I'm pretty sure I could get a free "upgrade" to Windows 8 since my netbook is less than a year old, and came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit installed.
I have no desire to.
From what I have seen, Microsoft looked at the iPad, looked at Gnome 3, and decided to try to copy those interfaces.
I have a strong aversion to new Apple products, abandoned Gnome because of Gnome 3, and want my computer to run a computer interface, not one built for a phone.