Hello, I would like to do a clean install of Win 10 on an older Toshiba laptop currently running Vista. The specs are fine. I believe Win 10 won't be a free upgrade for Vista so I'd like to know my best (and cheapest) option. Is it to buy a Win 7 upgrade (which seems to be ~£70) and then get Win 10 for free or buy Win 10 outright? Or something else. Thanks!
If you are in no hurry, I would wait to see how much Win10 will cost for comparison purposes. Who knows, perhaps Microsoft will offer you a deal you can't refuse.
In the meantime, I would make an image of your Vista machine, download the 10130 ISO and install it to make sure it performs to your satisfaction.
Here are your prices for W10.
Windows 10: The only major OS still trying to squeeze a buck from... - Windows 10 blog
Thanks both for the replies. So best option seems $119 for Win 10 when it comes out (or just live with Vista!).
I "think" if you have the Pre release version installed, e.g. the current 10130 version, it qualifies for free upgrade.
As noted make a backup image of your current hard drive (all partitions) before installing the 101030 version.
I don't think Microsoft have confirmed that anywhere... but if you have a machine you could install 10 Preview on (bearing in mind it's a Preview and has bugs) then it might be a good position to be in if Microsoft were indeed generous to the Insiders.
As regards the original question, it's also worth checking prices for Windows 8 and/or 8.1, as they can sometimes be found cheaper than Windows 7, and either option would get you to 10 eventually.
It has been said that once Windows 10 is publicly available and you've got the free upgrade activated, you could clean install it later.
are you afraid of ebay? I do a lot of business on ebay, every which way. you can buy a WORKING pretty good PC with valid Windows 7 installed by a certified MS Refurbisher [vlk] for around $60, less if you take one that has issues ... what ebay dubs "Parts or Not-Working", which btw can include systems that simply have had the HDD removed - nothing else wrong. It is perfectly legit to redeploy that license.
in fact, I SOLD a defunct gateway system that had a mobo failure for about 30 bucks for parts... perfectly good windows 7 coa/etc