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#11
No problem. Simply put, as you have already activated an Insider build on your machine it is registered with the MS database so a clean install should automatically activate as it recognises your machine's footprint. I would advise making a system image before you proceed in case things go wrong, if you need help with that just let us know.
Be sure to clean install the exact same build as you have installed at the moment.
ok folks so I clean installed the release version as downloaded on the 29july I made a 32/64bit install usb incase I needed it all ok I rebooted and made the insider adjustments etc it found the 10532 and a few other bits to be installed all ok so far
on checking found I am still activated but the last 3 digits have changed on reg plus I now have
Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview Evaluation copy.build 10532 in the right hand corner which I never had before and its running like a three legged dog but this isn't the fastest board see my specs
hopefully it will sort its self out in a couple of days
These statements do not reflect my experience. I have many VMs that have never seen a qualifying OS (all activated on 10130 or earlier). I have clean installed all of them after upgrading them to 10240 and all are activated with no expiry. All except one (which is now on 10532) have left the insider program.
All of them say permanently activated on slmgr /xpr - including the one still on the insider program. The 10532 does have an expiry for the build of 15 July 2016 (winver and slmgr /dlv) but I tested clean installing 10240 on it and it was again activated with no expiry. I then clean installed 10532 back and it was again permanently activated but with an expiry for the build.
It may have been their intention (who knows, I couldn't really follow all that) but it doesn't seem to be what is actually happening at least for insider builds activated before (in my case) early June.
This seems to be an oversight by Microsoft. I've seen others with the same "problem". :)
This is just a wild guess on my part, but at some point, Microsoft may notify you (and everyone else in this position) that you are using a non-genuine copy of Windows 10.
We were definitely told that Windows Insiders would not get a free copy of Windows 10 without a qualifying upgrade from Windows 7/8.1; thus, my statement that it seems to be an oversight.
But who knows . . . maybe Microsoft will use this "oversight" as a way to atone for Gabe Aul's erroneous statement that all Insiders would get a free copy. Remember the three versions of one of his blog posts? :)
It was the same position with the Windows 8 £14.99 upgrade in the UK, that was available for recently purchased PCs before the Windows 8 Release date. (Including other cut-rate upgrades for other qualifying systems, too.)
There were Qualifying OSs which entitled pre-ordering and download of the install media for Windows 8 and a product key sent by email, on receipt of the fee. A few details about the purchase of the PC were required - where, when, which qualifying OS was installed, and the model of the PC, but not the product key, in my case, I remember. It would have been a generic OEM key on the installed OS in any case. Some upgraders did report that their PK was required, I believe.
There were also Upgradeable OSs, not only the Qualifying OSs, but also including some of the Windows 8 previews which were not necessarily Qualifying OSs, which would upgrade and activate with the new Windows 8 Upgrade Product key (and are still activated today).
So Gabe probably spoke truly, but Microsoft just did not want this to be known as policy, and hopes it will be forgotten in the fog of phwoar!
I doubt very much that Microsoft will concern itself with the few thousands of enthusiasts who have profited a little in their inclusion in the beta testing of new Windows versions.
After all, the great majority of PCs were sold in the last 10 years with their $15 - worth of Microsoft OEM license, and if they are now running with Windows 10 rather than XP or Vista, it just adds to the Microsoft statistical success of their new OS.
Hi,
I agree with the other 'positive' comment's in here..very well written & informative post !!
Thanks,
David
I just signed up on this new laptop and it said I was suspended for sending out spam. Listen I never do this. I have know clue how this even happened. But they reinstated me after they sent me a code to get back on.
Bunch of lies MS