In reality this means that, if you have a copy of Windows, and it has the 'non-genuine' watermark, you'll be able to upgrade. But unless you pay up, it will continue to say 'non-genuine' after you upgrade, and won't get the security and stability updates of genuine users. So business as usual really.
Only slightly connected to this thread but AIUI those of us running the preview of W10 installed on a clean disk will be able to remain running the pre-release versions for some indeterminate time. (I guess until MS finally decide that the build is "mature".)
From one of the Windows insider Hub Blog posts
================ ?I want to continue as a Windows Insider!? If you want to continue as a Windows Insider past 7/29 there is nothing you need to do. You?re already opted in and receiving builds in the Fast or Slow ring depending upon your selection. This is prerelease software and is activated with a prerelease key. Each individual build will expire after a time, but you?ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older prerelease build expires you?ll have received a new one. Since we?re continuing the Windows Insider Program you?ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software. 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.
?I want to opt out of the Windows Insider Program on 7/29.? If you decide to opt-out of the program and upgrade to the 7/29 build you will be subject to exactly the same terms and conditions that govern the offer* that was extended to all Genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 customers. This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.
On the contrary, it's an ideal chance to try Windows 10 even for illegal systems, with a view to purchasing a legal one. BTW, are you in the habit of accusing people of dishonesty without *any* evidence?
For your information I mainly use Linux (Zorin 9).
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