You can still get Windows 10 for free with this workaround, but you need to act fast

Back in 2015, Microsoft allowed those with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs to upgrade to the new Windows 10 operating system for free. Despite some controversy around the upgrade methods, the company eventually ended the free upgrade offer after a year as initially planned.

Notwithstanding, as some later discovered, those depending on assistive technology were still able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free past the deadline. This offer is now set to expire on December 31st, so if you’ve been thinking about using this as a workaround, you might want to act fast.

Though the Assistive technology offer was intended for those who are upgrading just for Windows 10’s enhanced accessibility features, the offer was still open to all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users via this website. Aside from a confirmation page, there was no way for Microsoft to tell if users updating were actually going to depend on the accessibility features once the upgrade process is complete.

Since the website downloads the standard Windows 10 installer (and checks it against an existing Windows 7 or 8.1 product key) it technically was seen as a loophole. Unfortunately, though, the website now warns that users should “Please take advantage of this offer before it expires on December 31, 2017.”

This December 31st deadline is a full 18 months after the initial free upgrade offer, so if you’ve been holding off on upgrading to Windows 10, you might want to consider using this workaround now. It’s also not certain if Microsoft will still allow users to activate clean Windows 10 installs with Windows 7 or 8.1 Product Keys, so come January 1st, you may very well need to pay for Windows 10 upgrades. Windows 10 Home is selling for and $119 Windows 10 Pro for $199.