Windows 10: Should I do a free upgrade from Win 8.1 to Win 10 in my situation?

I got Win 8.1 Pro about 6 months ago and I've been getting the free upgrade to win 10 offer. So I wouldn't
be buying a new Win 10 key. From what I heard in another computer forum, I’ll be able to use a dual
boot system with Win 8.1 OEM and Win 10 during my transition period and not have to be stopped every time I boot to a different OS.

If I upgraded I assume that I’d run into all sorts of problems, which is expected with a new OS and I’d need to run a dual boot system for a while until I got Win 10 working as well as Win 8.1 Pro. Since I run a recording studio, I can't risk problems when clients are in and would likely use Win 8.1 with clients until I was absolutely confident in Win 10.

Most of the time I work by myself, so I don't' mind experimenting during those times. I know in the first 30 days if things don't' work out I can do a rollback to Win 8.1, but what about after that? Has anyone done dual boot like this this? Are there any unexpected problems with this dual boot scenario? Especially beyond 30 days?

I heard someone say that Microsoft doesn't kill your Activation record for your old Windows 8.1 key, so I can re-install Windows 8.1 on the same system down the road, even if I upgrade to Windows 10. Is this correct?

I may not find I have a problem until way later and I'll need to backtrack by
reverting to an old 8.1 Acronis image file of my C drive and build things back up
from there with Win 10. Other times a project that was started a year ago may not work right in Win 10 for whatever reason and I may need to revert to an old Win 8.1 image file that I used when I worked on that project, maybe just to copy some settings. Can I do that after 30 days?

Any suggestions?

:)

 

When to upgrade.

I have a computer on win 8.1. I am going to change the motherboard and processor from AMD to Intel. Should I install Win 10 before I change or do the change, install 8.1 and then upgrade to win 10? Will my free upgrade still be available?

 

Upgrade again to Win 10 - after HW problems

I did the free upgrade from Win 8.1 to Win 10 back in 2016. My HDD and motherboard had to be replaced. They were able to install Win 8.1, but not Win 10. How do I install/upgrade to Win 10? Is it free?

 

The basic answer to your question is yes, you will be able to restore your Windows 8 image at any time.

 

Even after 30 days? So I'll be able to dual boot also after 30 days?

 

Yes you will, but note that this is not in strict accordance with EULA.

 

Before you upgrade back up everything with Macrium Reflect I use it and it comes highly recommended on here.
Make sure all your drivers are up to date and your BIOS is up to date.
I had no trouble upgrading from windows 8.1 to 10 once I did all the above before hand.
Windows 10 for me at least is faster and I have had no problems with it at all,
I always make sure all latest updates are installed.

 

+1 Agreed.

 

Yes I understand that and heard that they weren't strictly enforcing this right now in a dual boot or reverting to a previous image file situation. I think after 30 days you won't be able to rollback using the Control Panel method. So most will have that 30 day limitation.

My old computer had Win 7, I've not been pleased with Win 8.1 on this new computer, it's taken a long time just to get reasonably stable. My hope is that I can go to Win 10 and never have to look back or revert to Win 8, but I just need a Plan B if things go haywire. This sounds to me like a no lose proposition.

This is a great forum, I’ve used the seven and eight forums and knew this one would be as good. Thanks for all the excellent advice.