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

TRWOV · Jun 20, 2015

EDIT: Apparently either MS changed their minds or there was a "communication error":
http://arstechnica.com/information-...hily-backs-away-from-free-windows-10-promise/

The status of W10 preview installs with a tied Microsoft Account registered on the Windows Insider Program is uncertain at this point.

ORIGINAL POST:

Getting the final release on July 29th
Windows Insiders running the Windows 10 Insider Preview (Home and Pro editions) with their registered MSA connected to their PC will receive the final release build of Windows 10 starting on July 29th. This will come as just another flight. I’ve gotten a lot of questions from Windows Insiders about how this will work if they clean installed from ISO. As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated. Once you have successfully installed this build and activated, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.

http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwi...changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

Basically:
1. Register a Microsoft Account (Hotmail, Live, Xbox, etc) on the Windows Insider Program.
2. Download and install the Windows 10 Consumer Preview
3. When the install ask you for a Microsoft Account use the same one you used to register on the program
4. On July 29th your Windows 10 preview install will be activated

This will put you on the fast update ring (you'll get fixes and such in beta form) so I wouldn't advice to use this method on your main/work PC. I don't know if this method is limited to a single install (the article doesn't specify) but I would think so.

I'm going to do this on my SteamBox. :rockout:

Thanks for the free OS, MS :peace:

How is this different from clicking on the little Windows icon on the taskbar on Windows 7/8/8.1??? :confused:

You can install the W10 Preview on a "fresh" build and have it activated at the launch date. No need to get a W7/8/8.1 license in order to upgrade to W10 later... the drawback is that you're put in the fast ring for updates.

If you already have W7/8/8.1 installed DON'T INSTALL THE PREVIEW. Every W7/8/8.1 installation will be able to upgrade to W10 for free on July 29th.

manofthem · Jun 20, 2015

Nice! I'll try this one of my pcs

Caring1 · Jun 20, 2015

There's no advantage in doing this than there is in using the icon on the task bar that all compatible computers should already have.
There will be no big download required on the 29th of July as Microsoft is sending out W10 incrementally to those that have reserved their copy already.

TRWOV · Jun 20, 2015

Caring1 said:
There's no advantage in doing this than there is in using the icon on the task bar that all compatible computers should already have.
There will be no big download required on the 29th of July as Microsoft is sending out W10 incrementally to those that have reserved their copy already.

The advantaje in this case is that you don't need to have a W7 or W8 license. Basically MS is giving away a W10 license to each Windows Insider BUT you're put on the fast updates ring (i.e.: you're a perpetual beta tester).

Caring1 · Jun 20, 2015

TRWOV said:
The advantaje in this case is that you don't need to have a W7 or W8 license.

This has always been the case, even pirated versions can get Win 10 for life for free, on the machine they installed the insider preview. The stipulation being that it had to have been installed over a compatible version of Win 7 or 8.1, and is not transferable to any other hardware.
When a major hardware change such as a Motherboard is undertaken, a new Activation with a legally bought key must take place.

Jaffakeik · Jun 20, 2015

Installing now........

R-T-B · Jun 20, 2015

When a major hardware change such as a Motherboard is undertaken, a new Activation with a legally bought key must take place.

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?

Jaffakeik · Jun 20, 2015

when i upgrade with update option not with iso option will i loose all programs it will be clean install?

Subhash Boipai · Jun 20, 2015

It will be a clean install.

john_ · Jun 20, 2015

So, if someone already have windows 7 original and also win 10 insider installed, is that person going to end up with two licenses? I think this is a nice way to get multiple licenses in case you have multiple computers, not just one or two win 10 licenses (not necessarily all computers run Win 7 or latter).

Jaffakeik · Jun 20, 2015

Just finished install windows 10 insider and all my apps settings ect wasnt removed and seems everything works fine.

horik · Jun 20, 2015

I will change this PC in a few months and will build a new one(Skylake), is there a way to get free Win10 for that new build?

AlienIsGOD · Jun 20, 2015

Jaffakeik said:
when i upgrade with update option not with iso option will i loose all programs it will be clean install?

If you update, it should retain your programs. I installed in December with update option and every game and app was still there afterwards.

newconroer · Jun 20, 2015

horik said:
I will change this PC in a few months and will build a new one(Skylake), is there a way to get free Win10 for that new build?

Good question Horik.

I am not interested in chucking Win 10 preview on any of my machines, while also having to use that annoying Live account style Windows login, and stay connected just so I can get the 'final' build.
If it's going to be free any ways, then why wouldn't I just 'download' it later if you catch my drift.

I really have no idea where Microsoft thinks this type of advertising is going to lead them.

brandonwh64 · Jun 20, 2015

so if you install this and the release date comes do you have to fully reinstall the release version?

qubit · Jun 20, 2015

Wicked.

Nice one.

I've already got an Insider intallation in a vm which I haven't run in a while. I'll fire it up and register for the upgrade.

TRWOV · Jun 20, 2015

Caring1 said:
This has always been the case, even pirated versions can get Win 10 for life for free, on the machine they installed the insider preview. The stipulation being that it had to have been installed over a compatible version of Win 7 or 8.1, and is not transferable to any other hardware.
When a major hardware change such as a Motherboard is undertaken, a new Activation with a legally bought key must take place.

This is for fresh builds with no Windows on them. First post edited for clarification.

Jaffakeik said:
when i upgrade with update option not with iso option will i loose all programs it will be clean install?

If you already have W7/8/8.1 DON'T INSTALL THE PREVIEW. Every W7/8/8.1 installation will be able to upgrade to W10 for free on July 29th.

Mussels · Jun 21, 2015

Saw this on facebook thanks to a certain alien, downloading and upgrading today since my OS has gone a bit weird after my 280x dying caused some issues (cant open 'devices and printers' and cant use sleep mode)

I'm not fussed about my legit 7/8 keys not 'upgrading' because i'll end up formatting before the year or free upgrading is over.

Delta6326 · Jun 21, 2015

horik said:
I will change this PC in a few months and will build a new one(Skylake), is there a way to get free Win10 for that new build?

Similar thing here, going to take my current os and put it on a racing sim rig, and build just a web surfer.

If I install preview on a old xp computer, can I take that is and put it on a full new skylake web surfer.

OneMoar · Jun 21, 2015

TRWOV said:
The advantaje in this case is that you don't need to have a W7 or W8 license. Basically MS is giving away a W10 license to each Windows Insider BUT you're put on the fast updates ring (i.e.: you're a perpetual beta tester).

Wrong mine defaulted to slow you can freely change it

Mussels · Jun 21, 2015

how is he wrong? i'm following this method right now, and you do not need an existing OS install or key to use this method.

edit: you edited, page updated. you were referring to the fast updates.

OneMoar · Jun 21, 2015

I installed as follows
ran a full backup with arconis
purged my key and activation id from the command line
installed windows 10
installed the windows 10 public product key
did the phone activation via the command line (the gui was bugged)
VICTORY

Delta6326 · Jun 21, 2015

Anyone have a link for the preview? Such as a iso.
I will try it on the old xp computer anyway.

Also is there a min. Ram amount? I think it has 1gb

Mussels · Jun 21, 2015

Delta6326 said:
Anyone have a link for the preview? Such as a iso.
I will try it on the old xp computer anyway.

Also is there a min. Ram amount? I think it has 1gb

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/preview-iso

OneMoar · Jun 21, 2015

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

System Name	Dell-y Driver
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System Name	Dell-y Driver
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Motherboard	Asrock H410M-HVS
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Video Card(s)	UHD 630
Storage	1TB WD Green M.2 - 4TB Seagate Barracuda
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System Name	H7 Flow 2024
Processor	AMD 5800X3D
Motherboard	Asus X570 Tough Gaming
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Display(s)	AOC 24" Freesync 1m.s. 75Hz
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Get a Windows 10 licence for free if you register on Windows Insider

TRWOV

manofthem

WCG-TPU Team All-Star!

Caring1

TRWOV

Caring1

Jaffakeik

R-T-B

Jaffakeik

Subhash Boipai

john_

Jaffakeik

horik

AlienIsGOD

Vanguard Beta Tester

newconroer

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!

qubit

Overclocked quantum bit

TRWOV

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Delta6326

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

Delta6326

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

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