Windows 10: Currently on build 10240 - but want to fresh install on 29th

I'm currently on build 10240 and I want to do a clean installation on the 29th when Windows 10 is officially released.

I upgraded to Windows 10 via Windows 8.1 update, so will the same key I previously used to activate 8.1 now activate a fresh installation of Windows 10? Or do I have to reinstall 8.1 Pro, then upgrade again to Win10?

:)

 

What build would be deployed if I wait?

Really? No one from Microsoft has any idea? I'm asking because in the past using XP, Vista, and Windows 7. If I perform a clean install, the next thing I would do is to install all available updates and patches. That process takes forever. Will the same
apply if customer waits six months from July 29th to upgrade to Windows 10? It's only speculation as to what the patch level will be at that time. Will the starting point for the upgrade always be the July 29th build even if I wait until the last day of the
free offer?

July 29: build 10240

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----- Six months later: install build 10240+patches or install build #####

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----- Six months later: install build 10240+patches or install build #####

 

Installing Windows 10 Build 10240 - Will I lose support/activation?

Hi Patrick,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

As you have mentioned that “The RTM Build of Windows 10 is obviously 10240, and will be released publicly on the 29th”
this Windows build 10240 is not the final version it is a build, you can install the build 10240 now. Once the Final Version Windows is released you need to upgrade again on 29th July 2015 because few features might been removed or added
in the final version.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

Most likely -- yes. As to HOW you enter that key, we don't know at present. Win10 might prompt for a key, or it may search the drives for an installed version of Win7/8/8.1.

 

I have never seen a Windows upgrade that directly accepted the license key from the qualifying OS to install or activate the new version. On the other hand, there has been no broadly available free upgrade before. (There have been free upgrades, but only to those who bought a PC with a qualifying OS within a limited time before the release of the new OS. That was available mainly to reduce the number of people who would put off a PC purchase while a new OS release was imminent.)

I know that if you install 10 build 10240 as an upgrade over an installed and activated 8.1, no key is needed. I haven't tried the upgrade mode where everything from 8.1 is discarded. (That'd still be an upgrade, as you would launch the 10 installer from within 8.1. I believe that if you booted the PC from media containing the installer and ran the installer from that, you'd need a key. The key may be unavailable.)

I have read claims that once you've done an initial upgrade to 10, you will be permitted to do a clean 10 install on the same machine. The details of how that would work are limited enough that I remain skeptical.

I wish that MS had had a deal similar to that for Windows 8. For a limited time in pre-release, they sold an upgrade license for $40US. That included a key, which could be used any time. Free is good, but I'd cheerfully pay $40 for a license with fewer restrictions.

 

First time poster. Long time lurker.

I have a surface pro 3 running 9xxx build upgraded via windows 8.1 I then updated the build to 10240 and windows remains activated. I took a risk and did a clean install of windows 10 10240 via windows esd to iso. Don't input any keys when it's asking for keys. Just hit skip. I had to skip once via the usb boot side and then another time when setting up th account. After booting to desktop, windows will automatically activate via your old keys.

I am running a clean install 10240 on my SP3 pro right now.

Good luck

[edit] I do not know if this has anything to do with the uefi bios which has the keys implemented into the bios. I know sp3 pro does it this way