Testing Insider Preview on XP machine

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  1. Posts : 11
    10
       #1

    Testing Insider Preview on XP machine


    Hi
    If I register myself in the Insider Program, can I try to install Windows 10 on a machine that has Windows XP already running? Can I leave the program at any time? I know that If I leave the program my Windows 10 license become inactive. In that case can I reinstall Windows XP again, or I can't because there is already the registration of the componentes in Microsoft servers when I was running 10 on the machine?
    Thanks in advance
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  2. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    The first question is whether the WinXP can meet the requirements for Win10. The next question would be if Win10 will have drivers for the devices on the WinXP computer, most times won't. I've not heard of WinXP working with the digital entitlement of Win10. Win10 was not offered as a free Upgrade to WinXP [only Win7 w/SP1 and Win8.1] so would assume that wouldn't be a path for Upgrading. And I haven't seen a Retail version of Win10 that can Upgrade over WinXP or WinVista. That said, I have Upgraded a couple of WinXP computers to Win10 but only after Upgrading to Win7 w/SP1 so as to get the freebie. There were drivers available for those Win7 computers which will be a key item for the ability to Upgrade, Win10 may or may not work with Win7 drivers.
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  3. Posts : 11
    10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    But to test Insider Preview builds I must perform an upgrade?! It's not possible to run any build in an empty machine?
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  4. Posts : 13,898
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #4

    I was merely trying to point out the difficulties one will encounter in trying to use hardware suitable for WinXP with Win10, quite a big leap as there was WinVista after WinXP followed by Win7 then Win8 with an update to Win8.1 and lastly Win10. You are certainly free to try the Insider Preview on your machine but just be prepared for problems.
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  5. Posts : 438
    Win 10 pro 1803
       #5

    im running win10 on XP machine 2560p. old and gold, works faster than XP tbh (well clean installs always work faster so its prolly a eyecandy-effect and not actual fact)
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  6. Posts : 11
    10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    My machine is not very old. The board is already prepared with Windows 8.1 bios. I already have one PC with Windows 10 Pro. The other which I'm speaking about, is still an XP machine and I would like to try Insider Preview to have access to Windows 10. But I have never experienced the Insider Preview program, so I do not know if in case I give up of Insider, I can still use the same components again to reinstall XP or another system. Will Microsoft servers let me reinstall another operating system using the same components? Or they "register" the components and do not let me use them in another system? I do not want to try Insider Preview and then get locked forever in Windows 10. That is my main question.
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  7. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #7

    Inet - You won't have a full active Windows 10 Insider installation on a PC that has only had Windows XP on it.

    Either an upgrade or a license key from Windows 7, 8.x or 10 on that PC is required.

    That is beside the problem of whether the XP PC is capable of running Windows 10 in the first place.

    One possibility for you is the Enterprise Evaluation version, which is a time limited trial which will at least install (if setup can install it, and it runs) as a dual boot with XP. You will have to boot from either DVD or USB to attempt the setup.

    Another possibility is to actually run a "windows to go" version from a bootable USB device plugged into your XP PC - which you could set up on your Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 PC.
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  8. Posts : 56,806
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #8

    Could also try the Insider Preview in a VM. No OS issues, just Host software, like VMWare. Worth some investigating. Would cost nothing. Here's some info. It may work on your box, or not.

    Using Free Windows XP Mode as a VMware Virtual Machine
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  9. Posts : 11
    10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Fafhrd said:
    Inet - You won't have a full active Windows 10 Insider installation on a PC that has only had Windows XP on it.

    Either an upgrade or a license key from Windows 7, 8.x or 10 on that PC is required.

    That is beside the problem of whether the XP PC is capable of running Windows 10 in the first place.

    One possibility for you is the Enterprise Evaluation version, which is a time limited trial which will at least install (if setup can install it, and it runs) as a dual boot with XP. You will have to boot from either DVD or USB to attempt the setup.

    Another possibility is to actually run a "windows to go" version from a bootable USB device plugged into your XP PC - which you could set up on your Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 PC.
    Ok thanks
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 11
    10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    f14tomcat said:
    Could also try the Insider Preview in a VM. No OS issues, just Host software, like VMWare. Worth some investigating. Would cost nothing. Here's some info. It may work on your box, or not.

    Using Free Windows XP Mode as a VMware Virtual Machine
    Ok thanks. I'm going to look at that.
      My Computer


 

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