Windows 10: The Free Windows 10 Will Support Unlimited Clean Installs

Sure I can.

On one computer (probably this desktop), I won't let Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10. I will most likely also use this desktop for the Windows 10 continuing Insider Program.

Well, Rich, you've started me on the way to figuring out how I'm going to work with Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

I have three laptops, two of which are dual boot. On Lappy 17, I'll let Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10 and keep the Preview as the Insider Program. That's as far as I'll go for now, since I have another 17" (pretty old) laptop and a 15.6" as well.

 

What I would like to see is for MS ta say clean and loud; "If you upgrade your RETAIL Win7/8.1 to same Win 10, you will be able to keep or get new license to RETAIL version and will not be tied to your device".

 

Just so I am not misunderstood, you can dual boot, but not with an OS that has been used to upgrade, IMO.

 

I have no idea what your talking about? Windows cannot insert a SLIC table into the BIOS, never has never will. The OEM's flash a custom BIOS in at the factory. Also Windows 8 does not use a SLIC table, nor will Windows 10. On OEM motherboards for Windows 8 an actual product code is embedded in the BIOS.

 

I found this quote within the last couple of hours at MS somewhere. I'm not sure of the implications re the Store.

"Windows 10 builds are pre-keyed, meaning, you do not have to enter a product key and should not be prompted to enter one even after Windows 10 has completed setup. This key gets saved in the Windows Store, which is one of the benefits of the new delivery system."

 

Correct. I am dual booting three of my machines now. All three have a Windows 8.1 partition and a Windows 10 partition. Other than Disk Management, which can see how my disk(s) are arranged, neither OS can see the other. So, if I can dual boot now, I can dual boot after the upgrade (that won't happen on this machine).

Lappy 17 will remain a dual boot machine, but after the upgrade, I may take the 15.6" laptop back to single boot. The last 17" laptop will remain a single boot machine.

 

Oh great! Just go to the Store and grab a key . . . sorry, couldn't resist! Seriously, that's just weird! I wonder what they're talking about?

 

Sorry SLIC was the wrong term, SLP is what i meant.

And if this is the case, it is rather simple for the dev team to write an auto flasher for the storage of the key...

 

I saw that too and wondered if he was confusing the tech previews with the RTM? They could do that, give each PC, that does the free upgrade, an image with the product code embedded in it. I do it now with my install thumb drives by adding a PID.txt file. I don't have to enter any product code during the install. I just have to keep track of what thumb drive is for what PC. I do that by naming the thumb drive with the PC name its used on.

 

Microsoft is never going to flash the BIOS on a PC as part of the install process, or any other process. They are not going to open themselves up to the liability of a failed flash. It's just never going to happen. The BIOS is proprietary to the OEM and they aren't going to give Microsoft permission to alter it.

 

I believe the idea is get the windows 10 key in exchange for your win 8/8.1/7 key, then after july 29 2016, annually you have to pay for subscription, just like some anti virus program go by annual subscription. Is it simple enough ?

 

Ramram.... The one year deal 7/29/15 - 7/29/16 is to get the UPGRADE free. If you don't opt in for the freebie before 7/29/16, you will have to buy a retail license. Otherwise, it's yours forever and ever, ON THE SAME BOX.

 

What other way can they possibly store the Unlimited activations on the hardware then?

 

That is not true. There will be no fee after the one year is up. If you upgrade in the first year it is a free upgrade and Windows will then be free for the life of that device. If you upgrade after the one year period expires, you then have to pay for the upgrade. Even then, once upgraded there will be no further fees for the life of that device.

 

Windows 8 and 10 activate online via a Microsoft activation server. It checks the hardware hash against what was stored on the first activation on that hardware. If they match, activation is allowed. If they don't activation fails. Simple as that. It doesn't care how many times Windows is activated as long as that key is always used on that hardware/PC.