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

 

[DJRoff]

I also haven't read every post in the thread but I have a couple of questions.
I am running windows 8.1 in a virtual machine on a Mac. Specifically I am using the program Parallels to do this. Also, I get all the windows updates for both windows and office.

I haven't seen the windows 10 upgrade icon, anyone know if I will get it?

Anyone know if I will be able to get the win 10 upgrade?
l

My gut reaction would be No. Virtual Machine is sort of an isolated "sandbox"-type environment, i.e., I used to run Android in a virtual environment on my Win 8.1 machine, but I never got any updates for it. With that said, however, if you're getting regular Microsoft Updates, you should theoretically get the one which lets you upgrade to 10. Look in your Programs and Features, and click View Installed Updates. Look for update #KB3035583, which is the one that gives you the icon on the taskbar for reserving the upgrade. If you have that, but it's not showing on the taskbar, try the Susan Bradley routine you'll find here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/i-want-to-reserve-my-free-copy-of-windows-10-but-i/848b5cce-958b-49ae-a132-a999a883265b. One of those tricks should get it to behave.

If you get the icon, and reserve a copy, it will be interesting to see if Microsoft will let you download and install it in a virtual environment. My guess is, you still may have some trouble at that point, but I'm not sure.

 

[elbmek]

Unless you have OEM version, you are not limited to activate licence on 1 PC only.

You can only activate on one PC at any one time though. The way you phrased your comment it sounds like your using the one product code on multiple PC's all at the same time, which is not allowed. How many times have you transferred your Windows lenience from PC to PC? I've only ever done it once in all my years of computing. IMHO, the number of people that actually do this is small.

I have twice at least. When it told me I could not do it, I phoned microsoft in UK they gave me a long code to put in and it activated. The pc gave me a code which I read out to the agent, and he replied with another.

 

[vrosa]

Can't wait for July, 29...

I'm gonna get one free Windows 10 license for my current Insider Install and two other for my Windows 8.1 rigs.

 

[pewe]

Unless you have OEM version, you are not limited to activate licence on 1 PC only.

You can only activate on one PC at any one time though. The way you phrased your comment it sounds like your using the one product code on multiple PC's all at the same time, which is not allowed. How many times have you transferred your Windows lenience from PC to PC? I've only ever done it once in all my years of computing. IMHO, the number of people that actually do this is small.

I have twice at least. When it told me I could not do it, I phoned microsoft in UK they gave me a long code to put in and it activated. The pc gave me a code which I read out to the agent, and he replied with another.

If the agent did not ask the question 'How many PCs is this serial number being used to install windows on?' - he should have done, and told you to get a new license if you said more than one.

I too have installed on several different PCs as I upgraded hardware - and always been asked the question.

 

[ImpWarfare]

Am I the only one with questions - like for example is this "Free" Windows 10 actually going to stay free? I'm not upgrading to a free windows 10 until Microsoft clarifies the so-called free Windows and that they aren't doing a catch and will charge users after the first year of the free upgrade.... Call me paranoid but some journalists have apparently asked the same question to a Microsoft Executive but they couldn't answer the question which I read online - I'm suspicious on this free windows 10 upgrade isn't anyone else?

 

[alphanumeric]

Am I the only one with questions - like for example is this "Free" Windows 10 actually going to stay free? I'm not upgrading to a free windows 10 until Microsoft clarifies the so-called free Windows and that they aren't doing a catch and will charge users after the first year of the free upgrade.... Call me paranoid but some journalists have apparently asked the same question to a Microsoft Executive but they couldn't answer the question which I read online - I'm suspicious on this free windows 10 upgrade isn't anyone else?

Some Still Get It Wrong: Windows 10 Won’t Launch as a 1-Year Trial - Windows 10 Forums

 

[DJRoff]

Am I the only one with questions - like for example is this "Free" Windows 10 actually going to stay free? I'm not upgrading to a free windows 10 until Microsoft clarifies the so-called free Windows and that they aren't doing a catch and will charge users after the first year of the free upgrade.... Call me paranoid but some journalists have apparently asked the same question to a Microsoft Executive but they couldn't answer the question which I read online - I'm suspicious on this free windows 10 upgrade isn't anyone else?

Some Still Get It Wrong: Windows 10 Won’t Launch as a 1-Year Trial - Windows 10 Forums

I think all we're seeing here is Microsoft recognizing its own missteps, coupled with their awareness of the ever-worsening loss of market share for the PC. They're trying to recapture some of the people who have drifted away (or are about to), giving them a powerful incentive to stick with Windows. They want a chance to show us all that the doomsayers were wrong, and Microsoft is neither out-of-touch with its customer base nor headed for the scrap-heap of history.

 

[Cliff S]

Am I the only one with questions - like for example is this "Free" Windows 10 actually going to stay free? I'm not upgrading to a free windows 10 until Microsoft clarifies the so-called free Windows and that they aren't doing a catch and will charge users after the first year of the free upgrade.... Call me paranoid but some journalists have apparently asked the same question to a Microsoft Executive but they couldn't answer the question which I read online - I'm suspicious on this free windows 10 upgrade isn't anyone else?

Windows 10 FAQ & Tips - Microsoft

 

[Cr00zng]

I think all we're seeing here is Microsoft recognizing its own missteps, coupled with their awareness of the ever-worsening loss of market share for the PC. They're trying to recapture some of the people who have drifted away (or are about to), giving them a powerful incentive to stick with Windows. They want a chance to show us all that the doomsayers were wrong, and Microsoft is neither out-of-touch with its customer base nor headed for the scrap-heap of history.

Or Microsoft does not want Windows 7 to become the new XP down the road...

 

[elbmek]

Am I the only one with questions - like for example is this "Free" Windows 10 actually going to stay free? I'm not upgrading to a free windows 10 until Microsoft clarifies the so-called free Windows and that they aren't doing a catch and will charge users after the first year of the free upgrade.... Call me paranoid but some journalists have apparently asked the same question to a Microsoft Executive but they couldn't answer the question which I read online - I'm suspicious on this free windows 10 upgrade isn't anyone else?

This has already been mentioned in previous posts, yes its free, and updates if used to upgrade 8.1. If bought alone, you buy it.

 

[Skylath]

nice can't wait to check out ten.

 

[zEric7x]

I am waiting for the update to go live and then I will check out Windows 10 on my desktop. I have seen some of the changes already but I have not been actively following Windows 10. Some of the update will be a surprise to me. I will probably spend a few days playing around and testing changes.

 

[Cliff S]

Two updates in preparation of Win10 last night(my time zone)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2976978 Compatibility update for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8: This update performs diagnostics on the Windows systems that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program in order to determine whether compatibility issues may be encountered when the latest Windows operating system is installed. This update will help Microsoft and its partners ensure compatibility for customers who are seeking to install the latest Windows operating system.


https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3065988 Windows Update Client for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2: July 2015: This update allows a future version of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to deliver System Hardware Updates and System Firmware Updates to corporate devices through WSUS networks.

 

[elbmek]

Installed two optional updates, presume all I do now is 'wait' ?

 

[sandman]

Any one running the Technical Previews mine just went to an activated version with no branding on lower right any more. build 10240

 

[derekimo]

Mine did the same when I upgraded to 10240.

 

[sandman]

I even checked for a key and have found one with ( you must know the program) and it is activated also wonder if this is leading up to our free version for being an insider. I am also going to try a clean install on a formated hard drive after the drop and I get the upgrade on my windows 8.1 systems so my old laptop is my tester system.

 

[JohnnyGui]

Guys, I just received an email about what's going to happen on july the 29th when Windows 10 gets released.

I've got one question and I'm sorry if this has been asked countless of times:

Since I like reformatting my PC when a new Windows version is out, I was wondering if I'd be able to burn Windows 10 ISO on an USB disk, reformat my PC and then clean install Windows 10 from that USB disk WITHOUT installing Windows 8.1 first.

Will this be possible? If so, will my Windows 8.1 key work on the Windows 10 key prompt?

 

[alphanumeric]

Guys, I just received an email about what's going to happen on july the 29th when Windows 10 gets released.

I've got one question and I'm sorry if this has been asked countless of times:

Since I like reformatting my PC when a new Windows version is out, I was wondering if I'd be able to burn Windows 10 ISO on an USB disk, reformat my PC and then clean install Windows 10 from that USB disk WITHOUT installing Windows 8.1 first.

Will this be possible? If so, will my Windows 8.1 key work on the Windows 10 key prompt?

Gabe tweeted that clean installs will be allowed after you upgrade to Windows 10. What key you enter I don't know. My guess is you'll get a windows 10 key as part of the free upgrade.

 

[JohnnyGui]

Guys, I just received an email about what's going to happen on july the 29th when Windows 10 gets released.

I've got one question and I'm sorry if this has been asked countless of times:

Since I like reformatting my PC when a new Windows version is out, I was wondering if I'd be able to burn Windows 10 ISO on an USB disk, reformat my PC and then clean install Windows 10 from that USB disk WITHOUT installing Windows 8.1 first.

Will this be possible? If so, will my Windows 8.1 key work on the Windows 10 key prompt?

Gabe tweeted that clean installs will be allowed after you upgrade to Windows 10. What key you enter I don't know. My guess is you'll get a windows 10 key as part of the free upgrade.

Ah, now that's relieving. So I'd have to upgrade first from Windows 8.1 to be able to do a clean reinstall of Windows 10 afterwards?