Windows 10 Release Date July 29

meebers said:

Sometime around the 29th when W10 is released. Do I have to install a Win7 with the MSDN key or just change the key from a backup?

I have no idea? Depends on what your current install is, clean install or an upgrade etc.

I have a situation here where I have two editions of 7 to choose from as far an upgrade but I was still left with the impression there would be a way to see a clean install in order to run 10 separately on another drive leaving at least 7 Ultimate intact on the main case.

The second tower has 7 Pro I set up originally for remote desktop application as well as a smaller case with a carrying handle for portable use if needed. But a few more laptops came about two being W8 one replacing an old Vista model and a pair of 7 laptops. Before I would ever wipe 7 off completely knowing it will have to replaced some day after 2020 that is! I would have to see what I have on now is able to run on the newer version if no updated versions of softwares used on 7 are to be found.

In other words how good is the backward compatibility which I think MS has been paying more attention after Vista! One example is not being to run a program on the 32bit Vista from XP but easily runs on the 32bit 7! Vista was the one version that lacked Fat support other then NT through Windows 2000 on the Pro not home side of things.

As for the return of the Start menu one quick look shows MS Metro styled that a bit as far as adding tiles along the side while the normal boot to the desktop is back. Other things seen with the preview have been much more encouraging as well.

And as a reminder about something before it gets too far as for product keys I don't think that is a good topic to get into. We're discussing protected not open source software people. I'll be waiting for the 29th simply to find out just what options are available when that time comes as far as how I go about running or not quite running 10 yet.

meebers said:

I am trying to?? take a MSDN key and use it on a new win7 install (which will be bare bones) and let W10 upgrade it. In the end a clean install if an .esd file will exist. How do you plan to use your MSDN key, just curious!

If you mean, use that key again on another PC, that's debatable. If you try to use that same key more than once to get the free upgrade on two PC's your likely going to get it hot water. If you mean for reinstalls of Windows 10, I think you'll get a new Windows 10 key. Time will tell.

I would think the necessary key would be provided along with the link to download 10 in the form factor it will be delivered in on the 29th. With every upgrade as well as clean install a newer version would always have a new key to use. If it doesn't it poses the question as to whether you will be able to see a clean install to a fresh drive like you would the preview or have the need of a previous version installed for a mandated upgrade since a legit key is already in use?

Fortunately with two separate 7 builds each running a different edition I have the luxury of two potential 10 upgrades if I should be prompted a second time to reserve for the second build. But that would also entail getting a second key if any are being provided for the free upgrades or not. The 10 installer for this type of promotion to upgrade over may not even have one while 10 bought later on media? would.

Night Hawk said:

I would think the necessary key would be provided along with the link to download 10 in the form factor it will be delivered in on the 29th. With every upgrade as well as clean install a newer version would always have a new key to use. If it doesn't it poses the question as to whether you will be able to see a clean install to a fresh drive like you would the preview or have the need of a previous version installed for a mandated upgrade since a legit key is already in use?

Fortunately with two separate 7 builds each running a different edition I have the luxury of two potential 10 upgrades if I should be prompted a second time to reserve for the second build. But that would also entail getting a second key if any are being provided for the free upgrades or not. The 10 installer for this type of promotion to upgrade over may not even have one while 10 bought later on media? would.

The early builds had a PID.txt file in them. Everybody that clean installed with those builds had that same Pro key. You only got a unique key if you did an upgrade. Eventually the removed the PID.txt so you could clean install Home Or Pro depending on what key you entered. There was only the one Home key and only the one Pro key so once again, as far as I know, clean installs all had the same keys. I upgraded from Windows 7 and the key I got for Windows 10 didn't match what Microsoft listed for that build, 10074. I kept that same key through several upgrades right up to build 10130. Then it changed again, and stayed the same until build 10240. I didn't get a new key with every build upgrade. Just a for your information post. I'm not sure what it means, if anything. Just my observations.

I still have the early bird 10041 build on VM here which now of course won't get past the logo screen when going to start it up. But those few keys there were strictly intended as general purpose for those who signed up in the Insider program just like you see hash numbers when going to download any achive type file. The one key serves all for the preview.

The concern at this time however would be the RTM where the rules have always changed to see one unique key for each home user unless of course you went for one of the volume licenses typically seen done by the business and professional communities. The free upgrade however suggests some type of time limit to grab a copy fast as an upgrade where you are then connected to MS during the install for the automatic activation to work without entering a new key once the valid activation is detected for the previous version. If the clean install option is available that would seem to need a key to enter on the other hand.

Night Hawk said:

I still have the early bird 10041 build on VM here which now of course won't get past the logo screen when going to start it up. But those few keys there were strictly intended as general purpose for those who signed up in the Insider program just like you see hash numbers when going to download any achive type file. The one key serves all for the preview.

The concern at this time however would be the RTM where the rules have always changed to see one unique key for each home user unless of course you went for one of the volume licenses typically seen done by the business and professional communities. The free upgrade however suggests some type of time limit to grab a copy fast as an upgrade where you are then connected to MS during the install for the automatic activation to work without entering a new key once the valid activation is detected for the previous version. If the clean install option is available that would seem to need a key to enter on the other hand.

I think we'll get a new Windows 10 key when we do the free upgrade. And that will be the key we use after that to do clean installs. Anybody upgrading from 7 or 8.1 that is. If you clean installed, the preview you won't get a new key or your new key will be time limited.