Microsoft Corp. will offer Chinese users a free upgrade to its latest Windows operating system software for an easy transition to the use of legitimate copies.
This was announced by Terry Myerson, EVP of Operating Systems at Microsoft, at the Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) summit technology conference in Shenzhen, China.
"We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10," Myerson quipped. He also noted that the plan is to "re-engage" millions of Chinese users, but did not elaborate what he meant.
The Redmond, Wash., software giant also said that it would partner with Chinese companies such as Tencent Holdings Ltd., Lenovo Group Ltd. and Qihoo 360 Technology Co. to help spread the use of Windows 10, which is scheduled to be rolled out this summer in 190 countries and 111 languages.
Microsoft also said that it is coordinating with Chinese handset maker Xiaomi for a test version of Windows 10 on smartphones.
Microsoft's offer of free Windows 10 upgrades is applicable worldwide.
The company emphasized that while PCs with pirated copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 may be upgraded to Windows 10, they will still be "non-genuine" products and that it will not support them.
Those who want official products will have to purchase through the Windows Store.
"We will provide a mechanism for non-genuine Windows 10 PC devices to 'get genuine' via the new Windows Store, whether they are upgraded versions of Windows or purchased," Microsoft announced.
Microsoft has been struggling to battle piracy in the Chinese market, where around three-fourths of all installed software is pirated.
There have been countless unofficial versions of Microsoft's software in China, which are widely available for download on third-party sites or in the country's malls.