This week, Microsoft revealed that Windows 10 S users who require assistive technology can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free.
“Microsoft is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities and providing choices for devices and modes for operating Windows,” Microsoft’s Jeff Petty writes. “We will provide assistive technology users with a switch to Windows 10 Pro from Windows 10 S at no charge as we continue to improve our built-in assistive technology and bring more assistive technology apps to the Microsoft Store.”
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That latter line suggests that the free upgrade may not always be free. Indeed, Petty also notes that Microsoft is working closely with its assistive technology partners to help them deploy more assistive technology apps in the Microsoft Store.
But for now, it is similar to the deal Microsoft offers such customers on upgrading from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10. This upgrade is likewise free.
Petty also details a host of accessibility improvements that are coming in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. These include improvements to Narrator and Magnifier, color filters to aid those with color blindness, new learning tools in Microsoft Edge, a word prediction on hardware keyboards. For more information, please refer to the Microsoft Accessibility Blog.
tarnishedtinman
<p>This isn't actually news.</p><p><br></p><p>On the Microsoft website for the Surface Laptop:</p><p>https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-laptop/overview</p><p><br></p><p>It says this (italics are mine):</p><p>"Need to run desktop apps not available in the Windows Store? You can switch to Windows 10 Pro easily through the Windows Store. <em>Free for a limited time."</em></p>