Checking in about Windows 10......

[BellaUSA]

I don't believe Windows 10 is an absolute 'must have'? I have that little icon that says 'Get Windows 10', but waiting to see what 'everyone' says about it. What happens if one doesn't download it ? 

[patio]

Nothing...

There are ways to remove the notice as well...

Here Ya Go...

[soybean]

I don't believe Windows 10 is an absolute 'must have'? I have that little icon that says 'Get Windows 10', but waiting to see what 'everyone' says about it. What happens if one doesn't download it ? 

I gather you have not actually seen it yet.  As you may know, users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be allowed to upgrade to Windows 10 free if they do so within 1 year after Windows 10 is released.  Waiting to see what 'everyone' says about it is fine, but, having used Preview versions of Windows 10, I'd recommend getting Windows 10 during that 1 year free upgrade period. 

[Computer_Commando]

What happens if one doesn't download it ?

MS will be dropping support for previous versions according to a published schedule.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

[Geek-9pm]

Using that published chart, it would seem that the best thing right now is to go with Windows 8.1. The mainstream support with go to January 9, 2018 and the extended support out to January 10, 2023.

Where will you be in 2023?   

[Computer_Commando]

Using that published chart, it would seem that the best thing right now is to go with Windows 8.1...

Only if you have 8.1 now.  If you don't, you will have to pay for it or get Win10 for free.

[DaveLembke]

Then there is the alternative of just letting the offer pass. I have some windows 7 systems that I am going to let the offer pass on, while 1 or 2 of the group I will be taking advantage of the upgrade with.

From what I have read on this the upgrade to 10 is a one way upgrade. Which means that Windows 7 is gone for good for that key because the key is then associated with microsoft as a windows 10 key vs 7. So if you arent sure of you want it or not, I would advise testing out the Windows 10 test iso that is available first before making the commitment to 10.

I personally like 10, but have a need for some systems to remain at 7.

[BC_Programmer]

From what I have read on this the upgrade to 10 is a one way upgrade.

As I understand- aside from it being free, it's effectively the same as previous "Upgrade" editions of the OS. The upgrade editions would allow you to upgrade but the old license would not be able to be used simultaneously. For example if you use an upgrade version of Windows 98 with Windows 95, you wouldn't be able to install Windows 95 on another system as well (at least not while abiding by the EULA). However if you uninstall Windows 98, you would be able to use Windows 95 again. so for the first year eligible users can get an "upgrade" version of Windows 10. I would expect that upgrade version to continue to work even after the one-year period, as long as you received it during the promotional year.

[Salmon Trout]

From what I have read on this the upgrade to 10 is a one way upgrade. Which means that Windows 7 is gone for good for that key because the key is then associated with microsoft as a windows 10 key vs 7.

I have recently read the opposite, on an official Microsoft forum, that if you decide you don't want Windows 10, you can go back to your previous qualifying OS and the key will still be valid for that older OS. of course, if you upgrade a full retail Windows 7 or 8.1 system, you cannot then re-use that disk and key on a different system while still running the Windows 10 upgrade.

The below answers the exact question I have been thinking about:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/what-happens-to-my-old-license-when-i-upgrade-to/1e7e058b-215d-4bcf-8aa2-7a2ca891dc16?auth=1

Microsoft Community

Question: What happens to my old license when I upgrade to Windows 10?

4denise asked on June 2, 2015

I am considering reserving Windows 10 for both of my Windows 7 computers. I can only do this if I can downgrade without having to go through a lot of problems. If I get Windows 10 on my machines and I don't like it, can I simply revert by using an older backup? Will my license still work for Windows 7?

To be clear: I am NOT asking how to revert. I am asking if my license will still be legal for a Windows 7 install. I have full system backups. I make them every week. I do not want to go back to a Windows 7 system backup and discover that my license is no longer valid for Windows 7.

5 people had this question

Luigi Bruno replied on June 2,2015

    MVP Community Moderator Wiki Author MCC: Content Creator MCC: Content Curator Most Recommended Discussion

Hello 4denise.

Your Windows 7 license will always be valid and will not be changed or deactivated because of the upgrade to Windows 10: you'll be able to install or restore Windows 7 again in case you'll need to do that (provided that you've the Windows 7 installation DVD or a set of Windows 7 restore discs or a full disk image of your PC running Windows 7, of course).

[Salmon Trout]

From the above it seems there is no penalty or drawback attached to upgrading a system to Windows 10, as long as you have usable imaging software and enough storage to keep images you can switch back and forth at will.

Anyhow, I have 2 Windows 7 machines with OEM licenses so I may upgrade the older one and see how I get on.

[camerongray]

As far as I'm aware, the way the licence works is that basically if you install 10, you cannot then take the key for 7 and use it elsewhere as the licence for the copy of 7 is effectively now the licence for the copy of 10.  However, this does not void the licence, you simply cannot use it at the same time as the copy of 10, you can still reinstall 7 provided that you then remove the copy of 10.

[Computer_Commando]

As far as I'm aware, the way the licence works is that basically if you install 10, you cannot then take the key for 7 and use it elsewhere as the licence for the copy of 7 is effectively now the licence for the copy of 10.  However, this does not void the licence, you simply cannot use it at the same time as the copy of 10, you can still reinstall 7 provided that you then remove the copy of 10.

This may be true for an Upgrade from Win7, but here is what MS says about a Fresh Install.  It shouldn't matter whether you're running the Preview or not.

As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build. Once you have successfully installed this build, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh. 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.*

[patio]

Clear as mud...

[Computer_Commando]

I have a laptop prepared to test this.  Will let you know what the outcome is in about 23 days.

[soybean]

As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build. Once you have successfully installed this build, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.

What does "final media" mean here?  Does this mean that a clean install of Windows 10 could be done even though Windows 10 was not the original OS?  If so, how would the install of Windows 10 be validated?