Get Windows 10 for Your Organisation
Windows 10 is here! For many organisations, the upgrade is free. Learn how to upgrade your systems.
If You Have Active Software Assurance, Use It to Get Your Free Upgrade
Windows 10 will be available for download through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) on 03 August 2015. If you requested a Windows upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa after 03 August 2013, you have active Software Assurance for that license, and you will be able to download the upgrade for free on that date. See TechSoup's instructions for downloading software from the VLSC.
If you have active Software Assurance, it is important to upgrade through the VLSC rather than through Microsoft's other free upgrade routes. Why? Upgrading through the VLSC is the only way to get Windows 10 Enterprise and keep your Software Assurance benefits like access to e-learning courses. Even if you don't use the Enterprise edition currently, you will keep your license rights to that edition if you want to upgrade from Pro to Enterprise later on.
If You Have Windows 7 or 8.1 Without Software Assurance, You Can Get a Free Upgrade to Windows 10 Directly from Microsoft
Any edition of Windows 7 or 8.1 is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 directly from Microsoft starting 29 July 2015. You can upgrade any time before 29 July 2016. After that date, free upgrades will no longer be available.
If you upgrade through Microsoft's free method, your existing licenses will be replaced with a device-based license entitlement. Be sure you don't have active Software Assurance before you use this method, as you will lose those benefits once you replace your licenses with these entitlements.
If You Need Windows 10 Enterprise, Request a License Through TechSoup South Africa
If you are a nonprofit or library that is eligible for Microsoft donations through TechSoup South Africa but you don't have Windows upgrade licenses with active Software Assurance, the easiest way to get a donation of Windows 10 Enterprise is to request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa. Windows 10 Enterprise will be available for download through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) on 03 August 2015.
Windows 10 Enterprise is not available through any of Microsoft's free upgrade offers.
If you don't have an operating system that is eligible for an upgrade license, you might be eligible to request a Windows Pro Full Operating System - Get Genuine
license first to obtain Windows 10 Pro. Then, you can request an upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa to get the Enterprise edition.
Summary of Windows 10 Upgrade Options for Nonprofits
Refer to the table below to learn how to upgrade to Windows 10. Or check out Microsoft's How To Upgrade to Windows 10 for more information.
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If you have… |
You should… |
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Windows 7 Starter or Home or Windows 8.1 Standard edition and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Home |
Get a free Windows 10 Home upgrade directly from Microsoft starting 29 July 2015. You have until 29 July 2016 to upgrade for free. Your existing licenses will be replaced with a device-based license entitlement. |
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Windows 7 Starter or Home or Windows 8.1 Standard edition and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise |
Home editions of Windows are not eligible for Windows upgrade licenses through TechSoup South Africa. You will need to request a Windows Pro Full Operating System - Get Genuine license through TechSoup South Africa and download Windows 10 Pro software from the VLSC on 03 August 2015. If you want Windows 10 Enterprise, you will need to request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license in addition to the full operating system license. |
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Windows 7 or 8.1 Pro and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro |
If you have active Software Assurance you can download Windows 10 Pro from the VLSC on 03 August 2015, and maintain your Software Assurance benefits. If you don't have active Software Assurance, you can get a free Windows 10 Pro upgrade directly from Microsoft on 29 July 2015. You have until 29 July 2016 to upgrade for free. Your existing licenses will be replaced with a device-based license entitlement. |
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Windows 7 or 8.1 Pro and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise |
If you have active Software Assurance you can download Windows 10 Enterprise from the VLSC on 03 August 2015, and maintain your Software Assurance benefits. If you don't have active Software Assurance, you can request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa and download your software from the VLSC on 03 August 2015. |
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Windows 7 or 8.1 Enterprise and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Enterprise |
If you have active Software Assurance you can download Windows 10 Enterprise from the VLSC on 03 August 2015, and maintain your Software Assurance benefits. If you don't have active Software Assurance, you can request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa and download your software from the VLSC on 03 August 2015. |
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Windows 7 or 8.1 Enterprise and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro |
If you have active Software Assurance you can download Windows 10 Pro from the VLSC on 03 August 2015, and maintain your Software Assurance benefits. If you don't have active Software Assurance, you can get a free Windows 10 Pro upgrade directly from Microsoft on 29 July 2015. You have until 29 July 2016 to upgrade for free. Your existing licenses will be replaced with a device-based license entitlement. |
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Windows Vista Enterprise, Business, or Ultimate; Windows XP Professional or Tablet PC; Windows 2000 Professional; Windows NT Workstation 4.0; or Windows 98 SE and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise |
Request a Windows Operating System Upgrade license through TechSoup South Africa and download Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise from the VLSC on 03 August 2015. |
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An unlicensed operating system; the Home Premium, Home Basic, or Starter editions of Windows Vista; the Home or Starter editions of Windows XP; Linux, FreeDOS, or other operating systems and want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro |
Request a Windows Pro Full Operating System - Get Genuine license through TechSoup South Africa and download Windows 10 Pro software from the VLSC on 03 August 2015. |
Microsoft's #UpgradeYourWorld Initiative
Microsoft is investing $10 million in organisations committed to improving the world. As part of the Windows 10 launch, they have chosen nine global nonprofits to receive $500,000 cash investments and want your help in choosing the tenth. Visit Microsoft's website to learn more. Microsoft is also giving out $50,000 in cash investments to 100 local nonprofits.