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Get a Windows 10 licence for free if you register on Windows Insider

I would register a account with insider first and download from there

the link above contains download links, how to register and system requirements.
 
I never understood how that's legal, but yeah, it seems to be what they're gunning for.

I mean, why should a license vaporize because your hardware changed?

Because OEM licenses are only licensed to the original hardware they are installed on.

Retail licenses allow unlimited hardware changes.

That is why OEM licenses are usually half the price of Retail.
 
Yeah.

I installed the preview on 3 computers and I have 2xWin8 pro and 1xWin8 pro WMC licences already. I'm wondering if there will be a way to convert my Win 8 licences to Win 10 ones without having to install the full OS and go through the upgrade route.

I'm also hoping that my retail license will remain retail as I plan to upgrade a little after skylake is released.
 
Because OEM licenses are only licensed to the original hardware they are installed on.

Retail licenses allow unlimited hardware changes.

That is why OEM licenses are usually half the price of Retail.

I was speaking in concept of licensing law, I know how the world works I just don't think it should be allowed even at a discount... but I may be alone in that opinion.
 
i upgraded my main PC from windows 8.1, and clean installed my secondary.

will know soon enough how it all plays out.
 
Yeah.

I installed the preview on 3 computers and I have 2xWin8 pro and 1xWin8 pro WMC licences already. I'm wondering if there will be a way to convert my Win 8 licences to Win 10 ones without having to install the full OS and go through the upgrade route.

I'm also hoping that my retail license will remain retail as I plan to upgrade a little after skylake is released.

If you want to upgrade from a Windows 8 license you must install W8, upgrade, get your W10 key and only after that you'll be able to do a clean install of W10.

As for the status of the licences... MS hasn't been straigforward about that... they're using weird wording saying that W10 will remain "activated as long as the hardware is supported" which doesn't actually answer anything.

Remember that for the W10 preview activation you need to install with a Microsoft Account that has been registered on the Windows Insider Program.
 
Than i have to get this done on my laptop, and other places where i got Windows 10 installed.
 
If you want to upgrade from a Windows 8 license you must install W8, upgrade, get your W10 key and only after that you'll be able to do a clean install of W10.

As for the status of the licences... MS hasn't been straigforward about that... they're using weird wording saying that W10 will remain "activated as long as the hardware is supported" which doesn't actually answer anything.

Remember that for the W10 preview activation you need to install with a Microsoft Account that has been registered on the Windows Insider Program.

Will have no install on a VM then upgrade. No big problem so long as they keys for win 10 are retail. All my w10 installs have MS IP accounts linked.
 
from Gabe Aul today : http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwi...changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

well from the sounds of it, anyone who UPGRADED to windows 10 Preview wont have to do anything as it already has your Serial win 7/8.1 key logged.

The crux of it is this:

  • Do you want to continue as a Windows Insider and keep getting preview builds after 7/29?
  • Or do you want to upgrade your Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system that has been getting Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to the 7/29 release and stop being an Insider?
“I want to continue as a Windows Insider!” If you want to continue as a Windows Insider past 7/29 there is nothing you need to do. You’re already opted in and receiving builds in the Fast or Slow ring depending upon your selection. This is prerelease software and is activated with a prerelease key. Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older prerelease build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software. As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well.

“I want to opt out of the Windows Insider Program on 7/29.” If you decide to opt-out of the program and upgrade to the 7/29 build you will be subject to exactly the same terms and conditions that govern the offer* that was extended to all Genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 customers. This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.

It is our hope that the vast majority of Windows Insiders who have been with us since we announced the program last year will continue forward, and it was in that light that we authored the blog post about upcoming changes to the program. I regret that this caused confusion about who was or was not eligible for the Windows 10 upgrade offer, but hope that this helps to clarify.

Thanks,
g
 
wait wait. will it be possible to do a clean win10 install if i have a win8 key????
 
Ok. So I will have to use my unused 7 COA/product key then. Since I upgraded from a "non-Genuine" 7 Pro 64. Got it. Or rather had it. As I've known that from the get go. Well, I suspected so anyway.
 
Last edited:
from Gabe Aul today : http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwi...changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

well from the sounds of it, anyone who UPGRADED to windows 10 Preview wont have to do anything as it already has your Serial win 7/8.1 key logged.

The crux of it is this:

  • Do you want to continue as a Windows Insider and keep getting preview builds after 7/29?
  • Or do you want to upgrade your Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 system that has been getting Windows 10 Insider Preview builds to the 7/29 release and stop being an Insider?
“I want to continue as a Windows Insider!” If you want to continue as a Windows Insider past 7/29 there is nothing you need to do. You’re already opted in and receiving builds in the Fast or Slow ring depending upon your selection. This is prerelease software and is activated with a prerelease key. Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older prerelease build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software. As part of the program we’ll upgrade Insiders to what is for all intents and purposes the same build as what other customers will get on 7/29, but that will be just another build for Insiders, and those who stay in the program will simply get the next build after as well.

“I want to opt out of the Windows Insider Program on 7/29.” If you decide to opt-out of the program and upgrade to the 7/29 build you will be subject to exactly the same terms and conditions that govern the offer* that was extended to all Genuine Windows 7 and 8.1 customers. This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems. If your system upgraded from a Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 license it will remain activated, but if not, you will be required to roll back to your previous OS version or acquire a new Windows 10 license. If you do not roll back or acquire a new license the build will eventually expire.

It is our hope that the vast majority of Windows Insiders who have been with us since we announced the program last year will continue forward, and it was in that light that we authored the blog post about upcoming changes to the program. I regret that this caused confusion about who was or was not eligible for the Windows 10 upgrade offer, but hope that this helps to clarify.

Thanks,
g

Wow, sounds like those who are bandwidth limited could be screwed, or find a internet cafe or library to get the needed ISO.
 
Any way to insert way a windows 7/8 key if you did a clean install?
 
Any way to insert way a windows 7/8 key if you did a clean install?

You install over your current OS then you be able to clean install.
 
i did clean installs of the insider edition.

I think you'll have to install a licensed Win 7/8 on a VM, upgrade that to 10, extract the key then put it into windows 10 on the 29th.
 
I think you'll have to install a licensed Win 7/8 on a VM, upgrade that to 10, extract the key then put it into windows 10 on the 29th.

i've got spare hard drives, if you can tell me how to extract the key i'll just dual boot for that purpose.
 
i've got spare hard drives, if you can tell me how to extract the key i'll just dual boot for that purpose.

I'm guessing. I

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion - Product ID

Check that location on a windows 10 machine and it should tell you your preview key.

 
I'm guessing. I

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion - Product ID

Check that location on a windows 10 machine and it should tell you your preview key.
No, that only gives you the product ID, not the activation key :slap:
There is software available to extract keys.
 
been what feels like a decade since i last used it, giving magical jellybean a try.

the installer includes some silly bloatware, but it has revealed my 'trial' key i used to install the ISO from the MS website, so it looks like it will do the job nicely.

i'll just have to throw a mechanical drive on my system(s) to do an upgrade install and steal the keys for the SSD's
 
I looked at the agreement for signing up with this program and basically you agree to no privacy (identifying information is submitted), no stability (updates will be pushed to Insiders before anyone else), disclaimer for damaged hardware/operating system, etc.
nope.jpg

I use my computer to use my computer, not fix Microsoft's shit. I'll just pay for System Builder license and be happy.
 
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