Forced Download $Windows.~BT folder appeared

pentaxian said:

Hi

I have discovered a $Windows .~BT folder on my computer tonight which is several GB in size (5.3Gb, 17,255 files, 3597 folders) and from looking at the files in contains a copy of Windows 10 Professional which would be the correct version from 8.1 Pro which I am currently using.

Finding this folder has answered the question as to why my 1Mb download broadband speed has been very slow recently, however I am concerned that this has been downloaded without permission. I have not reserved an upgrade before it was released and not asked for the upgrade since the release.

Hi Paul and welcome to Ten Forums.
Yes, that is how MS are getting W10 out - downloading in the background and then letting you know when the upgrade is available. I have several W8 machines, some of which I "reserved" and some not. All of them have the $Windows.~BT hidden folder with upgrade files at the ready. So, yes, it appears this downloads without permission, although it does require permission to install.

pentaxian said:

Whilst I would like to upgrade I have been told by the Microsoft Answer Desk that I need to actually buy Windows 10 so that I can retain my ability to move between devices. All my current licenses are Retail (2 x Win 8.1, 3 x Win 7). Speaking with them again I have been told that to stop this from being forced onto my to switch off Windows Updates........

Would I be able to get some help from the forum, as from looking around everyone seems knowledgeable and more informed than Microsoft Answer Desk.

Thanks

Paul

Never switch off Windows Update. :)

A qualifying retail license upgrades to retail license, an OEM to OEM. However, I believe a retail upgrade license requires a qualifying OS in order to transfer. So, while it retains the transfer-ability, it requires the qualifying OS to be installed first. (If I am incorrect, I'm sure someone will chime in here and correct me.) A store-bought retail license would not have the qualifying OS requirement.


Here is a snippet of the EULA/MSLT for W10
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Usete...10_English.htm

4. Transfer. The provisions of this section do not apply if you acquired the software as a consumer in Germany or in any of the countries listed on this site (aka.ms/transfer), in which case any transfer of the software to a third party, and the right to use it, must comply with applicable law.
a. Software preinstalled on device. If you acquired the software preinstalled on a device (and also if you upgraded from software preinstalled on a device), you may transfer the license to use the software directly to another user, only with the licensed device. The transfer must include the software and, if provided with the device, an authentic Windows label including the product key. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software.
b. Stand-alone software. If you acquired the software as stand-alone software (and also if you upgraded from software you acquired as stand-alone software), you may transfer the software to another device that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software to a device owned by someone else if (i) you are the first licensed user of the software and (ii) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Every time you transfer the software to a new device, you must remove the software from the prior device. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between devices.

You can search at this web site for all EULAs/MSLTs

Microsoft License Terms

Hope this helps.

pentaxian said:

Thanks Simrick for the reply. All my current licenses are full clean install licenses, none of them are upgrades. It seems from what you have said that all my machines could be upgraded using the free upgrade.

You're quite welcome. All qualifying OSs can be upgraded during the first year for free. So, yes, your retail licenses are "up-gradable" for free for the first year. Genuine W7 + W8 OSs qualify for the free upgrade, it matters not OEM or retail.

pentaxian said:

Would I need to reinstall the originating operating system if I changed systems etc or once acquired would I be able to just clean install Windows 10?

Your W10 would be a retail upgrade license to a retail qualifying license, and so it would require an additional step of installing the qualifying OS first, then upgrading. Now, one caveat here: After the first year of release passes, I don't believe it would be free any more to try and upgrade your qualifying OS.

Once a computer has been upgraded and activated, you are free to clean install as many times as you need/want. The activation is a hash/code generated from some of your major system components, and stored on MS servers. When you clean install, you just "skip" when it asks for a keycode. Just remember, "upgrading" something like your motherboard, will require a call to MS to get activation sorted again, as it is then considered a new machine. If you are past the 1-year mark, you may be looking at purchasing a W10 license. However, like-for-like replacement due to hardware failure does not fall into the "new machine" category.

See if this will help answer any questions Simrick didn't cover. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...d5166fc?auth=1

Once you upgrade to Windows 10, I believe you can switch back to the original operating system within the first 30 days. After that time the key is 'consumed' by Windows 10. In other words, you can run one of the 2 operating systems but not both. If you switch to Windows 10, after the 30 day period, you cannot install the original OS on any system. You have effectively traded one for the other.

Interesting, as that is completely different than the information from MS in essenbe's link above. (okay, are they not addressing the "free" upgrade?)

If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.


Full version (Retail):

- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- Doesn't require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive


Upgrade version (Retail):


- Includes transfer rights to another computer.

- require a previous qualifying version of Windows.

- Expensive, but cheaper than full version




Did the MS rep give you a link where this could be found?

pentaxian said:

No he did not. Just kept trying to push the free upgrade and kept saying that the EULA that comes with it is not valid etc etc.

The EULA that comes with it is not valid? What?! But we have to agree to that EULA in order to install the upgrade!