Windows 10: Does free upgrade to 10 from 8.1 offer Custom: Install Windows only.

I have already once done a free upgrade to W.10 & then decided to go back to W.8.1. I know I now can go back up to W.10 any time I want, even after the July 29, deadline. (I believe!). However, I want to do a dual boot for both 8.1 & 10. Does a normal upgrade contain the box whereby you can select the 2nd choice, 'Custom: Install Windows only' which will enable me to do a dual boot. I didn't notice it when I upgraded it before. Or do I have to use a bootable USB drive to get this feature. Thanks for any replies.

:)

 

How do i reserve Win 10?

Windows 8.1 Enterprise and Windows 7 Enterprise do not qualify for the free upgrade offer.

Can Enterprise customers get the free Windows 10 upgrade?

Enterprise customers with active Software Assurance subscription in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

 

Windows 10 upgrade for One-Off Windows 8.1 Enterprise

Volume License customers running Windows 7 Enterprise or Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise or volume license editions of Windows 7 Professional or Windows 8/8.1 Pro do not qualify for this offer.

If you got this through an employer or University/training center, you will need to depend on them to provide you with Windows 10 Enterprise install media.

Only retail and oem Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 licenses qualify for the free upgrade offer.

 

You'll need two licenses to run both OSes, but the install process is no different than Windows 7 or 8/8/1. You have the same options for partitioning and choosing where to install.

 

You have to have a bootable installation source to clean install Windows 10 to an empty partition after purchasing your second license for Windows to legally dual boot.

 

Thanks guys! I have already made a 'bootable installation source' in the form of a USB flash drive to clean install W.10, although I haven't been able to get it to install anything yet. I don't see why I have to purchase anything to dual boot! I already have a licence for 8.1 & I've a bootable media for 10. The reason I made the USB flash drive is because I thought this was the only way to get the 'Custom: Install Windows only' option which allows you to install to a partition. I've already made a partition as 'G:' drive. At the moment I wondering if I have to go into the BIOS to change the order. However, when I tried to enter before by keying: (F2)(Fn)+2 when the manufacturer's name/logo appears, nothing happened. This is an Acer Aspire V5-571P laptop built in Sept. 2012. In 'File Explorer' of the 9 items in the flash drive's folder one is 'setup.exe', when I selected this on my Lenovo Ultrabook it installed W.10, but I don't remember seeing the 'Custom' option!

 

There is no need to buy another license.

 

Thanks for that hotkey, I didn't think so. I have now repositioned the BIOS to USB-HDD & have restarted my laptop, unfortunately it's in the process of updating 118 updates. I haven't used this Acer laptop for about 4 months. I'll update info as it happens.

 

Yes, there is. 1 license for Windows = 1 install of Windows. The OP wants to install 2 copies of Windows from a single license which violates the EULA, and it violates the forum rules here to encourage people to violate the EULA.

 

Hi again guys.
Well, I decided to take a chance & activate W.10 from the 'setup.exe' file & the result was as I suspected, there is no allowance to select the 2 options which would let me create a partition & before I could stop it I had to completely load W.10 again. When it was finished I immediately went back to W.8.1 again. So I've got to figure out why so far I'm unable to boot from the USB I made.