Windows 10/7 trial

Bree said:

Welcome to TenForums @Ankiro

Yes, you can install Windows 10 without a key. Click 'I don't have one' when asked. It will install, but a few options are disabled until activated. You can't set the wallpaper and the desktop will have a watermark to say 'not activated'. You should still get the updates. You can purchase a key and activate it later if you find it works for you.

Windows 7 is more restrictive, apparently. After a 30 day trial you'll no longer get updates.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...e-a7603611d1f3

You can extend the 30 day trial up to three times with the command slmgr -rearm in an elevated command session.

Exactly, but you can use it for 30 days before you have to activate it, and as mentioned that can be extended.

And I suppose if you joined the Insider Program now, you could run W10.

Brink would know more on that.

asusG said:

yes thats correct

Totally incorrect, W7 has a better chance of having drivers for older hardware then Windows 10, Windows 10 is newer.

AddRAM said:

Exactly, but you can use it for 30 days before you have to activate it, and as mentioned that can be extended.

And I suppose if you joined the Insider Program now, you could run W10.

Brink would know more on that.

This is wrong.

1) Windows 10 does not really have a trial mode as such. You either run it activated or unactivated. If unactivated, it is fully functioning except you cannot personalise pc. There is presently no expiry date. I do not advocate this really as you never know if an update could introduce an expiry date.

2) Insider versions need activation in same way as normal versions. Free activated versions only applied to original Technical Preview users who remain up to date.

In the end, it is simply easier to install Windows 10. Installing Windows 7 can be a real PITA. First chakenge is getting an iso as MS site only allows you to get it if you have a retail licence. There is a way to do it from link on this site - not at pc at moment to find link. Then contending with the updates etc which are temperamental but allegedly easier now, coupled with expiry dates anyway.

So try 10 first as it is easier and you can take your time to activate it.

Exactly why I said Shawn would know more on that.

The 1st sentence was about W7.

And I said "I suppose" and "You could" :) never said "You can"

And if you can run 10 unactivated to test it out, I would certainly call that a trial period. (we all know it`s not actually called a Trial period, you can call it whatever you want.)

Therefor confirming the fact that the OP does not need a key to "try out" 7 or 10 :)

uh

AddRAM said:

Exactly why I said Shawn would know more on that.

The 1st sentence was about W7.

And I said "I suppose" and "You could" :) never said "You can"

And if you can run 10 unactivated to test it out, I would certainly call that a trial period. (we all know it`s not actually called a Trial period, you can call it whatever you want.)

Therefor confirming the fact that the OP does not need a key to "try out" 7 or 10 :)

Actually nowhere does Windows 10 download site refer to a trial. Semantics at the end of the day.