Windows 10 FAQ

Danny091 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:22

As the windows 10 Thread seems to be lots of people asking the same questions...
- Before doing ANYTHING i highly recommend performing a full backup of your computer so you can recover if anything does go wrong!

Which Version Should I download for my free upgrade?

Windows 7
Windows 7 Starter will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
Windows 7 Home Basic will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
Windows 7 Home Premium will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
Windows 7 Professional will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro
Windows 7 Ultimate will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro

Windows 8
Windows 8.1 will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
Windows 8.1 with Bing will be upgraded to Windows 10 Home
Windows 8.1 Pro will be upgraded to Windows 10 Pro

Downloads

Windows 10 Microsoft Download Tool to create (ISO/USB) The N version's are ones without Media player and Photo's. Essentially it is an install that cant play video files or open photos without third party software.
ESD Files (Not recommended use the above ISO Maker
ESD Decrypter

Official Microsoft ISO's and Mirror's links found by bulldog147

Use Rufus to create a bootable USB from them!

EN Windows 10 64 Bit (Includes Home and PRO) ( Microsoft Download ) ( Mega Download )

MD5 Checksum: 0FCC367C530F41C77CB7043FE29AE9EA
SHA-1 Checksum: 3E4734DE476327F67D2E97CDEADEDB4BEA98623C

EN Windows 10 32 Bit (Includes Home and Pro) ( Microsoft Download ) ( Mega Download )

MD5 Checksum: C945ABE032E3E9F95D2A93581A3DD613
SHA-1 Checksum: DA7F63166DB9ABB9B613F302866D1B0A8F686646

Alternate ISO downloads (Created using the ISO tool above). Made myself, the MD5 and SHA1's are from the files before upload for you to check they are complete.

MD5 and SHA1 made using MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility
Use Rufus to create a bootable USB from them!

Windows 10 32bit HOME (United Kingdom) ( MEGA LINK ) ( One Drive )
MD5 Checksum: 7862D1DF9840B2490C7FFFE588EBAA87
SHA-1 Checksum: 3329F14972A03E2829B350CCBF36A17A58B36A04
Windows 10 64Bit HOME (United Kingdom) ( MEGA LINK ) ( One Drive )
MD5 Checksum: 709AB976D549A5C7EE45C46722EED526
SHA-1 Checksum: E473540F452B5B35E127D6772FC1736614386D3F
Windows 10 32Bit Pro (United Kingdom) ( MEGA LINK) ( One Drive )
MD5 Checksum: A14283C951DD79A00BC55BF4CA59794D
SHA-1 Checksum: 8B89E06BCA09E4DF9FEA99CF219165A3BB1028CC
Windows 10 64Bit Pro (United Kingdom) ( MEGA LINK ) ( One Drive LINK )
MD5 Checksum: 39ED2F36C5012865038EEB1F82203522
SHA-1 Checksum: CB3BE88C9535AC4502C7D8EDC71565583AE86288

All also available on Copy.com

Here are more alternative links (MSDN) (Provided by mrbell1984)
* Windows 10 Education, Enterprise, Home and Professional (English.US/UK Editions)...
* MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512, CRC32 stored as text files in Drive Links..
* x32/x64 Bit Editions Available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Windows 10 Education x86
en_windows_10_education_x86_dvd_6848121 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_education_x64_dvd_6848123 (English.UK)

* Windows 10 Education x64
en_windows_10_education_x64_dvd_6848120 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_education_x64_dvd_6848122 (English.UK)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Windows 10 Enterprise x86
en_windows_10_enterprise_x86_dvd_6851156 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_enterprise_x86_dvd_6851158 (English.UK)

* Windows 10 Enterprise x64
en_windows_10_enterprise_x64_dvd_6851151 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_enterprise_x64_dvd_6851157 (English.UK)

* Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB x86
en_windows_10_enterprise_2015_ltsb_x86_dvd_6848454 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_enterprise_2015_ltsb_x86_dvd_6848457 (English.UK)

* Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB x64
en_windows_10_enterprise_2015_ltsb_x64_dvd_6848446 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_enterprise_2015_ltsb_x64_dvd_684856 (English.UK)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Windows 10 Home / Professional x86
en_windows_10_multiple_editions_x86_dvd_6848465 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_multiple_editions_x86_dvd_6846906 (English.UK)

* Windows 10 Home / Professional x64
en_windows_10_multiple_editions_x64_dvd_6846432 (English.US)
en-gb_windows_10_multiple_editions_x64_dvd_6846903 (English.UK)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Download Links:
( OneDrive x32/x64 Links ) ( MegaDrive x32 Links ) ( MegaDrive x64 Links )

Old Install Downloads, May be handy (Previous Windows Versions)

Windows 8.1 media Creation downloader / Creator Tool (ISO/USB)
Mega link, Windows 7 64bit Home Premium.iso (X17-58997.iso) Same as the one from Digital River (Same Hash)
SHA1: 6C9058389C1E2E5122B7C933275F963EDF1C07B9
Mega link, Windows 7 64bit PRO.iso (X17-59186.iso) Same as the one from Digital River (Same Hash)
SHA1: 0BCFC54019EA175B1EE51F6D2B207A3D14DD2B58
Lots of Windows 7 Versions ( Mega Link ) (Check the hashes online, you will see they match with well known "good" versions)

Standard Security Fixes. (Custom Install Settings and After Install Tweaks)

Be aware this might break some of the functions of windows 10.

darael said:
I've searched the thread for this link and don't see, so I hope nobody minds me posting it in hope that it helps others: fix windows 10

1. During installation
1. Settings customization
2. Use local account with Windows 10
2. On installed system
1. General privacy settings
2. Feedback & diagnostics
3. Windows Update
4. Windows Defender
5. Wi-Fi Sense
6. Cortana & web search
7. Telemetry services
8. Edge browser

Run in Powershell and they will get uninstall most of the apps, gaining you free space as a bonus!

Code:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online

To disable the below services, you will need open the Start Menu and type in: gpedit.msc to load the Group Policy Editor.

To disable OneDrive, navigate to the following: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive then double click "Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage", choose Enabled, then apply.

To disable Windows Defender, navigate to the following: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender then double click "Turn Off Windows Defender", choose Enabled, then apply.

Important Information - Windows 10 Issues

I cannot get the tool to reserve windows 10 on my computer

Go straight to download the ISO, you do not need to "Reserve" for the free upgrade! OR Please read through this post on microsofts help site: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...i/848b5cce-958b-49ae-a132-a999a883265b?auth=1

I have reserved Windows 10, however my download has not started / It just says notify me when ready. Can i use the ISO instead?

Yes! Just run the ISO from inside windows and it will update.
Be wary of leaving the ISO (DISK) or USB (if you are using this kind of media) in the system during reboots as it might try to boot from it rather than continuing the install.

HELP... Windows 10 wont activate i am getting the error 0xC004F034 or Invalid Key / Key blocked

People are reporting that this a load issue on the servers and after trying for a while it does activate. (This has been confirmed now)

Pushing activate repeatedly until it work's seems to work for most people. Be aware it might take something like 20 tries

For key blocked / invalid try restarting the computer a few times. This should resolve it.

Windows Could Not Update the System Reserved Partition

Thanks to reddit! https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3a6znd/we_couldnt_update_the_system_reserved_partition/

Press win+r and type diskmgmt.msc
Click on your C: drive

Below the list of drives there will be a partition map, the first partition will be Data or some such, listed at 100MB
Right click on it and go to change drive letters and paths -> add -> now choose Y: for the drive letter
Right click the CMD.EXE start menu icon and choose 'Run as Administrator'.
Type: Y: <enter> in the cmd window

Run these commands:
takeown /f . /r /d y
icacls . /grant administrators:F /t <see note below>
attrib -h -s -r bootmgr
NOTE: for the icacls command you can use your username instead of administrators, to find out your username type 'whoami'
Now open explorer (win+e) go to the Y: drive under computer, Make sure hidden files and system files are visible through folder options. Then go into the Boot folder, and delete all languages other than en-GB. Languages are in the form xx-XX. Make sure to shift+delete and not just delete so they don't go to the recycle bin. Empty the recycle bin afterwards just in case.

Now go back to the admin command prompt, and type this command:
chkdsk Y: /F /X /sdcleanup /L:5000 this truncates the NTFS log to 5MB, it can be very very big, not leaving enough space for the install. At the end of the output it should tell you that you have at least 50MB of free space on the partition
proceed with the windows 8.1 installation
once booted into 10 and set up, you can go back into diskmgmt.msc and remove the drive letter for the boot partition

ANOTHER OPTION
Apparently just increasing the size (expand) of system partition also works.

Windows 10 Failing to Install, Things to Check;

Check If you have Samsung Magician Rapid Mode Enabled, If so Disable it and try again

How does the CD keys work Now, Do i need a new Key for a Clean install?

First you should do a normal update first!

When you update to windows 10 it registers a unique ID based on your motherboard with that version of windows. Now when you do a fresh install simply SKIP the Key step. When windows goes online and it realizes your system matches one that is registered it will activate.

Microsoft said:
Note: If you upgraded to Windows 10 on this PC by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer and successfully activated Windows 10 on this PC in the past, you won't have a Windows 10 product key, and you can skip the product key page by selecting the Skip button. Your PC will activate online automatically so long as the same edition of Windows 10 was successfully activated on this PC by using the free Windows 10 upgrade offer.

I want to see my Windows 10 Key (Not sure what the reason for this is though as it appears its not needed. But if you want to save it anyway)

Download and run this file (Mega Linkhttps://mega.co.nz/#!iUlXVL6I!Sfbglqa-naYuGy8jAHr5mJtB1GGJp8KYvo-u87IV-y4https://mega.co.nz/#!iUlXVL6I!Sfbglqa-naYuGy8jAHr5mJtB1GGJp8KYvo-u87IV-y4) Click in the box that appears and CTRL+C to copy the key. (Note you don't need to highlight it)

Or If you wish to do the script yourself
Open notepad and save the following as Key.vbs

Code:

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function

Known Generic Key's

Windows 10 Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
Windows 10 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Windows 10 Home Single Language: 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
Windows 10 Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43

Can I perform a clean install, after upgrading to Windows 10, some time in the future (e.g. after the upgrade period)

As long as you upgraded from Windows 7/8/8.1 to 10 within the upgrade period, you can perform a clean install using the ISO provided by Microsoft. If it asks for the key, skip it and it will activate when it first goes online. Windows 10 is activated against the hardware so you don't need a key, as long as you upgraded and previously had a valid copy of W10 installed.

Windows 10 Hints & Tips

Samsung Spinpoint F3 drive as well as a couple of the Hitachi models Parking / Unparking Constantly!

[ui]ICEMAN;28391879 said:
It's to do with the new Intel RST drivers that we're forced to use on Windows 10 and would've occurred had you updated to the latest RST on 7/8/8.1 too.

Download HDD Guardian to find the /dev/csmiX,Y location of the relevant drive(s).

Next, download a tool called Smartmontools and install it.

Now, open windows task scheduler and click "Create Task"

Click run with highest priveleges

Click the "Triggers" tab

Click "New"

In the dropdown menu at the top, set it to "At logon of any user"

Click the "Actions" tab

Click "New"

Action should be set to "Start a program"

Click "Browse"

Browse to the location you installed smartmontools (probably "C:\Program Files\smartmontools\bin\smartctl.exe")

In the "Add arguments" section, add the following -s apm,off /dev/csmiX,Y (where X,Y are the values found in HDD guardian)

- Repeat this process (adding another action) once more if you have a second drive

This will run on startup and disable APM which is causing the clicking noises you're experiencing with this drive.

How to get the start screen back (for those of us not trapped in 1995) - (Provided by ubersonic)

Settings > Personalization > Start
Toggle "Use Start full screen" to on.

Blury Screen when running Text Scaling (e.g. 120%) (Provided By fs123)

Install and run this fix Download

There full page is available here

I want to change my motherboard system ext... I originally had a Retail version of windows. Can i move my windows 10?

It is not currently clear what will happen with this. Their is conflicting information on microsofts own site |:

Outlook Will Not Send Emails After Upgrade - (Provided by hamesy)

Emails stay in the mailbox with an error 0x800CCC13

Run sfc /scannow as that seems to fix it.

How to stop auto driver updates

Control Panel - System- Advanced System - Hardware - Device Installation Properties > turn off the Always install drivers through updates.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930 This tool also allows you to hide / skip updates.

Wifi - Sharing

Remember if you upgrade on a mobile device e.g. Laptop or surface you might accidentally share Access to your WIFI. If you DON'T want to share access to your WIFI with your Skype, Outlook, Facebook friends then;

1) Don't tick share when your inputting your password.
2) Go to Settings, Wifi > Manage wifi settings and check the one's in the known network list have not automatically gone to shared. (If they have i recommend unsharing it and changing your password)
3) If you want to make sure no one can share your network (e.g. a friend inputs your password and clicks share by accident) If you add _optout to the end of your Wifi Network Name then it will not be shareable...
* E.G. Change 'SkyH39Rjk' to 'SkyH39Rjk_optout'

Peer to peer updates

Also by default windows 10 could be peer to peer sharing updates (uploading with your connection) go to updates and change this to LAN only if your worried about bandwidth issues!

Cleaning up old files (If you are sure you don't wish to roll back!)

Right click your C drive > properties > disk cleanup > click the clean system files > Tick all old installs and ok it.

Using Photo Viewer Insted of Photo's

This reg edit will re-add "Photo Viewer" like in windows 7 and 8 to the default options for photo files! This will allow you to open them inside the desktop rather than being thrown into pictures.
https://mega.co.nz/#!WMU13Cxa!cZK2Z0DJYhgbrNPiXRKtUQyCkSZC8M7iaHgwo8GnZO4

How to use

1) Run and let it add the registry entries
2) Right click a photo and change the default application to photo viewer
3) Profit [/QUOTE]

Cortana Wrong Language

Your speech is most likely set to US or some other language.

My guess is your default install language was US? You need to go to Time and language in settings > Region and Language > Install the UK pack. Keyboard / Speech / Handwriting.
Restart
Go to Time / language and > speech change it to UK (it will now be an option.)
She should now work for you.

Disable Login Screen Background - (Provided by C35799Gamble)

Here is a quick guide on disabling the windows 10 login screen background and just having the theme accent colour:

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System
Create a new DWORD file
Name it DisableLogonBackgroundImage
Set value data to 1

Disable Lock Screen Splash (pointless keystrokes or clicks)

Create these entries if they do not exist. (You may have to create the folders as well).

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization]
"NoLockScreen"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\TestHooks]
"Threshold"=dword:00000000

OR

use this File to do the work in the registry for you

http://cdn3.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/DisableLockScreen.zip

OR

Type "Group Policy" in the start bar.

Disable Web Search

Start, type random gibberish. Click Cog, turn off Include web search results

Default Browser

Start > Settings. System > Default apps.

Change Cortana's Search to Google from Bing

You need Chrome as your default browser (see the one above)
install the Bing2Google extension (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/bing2google/mgoehlfmhfafaiepckjikpphoklijedl?hl=en) It should now work

Shrink Start Menu

drag edge to make narrower (may need to remove tiles first)

Remove Search Bar

Right click taskbar, Search > Hidden

Remove Task Switcher

Right click taskbar, Show Task View button

Snap Behaviour

Start > Settings. System > Multitasking disable When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it

Privacy

ALSO SEE THIS POST

Start > Settings. Privacy

General

Advertising id (tracking)
How I type (tracking, pw leakage?)
language list (tracking)
Location - turn off
Account Info - turn off sharing
Contacts - turn off
Messaging - turn off
Background apps - turn off
Camera / Microphone - turn off

Enable Hibernate

Control Panel > Power Options > Choose What Buttons Do. Shutdown Settings. (may need to do "powercfg -h on" in CMD)

To remove the AWFUL ClearType/Font AA
Disable ClearType (Type ClearType in start to find setting easily)

Open Regedit, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Delete FontSmoothing named string (REG_SZ)

Set DWORD FontSmoothingType to 2

For nVidia

Open 3D Settings in nVidia Control Panel

Set Global AA setting to 'Off'

Configure per application based settings to preference.

Get Windows 7 games back in Windows 8 and Windows 10!

Just run the following installer, Pick the correct version for your windows install

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9rypo5zxfp5d767/tRhHGG6zys
More Download Links:
( OneDrive ) ( MegaDrive )

Known Working Drivers in Windows 10

Bluetooth

Dell 370 Bluetooth mini pci card - Use Lenovo Broadcomm BCM4324 driver

Sound Cards

Asus DGX - Install the Windows 8 Drivers from the website, The windows 8.1 are not compatible. LINK's 64Bit 32Bit
Xonar Essence STX - Use the Uni drivers Here
XFi Fatal1ty use these
Creative Sound Blaster Z-Series - The Windows 8.1 drivers are working fine. - SBZ_CD_L13_1_00_28.exe

More Optimizations (Warning Not for Novices, Includes Power shell ext)

MAKE A BACKUP BEFORE DOING THESE....

Thanks to a LONG 4 Chan thread for these;

Remove Lot's of the Bloatware / Spyware, Run In power shell as ADMIN

Code:

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.3DBuilder | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.Getstarted | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftOfficeHub | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftSolitaireCollection | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.SkypeApp | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsMaps | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.BingWeather | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.Office.OneNote | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.XboxApp | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.ZuneMusic | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.ZuneVideo | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.BingSports | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.BingNews | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsPhone | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.BingFinance | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsSoundRecorder | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.Windows.Photos | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsAlarms | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.People | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Remove-AppxPackage

Stop Windows 8 Contacting "Home" Tracking Servers, Add to your HOST's file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

Code:

0.0.0.0 vortex.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net
0.0.0.0 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
0.0.0.0 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 survey.watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 watson.live.com
0.0.0.0 watson.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 statsfe2.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 corpext.msitadfs.glbdns2.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 compatexchange.cloudapp.net
0.0.0.0 cs1.wpc.v0cdn.net
0.0.0.0 a-0001.a-msedge.net
0.0.0.0 statsfe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 sls.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 fe2.update.microsoft.com.akadns.net
0.0.0.0 65.55.108.23 
0.0.0.0 65.39.117.230
0.0.0.0 23.218.212.69 
0.0.0.0 134.170.30.202
0.0.0.0 137.116.81.24
0.0.0.0 diagnostics.support.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 corp.sts.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 statsfe1.ws.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 pre.footprintpredict.com
0.0.0.0 204.79.197.200
0.0.0.0 23.218.212.69
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com
0.0.0.0 i1.services.social.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
0.0.0.0 feedback.windows.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.microsoft-hohm.com
0.0.0.0 feedback.search.microsoft.com

Stop more Tracking Services
1)

Run in CMD as admin;

Code:

sc delete DiagTrack
sc delete dmwappushservice
echo "" > C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl

2)

Open up the Group Policy Editor by launching gpedit.msc as an administrator. Go through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds. Double click Telemetry, hit Disabled, then apply. NOTE: This only truly works in the Enterprise edition, but the final step provides a decent enough workaround for Pro users.

3)

Open up the Registry Editor by launching regedit as an administrator. Go through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection, select AllowTelemetry, change its value to 0, then apply.

Images of Gpedit to disable more stuff;

Thanks to mrbell1984 for helping me with the formatting

ChrisD. · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:23

Good post, I was hoping one would pop up.

May be worth adding post install cleanup tasks, such as windows.old folder for those who don't want to roll back etc.

Craig321 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:43

Another one to add:

Can I perform a clean install, after upgrading to Windows 10, some time in the future (e.g. after the upgrade period)
As long as you upgraded from Windows 7/8/8.1 to 10 within the upgrade period, you can perform a clean install using the ISO provided by Microsoft. If it asks for the key, skip it and it will activate when it first goes online. Windows 10 is activated against the hardware so you don't need a key, as long as you upgraded and previously had a valid copy of W10 installed.

murah · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:48

My motherboard only has windows 8.1 drivers, would it be a bad idea to upgrade?

Danny091 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:49

added both

Danny091 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:50

murah said:
My motherboard only has windows 8.1 drivers, would it be a bad idea to upgrade?

Depends what kind of drivers your talking about. I think windows 10 comes with most drivers. If its something specific though your most likely best waiting to see if your mobo manufacture makes an update. Or search for posts about your specific motherboard to see if others have done it ok

But as @craig and @ED209 say some of mine only had windows 8 drivers and worked fine. If in doubt make a full backup and go for it! Worst case roll it back

Craig321 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:50

murah said:
My motherboard only has windows 8.1 drivers, would it be a bad idea to upgrade?

Mine's fine. Just checked and there are still no Windows 10 drivers for it. Everything working perfectly.

ED209 · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:50

murah said:
My motherboard only has windows 8.1 drivers, would it be a bad idea to upgrade?

try the 8.1 drivers to match the 32 bit or 64 bit and see if this helps.

I had to do the same with my sound card as there was no W10 drivers

.Lethal · 29 Jul 2015 at 15:54

murah said:
My motherboard only has windows 8.1 drivers, would it be a bad idea to upgrade?

Go to Device Manager and check if anything isn't installed. As above Windows 10 covers most devices.

thedoc46 · 29 Jul 2015 at 16:06

gone to download the ISO, and it gives me the option of Windows 10 Pro N and Windows 10 Pro. (no N) what's the diff ?

**edit dont worry figured it.. N = minus Windows Media Player.

Simps · 29 Jul 2015 at 16:08

Can we Delete the $Windows.~BT folder now after upgrading ?. Just deleted my windows.old folder.
Cheers

russell664 · 29 Jul 2015 at 16:19

Yes to the above. Disk clean up will do it for you if you select 'clean up operating system files'

Danny091, great idea on this thread by the way, I was actually going to do one later on today, beat me to it!

Simps · 29 Jul 2015 at 16:23

Thank you Russell.
Yes very good idea

FredFlint · 29 Jul 2015 at 16:29

I have an unknown device: Hardware ID = root\NetTap6. Think it needs Intel(R) Technology Access TAP Driver but not 100%.

shadow_boxer · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:01

Great thread and thanks for this. No doubt I'll be referring back to this many a time this evening.

Cosimo · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:14

My upgrade fails what next?

MarkeR · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:20

Guys..

Just remember and go to
Control Panel - System- Advanced System - Hardware - Device Installation Properties

and turn off the Always install drivers through updates.

MarkeR · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:24

Danny091 said:
HELP... Windows 10 wont activate i am getting the error 0xC004F034

People are reporting that this a load issue on the servers and after trying for a while it does activate. If you have this problem and it does activate after please let me know so we can confirm this

Yup. I had this issue, two reboots later and it is fully activated!

Rab · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:34

good post.

super saves trolling thru 200+ pages on other thread

russell664 · 29 Jul 2015 at 17:35

MarkeR said:
Yup. I had this issue, two reboots later and it is fully activated!

Probably due to the Microsoft Servers getting hammered!