After the fateful 29th of July, can Preview be upgraded to official version?
If so, can i then create .iso to DVD as form of "backup"?
No, the Insider Preview will always be a development release. The code will equal the Win10 code for a while, but it will be updated with development code - a perpetual beta
MS will offer ISOs on the Insider Preview page just as it always has for the program - and you can create an ISO from the ESD ... same as always.
But to answer the question I think you're really asking: No you won't have Win10 install media, you'll have Win10 Insider Programinstall media. The difference is that when new code is developed for users to test, that will be installed through a flight branch - meaning an Insiders install will carry the risks of unstable and unfinished code.
Thank you Slartybart. That answers my question.
So, i guess my next best thing to an eventual stable branch .iso backup would be to use something like Macrium Reflect.
Then again... not even a slipstream .iso?
The latest I read on the FAQs page is that you can download an ISO after upgrading to Win10 through WU (gwx app?).MS hasn't been very clear on this, at least they have confused me. The current information states on the same device, but previous information led me to believe an ISO would be offered that was not tied to a single device. This would make more sense as some people (I'm one) have more than one device - downloading a 3+ GB update for many devices is a ridiculous requirement.Can I reinstall Windows 10 on my computer after upgrading?
Yes. Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, you will be able to reinstall, including a clean install, on the same device. You won’t need to purchase Windows 10 or go back to your prior version of Windows and upgrade again.
You’ll also be able to create your own installation media like a USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.
I'd wager that IF they hold to the current FAQ, there will be great backlash and there will eventually be an ISO - maybe late August.
If the FAQ is just poorly or miss worded (someone thought it would be a good idea to add the same device clause), then the ISO will be readily available the way I originally read the you can download an ISO after upgradingstatement.
It has never been stated how to download the ISO or where it will be hosted. Many members think that it would be a great idea to update the Win8 media creation tool (or create a similar tool for Win10).
The only thing I know for certain is that you'll have to take MS up on the free offer to upgrade (only though WU or GWX app) or fork out money to get the upgrade. Paying for something offered for free is just wasting money.
To clarify one thing ... I said that you could create an ISO from the ESD for the Insider program release, but you should also be able to convert the production ESD to an ISO - I'm just not certain since we're not there yet
In the end, I think this will all be straight forward.
I plan on creating an offline system image of my machine BEFORE the upgrade to retain the original OS and another system image AFTER the upgrade to have a Win10 base image.
Indeed and thanks again!
Tweakhound had a recent article with this tip to create .iso
But, as you said, an .iso will surely find its way in August.
Hopefully not as long as it will take Edge to have extensions support...