Preview edition was upgraded, maybe to RTM – . how long will license last?

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I installed the preview version of Win 10 on a laptop as a clean install and couldnt get the wireless drivers to work so I put it off to the side for a time when I could plug a wire in and then play with it.

So I did so about July 15, and played around with it for an evening. Left system on and it actually upgraded to the latest preview build over night. A few days ago, it upgraded again, to what I think is the RTM version although I cant find a build number on is anywhere (thats why I think its the RTM version).

So now the question: will the license that came as part of the preview edition expire with the new upgraded version? Ive been searching on the net and really cant find an answer for Win 10 adopter licensing. Seems MS did a $39 deal for early adopters of win 8, but nothing yet on this for win 10 early adopters.

Can anyone tell me how to tell if the upgrade I have is the “final” RTM release? And what about the adopter license – will it expire?

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It is the final release and is permanently licensed.

Joe

--Joe

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…. So now the question: will the license that came as part of the preview edition expire with the new upgraded version? … [/quote]

In those circumstances, provisionally, yes. However members of the Insider Preview Group will keep receiving updates as long as they remain in the group. Leave the group and your version will eventually stop working.

Can anyone tell me how to tell if the upgrade I have is the “final” RTM release? And what about the adopter license – will it expire?

Most likely it is – press WINKEY + PAUSE/BREAK, and at the top of the dialogue box you will see what OS and version is installed. My pc went through the update and I’m showing “Windows 10 Pro” as opposed to any preview build number.

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In those circumstances, provisionally, yes. However members of the Insider Preview Group will keep receiving updates as long as they remain in the group. Leave the group and your version will eventually stop working.

.

I would like to read the official MS ref re this can you provide a link??

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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I would like to read the official MS ref re this can you provide a link??

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/Windows-10-faq

In passing, mentions those who DO NOT have a qualifying Windows version. But apart from that it discusses matters from the point of view of a LEGAL COPY of qualifying products. It mentions, in passing, that upgraded versions of LEGAL qualifying products are licensed FOR ALMOST EVER, and can be reinstalled whenever without any legal hassles; on clean formatted hdds or whatever.

MS are obviously not going to upset the millions of users who have paid for their copy of the qualifying editions, so have made it as easy as possible under their new delivery system – as upgrades to a matching clean legally licensed version of W10

Those who have not upgraded to a qualifying product, are also dealt with: Buy win10 legally, or join/stay as part of the Insider Program and keep being guinea pigs.

Leave the Insider Program, and your W10 copy stops working within a short period of time. That’s fair.

I’m in the same situation – my PC was running WinXP. Not qualifying product. So I’m in the same group of users as your original post. I’m going to buy a retail version of Win8.1 pro and get the legal update. Win8.1 Pro is cheaper by abut $170.00 local currency … while stocks last. Have fun.

Try this also:

from part of a newwsletter article from estemed WSEditor Tracey Capen, available from http://windowssecrets.com/field-notes/lessons-learned-from-infrastructure-failures/

BEGINQUOTE

A fork in the Windows 10 road: Several tech-news sources have reported that anyone in the Windows Insider program will get an official, final copy of Windows 10. That’s not precisely true, according to a clarification in a recent Blogging Windows post.

Officially, if you want to stay in the Windows Insider program after the July 29 Windows 10 release, you’ll continue to receive new builds for pre-release software. You will not get a final, “genuine” copy of Windows 10 — though one might assume that there’ll be a build that’s essentially the same thing. The post goes on to state: “This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems.” The free Windows 10 upgrade will be available only to those with “genuine” Win7 and Win8.1 licenses.

If you stay in the Windows Insider program, the blog notes:

“Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older pre-release build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software.”

Keep in mind that receiving new builds via the Windows Insider program has limitations and restrictions — such as a requirement to accept all updates. So these builds are not something you want to install on a production system.

A fork in the Windows 10 road: Several tech-news sources have reported that anyone in the Windows Insider program will get an official, final copy of Windows 10. That’s not precisely true, according to a clarification in a recent Blogging Windows post.

Officially, if you want to stay in the Windows Insider program after the July 29 Windows 10 release, you’ll continue to receive new builds for pre-release software. You will not get a final, “genuine” copy of Windows 10 — though one might assume that there’ll be a build that’s essentially the same thing. The post goes on to state: “This is not a path to attain a license for Windows XP or Windows Vista systems.” The free Windows 10 upgrade will be available only to those with “genuine” Win7 and Win8.1 licenses.

If you stay in the Windows Insider program, the blog notes:

“Each individual build will expire after a time, but you’ll continue to receive new builds so by the time an older pre-release build expires you’ll have received a new one. Since we’re continuing the Windows Insider Program you’ll be able to continue receiving builds and those builds will continue to be activated under the terms of the Windows Insider Program. We provide ISOs for these builds for recovery from any significant problems, but they are still pre-release software.”

Keep in mind that receiving new builds via the Windows Insider program has limitations and restrictions — such as a requirement to accept all updates. So these builds are not something you want to install on a production system.

ENDQUOTE

this referenced this webpage from MS Windows blog … http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/06/19/upcoming-changes-to-windows-10-insider-preview-builds/

which in turn references … http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwindows/2015/01/21/the-next-generation-of-windows-windows-10/

and this references other stuff you can search for yourself. HTH

All of the reputable blogs I’ve followed on this say the same thing. So after this you’re on your own, sorry.

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