homepage Forums Technology Hardware & Software - PC Windows X will be free for the first year

MS hasnt invalidated any of my keys when going from XP to 7 and then from 7 to 8.

Went from Win 8 down to Win 7 ultimate after getting my new computer. Not so sure
I will ever update to 10. I might test it and see if I like it. I don`t mind Win8.1
running on my Nokia Lumia Icon. More a less where 8 shoulda been kept.

Ah interesting... much lost in translation/understanding with the "free for the first year".

I wonder if I can upgrade my System Builder 7 Ultimate to work on "unlimited" devices...

However, what worries me is that the system may be free, but chances are they want a personalized account now. I have no interest to sign up for a "Microsoft Passport" or any of that junk X-Live whatever service.

Ah, thanks. I was going from the EULA terms, not realizing it wasn't technologically enforced.

They may do that for certain Regions,

Anothrr thing to consider is my status w/ MS since 2002, I've been testing Xbox Hardware abd Software, as well as Windows and other software.

Even if it does, I'll likely just dual boot abd purchase another Windows 7 license from them, I have 6 Win7 licenses as I bought 3 copies of HP then later bought 2 of Ultimate, abd upgraded from XP to 7 on one PC, right now I have 2 HP licenses not being used anymore, So I could simply change my License Key.

Hmmmm.... free for the first year?? At first I was skeptical, I thought they're going with the route they went with MS Office --- subscription based. Apparently, this is a "free product" as long as I have Win7/8/8.1, right? Well, I hope WinX has the same effect as when Win7 came into the market. If so, then I'll be upgrading to WinX ASAP.

they need to make the headline more obvious,

WINDOWS X WILL BE COMPLETELY FREE TO USERS THAT UPGRADE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR, IT'S NOT A TRIAL, NOT A SUBSCRIPTION, IT'S A COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC LICENSE.
AFTER THE FIRST YEAR ANY NEW LICENSE PURCHASES WILL BE AT FULL RETAIL COST.

Free sounds good to me.

But one thing concerned me, if I upgrade my retail copy of Win7 will I keep the retail benefit of being able to use it on my next system or will it be like OEM and I'l need a new copy of Windows.

So far, I've always bought OEM. While I've never cheated to the extent of putting it on two computers at one time, I do move it to my new machine or my upgraded machine at times. Usually, it reactivates -- provided it was on the old machine for many months or a year. Apparently, their activation data times out.

I have 9 paid for OEM copies of Windows 8. All but two are in service. With Windows 8, they seem to be keeping better/longer records. I've had a couple times where it installed but, then, said I had a non-official copy. In that case, I call a telephone number and type in a long code. Then, it activates.

Perhaps, with W10, they will have perfected (from their viewpoint) the OEM activation record keeping, and I won't be able to reuse it. We'll see. But, in the mean time, all my XP, Vista, W7, W8, W8.1 OEM copies reactivated multiple times as I retired older computers or made major upgrades.

For what its worth.

They cant make it only one time use because hardware components fail.

Im not gonna buy a new license everytime my MachineID changes.lol

Windows X Upgrade will be distributed through Windows Update optional Items on Release Day for All Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 8.1 Mobile and RT Devices

Easy enough.

Not sure if anyone knows but:

If I upgrade to WinX via Win Update, after the year-long free offer has expired, is there any way to re-install WinX (I currently have iso files of Win7).

I usually re-install every 18-24 months or so, just to clean the OS and start again.

Doesn't matter if I can't, I've certainly got my money's worth from Win7.

- Horsey

Like W7 and W8.1, W10 should have an "image" maker app in the Control Panel.

Install, W10 and make an "image" of your system C: drive. The "image" can be reinstalled at any time. It will take your computer back to the "exact moment" you made the "image" -- with all installed software, games (on C: drive), etc working.

For W7, W8.1, and (hopefully) W10, one should consider making an image of the C: drive roughly every month or two for easier system recovery -- should that be needed. Some very serious users might consider much more frequent "imaging".

MS usually Posts the ISO's on their Storage Site (DigitalRiver)

running the latest beta build, still cant connect to my Xbox One

it shows up, but when I click connect the connection fails...

ahh well, a few more months then RC Comes out.

I had a notification this morning that I can reserve Win 10 for my machine and that it will notify me when it's ready to install.This is a marketing ploy right? I can adopt Win 10 at any time for free during the first year? I was going to sit back and wait for the reviews.

Has anyone tried installing it to their main machine? Does it have to do a clean install?

Also got the notification. Via this method, can you still do a clean install or is it only that awful upgrade stuff, where it makes some crappy installation with a bunch of carried over files?

I'm still waiting to gather up the cash to build my new desktop,shouldn't be long now.Here is what I plan to do,is it ok to do this?

I was given an old laptop that had Win 7 on it.It was scrap but I extracted the product key.I will install Win 7 to my new machine from an ISO,validate it with the extracted key and install Win 10.I will keep my gaming laptop on 7 until I know it's safe to upgrade.Sound feasible?

Yes, I think you can fease that.



The Jedi Master