Windows 10: Build 10240 - Any expiry on ACTIVATED versions??

You can call it RTM if you want, that's up to you. I'm not convinced so I'll wait it out. IMHO, there is nothing to be gained by opting out of the Insiders program now, versus waiting another week or so. My 10240 shows no expiry date too and I haven't opted out. So what's the difference? If it isn't RTM and you opt out, you may not get the final official release automatically. Then have to opt back in etc.

 

The Windows insider program is closed ....... for now at least until after release, if you have opted out, there is no way back in until after release.

 

I know all that but one correction though.

It says you need to wait tell the 29th to do that. However, Rocky did what was underline early so far with no ill effects and no expiration date. See below.


Upcoming changes to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds [UPDATED 6/22] | Blogging Windows

However, after re-reading this, it sounds like you should opt-out before the installing the build on the 29th but I could be reading it incorrectly.

 

@jimbo45






On Monday, Aul clarified that Windows Insiders won't be getting Windows 10 for free, at least not exactly.

Though July 29 marks the release of the "final" version of Windows 10, Microsoft will continue to tweak and enhance the operating system beyond that date. The company will also continue to run the Windows Insider program, through which participants can download the latest preview builds to test Windows 10 as it continues to evolve and then offer Microsoft their feedback.

And it's those preview builds that Windows Insiders will freely receive on a regular basis. Each preview build expires at a certain point, but Microsoft promises that it will be replaced by the next build. So in essence, those who wish to remain in the Windows Insider Program can get Windows 10 for free, but the version you run will always be a prerelease build, in other words a non-activated beta product.

"Since we're continuing the Windows Insider Program you'll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program," Aul said. "We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software."

Those who wish to upgrade to the fully-tested and public release of Windows 10 on July 29 as well as in the future still need to be running Windows 7 or 8.1 to qualify for the free upgrade.
As Aul describes it in his blog post, users can choose from a couple of scenarios:


Read More At: http://www.cnet.com/news/will-window...s-10-for-free/

 

I don't know about all that, all my machines qualify for the update and I am also an insider, I run my preview or RTM version in a virtual machine. I don't plan on updating any of my systems until release day or somewhere thereabouts and even after updating I plan of running the preview or as you put it RTM version in a virtual machine just so I can judge as to when to run Windows update as my updates will not be forced because I run the pro version.

 

@MKeezy


This is more official than Cnet.

Upcoming changes to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds [UPDATED 6/22] | Blogging Windows

 

I think you are reading it wrong. Whatever new build Insiders receive on or around the 29th will be the legitimate 'release' bits. It may not even be a full build release - maybe just an update or set of updates to turn 10240 into the real 'retail' deal. I very seriously doubt a new Preview build is going to come along until a bit of time has elapsed from the 29th and the dust has settled. So if you are happily running 10240, upgraded from a legitimate 7/8.1 licensee, I'd just wait until th 29th, see what happens, and when it happens, THEN drop out of the IP if that's what you want to do.

I am sure there will be official guidance on this as The Day approaches...

 

What a crap article, by someone who doesn't get it. If you are running the Windows 10 Preview having upgraded from a legitimate Windows 7 or 8.1 license, you do NOT have to roll back to Windows 7 or 8.1 to get final bits. Just opt out of the IP on the 29th, after it has rolled out to Insiders.

 

This isn't that difficult.

There will be, but are not yet, two branches
1) Insider Program
2) Released product

Regardless of the terminology RTM (MS will never call it that - opting for their preferred obscure Current Branch) - 10.0.240 is NOT a Released product. We've already received one rollup and a few other updates - this is the way it's going to be moving forward.

If you have 10.0.240 installed - it is a Preview release downloaded though the TH1 branch. I don't know what the production branch will be called, but it won't be TH1. MS has entries in the registry that differentiate between a production system and a Preview system.

You're either running production code (free upgrade) or development code (Insider Preview). What's the difference?

• Development code is not fully tested and has a high probability of containing bugs - perhaps destructive and catastrophic bugs.
  
  Insider branches will expire and eventually stop booting.
  This expiration built into the branch code and might not be visible to the end user, but it is documented.
  
  
• Production code has been tested and while there will always be bugs, they probably won't trash your system - worse case is what we've all experienced in all Windows releases. I don't recall catastrophic bugs in past Windows releases - poor design or implementation, yes, but nothing earth shattering.
  
  Production branches will never expire once activated.

I see no reason that users will NOT be able to run both branches in a multi-boot or VM environment. They will be distinct with EULA and licenses.

 

@Slartybart

10.0.240 has been sent to manufactures according to press sites. I would say 10.0.240 is a released product. Manufactures wouldn't put a build on computers that would expire. As I said before Rocky didn't get expiration date. slmgr /dlv didn't show Rocky having an expiration date. Where is the documentation that 10.0.240 expires? I am not talking about a website. I am talking on the computer itself. It suppose to give a date if it expires. It doesn't.

 

Hi there

The next lot of changes (or perhaps any changes from now on) will essentially be just "delta" changes -- nothing significant so the chances of your computer not working on the next upgrade if you are on the insider builds will be very small indeed - and if you aren't running a lot of complex software or oodles of unusual hardware the chances are you won't notice any difference.

It seems to me that with care (and TAKE backups) you could legitimately run Windows 10 for FREE on the Insider loop until such times as Ms ends the program.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I'm still an insider. When updating to 10240 from 10166 something screwed up big-time and messed up the OS so I found the 10240 iso and did a clean install. Then found out all the keys were shut down so I used the process that was posted and is now removed. This is what I get:

 

Looks like you did a KMS activation. And likely not an official Microsoft KMS server, which is why those instructions were removed. It's against forum policy to post work arounds like that..

 

There are many ways to install code, Insiders have one way, Mfrs have another. While the code rhat gets installed might... might be the same, settings and registry entries are different.

Whether slmgr is a valid way to check anything any more is anyone's guess. The whole licensing structure has changed - see what you get when you run MGAdiag - I can't make sense of it anymore.

At this stage, I'm not willing to dig any deeper - you can sort though the registry, comparing a previous Insider release to the 240 release if it's that important to you.

Where is it supposed to give you an expiry date?

If I were to venture a guess, 10.0.240 looked at the hard drive for a qualifying OS and used the key it found to anchor 240. Yes it can see drives even if they're not given a drive letter.

You keep pointing to what Rocky did and now ask me to provide proof of an expiry - how 'bout you do the digging? You do seem capable enough.

A production release is available directly from the OEM, in Stores, or on a retail website.

Can you find Windows 10 anywhere other than the Insider program, not from a converted ESD and available today 23 July 2015?
No, then it's not a product yet.

 

I doubt MS will pull the plug on insider program. The idea is to keep the insiders till their machines bite the dust.