Upgrade the Surface Laptop to Windows 10 Pro for free until 2018

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop is currently running a student-focused version of Windows 10, but users can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro at no cost until December 31.

Free or paid upgrade – what’s it gonna be?

Owners of the Surface Laptop’s who prefer to run non-Store apps can switch to Windows 10 Pro for free until the end of this year. After that, an upgrade will cost $49. Redmond also confirmed that if you’re a Microsoft education customer, you can upgrade for free whenever you want to.

Windows 10 S limitations

Windows 10 S was announced alongside the Surface Laptop as a streamlined version of Windows 10 designed for teachers and students. Users will only be able to download apps from the Windows Store and won’t have the ability to change the default web browser, Microsoft Edge. The company said this will ensure that the device remain both fast and secure since Microsoft verifies all apps from the Windows Store for performance and security. When you try downloading something that’s not from the Windows Store, you’ll get a suggestion for an alternative app available there. If you still want to get something from outside the Store, you’ll first need to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Microsoft urges users to stick to Microsoft 10 S

While announcing the Surface Laptop in a blog post, the company urged people to stick with Windows 10 S: “This device, this OS, they’re made for each other, and together they offer so much.” The company also said that “the switch to Pro is one-way; you will not be able to revert to Windows 10 S once you have made the change,” so be sure to think twice before making the switch.

The Surface Laptop starts at $999 for a Core i5 version, is available to pre-order now, and starts shipping June 15th, 2017.

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