Windows 10

[mctiny]

Considering Win 8/8.1 isn't locked to one PC, it would be a pretty dirty move to lock it down like that.

I finally cracked. Decided to pull my SSD out of the darkness from under the bed and finally plug it in again. Just upgrading to W10 preview on it now to see what it's like for me. Is their a particular way to get the latest builds? (i.e. a link to go to or something?)

It seems to be upgrading to build 10074 ? Is that current?

Current build is 10130.

All you'll need to do is open windows update ( in pc settings) and set to fast ring to get latest builds quicker...

 

[Diss]

If Win10 is the last "version" of windows and it just becomes one rolling release then does that mean there is effectively no such thing as a "Retail" version you can move can move from PC to PC as that would give you Win10 for life as opposed to life of device. i.e. in future you may only be able to purchase what is effectively an OEM license?

 

[sprite1275]

Obviously totally illegal

Are these keys dodgy then? I've seen them on a curtain jungle site.

 

[sprite1275]

Well if its a manufactured pc and if it has the window sticker on, cant you download whatever version that the sticker says and then use the key from the sticker? Thats what I do with xp laptops/desktops with a buggered hdd. I haven't ever had todo that with a later version of windows yet, so I guess things could have changed.

Edit: But first I would check if its got a recovery partition if you can, then backup the whole hdd if it has using imaging software, incase the drive totally dies. Google how to restore your system to factory defaults........ If the drive dies, get a new drive and restore the backed up hard drive image you have made and restore to factory defaults.

Oh right so that's how its done. Sorry didn't realise I could download the os then use the serial number off the sticker. I'll give it a bash when I've got time.

 

[Bobmunkhouse]

My wife's laptops currently has OEM Windows 8.1 and I want to upgrade the hard disk to an SSD and then install Windows 10.....do we know how we can install the free Windows 10 upgrade on a new hard disk yet?

Would I have to do some faffing and install a retail copy of Windows 7 I have first and then upgrade or something?

OR

Is there a way to install an OEM Windows 8 on to the SSD...issues is there is no license on the back of laptop like there used to be with Windows 7....?

 

[Skeeter]

Ok I don't know how you got to those conclusions at all. You seem to be having trouble understanding the points I am making. I didn't suggest that they will block Win 10 keys in July 2016. I didn't suggest that Win 8 or 7 keys will be removed. In fact you will be able to roll back to Win 8 or 7 anytime and if your Win 10 is no longer useful that's what you would have to do unless you buy a new copy of Win 10.

I have been trying to place an interpretation on the wording used in the form of 'the lifetime of the PC or device'. Its not been clarified by MS but I don't believe my interpretation is off the wall. I am a lawyer by training I take account of specific wording, obviously you don't.

What minority situation? You mean someone who plans to change their motherboard and CPU inside the lifespan of the O/S I am using. Yep probably a minority in the overall user population but this is a forum for discussion of components and based around a company that specialises in selling PC components so I bet the majority round here will be changing their MOBO some time. Therefore the question of what happens to your 'free' copy of Win 10 when you change MOBO/CPU is pretty relevant I think to a great many people with whom I am attempting to converse.

Question for you. I upgrade to Win 10 in July 2015. In August 2016 I fit a new Skylake CPU and a 170 MOBO. Will my upgrade version of Win 10 still work? Will I be able to clean install it to my modified system and have it still work?

All that yet you miss that the wording of the "life of the device" is aimed at the market as a whole, a market where probably 90% of devices will have keys embedded in them or Windows installations that are never transfered or reinstalled.

Windows 10 is an OS that covers everything from phones though to multi thousand pound gaming rigs. Most of those things are "devices". Every phone, every tablet, almost every laptop, and almost every PC, including all OEM pre built machines. With UEFI BIOS storing the key most users will also be unaware there is even such thing as a product key. Windows is just the OS on that device.

Can you not see why they would then aim the wording towards those people, rather than add potentially complex and confusing wording to it in order to cover all possible circumstances?

And to answer your question, yes you will, just like you can with Windows 8 OEM licenses now. Worse case the automated activation may fail and then you just have to phone the automated system. Can you even buy a retail Windows 8 license?

 

[MichaelAwkward]

Hmm, I tried the Windows 10 Insider Preview on a spare SSD. Not really sure I like it, and probably won't upgrade unless I really need to. It feels clunky and disjointed, not to mention quite a bit slower than my Windows 8.1 install (that's saying a lot compared to Windows 7). I know it isn't finished yet, but if it's anything like it's current state I can see a lot of people not being happy with it.

And I actually prefer the Start Screen compared to the new Start Menu...

 

[Bensons]

I hope W10 will have the ability to play older games. I still have an xp machine that I bring out every now and again for some old gaming so it would be nice to do this in W10.

 

[Elevon]

I hope W10 will have the ability to play older games. I still have an xp machine that I bring out every now and again for some old gaming so it would be nice to do this in W10.

I use D-Fend on Win8.1 x64,some games are pre Win98 let alone XP lol.

 

[Brutos]

Anyone see any details on whether you will be able to do a fresh install if you take the free upgrade in the first year.

 

[Skeeter]

Read the last few pages.

 

[BaronVonDuncs]

Anyone see any details on whether you will be able to do a fresh install if you take the free upgrade in the first year.

Its unlikely. My understanding is that the upgrade has to be activated from within a valid upgradable O/S. So you would need to install win 7 or 8 first as a fresh install then upgrade to 10.

If you want to have a complete clean install you would probably need to buy a full retail copy of Win 10.

 

[BaronVonDuncs]

All that yet you miss that the wording of the "life of the device" is aimed at the market as a whole, a market where probably 90% of devices will have keys embedded in them or Windows installations that are never transfered or reinstalled.

Windows 10 is an OS that covers everything from phones though to multi thousand pound gaming rigs. Most of those things are "devices". Every phone, every tablet, almost every laptop, and almost every PC, including all OEM pre built machines. With UEFI BIOS storing the key most users will also be unaware there is even such thing as a product key. Windows is just the OS on that device.

Can you not see why they would then aim the wording towards those people, rather than add potentially complex and confusing wording to it in order to cover all possible circumstances?

And to answer your question, yes you will, just like you can with Windows 8 OEM licenses now. Worse case the automated activation may fail and then you just have to phone the automated system. Can you even buy a retail Windows 8 license?

Right because EULA and T&C are always short and concise so as not to add unnecessary wording. They could have added wording to cover the issue of PC upgrading or they could just provide additional info in a blog, press statement, interview with a journalist, trade mag, speech or leaflet. They have chosen not to. Why?

Interestingly the details in the MS Forum Wiki about Win 10 have changed since yesterday. It now says:

What happens if I change my motherboard?

As it pertains the OEM licenses this will invalidate the Windows 10 upgrade license because it will no longer have a previous based qualifying license which is required for the free upgrade. You will then have to purchase a full retail Windows 10 license. If the base qualifying license (Windows 7 or Windows 8.1) was a full retail version, then yes, you can transfer it.​

That would suggest that if you upgrade from a full retail version of 8 or 7 then you could transfer it to a new motherboard. Thats a significant clarification and I don't know when that was changed as yesterday it wasn't on that wiki. If its correct then a lot of my concern is unfounded. So thats pretty good news. I would like to see that clarified by a higher source than a forum moderators wiki though but its positive.

 

[Skeeter]

Thats exactly how its been with update versions since Windows 7.

If you upgrade OEM its OEM. If you upgrade Retail its Retail.

Hence my "wtf" at your rant that taking the update to Windows 10 would mean turning your Retail Windows 8 license into an OEM Windows 10 trial that expires after a year.

They can't change the terms of your underlying license without you agreeing, and nothing in the W10 update terms states they would.

 

[Phil2008]

Hmm, I tried the Windows 10 Insider Preview on a spare SSD. Not really sure I like it, and probably won't upgrade unless I really need to. It feels clunky and disjointed, not to mention quite a bit slower than my Windows 8.1 install (that's saying a lot compared to Windows 7). I know it isn't finished yet, but if it's anything like it's current state I can see a lot of people not being happy with it.

And I actually prefer the Start Screen compared to the new Start Menu...

No change then when I tried it a few months back, I cant see myself upgrading to it either.

 

[Skeeter]

Considering its the future direction of Windows, not taking the free upgrade would be rather foolish.

However, waiting until the 28th July 2016 before taking it, in order to let them iron out all the inevitable teething issues is probably not a bad idea.

 

[Martini1991]

My wife's laptops currently has OEM Windows 8.1 and I want to upgrade the hard disk to an SSD and then install Windows 10.....do we know how we can install the free Windows 10 upgrade on a new hard disk yet?

Would I have to do some faffing and install a retail copy of Windows 7 I have first and then upgrade or something?

OR

Is there a way to install an OEM Windows 8 on to the SSD...issues is there is no license on the back of laptop like there used to be with Windows 7....?

The Windows license is in the laptops UEFI.
You'd basically just bang in the SSD, and install the same version of Windows (8/8.1) that came with the laptop, it'll auto read the license.

 

[IT Troll]

I'm current running Windows 8.1 Enterprise so I think I am going to try an in-place sidegrade to Professional so that I get the upgrade offer. Just needs a bit of registry tweaking and some good luck.

 

[Unicorn]

Has the xbox app streaming been added yet for remote play as per latest build or will that be on release only? I know my build doesn't but it's okay and I don't want to update if I don't need to

 

[mark2410]

has anyone found any information on if ms will give out new keys to those upgrading to 10?

i dont wipe and renstall widows as often as i used to but if i am reinstalling id like to be to have a fresh start and thats new key requiring.