Windows 10 (if you DON'T already have Windows 7 or 8)

grumpycrab

** See post #9; this method of getting a Windows 10 license is now NOT official and so may not work**

1. sorry for creating another W10 thread
2. this may be of interest to people with XP or Vista (or nothing)
3. this may be of interest if you have a spare computer and are interested in W10
4. this is NOT about the upcoming W10 free UPGRADE for W7 and W8 users

This was commonly known by people testing W10 PREVIEW build but was only confirmed a couple of days ago. People using the preview build will be able to get the full W10 license at the end of July.

I will summarise the process but detail here
www.hotukdeals.com/misc/windows-10-free-fully-activated-for-windows-insiders-2230677

Suppose you have a computer with Vista and you would like 10. Try this
1. checking whether you have a 32 or 64 bit computer
run this
https://www.grc.com/securable.htm
2. create a Microsoft account if you don't already have one (needed to join the Insider programme)
3. join the Insider programme at
https://insider.windows.com/
4. download W10 preview (32 or 64 bit) at
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/preview-iso
burn to DVD/bootable USB whatever

The question then is whether you install the preview as a dual boot (e.g. with Vista) or on its own disk. The simplest/safest way is to remove your existing disk and replace with a spare disk.

Happy playing. I don't think there's a way to check if your computer is compatible with W10 BEFORE trying to install it. Could try Windows 8 compatibility test.

EDIT1: windows 8.1 compatibility test. (if this works then chances are W10 will work)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-assistant-download-online-faq

Chino

grumpycrab wrote: »

People using the preview build will be able to get the full W10 license at the end of July.

How will people obtain this licence?

grumpycrab

Chino wrote: »

How will people obtain this licence?

"As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the Microsoft account you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build. "
http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming-changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

Windows10 builds are "pre-keyed" so no license to type in. The assigned key is a function of the Windows10 version (Home/Pro/64/32/retail/OEM etc) and the hardware that its installed to. Yes, probably raises more questions than answers...

Chino

grumpycrab wrote: »

"As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the Microsoft account you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build. "
http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming-changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

But the same paragraph goes on to state:

"It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer."

grumpycrab

Chino wrote: »

But the same paragraph goes on to state:

"It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer."

It is in the same paragraph but the free upgrade offer for users running 7 and 8 is NOTHING to do with the Insider programme.

enfield_freddy

ok we will see if it works


I have just swopped a drive over and installed it on my intel nuc 513


this is the new broadwell chip thingy , nice to see it found both my wifi and my wired connection , unlike win 7 or win 8 , however its kicking a fuss over the audio (hdmi) , and refusing to install a newer graphics adaptor , saying "does not meet minimum standards"


nothing on intel nuc website , so I will have to leave it

grumpycrab

enfield_freddy wrote: »

and refusing to install a newer graphics adaptor , saying "does not meet minimum standards"

Probably this
https://communities.intel.com/message/261938
I thought Intel and MS were buddies - better late than never though I guess.

enfield_freddy

yup that's it , followed the posts to ones from this year , and then links , best link was http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-034343.htm however its not covering the new broadwell chip (5th gen)


the speakers work thru the h/phone socket , and the graphics says "mobile 5th gen" , even forcing a driver update will not work ,


I think Microsoft and intel need to cuddle and make up (quickly) , as this OS is perfect on this machine , which in a few mths will be the choice for a laptop (i3 5010u)

gjchester

grumpycrab wrote: »

"As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the Microsoft account you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build. "

The blog post has already been updated from its first release - http://forums.theregister.co.uk/forum/1/2015/06/21/microsoft_backtracks_on_free_windows_10_upgrade_promise/ or http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/06/microsoft-stealthily-backs-away-from-free-windows-10-promise/

You may receive the final build but the word ACTIVATED has been removed, and MS have clarified its Win 7 or Win 8 that can be upgraded only.

grumpycrab

^ well spotted; will update first post.

Jivesinger

There's now a third version of that Microsoft blog post, which changes (or clarifies, depending on your point of view) things significantly.

Basically, there are no free licences for folks who don't have Windows 7 or 8, unless you want to keep using pre-release versions of Windows 10.

This post was updated at 12:00pm on June 22nd.

Over the weekend we saw a few articles about this post and confusion that it caused. I’m sorry for that and want to take a moment to clear up a few things. This is a very complex topic, since we’re managing:

• Multiple versions of Windows
• A new approach to how we are building and delivering Windows
• And a new preview program that is different than what we’ve done in the past.

Let me start by restating very clearly that Windows 10, whether you get it on 7/29 or whether you got it in a preview form through the Windows Insider Program is intended to be installed on Genuine Windows devices.

Friday’s post was intended to clarify how the Windows Insider Program will proceed, and in attempting to do so created some unintended confusion. I sincerely apologize for that and will try to separate them more clearly below in order to provide more clarity.

The crux of it is this:

• Do you want to continue as a Windows Insider and keep getting preview builds after 7/29?
• Or do you want to upgrade your Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system that has been getting Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to the 7/29 release and stop being an Insider?

“I want to continue as a Windows Insider!” If you want to continue as a Windows Insider past 7/29 there is nothing you need to do. You’re already opted in and receiving builds in the Fast or Slow ring depending upon your selection. This is prerelease software and is activated with a prerelease key. Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older prerelease build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software. As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well.

“I want to opt out of the Windows Insider Program on 7/29.” If you decide to opt-out of the program and upgrade to the 7/29 build you will be subject to exactly the same terms and conditions that govern the offer* that was extended to all Genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 customers. This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.

It is our hope that the vast majority of Windows Insiders who have been with us since we announced the program last year will continue forward, and it was in that light that we authored the blog post about upcoming changes to the program. I regret that this caused confusion about who was or was not eligible for the Windows 10 upgrade offer, but hope that this helps to clarify.

Thanks,
g