This was posted 8 years 10 months 11 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Free Windows 10 (Preview Builds), Even without Win 7 or Win 8

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Apparently the Windows Insider programme will continue even after July 29.

This means that if you have a PC around without Windows 7 or 8, you can still avail yourself of a free copy of Windows 10 Windows 10 preview builds via the insider programme, which will probably run better than Vista and is certainly safer than XP.

Join the Insider programme, download and install build 10130 on your old PC and enjoy Windows 10 Windows 10 preview builds via the insider programmee for free.

I wonder if this is a good opportunity for Mac users to grab a copy of Windows for VM use.

Mod 23/6: It has been clarified that those without Windows 7 or 8 must remain on the Windows 10 insider program and continue to receive preview builds of Windows 10. Leaving the program will cause Windows to revert to your previously installed version on your machine. See comments for more information. Title & details updated.

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  • I've just bought a new laptop. I want to install the free Office 2016 preview. (Gives me till November to decide what to do for future.)
    Do I need to install Windows 10?

    Any recommendations for free or cheap options from November?

    • +1

      Install windows 10 after July 29.

  • Did anyone else read the terms and conditions before the installed it :) haha

  • i tried to install rthis on my mac but it said "Windows 10 Insider Preview isn't available
    Thank you for your interest in updating to Windows 10 Insider Preview. Unfortunately, you can't install the preview on your operating system."

    i wonder if i download it on my PC and then install it on my mac, will that work?

    • Did you download the ISO?

  • Has anyone installed this on multiple computers? Or is it single license only?

    • +1

      You can install it on multiple computers.

  • Would like to know how the final licencing will work out.
    So it will be associated only with the hardware of the machine the preview is installed or like an OEM licence I guess? A lot of people would probably install this on a spare machine, so its important to know where the musical chairs end. Would be great if it was transferable like a retail one. Probably not though.

  • +1

    Hopefully this will give answers to some of your questions

    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. Once you have successfully installed this build, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh. It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer.

    Source: http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming…

    • +1

      you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.

      Will they send all Insiders a key? Then could you not use that key on another PC? (Maybe it would physically work but not be legal?)
      What if you have multiple installs/PCs?

      • "Once you have successfully installed this build" may suggest that it becomes associated with that hardware set at that point (maybe, still unclear). They need to do something to stop people creating large numbers of virtual installs in the testing phase and then scoring actual transferable retail licences.

        • +1

          They would still need to issue new keys because everyone on the insider program gets the same key… I signed up two MSAs just to test out whether I would get different keys and both were the same.

        • @lostn:
          Cheers, interesting.

        • +2

          "Once you have successfully installed this build" may suggest that it becomes associated with that hardware set at that point

          Thinking about it some more, they must be storing some kind of hardware 'fingerprint' against MSAs. It gathers/calculates this the first time you log in (to the preview), and if you do a fresh install after release then it will check the fingerprint against the MSA used after the install and authorise it on that hardware. This will…

          stop people creating large numbers of virtual installs

        • @McFly: They said that once it becomes RTM, you will be able to fresh install it without any MSAs. So no check against MSA there.

        • @lostn: That's for the upgrade version.

        • @McFly: They said you're allowed to install it on multiple systems with the same MSA. They even recommended you not install it on your main PC but on a spare to test it out.

          That's for the upgrade version.

          As far as I'm aware it's the same. You can upgrade or install clean.

        • 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. Once you have successfully installed this build, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.

          As opposed to

          Once available on July 29th, you do not need an MSA to upgrade Windows 10 on your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PCs if they are not receiving Insider Preview builds.

    • After you've been upgraded to the release build, and you choose to do a fresh reinstall from ISO, will you still need to be connected with the MSA account you registered with?

  • I signed up for the insider program on two Microsoft accounts.

    The key you get appears to be the same. A key ending in YKHCF. Is this the same key everyone gets?

    When your copy of Windows becomes GA, will you get a separate key or the same one used in the insider program? How will they authenticate which installations of W10 are legit? If everyone from the insider program is going to be using the same key, wouldn't that just open the door to all pirates?

    To those who've installed it already, is it Home or Pro?

    • Mine says Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview. It looks like we all have the same key.

  • installed on my laptop.

    i like:
    <10gb install size, great for my 80gb ssd, my w7 install was ~17gb
    no need for most drivers, just one unknown device

    i dislike:
    internet browsing is slow… very strange
    installation stuck a couple of times, had to hard reset, works now, so far
    the new start menu

    i also deselected all the feedback stuff when asked… does anyone know if this matters or not?
    this being an insider preview that collects data and all that.

    • Your wireless drivers are likely unoptimised, how are your speed tests compared with W7?

      • actually i think it was my super slow internet plus the forced background updating.

        i've switched back to windows 7 because i need control on this laptop, it has genuine w7 anyway so i can choose to upgrade in the future.

        i might try 10 on my pc at home, since that one i use less lol.

        as for speed it felt slower, but that might have just been the background updating using up my already super slow cpu, i'm running an amd e-350 here! dual core 1.6ghz XD

        moving from my 320gb 7200rpm hdd to my intel 80gb ssd had a noticeable improvement even with the slow cpu, very happy about that.

  • got a vista box which is my media centere in my man cave, does win 10 have a media centre?

    i know its not a fast box but does what i want it to do, but vista does slow me down so hopefully 10 can speed things up a bit.

    • NO MEDIA CENTRE IN WINDOWS 10. There are other options available to play with however, it might not be worth the effort.

      • yep did some slow reading and spotted it.
        can media centre transfer across to win 10? i find it simple to use and my remote works with MC with all its short cuts.
        i use it for watching free to air TV and recording TV also some stuff from the HHD.

        • +1

          http://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/index.php/2014/10/02/how-to…

          it is possible to add Windows Media Center to Windows 10. You need to have your Windows 8 Pro with Windows Media Center key
          you will not get updated builds if you use this method as Windows will think you are running Windows 8.1.

        • @McFly: ill be coming from windows vista not 8 or 8.1 but its all legit so ill have keys.

      • I never used it in any previous edition of Windows, so I'm all for reducing bloat.

        • the PC i got came with a remote with a lot of macros built into it so i press can turn on and run MC, also has many useful functions that i can use with a single press of a button.

          without the remote i would not go down this path but with it it has made media centre so easy to use and so simple to manage everything.

          might be bloatware for some but i have yet to find some other program that can do it all with a remote (no keyboard and mouse i have done that and was just anoying when relaxing on the recliner.

    • +2

      I'd have a look at Kodi instead. A little more config required but 1000% better once fully set up.

  • Took me ages to install, kept restoring to old version when updating. Ended up installing using .iso file, and now working without any problems.

    • Microsoft: Trololol

    • Yes, the fact that it had this bit it in it had me wondering.

      It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer.

      It's also strange that it's better to get the 'free' version because it's Pro rather than upgrade from Home which is what most would have.
      The only reason I gave any credence to this is because it's MS.

    • +1

      Exactly this. They didn't backtrack, they just clarified. "Activated" is not the same as "Licensed". If you are a Windows Insider you get special permission to use Windows 10 pre-release builds without a license, and that permission continues to the final build, and ongoing if you continue to be a Windows Insider (which means accepting new builds). However, you also get the option to switch to the final build without continuing to be in the Windows Insider program, but if you do even though the software will remain "activated" (It will not go into Reduced Functionality Mode, which is usually what happens if it detects piracy or there is no license key) you are still expected to have a valid license for it (either a previous OEM/Retail copy of Windows 7/8/8.1, an enterprise agreement or buy a new Windows 10 Retail/OEM copy)

      • You're not expected to have a previous copy of windows 7/8 if you are part of the insider program if you choose to opt out after final release.

        Of course, we’ll provide you an option to leave the program and stay on the final build if you choose: but we hope that we’ll continue to provide you great reasons to remain a Windows Insider.

        They were only referring to the upgrade offer when referring to having genuine Windows 7/8 which is a different offer to insider program which they do not wish to advertise due to negative media attention.

        • Yes but wool they really give away fully licensed versions? You could read that as some kind of activated but non update-able final build.

        • @King Tightarse: The final build would still have windows updates available, you just wouldn't be getting the beta updates. I assume there will be no key like if you bought it retail but as long as you continue to use your MSA it will work like normal

      • if you do even though the software will remain "activated" (It will not go into Reduced Functionality Mode, which is usually what happens if it detects piracy or there is no license key) you are still expected to have a valid license for it (either a previous OEM/Retail copy of Windows 7/8/8.1, an enterprise agreement or buy a new Windows 10 Retail/OEM copy)

        You're 'expected' to have W7/8 but your copy won't be flagged as non-genuine. How will MS enforce this 'expectation'? Will they put a nag watermark on all 4 corners of your wallpaper? Will they prevent updates?

        • If it "remains activated" then that means that it won't enter Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM), if it's not in RFM then that means no nags, no wallpaper changes, no update blocks. They are purely relying on The "Honor System". Given their huge push to get Windows 10 out there (and customers into their Windows Store and away from iOS/Android stores) I doubt that the Honor System would ever be enforced for home users. For big businesses where there is a lot of $$$$$$$ at stake, they will continue to hit hard like a tonne of bricks.

          Moral of the story is that unless you are a business that has ever signed a Volume Licensing agreement with them which gives them the right to audit you, it's probably on your conscience whether you choose to license it properly or not. No difference to MicrosoftSoftwareSwap, all the keys are "legit" (They activate) but they are no doubt breaking the terms of the license by using them and if a business was to use MicrosoftSoftwareSwap and Microsoft found out, they would get nailed to the wall.

        • @The Land of Smeg:

          Microsoft now says the "the build will eventually expire" if you leave the Insiders program. There are no longer any references to "remains activated" in the blog post (for people who leave the program) and saying the build will expire clearly means that it won't remain activated. It will remain activated if you stay in the program but you'll always using beta builds (of what will become Windows 11).

        • @dazweeja: Yes, that it certainly a backflip - I'm surprised that they would bother but they did. They even go as far to say that being a Beta tester requires already having a valid license. Unenforceable (people who test in VMs etc. are not going to buy a retail copy for each VM to do that). Still, from a technical (not licensing) standpoint, Stay in Beta - Activated copy of Windows 10 with no license checks, Leave Beta - Back with everyone else, activate or expire (then enter RFM I assume).

          What I find particular interesting is that they are giving the option to stay on Windows 10 if you have already upgraded from Windows 7/8/8.1 (clean or inplace), which means that there must be a way to "upgrade" those 7/8/8.1 keys without actually having Windows 7/8/8.1 installed to do that. I got a few spare PCs that have a license on them that I haven't fixed up yet, so it would be handy to get the Windows 10 license while it's available without having to fix them first. Some of them are Core 2s with Windows XP/Vista stickers that had been upgraded to Windows 8 for $15, and now go to Windows 10 for free… Pretty sweet deal.

        • +2

          @dazweeja: The way they flip flop and make reversals is sounding very much like their Xbox One policies. I see they took a leaf from their devices division.

          Yes, that it certainly a backflip - I'm surprised that they would bother but they did.

          Who is surprised really? They originally said the upgrade would be free even for pirates. Then when the interwebs decided they wouldn't be paying W10, they 'clarified'. Same story here. Someone found a way to get W10 for free and told the world. Now they change their mind.

  • 4.2 Scope of Rights.
    All Software provided is the copyrighted work of Microsoft or its suppliers and is licensed to you, not sold. Microsoft reserves all rights (such as rights under intellectual property laws) not expressly granted in this agreement. In particular, this Agreement does not give you any right to, and you may not:
    i. use the Software in a live operating environment;

    So effectively you're not allowed to USE it as a typical OS…?

    • use the Software in a live operating environment

      So much for Surgeon Simulator 2013

    • Weird. I believe, not in a Commercial environment at home should be okay.

  • This is an unstable preview, why would you want to use it everyday when things can go wrong.

    • To help out in exchange for a reward later (a free copy of the final release).

  • I just installed the insider preview…does this change anything at all, I.e. do I still get the full final windows 10 release?-I've signed in with my MSA.

    • If only we knew!

    • Everyone in the Insider program gets the Windows 10 release. But if you leave the program, your copy will no longer be activated and will "eventually expire".

  • I'm not entirely believe everyone with preview will get free windows. See below

    http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/22/microsoft-windows-10-prev…

  • +6

    New Blog post about the matter, it's not free Windows 10 - if you remain on the insider program, you'll get all the Beta Windows 10 updates, if you opt out, you'll get rolled back:

    http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/22/windows-10-licensing-expl…
    http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming…

    • Doh!

    • Just yesterday, I changed to windows 10 preview from vista and read this.
      I have recovery CDs, but noticed my CD drive has gone kaput .. now off to find a external CD drive OR copy the recovery disks to USB !!
      Booo MS :(

    • Aeon, how do I cancel my insider membership?

      • No idea here, I'm not a member, just helping out by sharing the above posts!

      • They've got you for life now!

      • +1

        Just for my understanding, if you've already joined the program, why would you want to opt out? I've joined the program and put a clean install on a spare laptop, and just intend to leave it there.

    • How do you get rolled back to a fresh install of Windows 10. I'm guessing it may stop working and not roll back as there's nothing to roll back to.

      I'm going to try to test this in a VM in a few days when I get a chance. Unless someone else is quicker than me. :)

  • Right that pretty clear then.
    No windows for you! Come back one year.
    http://www.employeescreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dow…

  • What exactly must be done to EXIT the Windows Insider Program. I have subscribed to it, tried the WIN10 Preview, it did not work for me. Also the backflips from Microsoft on this subject pissed me off. I am happy now to stay with my current WIN7. But I do want to cancel my accepting the Insider Program conditions. How? Please advise

    • There is no backflip, just poor communication, which has now thankfully been rectified.

      • mcfly: how has this been rectified? and, how do I cancel my participation?

        • The miscommunication has been rectified.

        • Bottom of your welcome email

          This is a mandatory service communication. If you wish to stop receiving emails about the Windows Insider Program, you will need to leave the program.

        • @muncan: muncan:
          Yes, I want to leave the program, however yr link and the same one in my welcome email throws me back to their home page without any option to cancel me out of the program.

        • Hey McFly……… http://i.imgur.com/SbStjXR.jpg

    • Given that you already own Windows 7, if you used the upgrade option to enter the Windows 10 Preview you'll still have a licence key and therefore will receive Windows 10 for free on July 19th after opting out of Insider Builds. Here's a flowchart to clarify things: http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--krHVRlrV…

      • Is the only way for MS to know that someone has a valid 7/8 licence is if they sign up via the 'Get Windows 10' popup on their current install? If they still have it installed that is…
        (Maybe they will also allow people to contact them with their 7/8 key and they will provide a 10 one?)

  • I was ready to do this tonight, had the old XP lappy all ready to go and made a new outlook address.
    Glad I didn't get stuck into it now.

    • So…. this offer is not valid.

  • +2

    Revoked my upvote. Not going to help them beta test their software if there's nothing in it for me.

    This was not a 'clarification', it was a reversal. The original wording was explicit and did not need clarification. When they changed the wording slightly, Gabe Aul asked for explicit clarification which was given already. No further clarification was needed. This latest attempt at 'clarifying' confusing wording (there was nothing confusing about it) is a backflip pure and simple.

    The news you could get free Windows 10 went viral, just like the news that pirates would get W10 for free, and this exploit has been closed.

  • +2
    • Yes, I want to "leave the program", however yr link and the same one in my welcome email throws me back to their home page without any option to cancel me out of the program. Do u have any advice how to leave?

      • You need to be signed in…

        • ok, I shall try this path

        • @kenone: I've asked this further up this chain, but I was just wondering why you would want to opt out if you signed in the first place. I've put Insider on a spare laptop now.

        • +1

          @heartychat: heartychat: I signed in because that was a pre-conditions to download/check out win10 preview. So I did but the install of Win10 failed, although I followed the instructions. Then I read here about all the confusion and decided it was not worth the hassle to persevere with getting Win10 for free. So, I want to reverse/get out of my insider affiliation

        • @kenone: Ok thanks. I just didn't know if I was missing something in this 'deal'. I used a dummy email address, and a spare laptop, so I think I'll be ok for my usage requirements on this platform.

        • @kenone: Mcfly, SUCCESS!!! Tks to your guidance. I used the same computer which I originally used to sign in with. Thus, on that machine I was always connected with the insider program. Then I activated the "Leave Program" at the bottom of my Welcome email and received on my screen " You're no longer an Insider" Thanks and that settles it

        • +1

          @kenone: You are now officially an Outsider.

  • I got the insider program to play with Win10, but want to put it on my home server. Have a SSD ready to go, so no issues doing a clean install, but still unsure on licensing steps.
    If I have a valid win7 key to use, will I be able to use that to register a legit Win10 come July 29? without having to install Win7 first and upgrade? Have any statements been made around this?

  • hi,

    how could i get windows 7 on the cheap? I remember reading somewhere on this site that you could get it for $7-10 or something?

    • HUP program. You need to be working in a company that is part of the HUP program though.

      • bugger.

        would you happen to know what the cheapest way of getting windows 7 is?

  • +2

    Just wondering, staying opt-in for insider (you never been able to do this)and keep on getting new builds here and there (nothing will happen for a while anyway) and seeing progression to windows 11 in far future, all of this, IMO, is a pretty good deal right if you don't have a licences and have always pirated?

  • I have installed the windows 10, insider program on my Asus netbook 1015PN. It took a couple times before it could be installed. The trouble is that there is no bluetooth driver. I tried to use the original driver, I got a security license error with Broadcom. When I accepted the certificate it still failed to install, saying 'the software will harm the computer' and quit.

    Can anyone help?
    Many Thanks.

    BTW, I feel the Win 10 is faster than the previous win 7.

    I don't know how to reverse back to win 7 (starter home) that came with the netbook, as I already lost all the disk.
    Will I still be able to upgrade to final version of Win 10?

    • I don't know how to reverse back to win 7 (starter home) that came with the netbook, as I already lost all the disk.

      Try pressing F9 when you boot up the computer and see if it is able to read off the included WIM / recovery images.

      If you google online "1015pn recovery" there are plenty of guides showing how the process is done.

      Regarding the drivers — starting from Windows 10, Microsoft is tightening procedures for digitally signing kernel mode drivers,, so you can expect that many hardware drivers including Bluetooth, power management, GPU, audio etc. that used to work will now need updating before they can be used with Windows 10.

      • Short term pain, long term gain, but at least

        Drivers signed before Windows 10 RTM will be able to use the older signing mechanisms.

        ($500 minimum for driver makers who will be needing the new certificate. Ouch!)

  • How is Windows 10 Preview builds differ from Window 10?
    any limitations?

  • Yeah I reserved mine too.

  • I have a 3 pack of Windows 7 Professional 64 bit licences, can you sell those? ebay or gumtree - which is best?

  • Anyone know how to activate the last build 10240?

    I can't activate, it saids key blocked

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