Windows 10 Build 10240 for PC is now available

Kari said:

Could someone please educate and civilize me, reading this thread I become so confused!

I am running the latest build of Windows 10, build 10240. In what way would it make the use of Windows different or make this build behave differently if this build would be called the RTM instead of build 10240, or if it was called the final build or something completely different?

It's build 10240 for me. Please tell me what would be different if I started to call it RTM instead of Build 10240?

This was the first build supposedly sent to the manufactures to put on their computers. So, the industry calls it an RTM release. Microsoft doesn't want it called that, the reason I think that it is possible that Microsoft is going to have more than one build that manufactures can put on their computers.

Kari said:

My point exactly. Page after page about if this is RTM or not. Who cares, what's the point? It's build 10240 and it works.

Exactly. Whether we are running the exact same build that will be declared the 'release version' on the 29th, or if there are more tweaks to come, or maybe a whole new build drop (I doubt it at this point), it doesn't really make much difference.

But whatever we're running now, I'll bet it's still somehow internally marked as a Preview. I think that the only real thing that will happen on the 29th for Insiders will be an update that gives us the choice of changing the status to release/retail, or remaining in the Insiders Program. I don't think what people are seeing in various slmgr and dism outputs, or in the registry, or wherever really tell the whole story, and they think they know more than they actually do.

Since I came from Linux to Windows 10 IP I will have to pay for it at some point but what happens if I pay for it now and get a new computer in 1 year? Will I have to buy another copy or is it transferable? I'm not sure anymore since MS has said the software is good for the life of the product but 1 year (or less) is a short lifetime.

Sorry If I seem confused, it's just because I am.

MrQueely said:

Since I came from Linux to Windows 10 IP I will have to pay for it at some point but what happens if I pay for it now and get a new computer in 1 year? Will I have to buy another copy or is it transferable? I'm not sure anymore since MS has said the software is good for the life of the product but 1 year (or less) is a short lifetime.

Sorry If I seem confused, it's just because I am.

MS very clearly said that the software obtained via the free upgrade is good for the life of the 'device', not the life of 'the product'. If your machine lasts 10 years, you're good. If you get a new computer in 1 year, no, the license won't transfer, but it won't matter because it will have Windows 10 pre-installed.

But if you are purchasing Windows 10 outright, and get the retail version, sure you can transfer it anywhere, so long as it's only on one computer at a time.

MrQueely There are 2 sorts of license for domestic Windows installations (cf. Business use) Retail and OEM. Generally speaking OEM licences come with the hardware when you buy a new computer. Retail licenses are obtained from Microsoft or resellers. Retail licences are more expensive, and transferable. OEM licenses last for the lifetime of the hardware - usually reckoned on the motherboard, but not any other components, which may be replaced or upgraded.

I will have to buy the retail version anyways since I plan to build my own PC. I just was not aware of the difference between OEM and retail.

I can me quite dense sometimes for a guy with 35 years computer experience!

It can be a little more complex than that though. It may be possible to purchase OEM versions of Windows 7 or 8 to build your own system from, at a lower cost than the Retail versions. These will be readily and freely upgradeable to 10 in the next 12 months.
Also there are various editions: Introducing Windows 10 Editions | Blogging Windows

On top of this, if you are a "tinkerer", there are always trial versions of Windows around - usually the business (ENTERPRISE) time limited trial or development versions, which are free to use like the Insider Program, which is a rolling beta development for Windows 10 Pro and Home editions.