal laptop. I believe that without the tray application that offers you to reserve a free Windows 10 upgrade I won't be able to get the new OS for free anytime

I would prefer to try the new OS on laptop first, and when it will become reliable to my judgement, format or upgrade on dekstop.

What are Microsoft's criteria for Windows 10's eligibility to free upgrade? If I don't see the promotional tray icon on my computer, will I be able to obtain a FREE copy of Windows 10 at a later time?

usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ

Posted 2015-07-15T09:48:03.870

Reputation: 3 733

2And how, exactly, did you determine you’re not eligible? – Daniel B – 2015-07-15T10:18:10.133

1The only computer that isn't eligible is your work computer because its connected to a domain and it actually is eligible if the administrator install the required update. – Ramhound – 2015-07-15T10:20:37.043

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications – JosefZ – 2015-07-15T10:53:19.617

@DanielB because I haven't been proposed the upgrade via Windows Update even after checking for updates several times – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ – 2015-07-15T12:00:02.180

1@djechelon That’s irrelevant. The tray program is irrelevant, too. It’s all just for promotional purposes. – Daniel B – 2015-07-15T12:45:59.460

@DanielB to clarify: indeed all my machines may have hardware/software requirements for upgrade, but maybe it was not clear that I want Windows 10 for free at the current time. I am interested in evaluating it on my laptop machine. I am currently not interested in spending money to replace an OS that works fine (and I already had free via MSDN). So you are right: promotional icon doesn't affect upgradability, but I think it affects price of that upgrade :-) – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ – 2015-07-15T13:42:17.020

Answers

What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?

Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer.

What about Windows RT?

If you’re running Windows RT, your device won’t upgrade to Windows 10, but we will have an update for you around the time of Windows 10 release.

Can Enterprise customers get the free Windows 10 upgrade?

Enterprise customers with active Software Assurance subscription in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer.

More in Specifications.

These are for a pre-released version of Windows 10 and are subject to change.

JosefZ

Posted 2015-07-15T09:48:03.870

Reputation: 9 121

Very helpful in understanding the upgrade criteria. In my case, the home computers don't run RT. Thank you – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ – 2015-07-15T14:14:18.400

Possible answer is activation of BitLocker.

Both laptops are Bitlocker-enabled. According to Wndows 10 specifications linked by @JosefZ, BitLocker requires at least Windows 10 Pro, and does not work with Home edition.

Windows Update might have detected that the OS has Bitlocker enabled and will prevent from offering a free upgrade to Windows 10.

As suggested by @Ramhound, laptops connected to AD domain are never offered a Windows 10 upgrade, plus that in this case they are both encrypted with BitLocker

usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ

Posted 2015-07-15T09:48:03.870

Reputation: 3 733

If you have Windows 8.1 Pro, you're upgrade path to Windows 10 is Pro as well. Have you checked out the steps offered in the Windows 10 FAQ underneath 'Why don't I have the Get Windows 10 app?' https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

– Ben Sampica – 2015-07-15T12:32:28.540

@BenSampica thanks. I have updated the question in order to highlight that I am talking about ONLY the free upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 10 Pro AFAIK will not be distributed for free so unless I buy it or get an MSDN license I won't be able to install it – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ – 2015-07-15T13:40:44.867

Did you look at the FAQ? Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Pro get the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. – Ben Sampica – 2015-07-15T15:18:11.427

@BenSampica sorry, I have misunderstood the FAQ reading incarefully. I didn't understand that the Win8.1Pro->Win10Pro was part of the free path, I understood I could "upgrade" (perhaps for money?) Win8.1Pro to Win10Pro. My mistake – usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ – 2015-07-15T15:38:04.510

Perhaps I don't understand. How is this an answer to your proposed question? – Ramhound – 2015-08-06T19:12:15.700

I am having the same issues with my brand new laptop, I was told in the store would be upgradable. After running Windows troubleshooter, this seems to be the only answer I can get: If, after running the troubleshooter or doing the manual steps, you still don’t see the icon, your device may not be compatible with Windows 10. The troubleshooter should inform you if there are compatibility problems. If that is the case, you will not be able to reserve a copy at this time. More information will be available later regarding what you can do about that. For more information about Windows 10 requirements, go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications

Suzy

Posted 2015-07-15T09:48:03.870

Reputation: 1

This does not really answer the author's proposed question. – Ramhound – 2015-08-06T19:10:35.087

After public rollout of Windows 10 I have found by myself a way to try an upgrade on computers that Microsoft didn't choose for automatic downloading of Windows 10.

This page describes how to make an ISO file for installation on any device, including those that for an unknown reason didn't receive the Windows 10 free upgrade offer.

Basically one can download the tool that will download the ISO from scratch.

Or, for those who already downloaded the update, this page shows how to decompress the iso file from C:\$Windows.~BT folder

usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝ

Posted 2015-07-15T09:48:03.870

Reputation: 3 733