Windows 10: Forced Download $Windows.~BT folder appeared

Hi

I have discovered a $Windows .~BT folder on my computer tonight which is several GB in size (5.3Gb, 17,255 files, 3597 folders) and from looking at the files in contains a copy of Windows 10 Professional which would be the correct version from 8.1 Pro which I am currently using.

Finding this folder has answered the question as to why my 1Mb download broadband speed has been very slow recently, however I am concerned that this has been downloaded without permission. I have not reserved an upgrade before it was released and not asked for the upgrade since the release.

Whilst I would like to upgrade I have been told by the Microsoft Answer Desk that I need to actually buy Windows 10 so that I can retain my ability to move between devices. All my current licenses are Retail (2 x Win 8.1, 3 x Win 7). Speaking with them again I have been told that to stop this from being forced onto my to switch off Windows Updates........

Would I be able to get some help from the forum, as from looking around everyone seems knowledgeable and more informed than Microsoft Answer Desk.

Thanks

Paul

:)

 

Hi Paul and welcome to Ten Forums.
Yes, that is how MS are getting W10 out - downloading in the background and then letting you know when the upgrade is available. I have several W8 machines, some of which I "reserved" and some not. All of them have the $Windows.~BT hidden folder with upgrade files at the ready. So, yes, it appears this downloads without permission, although it does require permission to install.

Never switch off Windows Update. *Smile

A qualifying retail license upgrades to retail license, an OEM to OEM. However, I believe a retail upgrade license requires a qualifying OS in order to transfer. So, while it retains the transfer-ability, it requires the qualifying OS to be installed first. (If I am incorrect, I'm sure someone will chime in here and correct me.) A store-bought retail license would not have the qualifying OS requirement.


Here is a snippet of the EULA/MSLT for W10
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Usete...10_English.htm

4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law.
a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.
b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

You can search at this web site for all EULAs/MSLTs

Microsoft License Terms

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Simrick for the reply. All my current licenses are full clean install licenses, none of them are upgrades. It seems from what you have said that all my machines could be upgraded using the free upgrade.

Would I need to reinstall the originating operating system if I changed systems etc or once acquired would I be able to just clean install Windows 10?

 

You're quite welcome. All qualifying OSs can be upgraded during the first year for free. So, yes, your retail licenses are "up-gradable" for free for the first year. Genuine W7 + W8 OSs qualify for the free upgrade, it matters not OEM or retail.

Your W10 would be a retail upgrade license to a retail qualifying license, and so it would require an additional step of installing the qualifying OS first, then upgrading. Now, one caveat here: After the first year of release passes, I don't believe it would be free any more to try and upgrade your qualifying OS.

Once a computer has been upgraded and activated, you are free to clean install as many times as you need/want. The activation is a hash/code generated from some of your major system components, and stored on MS servers. When you clean install, you just "skip" when it asks for a keycode. Just remember, "upgrading" something like your motherboard, will require a call to MS to get activation sorted again, as it is then considered a new machine. If you are past the 1-year mark, you may be looking at purchasing a W10 license. However, like-for-like replacement due to hardware failure does not fall into the "new machine" category.

 

See if this will help answer any questions Simrick didn't cover. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...d5166fc?auth=1

Once you upgrade to Windows 10, I believe you can switch back to the original operating system within the first 30 days. After that time the key is 'consumed' by Windows 10. In other words, you can run one of the 2 operating systems but not both. If you switch to Windows 10, after the 30 day period, you cannot install the original OS on any system. You have effectively traded one for the other.

 

Thanks all

I have just spoke with a very helpful person at Microsoft and he has advised that.

"Apparently the EULA agreement for Windows 10 mentioned above does not apply to the FREE upgrade as it is a 'special operating system' and any upgrade done using the FREE offer cannot ever be transferred to a new computer regardless of the license of the qualifying operating system. If you want to upgrade from a RETAIL license and retain RETAIL license flexibility then you need to purchase a RETAIL license."

As mentioned at the start of the thread, I asked how to prevent Windows 10 from repeatedly downloading despite not being wanted, i.e. forced onto the computers.

The answer:

"Go to the registry:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\OSUpgrade]

and delete : AllowOSUpgrade"


So will do that tonight and then look at buying Windows 10 Retail as and when over the next few months when I can find a decent price.

 

Interesting, as that is completely different than the information from MS in essenbe's link above. (okay, are they not addressing the "free" upgrade?)

If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.


Full version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive


Upgrade version (Retail):


- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive, but cheaper than full version




Did the MS rep give you a link where this could be found?

 

No he did not. Just kept trying to push the free upgrade and kept saying that the EULA that comes with it is not valid etc etc.

 

The EULA that comes with it is not valid? What?! But we have to agree to that EULA in order to install the upgrade!

 

I have found the following page

"http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/i...4-45f4b7ed2fb9" which is referred to in the FAQ section here and am currently talking with yet another member of the answer desk who has read the information on that page.
Will post again once finished, I am getting the feeling that they do not normally deal with Full Retail Licenses as it is hard to get them to stop talking about OEM Licenses.

 

Having spoken to the agent he has stated that:

• The link in my previous post is incorrect for the Free Upgrade and that is not officially Microsoft just an online community
• The EULA mentioned for the Free Upgrade does not say what is quoted or if it does it is incorrect.

 

Interesting. I questioned another member here, who is well-versed on the subject, and he seems to think that an "upgrade" (retail or OEM license) is "good for the life of the device" as MS put it, (read: ONLY that device), and is probably not transferable, even if you upgrade a full retail license. But we can't find anything official from MS to link. I wish the MS Agents could provide a link!

 

I just had a long chat with MS Answer Desk. After pushing the issue, I was told "cascading information" has recently come down to them, saying that retail licenses upgraded to W10 using the FREE Upgrade do indeed retain transfer rights. I have captured the chat, and will post it once I get it cleaned up. Unfortunately, there is nothing official on MS web site yet.

 

Wow!

 

MS Answer Desk Chat 8-26-2015
Be sure to read where I have posted font in RED.

Jonalene F:
13:59:46 Hi, thanks for visiting Answer Desk! I'm Jonalene F. You:
13:59:55 HI.
Jonalene F:
14:00:03 Hi. How are you? You:
14:00:21 Fine thanks. I have a question please.
Jonalene F:
14:00:56 By the way, before anything else, can you please provide me your full name, email address and call back number for documentation purposes please? You:
14:01:05 Sure.
[name deleted]
[email deleted]
[phone deleted]
Jonalene F:
14:01:58 Thank you for that information [name deleted]. How may I help you today? You:
14:02:30 I have a windows 8 pro retail license. This license has the ability to be transferred to a new computer. If I use the free windows 10 upgrade, do I lose that transferability or do I retain it? Everything I find online for EULA says it retains the right to transfer, but telephone service people are saying "no". Which is it, and please give me a link from official Microsoft site, where it specifically spells out the transfer rights of an upgraded retail license to free windows 10.
Jonalene F:
14:03:52 Okay, first may I ask, is this Windows 8 license still Windows 8 or already upgraded to Windows 10? You:
14:04:16 Still Windows 8 at the moment, why? Does it make a difference?
Jonalene F:
14:07:45 Yes, the difference is, for example, you have Windows 8.1 then it is upgraded to Windows 10 and it says on the activation status that it is activated, well it is not Windows 8.1 anymore but Windows 10 already. But as you mentioned that it is not yet Windows 10 or upgraded, the phone time is right about it. You cannot transfer the license to another PC. 1 license, 1 PC. The only difference with retail and OEM is that retail can be activated many times than OEM but they are the same at the rule that 1 license is for 1 PC only.
licensing FAQ (click here) You:
14:10:31 I'm sorry - it does not make sense what you say to me. If I have a retail license, it is transferable to a new computer, right?
Jonalene F:
14:10:50 Nope, it is not. 1 license for 1 PC only.
It cannot be transferred to another PC. You:
14:11:50 Wait - I have purchased a retail W8 license - it is fully transferable to a new computer, when I take it off the old computer.
you are telling me no?
Jonalene F:
14:14:36 That may be possible but you might have activation issues with it later on when you try to reactivate your Windows. You:
14:15:12 What? Retail licenses are FULLY transferable. That is why I bought it in the first place!
I bought this when W8 was first introduced.
Are you telling me that a full retail license is not transferable? When did MS change their EULA?
Jonalene F:
14:17:41 I see, have you tried to read the link that I gave you earlier? You:
14:19:37 Jonalene, I have a BOX, with a Key, and 2 disks in it, which I bought from a retail store, of Windows 8, and it is transferable. Are you telling me it is not??
Jonalene F:
14:20:58 Okay, here is the thing [name deleted], did the old computer crash or got broken? What is the reason for transferring the license by the way? You:
14:21:37 please answer my question.
Jonalene F:
14:23:47 I am very sorry for the confusion here. Here are the acceptable reason for transferring the license, you can transfer license if your old PC is broken and you will install the license to a new PC. But the license will be only installed in 1 computer only. You:
14:24:23 I understand that. And that's what I would do.
Jonalene F:
14:24:47 I see, then its okay. You:
14:25:08 Okay now back to my original question:
If I upgrade my old computer with W8, to the free W10, do I still retain transfer rights?
Because I am using a W8 retail license.
Jonalene F:
14:26:35 Is it Windows 8 or Windows 8.1?
Because you cannot upgrade if you are only Windows 8
you must be Windows 8.1 You:
14:27:11 Does it make a difference? I can upgrade using the ISO if it is still at W8.
Regardless, DO I RETAIN TRANSFER RIGHTS if I upgrade with the FREE W10 upgrade?
Jonalene F:
14:28:54 You cannot upgrade to Windows 10 if you are only using Windows 8 even if you use ISO. So, since you cannot upgrade, yes you can transfer. You:
14:29:59 Actually, yes, you can. Regardless, if I upgrade to W8.1, and then upgrade using the FREE W10 upgrade, do I retain transfer rights?
Jonalene F:
14:32:29 Nope, you don't have the right to transfer it anymore, because for example, you have Windows 8 upgraded to Windows 8.1, then you now have the ability to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Now, once that Windows 8.1 that you have is successfully upgraded, you cannot transfer the Windows 8.1 license anymore because the key will be acquired by Windows 10 and that will serve as your Windows 10 license after the upgrade. You:
14:33:57 So what you are saying is this:
W8 is transferable
W8.1 is transferable
W10 free upgrade is not transferable?
Is that correct?
Jonalene F:
14:35:00

(Readon!!) Yes. unless you have a retail key of Windows 10. You:
14:36:24 But it is not saying that in the EULA when doing the upgrade. Please give me a link to the EULA which says that the FREE W10 upgrade removes all transfer rights. I want an official MS site link please.
I want to see where it says that retail licenses lose transfer rights when upgraded using the Free w10 upgrade.
Jonalene F:
14:37:31 Windows 10 (click here) You:
14:39:05 Where does it say that a full retail license loses transfer rights please? Because I have read this page many times, and I don't find it.
Jonalene F:
14:41:15 Okay [name deleted], about that blog, there is no update yet but I will take note of it so that I can give it to you some other Time. Sorry again for the confusion as what I have checked, you can still transfer the files of your Windows after the upgrade just make sure that it is not yet blocked.
*license not files (sorry) You:
14:43:07 So now you are telling me that a W8 or W8.1 retail license which is upgraded to the FREE W10 IS INDEED STILL RETAINING TRANSFER RIGHTS?
Jonalene F:
14:43:52 Yes, I am sorry about the confusion earlier. As I have verify, yes it is. You:
14:44:49 Where can I verify online from an MS site, that I will retain transfer rights if I upgrade using the FREE W10 tool please?
Jonalene F:
14:45:28 There is no posted blog about that yet. You:
14:45:44 So how do you verify it?
Jonalene F:
14:46:10 These are just information cascaded to us. If you want, you can wait and try to check about it.
By the Senior Technicians. You:
14:47:38 I would like something in writing please before I upgrade. I have 2 Retail W8 licenses and my friend has several W7 licenses, and we need to be sure we do not lose transfer rights, or we will NOT upgrade. How do we have the Senior Technicians contact me with this information in writing please?
Jonalene F:
14:48:44 What I meant is that these are the information cascaded to us by the Senior Technicians but with the blog, Microsoft has not posting any of it yet.
You can try to visit forums for that one. You:
14:49:56 When I visit forums, I am told these are NOT official MS sites, and I can not rely on what they say.
So, let me just confirm with you:
W8/W8.1 retail license = transferable
W7 retail license = transferable
W8/8.1 Retail with FREE W10 upgrade = transferable
W7 Retail with FREE W10 upgrade = transferable
Correct?
Jonalene F:
14:52:44 Yes. You:
14:53:28 any idea when this "cascading information" might make it to the official MS web for all people to see?
Jonalene F:
14:54:10 With that one, I am not sure when. You:
14:55:32 How do I contact Senior Technicians to have this information emailed to me then please?
Jonalene F:
14:56:31 You can try to contact this number: 1-800-642-7676 (1-800-MICROSOFT) You:
14:57:56 Okay Jonalene, I appreciate your help. If there is some way to raise this to a higher level, and get me an email confirming this, I would very much appreciate it. At least, it would be helpful to have a transcript of this chat. Can you do that?
Jonalene F:
14:59:20 As much as I want to extend my help, I am sorry but I cannot provide this to our customers. But it will reflect on your account and other Technicians will see this session. Don't worry. You:
14:59:45 I can not get a copy of this transcript?
Jonalene F:
15:00:28 We cannot provide it. I am sorry.
Is there anything else so far [name deleted]? You:
15:04:07 No thank you. You have been very helpful. I just wish there was a way for me to get a copy of this transcript.
Jonalene F:
15:04:47 Thank you for visiting Answer Desk, have a nice day! You:
15:05:07 Thanks.