Windows 10: Upcoming changes to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds [UPDATED 6/22]

I think you need to upgrade from 7 or 8.x to 10, let the machine activate, and then you can clean install.

From the Windows 10 FAQ:

 

So if I want to continue Windows Insider, no need to do anything as long as Microsoft continues to Insider program.
And if I want the "final" version, I stop using Insider. and I use my Windows 7 retail lisence to activate final veriosn. Right ?

 

I think, too, Gary. *Smile

 

Guess I'll continue to dual boot with 7 and insider until they get major bugs stomped out, or a year passes, or the insider program is shut down, whichever comes first *Smile then I'll upgrade from 7.

 

<Stepping off the deep end here>

What I think will happen is that first we have to accept an upgrade (unless we upgraded our Win 7 or 8.1 systems to Win 10 at the beginning) to Windows 7 or 8.1. After that, we can use the ISO to reinstall Windows 10 as a clean install. And, yes, I hope that's not the way we have to do it, but it seems to be what we're being told. That is if I'm reading my tea leaves correctly. *Smile

 

That sounds like you're right. But if I first have to upgrade, then how does the new clean-install know that I have allready made the upgrade? Do we get a new Windows 10 key to use AFTER we have upgraded from a genuie windows 7/8.1?

Senarie: Running windows 8.1. Upgrades to windows 10. Run Windows 10 for a week. Buy a SSD. Take out the old HDD, and mount the SSD. Now clean install windows 10 on the new SSD.
Question: How does the new installed Windows 10 "know", that I have upgrated from windows 8.1 at an earlier state?? *Redface

 

I believe this as well but if you opt out of the TP , you still will be able to use Windows 7 or Wind 8.XX. Right?

 

I'll get new keys through MSDN anyway, so it doesn't really matter to me if I do the free upgrade or not. I likely will on at least one PC just to see how the whole process works etc. It makes sense to me what they did. If you stay an insider your RTM build comes as just another preview build with a fixed expiry date like any other preview build. Opt out and you have to install another OS on that PC when your Preview expires. If you qualify for the free upgrade, you can then do that if you want. Then your RTM build becomes a fully licensed Windows 10 install. I have a PC that I upgraded to the TP from Windows 7. It's 10 Pro so I think that's the one I'm going to do the free upgrade on to a full version. My laptop is running 8.1 Pro activated with my TechNet 8.0 Pro key. I may try that one too just to see what happens. It also has an embedded OEM key for 8.0 Core. It has the GWX icon saying its good to go. For me its more for testing purposes than getting a free upgrade to 10. I want to see the upgrade process first hand so I can answer questions accurately.

 

Thanks for the laugh, Gary!

 

Oh, well, at least I know where I stand now i.e. no freebie for wife's Vista!! Had my hopes raised there for a short while.

Think I will buy a used PC with Win 7 Pro on it as it would be cheaper than buying win 10 on its own. But the downside is the upgrade to win 10 would be OEM. Hmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

Maybe, like Bunny, I just cough up for the retail version in August and move on.

 

Yes, Nobody. However, just be sure to upgrade 7 to 10 before July 28, 2016. *Smile

 

Everyone needs a laugh and I still am not convinced of anything. Can I keep Win 7 and Drop out of the TP after the 29th.?

 

That's ok, you've got enough problems with Kari's Sat Live! *Roflmao2

 

They can have a skit on SNL about this with Gabe as the main Character.

 

Microsoft hasn't told us that, yet, Burgune. However, I would think that at some point, we'll be told to either use the Product Key from Win 7 or 8.1 or be given a key for Windows 10.

Brainstorm! When we download the ISO, it will come with a key? *Smile Or was that a brain toot? *Sad