Because … logic?
Existing Windows users get the next version of the OS for free. A Windows installation used in an enterprise environment will still have to pay for the upgrade. And pirated users? They get a discount.
While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we’ve always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state.
In addition, in partnership with some of our valued OEM partners, we are planning very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers for their customers running one of their older devices in a Non-Genuine state.
Here’s how I interpret this: installing a Windows license on an illegally downloaded Windows will be cheaper than buying a new copy of Windows of the shelf.
Piracy has won.