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
 
Last edited by a moderator:
First off - two things
One being the embedded windows 8.1 key is OEM and can not be transferred to another PC
And since this is a new OEM PC you have the option to create a recovery drive.. Create a recovery drive..
then when the windows 10 update rolls out - update your oem core version to 10 core..
Now you have OEM 8.1 and OEM 10 core software that is non-transferable, but recorded by activation server to your pc..

then reinstall windows 8.1 core using the recovery media - upgrade to Pro through add features using the retail key - then upgrade to windows 10 pro...

you will have 4 activated windows editions ( 8.1 core, 10 core, 8.1 pro and 10 pro) with the pro version being transferable..

You will just have to create the one recovery drive and 3 other system images or custom refresh images
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Oh bother...... I bought this machine just over a year ago. It came with Win 8 installed and a recovery partition. No disk. I've had the misfortune of having to do a full reset a couple times. I upgraded to 8.1. So, if I have to reset Windows, I'll start back with version 8. So I guess I'd have to upgrade to 8.1 and then 10? What a PIA. XP was so much simpler. I had the install media, the OS, SP1,2 and 3.

Also, I have this thing set up just how I like. I have Classic Shell installed and 10 will probably break that. I've also gotten the Quick Launch bar back. Wonder how that will work with 10?

Then I was reading and it seems that upgrading to 10 will rip Kaspersky Internet Security out. How will it treat Mailwasher Pro? Thunderbird? And Firefox and the add-ons?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP h8 envy 1534
    CPU
    AMD FX-6200 (3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    M3970AM-HP (Angelica2) (Gigabyte)
    Memory
    10GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Eyefinity Radeon HD 7570
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaskersky Internet Security 2016
I've had the misfortune of having to do a full reset a couple times. I upgraded to 8.1. So, if I have to reset Windows, I'll start back with version 8. So I guess I'd have to upgrade to 8.1 and then 10? What a PIA.

No you do not have to go through all that - if you create new recovery images and place them within the recovery partition..

classic shell works with 10 - but with the new start menu (which I dislike) you may not need it.. but classic shell is compatable with 10
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
First off - two things
One being the embedded windows 8.1 key is OEM and can not be transferred to another PC
And since this is a new OEM PC you have the option to create a recovery drive.. Create a recovery drive..
then when the windows 10 update rolls out - update your oem core version to 10 core..
Now you have OEM 8.1 and OEM 10 core software that is non-transferable, but recorded by activation server to your pc..

then reinstall windows 8.1 core using the recovery media - upgrade to Pro through add features using the retail key - then upgrade to windows 10 pro...

you will have 4 activated windows editions ( 8.1 core, 10 core, 8.1 pro and 10 pro) with the pro version being transferable..

You will just have to create the one recovery drive and 3 other system images or custom refresh images

Okay. That makes sense. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 w/ Pro Pack
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    Intel i7-4790 @ 3.6GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT 720
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy 5 RX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Viewsonic VA2465smh
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
No you do not have to go through all that - if you create new recovery images and place them within the recovery partition..
Huh? That's going way over my head. As far as I can tell, my recovery partitions are full.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP h8 envy 1534
    CPU
    AMD FX-6200 (3.8GHz)
    Motherboard
    M3970AM-HP (Angelica2) (Gigabyte)
    Memory
    10GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Eyefinity Radeon HD 7570
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Kaskersky Internet Security 2016
I just purchased a new computer last month. It came with 8.1 Core pre-installed w/ embedded key. I'm planning on purchasing the 8.1 Pro Pack. I saw in the Windows 10 Q&A that 8.1 Core will get Windows 10 Home & 8.1 Pro will get Win 10 Pro. I assume the version you get with the free upgrade will be based on the key. So if the upgrade uses the embedded 8.1 Core key, will I still be able to get Win 10 Pro using the 8.1 Pro Pack?

I just figured out that if I wanted to do a clean install of 8.1 Pro using the Pro Pack, I need to clean install Core first, then unlock Pro with the Pro Pack key. Has anyone seen information confirming that a 8.1 Pro Pack key will unlock Windows 10 Pro?

Or should I wait to upgrade to Pro and hope they offer a Win 10 Pro Pack?

The free upgrade process should use the key the PC is currently activated with. If you use add features to upgrade to 8.1 Pro that's the key that's stored in the Windows registry and the key your PC is activating with. The OEM key is no longer being used. You should then get 10 Pro. I wouldn't count on Windows 10 accepting the Windows 8 Pro Pack key. If you want 10 Pro upgrade to 8.1 Pro before doing the free upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Thanks for the clarification, alphanumeric. I just ordered the 8.1 Pro Pack. Guess I just need to wait for more information to be released in regards to how clean installations of 10 will work with the free upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 w/ Pro Pack
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    Intel i7-4790 @ 3.6GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT 720
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy 5 RX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Viewsonic VA2465smh
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
The alternative would be to skip the free upgrade and just buy 10 Pro. My guess is the Pro pack will be cheaper. You already ordered it so I guess its a moot point now. I think the Pro Pack also gets you Media Center. If that's a separate key from the Pro one I would hold off using it. Windows 10 doesn't have Media Center and Media center if installed gets uninstalled during the upgrade.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
One thing that I've been doing to try and resolve most of these issues is basically rely on the fact that Windows 10 can update. Basically, I'm trying to get as many people as possible to use #WeDecideWindows whenever they give feedback using the Windows 10 Insider Preview, which I've explained as meaning: give us as many options as possible, such as Aero Glass, old looks for the start button, where we want the details pane, etc. I don't know if that really will make a difference, but if enough people use that, it may indicate what the people truly want for Windows 10 is options. I've already told them multiple times that the best way to appeal to everybody is to give them as many options as possible, and for those who like previous versions of Windows, give them options to make it look like previous versions. But I don't really know if #WeDecideWindows will actually catch on. I've only seen a few other people use it. But the more the merrier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel 5960x
    Motherboard
    MSI Gaming 7
    Memory
    32GB DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    x2 NVIDIA GTX 970
    Hard Drives
    256 GB Samsung 850 Pro (SSD)
    1TB Samsung 850 Pro (SSD)
    2 TB Seagate STBD2000101 (HDD)
    PSU
    Thermaltake 1000W Gold
    Case
    Corsair Graphite 760t
    Cooling
    Corsair H105
    Keyboard
    Razer Black Widow Mechanical Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    Alright
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    NOD32
If you have core - you will get core 10
if you have Pro - you will get Pro 10

Not sure you can add Pro to 10 through add features with a 8 Pro pack.. (after the fact)

So as suggested - you upgrade your oem core..
reinstall oem factory core 8, add pro features - upgrade to 10 pro

takes all of a few extra minutes to use RecImg to create a customrefresh.wim which can then be use to reinstall any version of 8 or 10 to that PC
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Question. If you have the "get windows 10" icon in the notification area it means you're eligible or does every windows user get that message ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    i7 5820k
    Motherboard
    MSI X99A SLI plus
    Memory
    Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 980
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky internet security 2015
eligible. When I clicked on 'reserve', the next screen said, you are eligible (eg: compatible). I then got an email to say they would get in touch by the release date.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    pc specialist made to order
    CPU
    Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4790 (3.6GHz) 8MB Cache
    Motherboard
    ASUS® H81M-PLUS: Micro-ATX, LG1150, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
    Memory
    16GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (2 x 8GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 750 Ti - DVI, mHDMI, VGA - 3D Vision Ready
    Sound Card
    ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    iiyama 24 inch flat screen
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB 3.5" SEAGATE SSHD, SATA 6Gb/s 7200 RPM (64MB + 8GB SSD CACHE)

    2TB Seagate SATA HDD

    500Gb SATA docked
    Case
    In Win Turbo
    Cooling
    Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    microsoft mutlimedia keyboard
    Mouse
    logitech corded
    Internet Speed
    152mb
    Browser
    FF, IE11
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    16x BLU-RAY WRITER DRIVE, 16x DVD ±R/±RW

    10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
hmmmmm......never saw that, e-mail i received.

Untitled.jpgafter this blah, blah, blah
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
Just a thought is Micro$oft working with the NSA on Windows 10 free upgrades?

Seems very suspicious to me that all Windows 7/8/8.1 users retail or OEM get a free upgrade to Windows 10 in the first year, that's basically 50% of OS market share if all Windows 7/8/8.1 users upgrade to Windows 10 and a lot of personal collected information Micro$oft could potentially sell to the US government.

I'm suspecting some serious privacy concerns with Windows 10 worst than that of Windows 8/8.1 system wide SmartScreen Filter at least until the SP1 comes out for Windows 10 and the first year free upgrades are over.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-2670QM
    Memory
    Samsung 8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GT 555M
    Hard Drives
    Intel 525 120GB | HGST Travelstar 1TB
    Mouse
    CM Storm Xornet | Microsoft Sculpt Comfort
    Internet Speed
    25 Mbps | 600 Kbps
    Other Info
    Seagate Backup Plus 1TB
:doh: get the tin foil hats out. :sarc:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Maybe the NSA should hack us and learn security and learn how to prevent the Gov't from being hacked:confused::D:p
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
th.jpg
The NSA is after me!!!!! It's not my imagination, really?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Just because your a paranoid doesn't mean they really aren't out to get you. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Back
Top