ESD to ISO - Create Bootable ISO from Windows 10 ESD File  

HippsieGypsie said:

I'm having problems with activation due to losing it via a fresh install using someone else's 10240 ESD ISO. Please don't ask > A blunder on my part.

I have unique machine ID numbers, but the generic keys are being blocked by the server.

I have a build 10166 ISO. If I fresh install that will I be able to make an ISO of build 10240 with the ESD file from build 10166?

I don't think there is a way at the moment to activate an Insider build that isn't activated.

I don't suppose you have a backup from the machine in the state of an earlier activated Insider build?

DavidY said:

I don't think there is a way at the moment to activate an Insider build that isn't activated.

I don't suppose you have a backup from the machine in the state of an earlier activated Insider build?

Thanks, David. Unfortunately and embarrassingly no. Didn't take the time to mirror.

That is a fact > Once one looses activation, one cannot attain it back. MS has blocked all generic Insider keys.

simrick said:

Wow, too bad. I thought I read someone had fresh installed 10240, signed in with their MS registered Insider account, changed to receive Insider builds, and it activated. Don't ask me where/who...I couldn't tell you.

Thanks. Probably fresh installed with an ISO made from their ESD file. I know another member that did it that way and it indeed activated. Unfortunately that's not my case. Not the worse thing in the world. Still using 10 Pro although personalization is blocked. Still registered as an Insider with current and proper credentials. Hopefully next build they will issue new generic keys. That ought to get me activated again.

Did you ever have preview release 10240 (the last preview release) activated ??

If so just clean install 10240, but do not enter any product key when asked, just Skip...

Superfly said:

@HippsieGypsie
I just tested (out of curiosity) and sucessfully activated preview build 10130. I had to change product key to 6P99N-YF42M-TPGBG-9VMJP-YKHCF though.
E-Pid confirms installation date (day 227 of 2015)

That's interesting. Had you activated on that hardware before though?

I also wonder what would happen if you then upgraded that activated build to 10240...?

@Kyhi and @Superfly

Thanks for taking the time to answer. Quite honestly since it's Saturday night, I've had a few Hose's. You may know our friend Hose.

I'll make sure I look at this in the a.m. In the mean time I'm getting another call back from MS in about a half hour to see once again what they can do on their end.