The release of Windows 10 is approaching: Find out about the system requirements here in order to be able to switch without problems. Read all the facts about the free upgrade (and subsequent downgrade) so you do not spend a cent too much. If you want to make a “clean install”, you get also details about the clean reinstallation. We also clarify in our new FAQ, how it looks with a hardware binding in Windows 10 and how it behaves with a hardware exchange.
When does Windows 10 appear?
The release of Windows 10 is officially on July 29, 2017. Then for many private users comes the free upgrade, the download in the store and presumably also boxed variants
What are the system requirements?
According to Microsoft, you only need a computer that meets the following criteria
How much does Windows 10 cost
As Windows 10 runs, you can already test with the insider preview. This works without an existing license for Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. However, for the automatic update of the preview to the final version of Windows 10 a license, as Microsoft repeatedly announced. Read our FAQ about Windows 10 Preview if you want to test it.
Who gets the free upgrade?
Microsoft has called the the United States prices for Windows 10. The home costs 135 euros and the pro variant 280 euros. An upgrade from Home to Pro is apparently not (yet). Prices are significantly higher than in the US.
Who is entitled to the free upgrade, of course, does not have to pay the prices for the respective system used.
Otherwise, every private user who has a computer with an activated license for Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 can enjoy the free upgrade to Windows 10 within one year. The license is transferred from Windows 10 to the previous version and remains valid for the "lifetime of the device". This means automatically: The license is tied to the hardware if your current computer does not have a retail version of the mentioned Windows 10 predecessors. If the deadline expires, the offer expires. You can then continue using your system as normal.
Exclude Microsoft's corporate customers with a volume license or a comparable subscription.
The free upgrade is installed via Windows Update. It is important that the operating system of the machine to be updated has a valid Windows license (7, 8 or 8.1). Only then will the upgrade run without problems.
If you have installed the patch KB3035583 under Windows Update, you also get a tool to reserve a free Windows 10 upgrade. This ensures that the necessary data for the Windows 10 installation is preloaded, so that no problems arise with the release. The reservation can be canceled at any time until the release.
Microsoft has confirmed that a Windows 10 Clean Install will be possible, but not before you have gone through the scheduled upgrade routine via Windows Update. ISO files are made available in time for you to reinstall Windows. Windows 10 should then be activated via a key on the mainboard (OEM) or with a key query (retail) in the setup or on the desktop. The license key will probably be your current key. The license behind it should have been upgraded by upgrading to Windows 10.
For Windows XP users, there is no Windows 10 upgrade. Microsoft's reasoning is simple: Corresponding systems are outdated and as a rule too weak. Microsoft did not provide Windows Vista on request. So here it is: wait.
Yes, there will be a way to downgrade the license. So you can continue to work with your familiar operating system. Microsoft has not yet revealed how this will work and whether downgrade is still possible after the free upgrade phase.
How will the free upgrade expire?
The OEM license will be bound to the hardware. This means that Windows stores the license key in the bios, which will be read from there in future new installations. If you have a retail version, there is no hardware binding. Then you can move Windows 10 to another computer without problems.
An OEM license is generally available for a computer purchase with the included Windows version. Different retailers write "OEM" or "Update". A retail version is usually only available when you buy the boxed version in the store, or you order it explicitly in online stores.
Can I make a clean new installation?
For this, Microsoft has not explicitly voiced. It is, however, to be assumed that in practice it will be similar to the predecessors. A hard disk, a graphics card or RAM will probably be exchanged individually. If several devices are changed at once or even the mainboard, Windows activation is likely to occur.
From experience, we know that a call to Microsoft support (the number is indicated in the activation window) with a description of the facts (such as a simple hardware exchange during a small upgrade or repair) usually results in the issue of a new activation key . The only important thing is that the key is not used simultaneously on several systems.
What about Windows XP and Vista?
Can I go back after the Windows 10 upgrade?
Is Windows 10 tied to the hardware?
What happens with a hardware change?
No comments:
Post a Comment