Something strange happened when installing Build 10240

I don't think it has anything to do with servers. The said PCs weren't even connected to the internet when I did this. I just stuck a bootable USB into his PC, skipped the pages asking for the license key, installed it and when I was on the desktop, it said it was activated (genuine license). Mine, on the other hand, said "Windows is not activated".

I should say that our machines came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home. I was too excited to wait until the 29th, so I downloaded the Pro ISO. I formatted our HDDs so it was a clean install, no upgrade. I'm aware that Pro and Home licenses are incompatible with one another.

This whole thing has got me puzzled. I redid this last night to retest it. I did his first, then mine literally straight after (no internet, same flash drive). I'm thinking it might have something to do with BIOS? My PC is a few years newer than his, so that could be it? They are both HP.

This is very strange indeed. Microsoft may have missed something here indeed.

you cannot activate because Microsoft blocked all insider keys, I am surprised no one else mentioned this here.

cryofry said:

I don't think it has anything to do with servers. The said PCs weren't even connected to the internet when I did this. I just stuck a bootable USB into his PC, skipped the pages asking for the license key, installed it and when I was on the desktop, it said it was activated (genuine license). Mine, on the other hand, said "Windows is not activated".

I should say that our machines came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home. I was too excited to wait until the 29th, so I downloaded the Pro ISO. I formatted our HDDs so it was a clean install, no upgrade. I'm aware that Pro and Home licenses are incompatible with one another.

This whole thing has got me puzzled. I redid this last night to retest it. I did his first, then mine literally straight after (no internet, same flash drive). I'm thinking it might have something to do with BIOS? My PC is a few years newer than his, so that could be it? They are both HP.

This is very strange indeed. Microsoft may have missed something here indeed.

10.0.240 is very close to what the RTM will be - MS wants to test all scenarios before RTM. You circumvented the process by downloading an unofficial ISO (probably created by someone from a 240 ESD). I think you also said you muddled about with KMS licence 'hacks' and sli trial extensions.

These are all things MS wants to know about, but at this stage they might be 'blocked'.

Your 2nd attempt seems more along the lines, but still used the unofficial ISO. You might be on to something with the Pro version vs the Home version - this probably would have been avoided if you followed MS supported channels for the upgrade (using WU).

What I suggest is this, but I'm unsure of the full procedure (will Win10 10.0.240 be offered to Win7???)
Restore the original Windows 7 (hopefully you have a backup image - if not it will take more time to fully update Win7 and then Updrate to Windows 10)
See if the GWX app allows you to updrate Win7 to Win10 before 29 July - if it does, go for it. This will updrate Win7 Home to Win10 Home.

It is very late in the game (only 8 days to the release) so you really might consider waiting. I would still put the original OS back on your machines for the proper edition.

On the other hand, it might just take a while to activate ... it took a day or two for my install to flip states. If you haven't connected yet, do so and let it think about the activation for a while ... I left my machine connected over night.

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Chrysalis said:

you cannot activate because Microsoft blocked all insider keys, I am surprised no one else mentioned this here.

Windows 10 auto activates using the license key from the previous qualifying OS. I'm sure there's still some activation server checks required because there are a lot of pirates on the high seas. Win10 will install, but it will not activate, as far as I understand it.

You are correct though, at this stage the insider keys are useless and not required - that's probably why no one mentioned it

cryofry mentioned that the key entry step was skipped anyway.

I'm aware that the keys have been deactivated for now.

I guess the only thing that is puzzling me is how both PCs can be wiped clean and installed with the same ISO, no keys entered, yet one gets a genuine license, the other, no license.

cryofry said:

I'm aware that the keys have been deactivated for now.

I guess the only thing that is puzzling me is how both PCs can be wiped clean and installed with the same ISO, no keys entered, yet one gets a genuine license, the other, no license.

'tis strange - I don't have a good answer.

Reporting in. I just received my updates also. The latest build is treating this as a full blown release. At least for me it is. Can anybody explain? Could Microsoft be pushing out ours early (those with valid 7/8 license tied to WI email)?

BlauUmlaut said:

Reporting in. I just received my updates also. The latest build is treating this as a full blown release. At least for me it is. Can anybody explain? Could Microsoft be pushing out ours early (those with valid 7/8 license tied to WI email)?

Yep, this is RTM build. Build 10240 is the build that has been shipped out to retailers and co. for release on the 29th. It's kinda cool to have it a week or so before most of the public, if only for "bragging rights"

Slartybart said:

'tis strange - I don't have a good answer.

Thanks anyway, Slartybart :) I did see a video on YouTube and the guy reported the same thing. No keys or anything but a permanent activation. I guess I'm not alone on this.

My father-in-law is not complaining ha ha