Windows 10 technical preview free license qualification question

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows 10 technical preview free license qualification question

gzt

10745 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1777

# 175565 4-Jul-2015 03:37

Windows 10 technical preview gratis rtm license qualification & rtm key question.

As I understand it, Microsoft has previously announced all Windows 10 technical preview users will qualify for a full Windows 10 key/license.

I want to make sure I understand the process and do it right.

a) I have registered for Windows Insider and from that have a preview key. Does this mean MS will automatically provide me with a full key for RTM?

b) I have performed a clean install using 10162 and using that key and activated, but I'm having a wee bit of trouble installing the Insider Hub under my Live ID. I think I can eventually resolve that issue, but would like to know if that is a required part of qualification.

c) Upgrade is not required to qualify I can clean install on a machine of my choice?

Did I miss anything? ; )

Thanks!

gzt

10745 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1777

# 1336725 4-Jul-2015 03:50

Multiple edits above to clarify. Edits complete.

nathan

5124 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1431

Trusted

Microsoft

# 1336728 4-Jul-2015 04:19

If you want the free official Windows 10 upgrade license you need to upgrade thru Windows Update from an activated Windows 7SP1 or Windows 8.1 between July 29 2015 and July 29 2016

This will store that machines Windows 10 license key in the cloud so you can install at any point in the future

sidefx

3281 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 984

Trusted

# 1336830 4-Jul-2015 10:24

One person supports this post

As I understand it you won't get a "free license" as such from being in the technical preview, but rather windows will stay activated (and I suppose you will be "licensed") as long as you stay in the insiders program and keep updating to new builds going forward. New builds will still have an expiry date but Microsoft will keep releasing new builds regularly, so as long as you keep updating you'll be able to run windows 10 preview builds free even after the official release of windows 10. If you want to drop out of the insiders program when the RTM version is released, you will either need a 7/8 license that you've upgraded, or to buy a new license. it was all a bit confusing for a while, partly due to confusing press coverage and assumptions by the media I think... but that's just my current understanding.

nathan

5124 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1431

Trusted

Microsoft

# 1336849 4-Jul-2015 10:43

Windows Insiders will drop you off at RTM and you'll need to opt back in if you choose that you want to continue on WI

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
63563 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 14052

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

# 1336855 4-Jul-2015 10:56

You're saying once RTM is reached people running Windows Insider versions will have a final update to RTM? You then have to opti-in to continue receiving "beta" versions of updates?

Also when RTM happens will this do a fresh install or just an inplace upgrade?

Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) |

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management | Sharesies investment fund

gzt

10745 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1777

# 1336922 4-Jul-2015 14:10

nathan: If you want an official Windows 10 license you need to upgrade thru Windows Update from an activated Windows 7SP1 or Windows 8.1. This will store your Windows 10 license key in the cloud so you can install at any point in the future

It appears the tech news media was totally confused about the difference between intention to support upgrade of the preview release vs the licensing. Therefore I can upgrade a clean install of tech preview to RTM but no license will come with that. Thanks for that clarification.

All good!

nathan

5124 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1431

Trusted

Microsoft

# 1336947 4-Jul-2015 16:25

it will work, we are looking after the Windows Insiders, the feedback has been great and we want to keep the dialogue going, keep sending the feedback. Ongoing feature releases coming every 3-4 months. Coming to Windows Insiders first.

But clearly this isn't a method for people to upgrade pirated machines or resell them into businesses etc...

nathan

5124 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1431

Trusted

Microsoft

# 1336951 4-Jul-2015 16:40

freitasm: You're saying once RTM is reached people running Windows Insider versions will have a final update to RTM? You then have to opti-in to continue receiving "beta" versions of updates?

Also when RTM happens will this do a fresh install or just an inplace upgrade?

yes all Windows Insiders (WI) flighted PCs will get the RTM version, it will be just like any other OS update that gets released except this will go to both WI Fast and WI Slow, and it will also bump you off the WI flights and onto the Current Branch (CB) of Windows 10

At RTM it will be an inplace upgrade, like all the other build to build upgrades. Also you'll be able to store the Windows 10 licensing key for your hardware in the cloud if you upgrade your Win7SP1, Win8.1 machine thru WU to the RTM version.

Business users also have access to the Current Branch for Business (CBB) and the Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB)

Lots of new acronyms there, and Windows Update for Business (WUfB) coming later this year as well for businesses to control all this.

gzt

10745 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1777

# 1336979 4-Jul-2015 17:17

After upgrade, these can all use the integrated windows 10 clean reinstall feature?

gzt

10745 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1777

# 1337175 5-Jul-2015 02:33

gzt: After upgrade, these can all use the integrated windows 10 clean reinstall feature?

Actually this does not really matter to me if iso download is available like 8.1. I'm sure it will be.