Windows 10 Available on July 29

On July 29, you can get Windows 10 for PCs and tablets by taking advantage of the free upgrade offer, or on a new Windows 10 PC from your favorite retailer. If you purchase a new Windows 8.1 device between now and then, the Windows 10 upgrade will be available to you and many retail stores will upgrade your new device for you.

The Windows 10 upgrade is designed to be compatible with your current Windows device and applications. We are hard at work to make this upgrade process a great experience. You can reserve your free Windows 10 upgrade now through a simple reservation process. Look for this icon in your system tray at the bottom of your screen, simply click on the icon, and then complete the reservation process. You can find more details on how this works at Windows.com.
Read more - Hello World: Windows 10 Available on July 29

Specifications and Requirements: Windows 10 Specifications - Microsoft

FAQ - Windows 10 FAQ & Tips - Microsoft
 
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I'm in a dilemma whether to upgrade or not. I hate Windows 8 because the UI is just terrible. On Windows 7 I could just press my Windows key and open a tiny sleek menu where I can access Control Panel, Computer with another click, and I could use the Windows key to minimise full screen programs too, while Windows 8 brings this hideous massive screen which requires a million clicks to access anything, and I also have to wait for the animation of the icons appearing. And the UI is such a step backwards, Windows 7 had beautiful translucent menus while 8 has opaque rectangles made in Paint.
I don't see any of those problems on Windows 8.1.
I have it themed and use the desktop toolbar placing the trash can to the front and showing, and when I install a program I create a desktop Icon(can be done with everything except Universal apps) and hide icons to access them through the toolbar.
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With regard to downloading the upgrade, on this page it says
If you have a good friend with a fast Internet connection, you could ask them if it would be possible for you to download the software on their computer or using your computer. This is especially great if they have Wi-Fi setup, they could let you connect to their network and download it for you.

That's a bit ambiguous - but if you can download it to a friends computer I wonder if the install program will be one that can be 'tricked' to do a clean install - or if it will be a fixed 'upgrade' only.
 
With regard to downloading the upgrade, on this page it says
If you have a good friend with a fast Internet connection, you could ask them if it would be possible for you to download the software on their computer or using your computer. This is especially great if they have Wi-Fi setup, they could let you connect to their network and download it for you.

That's a bit ambiguous - but if you can download it to a friends computer I wonder if the install program will be one that can be 'tricked' to do a clean install - or if it will be a fixed 'upgrade' only.

Yeah, that could be written clearer, what you are downloading is the ESD file and it can be used to create an ISO to do a clean install.

ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File - Windows 10 Forums
 
I am curious what version ESD you get. Does it depend on what is on the system you use to download. Hopefully it is a universal file that checks your key when installing to install the correct version.

Jim :cool:
 
ESD's are single version - the ISO's, however, contain both Home and Pro - thus if on anything other than Win7 Ult/Pro or Win 8.1 Pro, one will get Home edition.
 
ESD's are single version - the ISO's, however, contain both Home and Pro - thus if on anything other than Win7 Ult/Pro or Win 8.1 Pro, one will get Home edition.

Thanks, My Laptop (8.1) and wife's Desktop (W7 Home Premium) system will get W10 Home and my Desktop (W8.1 Pro) will get W10 Pro.
Now to research what the differences between W10 Home & W10 Pro other then the way they update going forward.

Jim :cool:
 
have all updates and ran this script CMD file some guy said to run if you didn't have the icon to reserve W10 in the task bar, well I also ran that cmd file as "admin" on my w8.1 laptop with ALL updates, the first time it did the same thing just run real fast and quit, did it 2 more times, the 3rd time it just got into some sort of loop, I ended up shutting down the laptop. booted up this morning, took a couple times, something must have hung up doing this thing, after having to use the power button on/off to re start I finally got it booted after the 2nd try, still no icon , giving up on this thing.

I had some sort of glitch too when w8.1 came out, I couldn't do the update from that store thing either, had to go find a ISO for W8.1 to install manually, which it worked but had to use some different "install" key first to get it installed, than used my retail W8 pro key to activate the thing. So maybe this will be the same deal.

I assume I'll just get hold of the ISO (if MS puts one out) and go from there manually, I just need to know if my retail w8 pro key will activate W10.

EDIT:

OK found a way to get it to show

Go to C:/ or your OS drive...and search for GWX file... it is present in the folder C:/Windows/WinSXS/wow64_microsoft-windows-gwx_31bf3856ad364e35_6.3.9600.17813_none_abd5ff8f5e617f0d/GWX

Run the GWX application...and you should be good 2 go..


Also after clicking I checked the section on issues, seems only thing it said for me was that the Windows media would be uninstalled, its no longer in 10, and I needed to reinstall any language packs again, both are non issues, I hardly ever used WM since I had it, and only have one other language pack installed that I hardly use, everything else was "good to go". all apps and settings, so it will keep ALL programs as it did when going from 7 to 8 on this laptop. Which is good cause I have a crap load of programs with no SN's to reinstall them.

I'm assuming that this will be the same type of D/L that 8.1 was, that put this ESD folder in Windows, and you could use that to convert it to an ISO, which you than could burn as a setup disk, or use a USB stick. Either way I still hope MS puts out a formal ISO and lets the burned setup install with my W8.1 Pro retail key. (Lots of imaging going to be going on that day)
 
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@ Hoody, this download will use your 8.0 and 8.1 keys even OEM embedded keys. Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help No messing around with generic install keys etc. No having to enter a key to get it either.
So when the upgrade comes, assuming it'll be a ESD file, can I use this guide to convert it into a ISO and perform a clean install? All while maintaining my retail license/key?

Maybe, who knows. That ESD file will be version specific. It's going to be Home or Pro, depending on what OS your upgrading from. Also Microsoft may have already read your current key an verified it before you even get to do the download. Not sure what you mean by "All while maintaining my retail license/key? " Also what does your post have to do with mine? The one you quoted?
 
Maybe, who knows. That ESD file will be version specific. It's going to be Home or Pro, depending on what OS your upgrading from. Also Microsoft may have already read your current key an verified it before you even get to do the download. Not sure what you mean by "All while maintaining my retail license/key? " Also what does your post have to do with mine? The one you quoted?
I quoted your post because you pointed out that the upgrade will maintain the retail license of the computer that's being upgraded, and I was wondering if a clean install using that same upgrade (by converting into an ISO), again assuming it'll be a ESD file, would be possible.

I have a terrible experience with upgrades, and I want Windows 10 so much :P
 
Maybe, who knows. That ESD file will be version specific. It's going to be Home or Pro, depending on what OS your upgrading from. Also Microsoft may have already read your current key an verified it before you even get to do the download. Not sure what you mean by "All while maintaining my retail license/key? " Also what does your post have to do with mine? The one you quoted?
I quoted your post because you pointed out that the upgrade will maintain the retail license of the computer that's being upgraded, and I was wondering if a clean install using that same upgrade (by converting into an ISO), again assuming it'll be a ESD file, would be possible.

I have a terrible experience with upgrades, and I want Windows 10 so much :P

A clean install should be possible. Nobodies going to know until the day actually comes. Or more info comes out. I saw some info today I'd like to post but I can't because of my NDA with Microsoft. I can't mention it unless somebody else leaks it first. Nothing Earth shattering mind you, just info I'd like to pass on.
 
@ Hoody, this download will use your 8.0 and 8.1 keys even OEM embedded keys. Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help No messing around with generic install keys etc. No having to enter a key to get it either.

I am unsure what I am reading here, this 'media installation' software - what exactly does it do? For times sake I am currently creating this on a stick, but only to use if it is something I can use in the future, saving me searching files at some future date. Also I already have a recovery stick made up.
 
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