Same here, in a optimal situation I would do it yearly. Now if only my dept didn't keep me from affording a proper NAS, would make the whole process less fiddly.
Bigger issue is how they treat your old keys, so annoying how Microsoft forces you back to step 1 with your key rather than updating it or making it compatible with newer ISOs.
I am not optimistic, I know I am going to have to capture like 5 sysprep'd images for each of my existing machines, after that who knows for new builds.....
I just did fresh installs of all my machines with 7 Pro. Just to be safe, I'm going to clone my drives and then do the 10 upgrade on different drives. If it goes to sh!t, I can just plug the old drives back in and stick with 7.
I'm going to capture images right after upgrade actually. I still have grandfathered TechNet MAK Win7 keys, so no threat of ever running out of Win7 activations. After that first year however, that Win10 free upgrade path may get closed down though.
Love to know how that works if you want to do it as a clean install. Most of my machines have been running long enough I'd rather do this as a fresh install vice just "upgrading" in place.
Exactly... the simple solution is to upgrade, and then immediately reset. You will be able to choose a fresh install there. So, you'll load it twice.. but it is still a very simple process. I like it.
Good point Gich. My Win 7 PC loses app focus a lot, which is a big problem in a home theater / game PC, so I'll definitely be resetting and starting from scratch.
How about those that want to move directly from Windows 8.0 to 10? (I don't like the way Onedrive works in 8.1 for instance). Will they be able to upgrade? There is conflicting information about this on the web....
Any particular reason you expect OneDrive to be less integrated in Win 10 than in Win 8.1? I also prefer the old, more direct way.. but I don't see them changing things back anytime soon.
Yes but it's handled differently, and for some aspects more similarly to the version for Windows 7. Having said this, this is just a minor point among others. The reason why I haven't moved my desktop replacement to 8.1 is also I find startisback more convenient than 8.1 start button, while it precisely does't work well with the new 8.1 start button (I also use Modermix), as I have seen in some of my 8.1 machines. I think some people who use Startisback or Classic Shell etc. cannot justify upgrading to 8.1, putting at risk the compatibility of some software (3-4 would require a paid update in my case according to MS compatibility tool), while upgrading to Windows 10 with lifetime support could be justified.
You are criticising them for doing the sensible thing in pre-loading? Pre-ordering allows the preloading and is free so really I can't see anything bad about that either.
Pre-loading is done to prevent the download servers getting hammered on launch day and going down like has happened to so many services in the past on launch day.
Day 1 patches is just a reality of software today. At least with a large company like MS you know that the patches will be coming and they will fix certain things. The patches may also break some things but MS has a relatively good track record with patches so again not really something to criticise.
"Microsoft has explicitly deemed Windows RT devices to be incompatible with Windows 10, and stated that Windows RT devices would receive a separate update featuring "some" of its changes"
Maybe by some miracle they'll actually listen to the 500 people that signed this petition (including me) and provide a mechanism to unlock Windows RT once the rest of the world moves to 10:
Feel free to sign it if you haven't, the more the better. That's really my only remaining hope for RT devices... let the community support them while the hardware still functions.
"The less than optimal state of the current Windows 10 testing builds means that Microsoft has a great deal of work ahead of them as they squash bugs and improve the stability of Windows 10 in the two months between now and release."
Stability? I have had absolutely no issues with the last two Windows 10 builds. Yes, there are a few bugs and a few things don't work, but Windows 10 is perfectly stable.
That's ambitious. Hmm, this tells me that under the hood, it is still Windows 7/8.1 with cosmetic changes and additional features which probably explains why they are so confident with the upgrade.
Note that you must be upgraded to Win7 SP1 or Win8.1 - Win7 SP0 or Win8 are not enough. Also, if you are on XP or Vista, no upgrade path. The only viable thing I've found to upgrade without losing everything is this: http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-to-w...
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Laxaa - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I guess we'll get the phone/mobile version by mid-september.r3loaded - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Will it be possible to clean install Windows 10 from an ISO after claiming the free upgrade?Ryan Smith - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Microsoft still isn't saying.ImSpartacus - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Oh man, I hope it will be. I'm a freak about fresh installs.domboy - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Not to mention it would be helpful for devices that are starved for free space and might not have enough to hold the 3GB download...Scabies - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
dat windows.old thotechfreshness - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
ha! excellent man. that made me lol so hard i had to sign up so that i could post a reply.Morawka - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
and it wont let you delete the folder and other system folders without significant research and modification to permissions.rms141 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Sure it will. Use Disk Cleanup.HideOut - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Same here man. Im running 7 because my 8/8.1 forces me to install 7 first. Piss on that. I just stuck with 7.Shame vista dont get this free upgrade too though. I have a few brand new copies extra.
iniudan - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Same here, in a optimal situation I would do it yearly. Now if only my dept didn't keep me from affording a proper NAS, would make the whole process less fiddly.chizow - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Bigger issue is how they treat your old keys, so annoying how Microsoft forces you back to step 1 with your key rather than updating it or making it compatible with newer ISOs.I am not optimistic, I know I am going to have to capture like 5 sysprep'd images for each of my existing machines, after that who knows for new builds.....
Frangelina - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
Fresh install, update your drivers, upgrade for free, AND clone. Backup your clonenathanddrews - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I just did fresh installs of all my machines with 7 Pro. Just to be safe, I'm going to clone my drives and then do the 10 upgrade on different drives. If it goes to sh!t, I can just plug the old drives back in and stick with 7.chizow - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I'm going to capture images right after upgrade actually. I still have grandfathered TechNet MAK Win7 keys, so no threat of ever running out of Win7 activations. After that first year however, that Win10 free upgrade path may get closed down though.Ancillas - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I'll buy copies of Windows 10 for my machines if they don't supply keys/isos. I don't want any part of this upgrade nonsense.Morawka - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
lol i'm sure they are happy to take your moneychizow - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
I will too if they offer them cheap ($20-30) like they did with Win8.1, just to have them after that first year expires.spikey27 - Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - link
MS knew what a dog W8 was in advance, which is why it was priced accordingly.I wonder if W10 has a similar scenario....
djc208 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Love to know how that works if you want to do it as a clean install. Most of my machines have been running long enough I'd rather do this as a fresh install vice just "upgrading" in place.Gich - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Worst case scenario: use the refresh/reset.bschuler2011 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Exactly... the simple solution is to upgrade, and then immediately reset. You will be able to choose a fresh install there. So, you'll load it twice.. but it is still a very simple process. I like it.JeffFlanagan - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Good point Gich. My Win 7 PC loses app focus a lot, which is a big problem in a home theater / game PC, so I'll definitely be resetting and starting from scratch.digiguy - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
How about those that want to move directly from Windows 8.0 to 10? (I don't like the way Onedrive works in 8.1 for instance). Will they be able to upgrade? There is conflicting information about this on the web....MrSpadge - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Any particular reason you expect OneDrive to be less integrated in Win 10 than in Win 8.1? I also prefer the old, more direct way.. but I don't see them changing things back anytime soon.digiguy - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Very simple reason, Microsoft themselves said that in Windows 10 it will revert to the Windows 7 way ït handed it.BobSwi - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Onedrive is embedded in Win10 just like 8.1digiguy - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Yes but it's handled differently, and for some aspects more similarly to the version for Windows 7. Having said this, this is just a minor point among others. The reason why I haven't moved my desktop replacement to 8.1 is also I find startisback more convenient than 8.1 start button, while it precisely does't work well with the new 8.1 start button (I also use Modermix), as I have seen in some of my 8.1 machines. I think some people who use Startisback or Classic Shell etc. cannot justify upgrading to 8.1, putting at risk the compatibility of some software (3-4 would require a paid update in my case according to MS compatibility tool), while upgrading to Windows 10 with lifetime support could be justified.MartinT - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Preordering, preloading and day-1-patches? Taking the gamification a bit too far, Microsoft? ;)jimbo2779 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
You are criticising them for doing the sensible thing in pre-loading? Pre-ordering allows the preloading and is free so really I can't see anything bad about that either.Pre-loading is done to prevent the download servers getting hammered on launch day and going down like has happened to so many services in the past on launch day.
Day 1 patches is just a reality of software today. At least with a large company like MS you know that the patches will be coming and they will fix certain things. The patches may also break some things but MS has a relatively good track record with patches so again not really something to criticise.
imaheadcase - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
What is the difference between Pro and non-pro for win 10? I have Pro for remote desktop feature..is it still included?nathanddrews - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Yes, remote desktop is still there. Windows 10 Pro will have everything 7/8 Pro has, plus more. Unfortunately, this page seems to have gone on vacation:http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/www.microso...
Ryan Smith - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10...hyno111 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Guess Windows RT 8.1 will receive nothing..Kaboose - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
As has already been stated by microsoft."Microsoft has explicitly deemed Windows RT devices to be incompatible with Windows 10, and stated that Windows RT devices would receive a separate update featuring "some" of its changes"
Impulses - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
A shallow grave.knightspawn1138 - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Just like the one Windows ME deserved.domboy - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
Maybe by some miracle they'll actually listen to the 500 people that signed this petition (including me) and provide a mechanism to unlock Windows RT once the rest of the world moves to 10:http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/windows-rt-desk...
Feel free to sign it if you haven't, the more the better. That's really my only remaining hope for RT devices... let the community support them while the hardware still functions.
Joe_H - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
"The less than optimal state of the current Windows 10 testing builds means that Microsoft has a great deal of work ahead of them as they squash bugs and improve the stability of Windows 10 in the two months between now and release."Stability? I have had absolutely no issues with the last two Windows 10 builds. Yes, there are a few bugs and a few things don't work, but Windows 10 is perfectly stable.
servocharge - Monday, June 1, 2015 - link
What about those running the technical preview? Can that installation be converted to permanent Pro version with license key and full functionality?zodiacfml - Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - link
That's ambitious. Hmm, this tells me that under the hood, it is still Windows 7/8.1 with cosmetic changes and additional features which probably explains why they are so confident with the upgrade.Thadeus Fleming - Friday, June 5, 2015 - link
Note that you must be upgraded to Win7 SP1 or Win8.1 - Win7 SP0 or Win8 are not enough.Also, if you are on XP or Vista, no upgrade path.
The only viable thing I've found to upgrade without losing everything is this:
http://www.zinstall.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-to-w...
dnsnotresponding - Friday, November 24, 2017 - link
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