The Ultimate Windows 10 FAQ Page Compiled by www.windows10update.com
Windows 10 Upgrade Frequently Asked Questions QUESTION: What is Windows 10? Windows 10 is the successor to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. QUESTION: Is the Windows 10 free upgrade offer still available? No, Microsoft ended the Windows 10 free upgrade offer on July 29, 2016. QUESTION: What are the hardware requirements for the Windows 10 Operating System? Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit) Free hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit) Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver A Microsoft account and Internet access QUESTION: Can I transfer my Windows 10 installation to another computer after getting the free upgrade? NO QUESTION: How many Windows 10 editions are there? Microsoft announced its lineup of Windows 10 editions in May. All of the editions share common features, but are sold and distributed differently depending on the type of device for which they re intended. There are two and only two editions of Windows 10 for installation on new PCs. Windows 10 Home is the cheaper option. It includes the entire Windows 10 feature set, minus a handful of features reserved for the Pro edition. OEMs commonly install this edition on devices aimed at the price-conscious consumer and small business markets. Windows 10 Pro is typically found on higher-quality, higher-spec business-class devices. It costs more and includes a group of features
that enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone on a Windows business network will appreciate: Hyper-V virtualization, BitLocker encryption, the ability to set up a PC as a Remote Desktop server, and the ability to join a Windows domain or enroll with Azure Active Directory are the key ones. Read more here how many versions of Windows 10 are there? QUESTION: How do I get my copy of Windows 10 activated? When you upgrade over an existing, activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, the Setup program checks the current activation status. If it determines the installation is properly activated, it contacts the Microsoft Store and generates a license certificate that is linked to that hardware. (A Microsoft Account is not required for this step.) This automatic activation process is identical whether you use an ISO file to start the upgrade or do so from the downloaded upgrade files. After that first activation is complete, you can perform a clean install on that same hardware using an ISO file, which has a product key embedded in it. As long as the hardware matches the previous installation ID, the installation is activated automatically. (Microsoft does not provide details of what goes into the hardware ID, except to confirm that it does not contain any personally identifiable information and is not used for tracking purposes.) A watermark on the desktop reflects the build number of preview releases. Fully activated, non-insider installations have no watermark. If you perform a clean install using the same Windows 10 edition that was previously activated on a PC or device, you can skip entering the product key and you will be automatically activated after setup is complete. For all other scenarios you can enter a product key for the corresponding edition of Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1, or Windows 10, and activate automatically after setup is complete. QUESTION: I heard that after a year Microsoft is going to start charging for subscriptions. True? Not true. The Windows 10 upgrade was free for a year going forward there will be
no subscriptions or surprise charges. It will remain free for the LIFETIME of your hardware. QUESTION: Is Windows 10 free for my lifetime? No, once acquired, Windows 10 will remain free for the LIFETIME of your hardware. Once your PC dies you will have to purchase Windows 10 or get it on a new PC. All Windows 10 devices will continue to receive updates for the supported lifetime of the device. What does that mean? At some point in the future, your hardware will no longer meet the specifications for a new release, and that will be the end of the line. But as long as your device can accept updates, it will get them. QUESTION: What if I run Windows 10 Enterprise? All that is handled differently under the separate volume licensing agreement your company has with Microsoft. These instructions to do not apply to you. QUESTION: Where is the Windows 10 Enterprise edition located? Windows Enterprise edition upgrades are available through the Volume Licensing Service Center. The Enterprise edition is also available in a time-limited evaluation edition and to anyone with a current MSDN subscription. The MSDN Subscriptions download page is also where you ll find checked and debug versions for use by developers. QUESTION: How many devices have made the move to Windows 10? As of this writing (August of 2016), approximately 350 million. QUESTION: Has Windows 10 been tested extensively? Over 100 million users have tested this OS and given Microsoft feedback. This is the most tested Operating System in the world. In addition, Windows 10 is continuously upgraded and fixed going forward. QUESTION: How do I get Windows 10? Windows 10 will continue to be available for purchase, either on a device or as a full version of the software. You can buy Windows 10 on Amazon here.
QUESTION: Do I still qualify for the free upgrade offer if I ve already downloaded Windows 10 to a USB drive, but haven t yet upgraded my device? All upgrades must have completed and reached the Welcome screen by 11:59 PM UTC-10 (Hawaii) on July 29. QUESTION: I ve been told that Windows 10 spies on me. Is that true? Like all modern operating systems, Windows 10 uses the internet to provide services, and it collects reports of crashes and installation failures to diagnose problems. It also uses an anonymized ID to track which applications you install and how often you use them. Collectively, this information is called telemetry. The company doesn t collect your personal information except for the purposes disclosed in its privacy statement, it doesn t scan the files on your hard disk except to index them so you can search locally, and it doesn t have a keylogger. As part of the Windows as a Service model, Microsoft has designed Windows 10 to share information for product improvement. In addition, Windows 10 integrates online services, such as Cortana and OneDrive, to store and sync personal settings and to build personalized dictionaries using speech and keyboard input. All of these options can be adjusted using privacy settings in Windows 10. QUESTION: Is Windows 10 telemetry a threat to your personal privacy? No, Microsoft is not spying on you with Windows 10. If you re worried about Windows 10 telemetry, you can open the Privacy tab in Windows 10 Settings, choose Feedback & Diagnostics, and adjust the Diagnostic & Usage Data setting to Basic. For more information on optimizing your Windows 10 privacy settings, get ourwindows 10 Privacy ebook here. QUESTION: Is it true that updates are automatically installed? Yes, with Windows 10 Home there is no way to selectively block updates, although you can schedule when the installation and any accompanying restarts take place, up to six days in the future.
Note that security updates and new features are included in cumulative updates. If you restore Windows 10 from media, even using an older ISO file, you will only need to install the most recent cumulative update to get fully up to date. Using Windows Update for Business, administrators of systems running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education can defer upgrades for up to eight months. Enterprise edition customers with Volume License contracts that include Software Assurance can deploy machines using the Long Term Servicing Branch, which accepts only security updates and no new features. QUESTION: Are ISO files available for the most recent version of Windows 10? Yes. Use the free media creation tool to download installation files as a single file, in ISO format. You can also specify that you want the installer files copied directly to a bootable USB flash drive. The resulting file can be mounted directly by double-clicking it File Explorer in Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 (Windows 7 requires third-party software to mount ISO files) and contains files for both Home and Pro editions. You can choose 32-bit or 64-bit installers or download a larger file that contains both. QUESTION: Will the media creation tool still be available for customers to download Windows 10 installation media? Yes, the media creation tool and Windows 10 installation media (ISO files) are available for customers to install Windows 10. You can get to that here. If you re installing Windows 10 for the first time, you ll need to enter a valid Windows 10 product key or buy a full version of Windows 10 during setup, for this tool to work. QUESTION: What if I previously installed Windows 10 on my PC? If you ve previously installed Windows 10 on your device, you should have a digital license and Windows 10 will automatically activate without entering a product key.
QUESTION: My upgrade is complete. Can I delete the setup files? I recommend that you leave them alone for now, unless disk space is so tight that you absolutely must remove them. The Windows.old folder contains files needed to roll back to your previous version if necessary. It will delete itself automatically in 30 days. You can do it manually by running Disk Cleanup Manager in administrator mode and choosing the option to remove your old Windows version. But don t do this just because you like a tidy system. To open Disk Cleanup Manager, click in the search box (next to the Start button) and type Cleanmgr. Right-click the Disk Cleanup entry at the top of the list and choose Run As Administrator. The setup files themselves are in a hidden folder called C:\$Windows.~BT. These will be very handy if you need to do a Reset or if you continue in the Insider program and need to roll back a build. These too can be deleted from Disk Cleanup Manager, but I recommend that you leave these files alone. They can be very useful. QUESTION: How do I reinstall Windows 10 on my PC? After you upgrade to Windows 10, you can reinstall or do a clean installation on the same device. You won t need a product key to reactivate Windows 10 on the same hardware. QUESTION: How long will it take to upgrade my device? That depends on the age and quality of the device hardware you are installing Windows 10 on. Most devices will take about an hour to upgrade as soon as the download is completed. QUESTION: How do I free up space for the upgrade? If you don t have sufficient space, try removing files or apps you no longer need or use Disk Cleanup to free up space. Devices with a 32 GB hard drive or older devices with full hard drives, might need additional storage space to complete the upgrade.
QUESTION: What if I have an external drive? During the upgrade, you might be asked to free up space on your device or attach an external drive with sufficient space to continue with the upgrade. If you attach an external drive, make sure to keep it in a safe place after the upgrade in case you need it for recover options. QUESTION: Do I need to uninstall some of my apps during the upgrade? Some apps have to be uninstalled because they could cause problems with the upgrade process. You ll be able to reinstall these apps after the upgrade to Windows 10 is done. Other applications may have to be uninstalled because they won t work correctly or might not work at all with Windows 10. QUESTION: Can I change my language when I upgrade? The easiest way to change your language is to upgrade using the same language you currently have on your PC and then add a new language later. To add new languages in Windows 10, select the Start button, then selectsettings > Time & language > Region & language > Add a language, and then choose the language you want. QUESTION: Is Windows Media Center available in Windows 10? After the upgrade is completed you won t be able to install Windows Media Center. No, Windows Media Center isn t available as part of Windows 10 and will be removed during the upgrade. QUESTION: Can I go back to my old operating system? Maybe. There are several ways for you to go back from Windows 10 to a previous version of Windows: You ll be able to go back to an earlier version by going to Settings > Update & security > Recovery. The time you have to go back depends on what version of Windows 10 your PC is running after the upgrade.
For example, if your PC is running Windows 10 Version 1511, you have a month to go back to your previous operating system. If your PC is running Windows 10 Version 1607, you have 10 days to go back. (To see what version of Windows 10 your PC is running after you upgrade, select the Start button, then selectsettings > System > About.) If your PC manufacturer provides the option, you might be able to restore your device to factory settings. Also, if options to go back and restore factory settings aren t available, you can use installation media and a product key to install an earlier version of Windows. QUESTION: What if my PC should die? What happens to my upgrade then? If your hardware died within the one year FREE upgrade period, the next PC you bought should either have come with Windows 10 or have Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and you can do the FREE upgrade again. If your hardware dies AFTER the one year period, the next PC you buy should either come with Windows 10 or if you (for some reason) get Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you will have to pay for a Windows 10 upgrade. QUESTION: I m currently running an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Would this be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 10 too? In theory, yes, but Microsoft has not said what it plans to do about OEM versions that were intended for small PC makers but have been purchased by consumers. Probably yes but you will probably be limited to Windows 10 Home or Pro regardless of whether you had an ultimate version or not. When can I just go out to a store and buy Windows 10? Right now, get to it. Or just buy from Amazon here. I have some really hard to find and unusual software and/or hardware that I am running on Windows 7 or 8.1? Should I install Windows 10? If you have any unusual hardware or software, you might need to hold off installing Windows 10.
The first thing you need to do is check your vendor s website to see of they already have a version of their software or hardware compatible with Windows 10. You then need to check for the right software drivers to make sure Windows 10 won t crash your app or hardware. QUESTION: How much memory do I need to move to Windows 10? Microsoft says that 32-bit Windows 10 will run in 1GB and the 64-bit version in 2GB. We recommend doubling each number, ie 2GB and 4GB. If you are running the 64-bit version of Windows 7 in 3GB, 64-bit Windows 10 should run slightly better. You need the 64-bit version to support more than 4GB. QUESTION: Does my Windows 10 upgrade have to match my current OS? If you have a Home version, you will get Windows 10 Home, and if it s a Pro version, you will get Windows 10 Pro. Microsoft always does like-for-like upgrades, where possible. There is NOT a Windows 10 Ultimate, so people who bought Vista Ultimate or Windows 7 Ultimate will be downgraded to Windows 10 Pro. QUESTION: Will I be able to go from 32-bit Windows 8.1 to 64-bit Windows 10? Not directly. If you let Windows Update upgrade your system in place, it will always do it on a like-for-like basis: 32-bit to 32-bit; 64-bit to 64-bit. Moving any 32-bit version of Windows to any 64-bit version always requires a clean installation from a DVD or USB drive or whatever. This will delete your old operating system, programs and data, so you will have to re-install everything from scratch. QUESTION: Can I downgrade later? If I upgrade to Windows 10 and do not like it, will I be able to go back to Windows 7 or 8? Yes Microsoft aims to enable you to roll back to your old operating system, if required BUT it s essential to back up your old system before installing a new one. You should also use the option to create recovery media with your old system, so that you re not totally dependent on the roll back working.
QUESTION: I have some really business mission critical apps on my business computer and I m nervous about upgrading. DO NOT INSTALL WINDOWS 10 UNTIL YOU RE COMFORTABLE In cases where you have applications that run or severely impact your business, take your time and test, test and test again. DON T INSTALL WINDOWS 10 UNTIL YOU ARE READY. No one is hiding a gun to your head. QUESTION: What will happen to the Windows Insider program? It will continue. Microsoft really values the Windows Insider program and will be keeping insiders informed about the latest builds and updates of Windows 10 to come. QUESTION: Will that copy of Windows 10 RTM that upgraded my preview build be a genuine copy of Windows 10? NO QUESTION: If I want to continue as a Windows Insider, can I install a current build of Windows 10 preview, then use my Microsoft Account with it to get upgraded to Windows 10 RTM on 29 July? QUESTION: Will I continue to get new builds of Windows 10 after 29 July if I choose to remain in the Insider program? QUESTION: Will those builds ever expire? QUESTION: If I want to upgrade a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC on 29 July that hasn t been part of the Insider program, do I have to sign up before 29 July, or can I sign up after that date?. They are keeping the Insider Program running after RTM is delivered on 29 July so that should mean sign ups can happen after that date. QUESTION: If I signed up as a Windows Insider prior to 29 July, 2015, and continue downloading every build before RTM, so I can upgrade to Windows 10 RTM, can I then perform a clean install of Windows 10 after the upgrade?. Windows Insiders will be able to perform clean install of any testing build of Windows 10 after RTM is released just like in the current Insider process. The RTM
version that Insiders will receive will be just like that provided to everyone else expect it will have a time bomb in it that will expire the build unless you install a new Insider build. QUESTION: If I opt out of the Windows Insider program before 29 July 2016 can I still use the free Windows upgrade if my device had a genuine copy of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) before I used it for the Insider program? QUESTION: If I opt out of the Windows Insider program after 30 July 2016 do I need to buy a new Windows 10 license if my device had a genuine copy of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) before I used it for the Insider program? QUESTION: I have a laptop and own the copy of Windows 7 Ultimate that is installed on it. I need to upgrade that laptop to Windows 10. However, after the upgrade, I would like to install the Windows 7 Ultimate OS into VirtualBox along with our old Windows XP copy for demonstration purposes. Can I do that? NO. Since you are using the Windows 7 Ultimate license as the base for upgrading to Windows 10 on that device the Windows 7 license is locked to that machine and is not able to be moved. What you can do is upgrade that Windows 7 Ultimate machine to Windows 10 Pro, the version it is allowed to upgrade to. QUESTION: I have Windows 8.1 with embedded key. If I upgrade to Windows 10 will that key be changed and no longer work for Windows 8.1? NO. If your system has an embedded key, then it is most likely an OEM system with an OEM license of Windows 8.1. You will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free and the system will be a valid install of Windows 10 and activated. Note that this is just for that machine. QUESTION: If I have Windows 8.1 and if I upgrade now, and let s say 16 months from now I want to go back to Windows 8.1 can I do that? And then
back to windows 10 a few months after that? Can I go back and forth whenever I want long as its on the same PC?, and, although I can t imagine any usage scenario where you d actually want to keep flipping back and forth between two operating systems like that. To the first : the ability to simply revert your upgrade from 8.1 to Windows 10 is for just 30 days. After that you can revert back but it will require a reinstall of 8.1. To the second : If you do the Windows 10 upgrade in the first 12 months it will be free for the lifetime of that device so you will be able to install Windows 10 after that on that system. QUESTION: Is it true that the free upgrade to Windows 10 retains the properties of the license that was on the upgraded Windows 7 or 8.1 system? In other words if I am on an OEM system, when I upgrade it with a free Windows 10 upgrade, is it still licensed as an OEM system? QUESTION: I have a genuine copy of Windows 7 Professional on my laptop. I have never installed any Windows 10 build. Can I perform a clean install of Windows 10 instead of an upgrade? Does this change depending on whether I have an OEM or Retail copy? Are there any drawbacks to not performing a clean install if this is not possible?. Microsoft has stated that a clean install will be possible on a retail or OEM copy as long as it is a genuine system. QUESTION: If I built my own computer and purchased an OEM license for that hardware from either a bricks-and-mortar store or an online vendor, does my OEM license transfer to the Windows 10 upgrade after 29 July 2015? QUESTION: Can I transfer that OEM based Windows 10 upgrade to another computer? NO QUESTION: In my SMB, we have almost exclusively OEM Windows 7 Pro licenses that came with the computers. These computers are joined to a domain. Do my machines get a free upgrade? How?
. As an OEM licenses, they are eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade. You ll have to download the ISO for installing and upgrading the operating systems, as domain joined machines will not see the Get Windows 10 app. QUESTION: If I upgrade to my OEM machine to Windows 10 from Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update), what if I want to upgrade a component in my PC a few months from now? Do the Windows 7/Windows 8.1 OEM upgrade rules apply in Windows?. The same algorithm will be used to determine if enough hardware has changed to trigger having to re-authorize that system. Some hardware changes will not cause a system to be de-authorized and others will. QUESTION: If I upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 anytime during the first year from a system with a genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed can I reinstall Windows 10? QUESTION: Can I do a clean install of Windows 10 from a system with a genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed? QUESTION: If I upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 anytime during the first year from a system with a non-genuine version of Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with Windows 8.1 Update) installed can I upgrade to Windows 10? NO QUESTION: Do I need to use a Microsoft Account to upgrade my Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1) or Windows 8 (with windows 8.1 Update) system to Windows 10? NO QUESTION: I understand both my Win7 SP1 PRO computers will get upgraded to Windows 10 (I have reserved the upgrade). Will I need a Microsoft account to store the Windows 10 keys after the upgrade (for future rebuilds) or can I continue avoiding using a MS account?
WE DON T KNOW. Microsoft has not confirmed how they will track your activation and install yet. When they do confirm how they track your activation and install, we ll let you know.