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? 

[Geek-9pm]

For what it  is worth...
MS confused many back on June 21. Here is one of many stories:
Windows 10: Insiders on Windows 7/8 will not require Microsoft account integration to upgrade
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/windows-insiders-windows-7-8-will-not-require-microsoft-account-integration-upgrade-windows-10-1507214

With the full version of Microsoft's most expected Windows 10 operating system slated to be released to the public on 29 July, users registered as Microsoft Insiders will not have to integrate their Microsoft account (MSA) to their computers running the older Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 OSes to upgrade to Windows 10.

What I think that means. Right now I am not using a PC with a registered version of Windows 7. But I do have two legal copies of Windows 7, but I am not using them now. The windows 10 is running well without windows 7 anywhere near it.
So on July 29, or there after, I will have to make sure my Windows 7 is registered and active. Is that right?

[Computer_Commando]

...So on July 29, or there after, I will have to make sure my Windows 7 is registered and active. Is that right?

Nothing MS has stated indicates that, but as Patio said:  "Clear As Mud".

If your Windows10-TP is updated to Win10-RTM, it will be registered & activated.  Windows 7 should not be needed.  My Windows 8.1 w/Bing tablet has no product ID, just a Windows 8 tag.

Remember, there was (is) a difference between Upgrade Installs & Full Installs.  If you did an upgrade to your Win7 machine, the Win7 PID was there to validate the upgrade & also maintained under Windows.old.  Full (Clean) Installs need a PID  starting with Preview 10062.  If you did 10062 as an upgrade to a prior preview, no PID entry was required.

I just tried reinstalling 10062 over existing 10062 because some features were not working & there were errors on Settings screen.  Whatever was wrong was fixed & I didn't have to enter any new info.  I installed all Preview machines from an iso download built to a USB flash drive with Win7 DVD/USB Download Tool.

[Salmon Trout]

Perhaps this will clarify the "mud": On 20 June Microsoft's Gabe Aul seemingly announced that MS would give away a free copy of the new OS to members of the Windows Insiders test program. Later (June 22) he "clarified" that statement to explain that testers on the Insider program will, like Windows 7 and 8.1 users, get a free upgrade to RTM on July 29th. However, to keep their version licensed, those that upgraded from Preview versions will need to stay signed up for future pre-release updates.

http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming-changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

[Salmon Trout]

testers on the Insider program will, like Windows 7 and 8.1 users, get a free upgrade to RTM on July 29th. However, to keep their version licensed, those that upgraded from Preview versions will need to stay signed up for future pre-release updates.

On that basis, I have burned the x64 Build 10162 ISO to a disk and installed it to my Dell D830 laptop, previously running XP, Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz, 2GB RAM, (it was my Torrent box) and do you know what? It works just fine. I have got it to wake-on-lan and I can RDP into it, it runs Tor Browser and Vuze, and boots in 1 minute 5 seconds to a useable desktop. I have added Classic Shell for the Start Menu.

[BC_Programmer]

One possible note regarding Windows 10 is that it doesn't support Floppy Drives. I got a Floppy Drive/Card Reader/USB Hub to use to fill the hole in the front of one of my desktop system's cases, and was stymied by why the Floppy refused to appear in Windows 10. It wasn't until I accidentally left a MS-DOS 6 boot disk in the drive when I restarted the system that I realized it must be Windows 10 that was the issue- as it booted MS-DOS 6 from the diskette without problem.

Allegedly USB Floppy drives need separate drivers, though I've not plugged mine in to verify that.

[Computer_Commando]

Perhaps this will clarify the "mud": On 20 June Microsoft's Gabe Aul seemingly announced that MS would give away a free copy of the new OS to members of the Windows Insiders test program. Later (June 22) he "clarified" that statement to explain that testers on the Insider program will, like Windows 7 and 8.1 users, get a free upgrade to RTM on July 29th. However, to keep their version licensed, those that upgraded from Preview versions will need to stay signed up for future pre-release updates.

http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming-changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

I found that link a few minutes before looking here.

On that basis, I have burned the x64 Build 10162 ISO to a disk and installed it to my Dell D830 laptop, previously running XP, Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz, 2GB RAM, (it was my Torrent box) and do you know what? It works just fine. I have got it to wake-on-lan and I can RDP into it, it runs Tor Browser and Vuze, and boots in 1 minute 5 seconds to a useable desktop. I have added Classic Shell for the Start Menu.

Installed x64 Build 10130, then upgraded to Build 10162 on Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop, previously Vista-32, Dual-Core T3200 2.0GHz, 4GB RAM. 64GB Sandisk SSD.  It was my car's ECU interface & is now a backup for the tablet.  It runs Win10-64 faster than Vista32 with the same hardware.  Boot time is less than half.

Another older Dell desktop Inspiron 530s Dual-Core E2200 2.2GHz, 3GB RAM, 160GB HDD also upgraded to x64 Build 10162.  It's a lot slower than the laptop because of the hard drive being slower.  It's just a test platform. so not important if have to go back to the old OS (Vista).

My desktop runs a dual boot Win7/Win10.  Haven't decided to keep it's Win10 going after the Win7 upgrade.

I still run Classic Shell on all Win7 & above.

I thing the "mud" issue comes from the word "Upgrade" as now defined by Microsoft.  Many don't remember that there were 2 CD versions of Windows 95 & 98:  Full & Upgrade.  Upgrade was less expensive & required a Windows version to be already installed.

[Salmon Trout]

I have found one issue with my Latitude D830, namely dwm.exe (the desktop compositor) using between 40% and 100% CPU all the time. on Windows 8 and later you can't disable it by choosing a Basic theme. I have downloaded the 32 bit ISO to try that out. (I believe they are being taken down imminently!) At the moment I am keeping the CPU temp below 50 by running the Power Saver power profile. I have read that often in Win 8+  dwm.exe high CPU is caused by Logitech Setpoint software but I don't have that.

[Computer_Commando]

dwm.exe = Desktop Windows Manager
As I compose this on the 1525, it's less than 5% for me.
Total memory allocated is 1.9GB
1525 has Setpoint installed & running because touchpad is almost unuseable.  I repaired the connector as per online help but it didn't make much difference.   However, the keyboard is terrific.

You're right about the iso link, it's gone.  The link I was using (below) gets redirected.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso

Here's what it says:

Welcome back, Insider
Thanks for being part of the program and helping shape Windows 10.
NOTE: We’re very close to the public release of Windows 10 so we’re not onboarding any new PCs to the Windows Insider Program just now. You can still onboard a supported Windows Phone and please do keep using Windows 10 on any PCs you’ve already set up and sending us great feedback!

Still wonder if the final release will be available as an iso.  The download is an esd & there is a tool to convert it.
Here's how:  http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-turn-your-windows-10-upgrade-into-an-iso/

I tested it on a previous esd before I started using the iso's instead.

[Salmon Trout]

I must have got my 32 bit ISO very close to the line, then, the download completed at 19:15 UTC on 14 July.

[Computer_Commando]

Do refresh, I added to my post.

[Salmon Trout]

I installed the 32 bit ISO and dwm.exe is running at between (roughly) 1% and 2% most of the time.

[Computer_Commando]

Searching for updates was taking a long time; did restart; then this notice "downloading H1 Professional 10240". 
Don't know how big it is, downloading now over wired connection (100Mbps).  2.7GB download

Found this online:

Unlike previous updates, which circulated under the “fbl_impressive” code name, this new build goes by the name “TH1 Professional 10240.” In practical terms that doesn’t mean a lot, though it does indicate that the build is on a different, internally validated release track from previous builds. Which is likely why it’s being issued to Fast and Slow rings simultaneously. Also, unlike previous builds, 10240 will not be available as an .ISO download.

also this:
http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-build-10240-released-windows-insiders-both-fast-and-slow-rings

[Salmon Trout]

I have 10240 running on a laptop; I am liking it more and more. I like the file copy/move progress UI. Is it the same as Windows 8?

[BC_Programmer]

I have 10240 running on a laptop; I am liking it more and more. I like the file copy/move progress UI. Is it the same as Windows 8?

Yes, that was added in Windows 8 and 8.1.

[Computer_Commando]

Many things are the same as Win8.1.  However, many new features which I will likely never use.