I've been running W10 ( alongside W8.1 Pro ) ever since the first technical preview and now have an activated W10 Pro ( insider preview ). Is this the final version or do I still need to upgrade from W8.1 ? As I understand it, users who took part in the IP programme received a free final version of W10 which would obviate the need to upgrade from W8.1
That is not my understanding? Depends on whether the Windows 10 install was an upgrade from a qualifying OS or a clean install. If you originally did an upgrade from a qualifying OS, and now opt out, you should be fine. If you did a clean install and opt out, your subject to the same conditions anybody else is for the free upgrade. That's the way I understand it, its heavily debated around here though? If you want wait and see if activation times out on your 10 install. If it's going to time out I would think it will be before the one year period for the free upgrade. If it does do the free upgrade from 8.1 Pro. If it doesn't keep on going like you are now. If you really want to know, do a clean install of Windows 10 and see if it activates. Just click skip when asked for a product code.
No, you don't have to Upgrade. Check this fact sheet about End of Life for WinXP through Win10:
Windows lifecycle fact sheet - Windows Help
The time issue is for the Free Upgrade which expires a year after release or about July 28, 2016.
You can buy the OS at any time.
Microsoft releases official retail pricing for Windows 10 | PCWorld
Definitely seems to be some conflicting views on this subject, just managed to contact MS and according to them I need to upgrade from W8.1. Thanks for the quick replies.
Gabe made a tweet that implied Insiders would get it free, but it was quickly corrected. It's been debated ever since.
In Windows 10, run Winver. If it says Build 10240, that's the final build everyone has.Definitely seems to be some conflicting views on this subject, just managed to contact MS and according to them I need to upgrade from W8.1. Thanks for the quick replies.
In an elevated command prompt, type slmgr /xpr. If that says you are permanently activated, then that's exactly what it means. If you have build 10240 that is permanently activated that is exactly the same thing you would get if you upgraded from Windows 8.1.
All 10240 builds say permanently activated with that command. Insider builds and consumer builds. I wouldn't go by that one indication. That's part of the debate. What you say may be true, I'm just a bit skeptical is all. Just my 2 cents on the subject. You can decide for yourself.
Why would Microsoft lie about it?All 10240 builds say permanently activated with that command. Insider builds and consumer builds. I wouldn't go by that one indication. That's part of the debate. What you say may be true, I'm just a bit skeptical is all. Just my 2 cents on the subject. You can decide for yourself.
Lie about what? Link please so I know what your talking about? Last I heard, if you leave the Insiders program, you are subject to the same conditions for the free upgrade everybody else is? You must upgrade from a qualifying OS. If you clean installed the Insider Preview that does not meet the conditions of the free upgrade.Why would Microsoft lie about it?
10240 is not an insider build. It is the final, released to the public build. If a person has build 10240 and it is permanently activated then they have the final non-insider build that is permanently activated. If they stay on as an insider, they may get a future insider preview build that will have an expiration date. If they do not remain an insider, when they turn off insider builds in Windows Update it still does not change the fact that they have a permanently activated final release version.Lie about what? Link please so I know what your talking about? Last I heard, if you leave the Insiders program, you are subject to the same conditions for the free upgrade everybody else is? You must upgrade from a qualifying OS. If you clean installed the Insider Preview that does not meet the conditions of the free upgrade.
I had an insider preview build - slmgr /xpr showed it expired Jan, 2016. I now have build 10240, slmgr /xpr shows permanent activation. Whether I turn on insider builds under Windows Update or turn it off, the activation stays the same - permanent.
