What's new

Computer Room Get yourself a legit copy of Windows 10 Free

DirtyDonki

Staff member
Admin
I am the Nice One
Messages
26,118
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Reaction score
3,937
Points
728
The Windows 10 FREE upgrade FAQ
Microsoft have begun the process of getting all of us ready to migrate from older versions of Windows to Windows 10.

This has occurred with all manner of system updates and prompts from the software maker.

The challenge is, there is a lot of misinformation out there about how all this is meant to work so I wanted to create a page where all the questions about this process would be answered.

So here are the most popular questions about the upcoming Windows 10 upgrade and some of the corresponding answers for each question.

I’ll continue to update as you ask more questions.

When does the free upgrade to Windows 10 begin?

If you’re a Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 user, technically the process has begun, you should have started to see the prompts in your taskbar inviting you to begin the reservation process.

How do I get the FREE upgrade?

Everyone running Windows 7 or Windows 8 should get an invitation to install a free copy of Windows 10.

For those running updated versions of Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 S14, this will be much the same as the offer to upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1.

In other words, Windows Update will download the code in the background, and you will merely have to accept the offer to install it.

As always, the only limitation is that you have to install it within a year of Windows 10’s release.

If you want to make sure you get the offer, install Windows update KB3035583. This update was recommended for Windows 8 users and was optional for Windows 7 users.

If you are running Windows 7, Windows 8.0 or Windows 8.1 RTM (ie the released version, without the spring update), then you will not be able to upgrade using Windows Update.

You can either update your operating system before you upgrade, or download the Windows 10 upgrade manually and create your own installation DVD using the Windows Disc Image Burner.

If you are running Windows XP or Vista, then you will be able to buy a Windows 10 upgrade: watch out for Microsoft’s usual pre-orders and special offers.

How do I cancel my reservation for the Windows 10 free offer?

To cancel your reservation, right-click on
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
X, the white Windows icon on the Taskbar, select “Check your upgrade status” and then “Cancel reservation”.
Will my free Windows 10 upgrade expire after one year?

No, that’s completely wrong. Once you have installed Windows 10 and made a note of your product key, it’s FREE for the life of the machine it is installed on. Very important – the license is tied to the hardware you are upgrading.

What if my PC should die? What happens to my upgrade then?

If your hardware dies within the one year period, the next PC you buy should either come with Windows 10 or have Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and you can do the FREE upgrade again.

If your hardware dies AFTER the one year period, the next PC you buy should either come with Windows 10 or if you (for some reason) get Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you will have to pay for a Windows 10 upgrade.

Can I upgrade my OEM copy?

I’m currently running an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Would this be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 10 too?

In theory, yes, but Microsoft has not said what it plans to do about OEM versions that were intended for small PC makers but have been purchased by consumers.

I would guess yes but you will probably be limited to Windows 10 Home or Pro regardless of whether you had an “ultimate” version or not.

When can I just go out to a store and buy Windows 10?

Not clear yet.

Based on what some retailers are leaking, late August might be a really good bet. It could be another couple of months but my guess is some time before the back to school market start spending money on new PC’s.

Some suppliers might target the back-to-school market, but most if not all should have it for the Christmas shopping season. Microsoft will not want to miss that.

I have some really hard to find and unusual software and/or hardware that I am running on Windows 7 or 8.1? Should I install Windows 10 immediately it comes out?

If you have any unusual hardware or software, you need to hold off installing Windows 10.

First of all check your vendor’s website to see of they already have a version of their software or hardware compatible with Windows 10.

You need to check for the right software drivers to make sure Windows 10 won’t crash your app or hardware.

How much memory do I need to move to Windows 10?

Microsoft reckons 32-bit Windows 10 will run in 1GB and the 64-bit version in 2GB. While this may be true, I’d recommend doubling each number, ie 2GB and 4GB.

However, if you are running the 64-bit version of Windows 7 in 3GB, 64-bit Windows 10 should run slightly better. You need the 64-bit version to support more than 4GB.
I have a desktop PC and a laptop. Can I upgrade both for free?

Yes. It doesn’t matter if you have two or 20 PCs, or more. The free offer applies to every PC that is running a “genuine” copy of Windows 7 or 8, with a few exceptions.

For example, the offer does not apply to corporate or education copies installed under some volume or site licensing deals. (Enterprises on Microsoft’s Software Assurance scheme get Windows 10 free anyway.)

Is it Windows 10 Home or Pro? I have Windows 8.1 Pro. Will the free download be Home or Pro?

If you have a Home version, you will get Windows 10 Home, and if it’s a Pro version, you will get Windows 10 Pro. Microsoft always does like-for-like upgrades, where possible.

However, there isn’t a Windows 10 Ultimate, so I believe people who bought Vista Ultimate (me!) or Windows 7 Ultimate (not me!) will be downgraded to Windows 10 Pro.

Will I be able to go from 32-bit Windows 8.1 to 64-bit Windows 10?

Not directly. If you let Windows Update upgrade your system “in place”, it will always do it on a like-for-like basis: 32-bit to 32-bit; 64-bit to 64-bit.

If you want to move from any 32-bit version of Windows to any 64-bit version, it always requires a “clean installation” from a DVD or USB drive or whatever.

This will delete your old operating system, programs and data, so you will have to re-install everything from scratch.

Can I downgrade later?If I upgrade to Windows 10 and do not like it, will I be able to go back to Windows 7 or 8?

Yes – Microsoft aims to enable you to “roll back” to your old operating system, if required.

However, I wouldn’t rely on this. In my view, it’s essential to back up your old system before installing a new one.

You should also use the option to create “recovery media” with your old system, so that you’re not totally dependent on the “roll back” working.

You and you alone are responsible for preserving your own data.

I most definitely DO NOT want to upgrade to Windows 10. How can I get rid of that nagging “reminder” on my Taskbar?

Nobody is forcing you to get Windows 10. If you don’t want it, don’t reserve it or install it.

To remove the reminder, right-click on Start and select Properties. Next, go to the Taskbar tab, click the button that says “Customize …”, and find
Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!
X, the Get Windows 10 app. The drop-down menu offers the option to “Hide icon and notifications”.

If you want to go further, run Windows Update and click “View update history” to see all the updates you have installed. Look for, or search for, KB3035583, select it, and then click to uninstall or change it.

Windows will ask “Are you sure?” Just click “Yes”.

It won’t bother you again … unless you re-install KB3035583.

Many thanks to Aldo for posting this on Pimps.
 

Banny

Respected Ex Staff
Significant Contributor
Messages
887
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Reaction score
297
Points
108
Please note this post is for information only, upgrading to Windows 10 on a live machine is not a decsion to be taken lightly and is done so at your own risk.

Limited/Minimal support will be given to anyone experiencing problems.


Source
Code:
Please, Log in or Register to view codes content!
The newest version of Windows, Windows 10, will be released on July 29 to a worldwide audience. It is Microsoft's attempt to win back unsatisfied users who did not like the Windows 8 operating system.

The company wants to achieve that through various means, for instance by moving away from the two interfaces of Windows 8 or by re-implementing a start menu, but also by offering the operating system as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.

Updates were released for Windows 7 and 8 that promote the free upgrade to Windows 10 to reach most "home" customers and get them to upgrade to Windows 10.

While it is unclear at this point in time how successful the promotion will be, it is very likely that it will push Windows 10 to millions of systems.

It was not clear up until now how Microsoft would handle systems that run Insider Builds of Windows 10. These preview builds of the operating system can be installed on PCs meeting the system requirements for free.

Microsoft's Gabe Aul revealed in a new blog post published on the official Blogging Windows blog yesterday that these installations will receive the upgrade to Windows 10 final and remain activated under certain conditions.

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 and remain activated.

The only requirement is that a Microsoft Account is linked to the operating system. The Insider Build of Windows 10 final remains activated (read genuine) if that is the case.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!


This means in turn that anyone interesting in a free copy of Windows 10 can grab one by installing a Windows 10 Insider Preview on a compatible PC and linking it to a Microsoft Account.

Aul notes furthermore that users may do a clean install at any time after they have installed and activated the build successfully to start over again with a clean install.

Once the final version has been activated, Inside Preview users may leave the program and stay on the final build. There is no requirement to remain an Insider after activation and it seems as if there are not any drawbacks to leaving the program after installation and activation of the final Windows 10 build.

It should be clear that the version will be linked to the PC it was installed on and the Microsoft Account it was linked to.

This means that anyone with compatible hardware and a Microsoft account can grab a free copy of Windows 10 and use it indefinitely on a single machine. Considering that Windows 10 Pro retails for $199, that is an interesting proposition which should further boost the operating system's reach especially during the first few months of general availability.

It is unclear -- but likely -- that the offer is only available in a time-limited window. Microsoft has not revealed yet any restrictions but if you are interested in the free copy, you may want to install an Insider Preview build as soon as possible on a PC and link it to a Microsoft account.

Starting with the next Insider build, Insiders who have not linked a Microsoft Account to the operating system will receive notifications to do so to continue receiving new Windows 10 Insider Preview builds.

Product key: 6P99N-YF42M-TPGBG-9VMJP-YKHCF

link -
Code:
Please, Log in or Register to view codes content!
 
Last edited:

DirtyDonki

Staff member
Admin
I am the Nice One
Messages
26,118
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Reaction score
3,937
Points
728
I already moved all my machines across to the preview last year. I mean Microsoft is my bread & butter. So I for me it will all be automatic. :D
 

Banny

Respected Ex Staff
Significant Contributor
Messages
887
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Reaction score
297
Points
108
I already moved all my machines across to the preview last year. I mean Microsoft is my bread & butter. So I for me it will all be automatic. :D
Understood but those with out legit copies of Windows will get the free year, and then have to look at either buying a licence, or whatever method is out by then to bypass WAT this way they get a full licence for Profession for free :)
 
Top Bottom