Windows 10: Something strange happened when installing Build 10240

Hey all,

Newbie here.

I'm a long time Windows users and have used all incarnations since 95, so I know my way around the system - but something just happened and it has me stumped!

The other day, I downloaded an ISO of Build 10240 via kat.cr. I had Windows 7 installed on my machine, formatted it and did a clean install. Everything went swimmingly and I'm loving the new OS. It's fantastic. Modern, sleek, responsive.

Unfortunately, I was not able to active it permanently. I skipped the license key screens during set-up and instead entered it via CMD. I used the VM key that is floating around (lasts 180) and then installed Custom Auto KMS (via MS Toolkit) to run at 7pm every night, thereby resetting my 180 day trial everyday. This doesn't really bother me but deep down I wish it was permanent.

However, here is the strange thing. I just now installed it on my father-in-law's machine. I wiped his HD and did a clean install, followed the same routine that I did on my machine and his is permanently activated! I entered no key, nothing! I checked CMD by typing in slmgr /xpr and yep, she's activated permanently.

How is this possible?!

:)

 

Running a RTM version of windows 10?

Today I saw something strange when I opened DxDiag to check somethings about my hardware.

I noticed that at the Operating system category says: "Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (10.0, Build 10240)".

Is the "Build 10240" means I'm running a RTM version of windows?!

I need to mention that I installed windows 10 from the Microsoft media creation tool and created installation media and installed from there.

If I'm am running a RTM version of windows, then, how can I install the real version?!

 

Running windows 10 RTM?

Today I saw something strange when I opened DxDiag to check somethings about my hardware.

I noticed that at the Operating system category says: "Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (10.0, Build 10240)".

Is the "Build 10240" means I'm running a RTM version of windows?!

I need to mention that I installed windows 10 from the Microsoft media creation tool and created installation media and installed from there.

If I'm am running a RTM version of windows, then, how can I install the real version?!

 

Hi there

Help with Unofficial Software installed from well known torrent sites and using "dubious methods" of activation (KMS activators etc) isn't allowed to be offered on the Forum (Forum rules) so I'm afraid you are on your own on that one.

Unofficial ways of creating an ISO from the OFFICIAL install update methods are allowed ( create ISO from ESD) and are available in the tutorials.

Cheers
jimbo

 

The one I got was from the official update, I just didn't create it myself. I'm not asking for help, just curious as to why this has happened? Very peculiar.

 

Hi there

reading your original post : The other day, I downloaded an ISO of Build 10240 via kat.cr. .......

There's NO official ISO for build 10240 yet.

Cheers
jimbo

 

The activation servers were down last week - MS is forcing users to run through normal channels for updating Windows to help them understand the process in the wild. This is a good thing.

IT's possible that you could not activate Windows on your machine because the servers weren't responding, but by the time you installed on your father's machine, they might have been back up.

Windows 10 automatically activates using the key from a qualified previous install (Win7 sp1, Win8.1) - they need to test this thoroughly.

You mentioned KMS - that's volume licensing isn't it. The upgrade path for enterprise (volume licensing) is completely different than for individual use.

See: Windows.com - Windows 10 'tab'
Windows 10 FAQ Tips - Microsoft
-- and --
Windows 10 Specifications - Microsoft

 

Both of those links are not working now.

 

Worked for me when I posted them and I just went there. Hmmmm

Try Windows.com, then click on the Windows 10 'tab' on the blue banner

 

I just got some sort of update.

 

Hand-writing on the wall, in the Cloud???? They open in Internet Explorer but not in Firefox, obviously being blocked by Microsoft. Same for the Windows.com link

 

hmmmm, Chrome doesn't have any issue with the pages. Edge works too.

They are secure pages (https://) for some reason.

Could you test the address below in FF? Tenforums does a redirect on URLs and I'm wondering if that, combined with https, is causing FF to balk
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

After that, we should return to cryofry's question, I'm not sure there's much more that I can offer. It seems to me that MS might detect the non-MS ISO install and deny or turn off activation. I'm not sure that's the case, but if it is, this was a good test for MS.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with servers. The said PCs weren't even connected to the internet when I did this. I just stuck a bootable USB into his PC, skipped the pages asking for the license key, installed it and when I was on the desktop, it said it was activated (genuine license). Mine, on the other hand, said "Windows is not activated".

I should say that our machines came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home. I was too excited to wait until the 29th, so I downloaded the Pro ISO. I formatted our HDDs so it was a clean install, no upgrade. I'm aware that Pro and Home licenses are incompatible with one another.

This whole thing has got me puzzled. I redid this last night to retest it. I did his first, then mine literally straight after (no internet, same flash drive). I'm thinking it might have something to do with BIOS? My PC is a few years newer than his, so that could be it? They are both HP.

This is very strange indeed. Microsoft may have missed something here indeed.

 

you cannot activate because Microsoft blocked all insider keys, I am surprised no one else mentioned this here.

 

10.0.240 is very close to what the RTM will be - MS wants to test all scenarios before RTM. You circumvented the process by downloading an unofficial ISO (probably created by someone from a 240 ESD). I think you also said you muddled about with KMS licence 'hacks' and sli trial extensions.

These are all things MS wants to know about, but at this stage they might be 'blocked'.

Your 2nd attempt seems more along the lines, but still used the unofficial ISO. You might be on to something with the Pro version vs the Home version - this probably would have been avoided if you followed MS supported channels for the upgrade (using WU).

What I suggest is this, but I'm unsure of the full procedure (will Win10 10.0.240 be offered to Win7???)
Restore the original Windows 7 (hopefully you have a backup image - if not it will take more time to fully update Win7 and then Updrate to Windows 10)
See if the GWX app allows you to updrate Win7 to Win10 before 29 July - if it does, go for it. This will updrate Win7 Home to Win10 Home.

It is very late in the game (only 8 days to the release) so you really might consider waiting. I would still put the original OS back on your machines for the proper edition.

On the other hand, it might just take a while to activate ... it took a day or two for my install to flip states. If you haven't connected yet, do so and let it think about the activation for a while ... I left my machine connected over night.

Windows 10 auto activates using the license key from the previous qualifying OS. I'm sure there's still some activation server checks required because there are a lot of pirates on the high seas. Win10 will install, but it will not activate, as far as I understand it.

You are correct though, at this stage the insider keys are useless and not required - that's probably why no one mentioned it *Tongue

cryofry mentioned that the key entry step was skipped anyway.