OT: Upgrading to Windows 10 directly, for free

PeterDuke schrieb am 20.12.2015 um 03:44 Uhr

Having now upgraded three computers to Windows 10, I thought that I would share my documented steps. It is based on a blog by Tom Warren, which I have expanded and I hope clarified.

How to upgrade to Windows 10 without waiting in line

Microsoft is providing a free upgrade to Windows 10 for Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 users, via the normal upgrade process. Here is a way that you can avoid the wait and upgrade to Windows 10 straight away and optionally create a clean Windows 10 installation disc/drive. You have 12 months to do this for free, following the release of Windows 10 on July 29, 2015.

Firstly, back up all your files and data just in case. If you're on a 32-bit version of Windows, then download the 32-bit Media Creation Tool, and if you're using a 64-bit version, then grab the 64-bit Media Creation Tool. You can check your Windows version by right clicking on My Computer or This PC in File Explorer and going to properties, and it will be listed under system type.

Run the tool and then select the “Upgrade this PC now” option. Windows 10 will start downloading, and once it's ready you'll be presented with three options: keep personal files and apps, keep personal files only, and nothing. Select the first option (keep personal files and apps) to ensure your PC upgrades and you keep your files and applications. Windows 10 will start installing and after a few reboots and customisations (and a few hours if you are on a slow internet connection) you'll be upgraded. If you decide you want to go back to your previous Windows installation, then you can safely restore by going to settings > update & security > and choose the option to go back.

If you want to be able to re-install Windows 10 from scratch, find the Windows 10 installation key that was allocated during the free upgrade, by using Belarc Advisor or other tool. Also note the version of Windows you now have (Home or Pro, 32 bit or 64 bit). Now create your Windows 10 installation media using the Media Creation Tool once more, but this time choose “Create installation media for another PC” and download the appropriate version as identified above. Note that the Windows Key has been authorised for this upgraded computer, and probably will not work on a different one. It should, however, work for both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows 10 on that computer, but not both Home and Pro versions.

The above procedure involves the time consuming download of Windows 10 twice: firstly to upgrade your PC and secondly to create your reinstallation media. You can skip this second process if you like, but you cannot avoid the first if you want a free upgrade to Windows 10 (i.e. free installation key).

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Kommentare

JohnnyRoy schrieb am 22.12.2015 um 16:12 Uhr

> "...but MS doesn't make you buy all new software every time a new version comes out. So it's a trade off. :)"

I'm not sure what you are referring to. Microsoft certainly does make you buy new software. When I upgraded from XP to Vista lots of software no longer worked. My scanner wasn't supported, my audio device wasn't supported, so I even had to upgrade hardware just to use Vista. Now my audio device doesn't have drivers for Windows 10. So I don't understand your statement.

On the Mac, I started on OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and paid $20 for 10.7 Lion, paid $20 for 10.8 Mountain Lion, and 10.9 Mavericks, 10.10 Yosemite, and 10.11 El Capitan have all been free. The point is that prior to that Apple only charged $20 for their OS and updates it every year. Not one of my applications has broken. I'm still using Microsoft Office 2008 on my new Mac OS without any problems, heck I even have a copy of DVD Studio Pro from 2005 that still works!

If you are referring to 10 years ago when Apple switched from Motorola chips to Intel chips they included a Motorola emulator called "Rosetta" which ran PowerPC programs on the Intel platform until very recently so I really can't imagine what you could be referring to about having to buy new software with Apple OS X upgrades. It simply isn't true.

~jr

wwjd schrieb am 22.12.2015 um 23:05 Uhr

Let's not bother going down the APPLE discussion path again. There is no point in comparing something that does 20 things great to something that does 20,000,000 things mostly great.

PeterDuke schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 00:33 Uhr

"Perhaps PeterDuke can answer..

"Does the current install include build 1511"

I haven't done a full install from the ISO file, so I don't know. According to Belarc Advisor, my main machine is Windows 10 Pro 64 bit build 10240.

In any case, to get your free key you have to install from the internet. The ISO file is only useful to do a clean install, in which case you are up for a lot of work to re-install all your drivers and apps, and tweaking your machine to your liking, so updating Windows is just one more chore. Your installation discs for earlier Windows would also be well and truly out of date by now.

DataMeister schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 00:57 Uhr

I can confirm that the ISO I downloaded in November did have the 1511 update. However then they had that fiasco where Microsoft supposedly pulled the update because of reasons, so I don't know if they fixed it.

EDIT: I just installed the latest ISO into a VM from the Media Creation Tool (as of 12/22/2015) and it definitely includes the 1511 update.

Stringer schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 02:55 Uhr

Thanks for the info.

I'm running 1511 on my main editing PC without any issues, so not sure what the issues were..

While I know there will always be updates, 1511 takes care of a few months worth..

musicvid10 schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 20:18 Uhr

Here's a tip:
Don't rely on the hidden Administrator to get you out of trouble.

On Win 7, I was running as that Administrator, and creating and deleting other accounts from there. In Win 10, it appears, you can't run your Windows programs or add another account, just delete.

john_dennis schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 20:43 Uhr

"[I]...so not sure what the issues were...[/I]"

I was a Windows 10 beta tester until an update killed Vegas and I lost interest.

I installed it on the laptop that sits in the family room and overcame many of the idiosyncrasies that drove me mad. I saved the image for the future and I'm back to Windows 7. I lost interest once again.

I think the pattern here is that I am stuck in my ways and have a short attention span.

I don't get jazzed over new cars anymore either.

diverG schrieb am 23.12.2015 um 21:18 Uhr

Windows 10 issue recent update.
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/2131750e-d589-41f0-b6a3-1c7dac2361d9/cannot-connect-to-cifs-smb-samba-network-shares-shared-folders-in-windows-10-after-update

It seems it is not a global issue but ran into this and need to use a network.

Swapped out system disc & will run on W7 until resolved.

PeterWright schrieb am 27.01.2016 um 07:20 Uhr

I thought it was time to upgrade my Internet PC from W7 to W10, but the Media Creation Tool won't work for me.

I have 64bit W7 Home, so I downloaded the 64bit version of the Tool.
When I try running it however, I get "There was a problem starting Setup. Close the tool, restart your PC, and then try running the tool; again."
I did this, but same result.

Any ideas why this may be? I only have till July to solve this .....

Thanks

DeadRadioStar schrieb am 27.01.2016 um 13:36 Uhr

"There was a problem starting Setup"

On the few occasions I've had this, it was because I hadn't installed all available updates to W7 before attempting the W10 upgrade. Make sure you haven't hidden any updates, even ones you don't want, and also check that you have the latest drivers for all hardware.

In one case (a Dell Mini 10v) I had to temporarily attach a VGA monitor with a higher resolution as the device didn't meet the minimum requirements; on the same machine, it failed the first attempt to upgrade to 1511, but mysteriously worked a few weeks later, however that was an extreme example of hardware I didn't think would even be possible to upgrade.

Other than that, you'll have to research the specific hardware and search for anyone with a similar hardware configuration to see if there's a solution. The most common hiccup appears to be graphics drivers that are not the newest -- in some cases it may help to uninstall and reinstall them.

PeterDuke schrieb am 06.02.2016 um 07:22 Uhr

Time for an update. This may only affect a few English speakers, but I just struck a Microsoft Gotcha!

I originally upgraded my computers directly, which is what you had to do with the original release (Build 10240) if you wanted it for free. In so doing, the upgrade would have used my Win 7/8 installation language, which for the one I am now struggling with must have been English US.

I am getting an error message, something like "Windows can't update, please fix via ...". Rather than sort through this, I thought that I would download the latest version of Windows 10, known as Build 10586 or Version 1511 (I.e. Nov. 2015).

When you run the Media Creation Tool to download the ISO file (or put on thumb drive) You must specify three things:
Installation Language
Version (Home or Pro)
32 or 64 bit

There were two versions of English for installation: English-UK and English-US. Since Australian English spelling is closer to UK and thinking that it was not important, I chose UK. After hours of download, I got my ISO file and burnt it to a DVD.

When I came to do the upgrade, I was unable to select "Keep data and apps." because it claimed that I was using a different installation language!.

I am now (im)patiently waiting for the hours of download of the English-US version.

In case readers are not aware, with the later build you do not have to first upgrade Win 7/8 in situ to get your free upgrade. You can use an ISO file of Win 10 and use your Win 7/8 key. I am sure that the version (Home vs. Pro) must match but the 32/64 bit need not. I don't know about installation language.

And another thing. You don't need to know the key of your free upgrade. In fact for two of my three upgrades at least (the third isn't here at the moment to check) the keys are the same! Once Windows 10 has been authenticated on a particular machine, you don't need a key: just press "skip" when it asks for it. If you change your hardware,(e.g. change or add a disk) the authentication check will fail, and so you will need to contact Microsoft Customer Service to sort it out.

PeterWright schrieb am 06.02.2016 um 09:43 Uhr

Hi Peter,

I still haven't been able to upgrade using the Media Creation Tool (as per my post above) so I'd welcome another way of tackling this.

Is there a MS site I can visit to just download whichever version of W10 I need? I have W7 Home Prem, OEM with a Product Key on the side of my case.

Failing anything else - any idea how I contact Microsoft to claim the free upgrade for which I qualify?

Byron K schrieb am 06.02.2016 um 22:24 Uhr

Not being a wise@$$ but just curious what is the reason you're upgrading to Windows 10? Is something broke or only Win10 compatible? If everything is working on your current IOS why upgrade?

PeterDuke schrieb am 07.02.2016 um 01:22 Uhr

The first upgrade was from 7. I was happy with 7 and could have stayed with it, but time marches on and so should I, or I will be dragged along kicking and screaming before long. See below.

The second upgrade was from XP via 8. Version 8 I absolutely hate, but I had it on the shelf and I needed it to get the free upgrade to 10. I had to seek help from the internet to do some very basic things. I continue to use XP on that machine because some hardware that I have does not have drivers for later versions of Windows and some software won't work either. I could buy later versions of the software, but I need XP anyway, so why upgrade, as you have asked. More and more new software won't work on XP, and now Google are not going to maintain Chrome for XP and Vista. (I had to switch to Chrome from Internet Explorer because it would not work properly on some web sites.)

This will be the situation with Windows 7 before long. The latest update (not upgrade) to one program I have (sorry, I should call it an app. now) won't even work on Vista. Having upgraded to 10 to get my free licence, I am going back to XP for as long as I can, and then I will buy some new hardware (audio and video interfaces) if I still need them.

My third machine is new and came with Windows 8.1 installed. Upgrading to 10 was a must for me as I have already explained.

And finally I should remind you that the free upgrade expires in June or July. You can always upgrade now to get you free licence and then go back to whatever you have been using. Remember that the licence is tied to the hardware, and if you change it you will have to go back to Microsoft with cap in hand.

Stringer schrieb am 07.02.2016 um 04:48 Uhr

Won't it be Microsoft holding the cap? :)

Just sayin..

PeterDuke schrieb am 07.02.2016 um 06:24 Uhr

We are the ones expected to show respect by removing our caps and begging for handouts.

PeterDuke schrieb am 07.02.2016 um 09:39 Uhr

Well, so far so BAD.

Microsoft doesn't clearly state what version of Windows you are downloading. I eventually downloaded the latest version (as I thought), but after installing it, it turned out to be build 10240 still.

I hunted on the internet and I came upon a blog saying that the 10586 build had been pulled and replaced with 10240. That can only mean that they have discovered some fairly serious problem with it. There was no date on the blog.

I came upon this site for those venturesome. I am downloading a version called Windows 10 single language English 64 bit. There is also English International. A note on the page says "English is for en-US edition and English International is for en-GB edition." There is nowhere to specify whether Home or Pro versions, so. I expect this to not work. :(

https://techjourney.net/how-to-download-official-windows-10-build-10586-v-1511-mct-iso-adk-sdk-wdk-hlk-mobile-emulator/

the Windows 10 only download page is given towards the end of the page. I will repeat it here.

https://techjourney.net/windows-7-8-1-10-iso-official-direct-download-links-from-microsoft-tech-bench/

Post Script
On this site
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
it says
"Windows 10 editions below are valid for both Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro."

Presumably the key you enter on the currently installed version will determine whether it should be home or pro.

Here is another blog I found on the topic
http://www.infoworld.com/article/3007410/microsoft-windows/microsoft-pulls-windows-10-v-1511-threshold-2-release-from-download-page.html

Stringer schrieb am 07.02.2016 um 23:46 Uhr

The blogs I'm readings say that once you install build 10240 Windows Update will update you to 1511..

I was upgraded to 1511 back in November and am not aware of any problems on my three systems..

PeterDuke schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 00:22 Uhr

I am cursed with a tidy mind. I like a file that I can use at any time without being dependent on the vagaries of Microsoft Update. That is were I came in - I never was offered the update, even though I registered for it.

I am now downloading what I believe to be version 1511 from the Microsoft site. It bombed out twice and now I am using Free Download Manager.

I found another Microsoft site for download. It is essentially the same as the other, but targeted at a different customer base. The two sites are

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

Stringer schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 01:55 Uhr

It looks like the 1511 ISO will be a good thing to have. I was able to download in about 30 minutes..

Thanks for the info..

JJKizak schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 02:38 Uhr

An article in yesterdays paper said that Microsoft executives want everyone to upgrade to Windows 10 period. They are getting more aggressive and downloading and installing the Windows 10 even if you don't want it in some computer systems. Some of the apps on Windows 10 are using the cloud and that's what they want you on and by God they are going to make you do it no matter what. Don't care if you have to buy new hardware and upgrade your current apps. Once your on the cloud then here comes the yearly stipend.
JJK

PeterDuke schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 03:36 Uhr

"I was able to download in about 30 minutes"

Pity those on ADSL. It is going to take me over 9 hours (3.7 GB). Then I have to do it again for the 32 bit version for my third computer.

PeterWright schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 07:04 Uhr

It's weird reading about Microsoft aggressively downloading and installing W10 even if we don't want it - I'm trying to download and install it and cant!

Their Media Creation Tool, which I've downloaded several times, simply will not open on my computer, even thought it's a totally legal W7 installation. Windows Update is completely up to date.

PeterDuke schrieb am 08.02.2016 um 09:13 Uhr

Peter,

Have you tried downloading an ISO file from either of the links in my penultimate post?