The Official Windows 10 thread

[rotNdude]

There have been many threads started because folks are seeing that new little icon in their system tray on older versions of Windows. In an effort to keep all the questions to one thread, this is it.

You will be given a choice to upgrade to Windows 10 over a one year period after it is officially released on July 29th and you're running a qualifying OS for upgrade. You can do it when it's released or wait until later.

If that new icon bothers you, you can get rid of it. If you do get rid of it, you can still upgrade later, assuming you do it within that one year period.

http://venturebeat.com/2015/05/31/microsoft-starts-prompting-windows-7-and-windows-8-users-to-reserve-their-free-windows-10-upgrade/

If you have questions about Steam compatibility, post it here. If you have questions about game compatibility, post it in the game forum of interest.

If you have general questions relating to problems with the OS or upgrading, ask them here.

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Edit by rotNdude for Badmotha
So to further set the record straight, every Windows OS user should go through and understand this:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ultimate-windows-10-activation-license-faq
This is a much much newer write-up that explains all you really need, in fully details, and is new enough to explain how Windows 10 (and previous OS) terms have changed as well as that with the Win10 1511, u no longer need to install the upgrade first to help ensure proper activation.

My suggestion also, if you downloaded and created a Win10 media backup prior to Nov 2015, make a new one using Win10 Media Creation Tool again. This will make your new hard copy the latest official build. Microsoft will continue to update the downloadable ISO build as later builds become official. If you like the Beta builds, you get those within your OS through Windows Insider Program opt-in.
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Edit from Badmotha
Can u please update the main Sticky to include this important Win10 Users Tip:


Motherboard BIOS Firmware update can trigger Windows 10 Inactive
http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/motherboard-bios-firmware-update-can-trigger-windows-10-inactive.html
Suggest that users check and/or update their Laptop / Desktop to latest BIOS prior to Win10 install for best results, and to avoid head-aches.


Also Microsoft is rolling out some major Win10 updates come November; once of which will simplify the way you activate your Win10 by allowing users to simply input their current qualifying Win7 SP1 or 8.1 Product Key during the Clean Win10 Installer, so that Upgrade method won't be required.

http://www.guru3d.com/news-story/next-big-windows-10-release-will-simplify-activation-procedures.html


Also in Nov during these Win10 updates, XboxOne users will see their console get a full Win10 Upgrade; this will not only help the Xbox performance overall, but help with regards to Win10 streaming Xbox to PC. MS is also looking to allow PC game streaming to the XboxOne, so users won't need device like Steam Link (or Streaming PC) if they have Win10 PC and an XboxOne.


In December, Win8 Phone users will get options for full Win10 OS updates.

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Edit by Spawn of Totoro:

For those who wish to do a clean install of Windows 10, here is a nice article explaining how to do so.

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-do-a-clean-install-of-windows-10-1720775893

And for those who want to create a log-in with out a Microsoft Account:

http://www.baldnerd.com/install-windows-10-without-a-microsoft-account/
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EDIT by rotNdude posted by Azza

The Windows 10 upgrade is being rolled out over time by Microsoft, so you won't see the icon until the upgrade is ready for your machine or the icon might disappear on you.

Now you might be wondering why? Your friend got it, but you reserved it before them and still waiting for ages, arrr!!!

Firstly they are releasing the upgrade download in waves (to avoid server overload).

There are two ways to jump this wait. This might actually be slowing down your own turn to upgrade. However, I personal don't recommend using them yourself - even though others might of jumped in front of you, in the long run it doesn't actually help too much (and can seriously cause more issues).

Manual trigger ( wuauclt.exe /updatenow ) - As it causes download issues (not just for you, but the others) and your own activition/unlocking might be still delayed or cancelled. Most people attempting this end up with only a part downloaded, then download error message.

Manual download tool ( if you really can't wait ) - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 - is a better option at least.

Just note: They are taking a measured approach to ensure that we only upgrade users when we have a high confidence level for the compatibility of their device. So the automatic waiting on your Operating System upgrade is in place for a reason to be ensured it will work with all your hardware/software.

I suggest actually waiting, this might take another day or even weeks, but at least then you will not run into so many issues (when first released). They will start off with a lot of support, zero day patching, and issues - as with any new major service. A mad rush to get it, just causes more problems than it's worth.

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If you never got to reverved your copy of Win 10

Ensure if...

Win 7 - You have Service Pack 1 installed.
Win 8 - You have it updated to version 8.1.

Then go to Control Panel > Windows Updates

Ensure patch KB3035583 is installed (This is the GWX notification and download manager)

If that doesn't work, see Manual download tool above.

If all else fails getting that patch (manually):

Start > Run > type "cmd.exe" (without the quotes) and right-click it from the list, run as admin.

Under that admin evaluated command prompt type:
dism /online /get-packages | findstr KB3035583 > NUL

That's just telling Windows Updates to download the patch KB3035583 (as mentioned before). Then once that's installed, update your registry if required...

reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AppCompatFlags\UpgradeExperienceIndicators" /v UpgEx /t REG_SZ /d Green /f

and try launching it...

%SystemRoot%\System32\GWX\GWX.exe /taskLaunch

then refresh it...

%SystemRoot%\System32\GWX\GWXConfigManager.exe /RefreshConfig


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Since people keep asking me over and over, I'll drop this note here...

Note there's an offical Windows 10 thread:
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/11/618463446162617695/#p21

Mods - Feel free to merge it, I just assumed it might get overlooked there.
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[The Muppet Surgery Special]

rotNdude の投稿を引用：

http://download.cnet.com/blog/download-blog/how-to-run-windows-10-on-a-virtual-machine/

Keep in mind you can ONLY install 64-bit guests on a 64-bit host IF and ONLY IF your BIOS and Processor supports VT (virtualisation) extensions (most modern ones do however lower models in the range may not).

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

Try it for yourself, it's real. Then again Microsoft never had a clear strategy (thanks Balmer) :)

We all know they want an app store for the big bucks, and to get people onto it requires giving it out free. That is what they done. Check for yourself.

The personalisation is suppost to be disabled for unactivated editions, but no time limit. However, I am able to personalise mine (probably a bug since I have seen it disabled randomly during use), also you can hook it up to your live account and sync personalisation across.

Either way, this is great news for virtualisation users on Linux and OS X.

I don't really have a need to, but was more of a general inqauiry. Is it maybe like the Win 10 beta testers who get to keep on using Win 10 indefinitely as long as they remain in the beta update program?

Not this is RTW (Release to Web) and not previews.

Run it in VirtualBox (Free too), and see. I test all new platform migrations this way, testing what I need to disable/enable/remove/add. I don't jump blindly into platform updates. But for those essential apps that Wine does not work well with (Adobe or .Net stuff generally), then this is great. No activation hassles when reconfiguring VM's as before..

[HLCinSC]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

I don't really have a need to, but was more of a general inqauiry. Is it maybe like the Win 10 beta testers who get to keep on using Win 10 indefinitely as long as they remain in the beta update program?

Not this is final and not previews.

OK I trust you I just find it really odd that they would give it away for free with no strings attached while at the same time actively selling Win 10 and Win 10 upgrades. It would be like Steam charging $100 for Steam OS on the Steam store while providing a link for it for free within a steam support page. It seems too big to of been missed and a potential legal or PR mess.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

Not this is final and not previews.

OK I trust you I just find it really odd that they would give it away for free with no strings attached while at the same time actively selling Win 10 and Win 10 upgrades. It would be like Steam charging $100 for Steam OS on the Steam store while providing a link for it for free within a steam support page. It seems too big to of been missed and a potential legal or PR mess.

Well the personalisation SHOULD be non-functioning but it is (most of the time). So, grab it while you can anyway, you never know :)

Sure they were going to push out forced W10 upgrades to all (few months ago they did and claimed it was an accident) then they said they would do it again today, but the backlash came out over the web again and they backed off it seems (they won't stop trying you can be sure of that).

They REALLY want you on W10 because their future strategy is based on it and the online store and it being a client in their Azure / Store world.

That is why it is free for consumers. It is a "vehicle" platform to their services.

Their tools are free too for the community editions (Sql Server/Visual Studio) etc (as long as you don't want the big enterprise features you're fine.

And they are targeting other platforms (Android and soon OSX and Linux for their "Services").

They even have an APT clone ready (OneGet and Chocolatey).

[HLCinSC]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

OK I trust you I just find it really odd that they would give it away for free with no strings attached while at the same time actively selling Win 10 and Win 10 upgrades. It would be like Steam charging $100 for Steam OS on the Steam store while providing a link for it for free within a steam support page. It seems too big to of been missed and a potential legal or PR mess.

Well the personalisation SHOULD be non-functioning but it is (most of the time). So, grab it while you can anyway, you never know :)

Sure they were going to push out forced W10 upgrades to all (few months ago they did and claimed it was an accident) then they said they would do it again today, but the backlash came out over the web again and they backed off it seems (they won't stop trying you can be sure of that).

They REALLY want you on W10 because their future strategy is based on it and the online store and it being a client in their Azure / Store world.

That is why it is free for consumers. It is a "vehicle" platform to their services.

I get what you are saying. Kind of like the whole Android strategy with getting google Play services on as many devices as possible. Would it be cool if I added you to ask some qurestions in the upcoming weeks? I'm now actually thinking about doing this because I'm thinking of updating an 8.1 notebook to 10 but I would get home and would rather not pay the extra $100 to upgrade to pro, but I am not planning to do so until the semester is over in case I screw something up.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

Not this is final and not previews.

OK I trust you I just find it really odd that they would give it away for free with no strings attached while at the same time actively selling Win 10 and Win 10 upgrades. It would be like Steam charging $100 for Steam OS on the Steam store while providing a link for it for free within a steam support page. It seems too big to of been missed and a potential legal or PR mess.

Would a VM leak a hardware profile and location?
After all, a VM uses the same machine.
If so, there's your answer - though many may not know why it is being done.
[I'm not referring to the kind of VM like the Win7 XP Mode, which emulated a fixed set of low end hardware so it wouldn't be like giving away a free XP x86 licence]

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

CharlestONE の投稿を引用：

OK I trust you I just find it really odd that they would give it away for free with no strings attached while at the same time actively selling Win 10 and Win 10 upgrades. It would be like Steam charging $100 for Steam OS on the Steam store while providing a link for it for free within a steam support page. It seems too big to of been missed and a potential legal or PR mess.

Would a VM leak a hardware profile and location?
After all, a VM uses the same machine.
If so, there's your answer - though many may not know why it is being done.
[I'm not referring to the kind of VM like the Win7 XP Mode, which emulated a fixed set of low end hardware so it wouldn't be like giving away a free XP x86 licence]

It is a "machine" whatever way you specify it. it is up to you how you specify the machine.

I can get a spare HD and install it on that, I will do that tomorrow to check. I am sure it is fine.

My virtual machines are all 8 GiB, 4 CPU, 50 GIB storage, that is not small spec :)

They are a machine, with a SID identifier and everything, right down to your Network MAC address, USB devices, CPU models.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

Would a VM leak a hardware profile and location?
After all, a VM uses the same machine.
If so, there's your answer - though many may not know why it is being done.
[I'm not referring to the kind of VM like the Win7 XP Mode, which emulated a fixed set of low end hardware so it wouldn't be like giving away a free XP x86 licence]

It is a "machine" whatever way you specify it.

I'm not sure what you are saying and I'm not sure you understood me.
I should clarify:-
Would a VM leak the hardware profile and location of the ORIGINATING machine that it is running on?
Not necessarily the container OS, which is of no real consequence regarding the reasoning I'm referring to.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

It is a "machine" whatever way you specify it.

I'm not sure what you are saying and I'm not sure you understood me.
I should clarify:-
Would a VM leak the hardware profile and location of the ORIGINATING machine that it is running on?
Not necessarily the container OS, which is of no real consequence regarding the reasoning I'm referring to.

You mean breaking out of the virtual machine, that is quite very very difficult (but not impossible and those bugs are patched quickly on VM apps). As far as Windows is concerned (and indeed Linux), it is it's own computer.

But I will install it on real hardware tomorrow with a spare HDD and get back on here with the results.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

I'm not sure what you are saying and I'm not sure you understood me.
I should clarify:-
Would a VM leak the hardware profile and location of the ORIGINATING machine that it is running on?
Not necessarily the container OS, which is of no real consequence regarding the reasoning I'm referring to.

You mean breaking out of the virtual machine, that is quite difficult but not impossible. As far as Windows is concerned (and indeed Linux), it is it's own computer.

Yet the hardware and location remain the same - where there is only ONE fixed set of hardware at ONE location.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

You mean breaking out of the virtual machine, that is quite difficult but not impossible. As far as Windows is concerned (and indeed Linux), it is it's own computer.

Yet the hardware and location remain the same - where there is only ONE fixed set of hardware at ONE location.

The hardware is the same yes (unless you specify more HDD controllers, or less, or no USB or other attributes of the machine) , but some is "virtualised" the CPU is obviouly the same, however, the attributes are what you specify (cores etc). Location is obviously the same, since you use the same router and internet but you CAN change that if you connect to a different network endpoint for your wifi/ethernet, or you can use a Wifi mobile hotspot on your android phone and it will obviously be whatever it's connected to. If you want a very differnet location, use a VPN. It can be quite different if you really want it to.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

Yet the hardware and location remain the same - where there is only ONE fixed set of hardware at ONE location.

The hardware is the same yes, but some is "virtualised" the CPU is obviouly the same, however, the attributes are what you specify (cores etc). Location is obviously the same, since you use the same router and internet but you CAN change that if you connect to a different network endpoint for your wifi/ethernet.

I realise you can allocate portions of your own hardware, so as not to exhaust resources in the container and potentially cause a fall-over.
Meanwhile, location obfuscation requires knowledge and intervention, which not many general users do.
I've seen reports that the Win10 VM is not to be trusted, but we're not talking about a VM within a VM.
If Win10, running from within a VM of a host OS, can data-gather and profile that host machine, its owner and that owner's location (assumed via ownership) it may well be free as you say, though not well advertised, as that would cause suspicion.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

The hardware is the same yes, but some is "virtualised" the CPU is obviouly the same, however, the attributes are what you specify (cores etc). Location is obviously the same, since you use the same router and internet but you CAN change that if you connect to a different network endpoint for your wifi/ethernet.

I realise you can allocate portions of your own hardware, so as not to exhaust resources in the container and potentially cause a fall-over.
Meanwhile, location obfuscation requires knowledge and intervention, which not many general users do.
I've seen reports that the Win10 VM is not to be trusted, but we're not talking about a VM within a VM.
If Win10, running from within a VM of a host OS, can data-gather and profile that host machine, its owner and that owner's location (assumed via ownership) it may well be free as you say, though not well advertised, as that would cause suspicion.

Up to you :) I actually like Continuum very much, yes Cortana and the metrics and updates I agree (that is why you buy Enterprise to be in control of it using a policy from the domain controllers ), for consumers, well, that is your future unless you go Linux (and even then Canonical et all will do the same in time).

Either way, W10 is free and I'm glad so I don't have to waste my W7 licenses in VM's for a few apps (Illustrator, Lightroom and Visual Studio and maybe Office) when I go mobile with Linux Mint :)

If Linux had a Coninuum type interface (not Unity, bleh), then I would use that instead of Cinnamon (but I still need a way to run those essential apps I need on Linux).

So for people on Linux/OS X that need Windows for small usage, free is good.

I will get back about installing it on real hardware tomorrow after I play about with HDDs on my Linux laptop :) I will simply replace the HDD's and install for a while. I don't want to USB disk install it because it's via the CPU and it's slower as USB is CPU bound.

Be sure to click "I don't have a product key" when installing.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

I realise you can allocate portions of your own hardware, so as not to exhaust resources in the container and potentially cause a fall-over.
Meanwhile, location obfuscation requires knowledge and intervention, which not many general users do.
I've seen reports that the Win10 VM is not to be trusted, but we're not talking about a VM within a VM.
If Win10, running from within a VM of a host OS, can data-gather and profile that host machine, its owner and that owner's location (assumed via ownership) it may well be free as you say, though not well advertised, as that would cause suspicion.

Up to you :) I actually like Continuum very much, yes Cortana and the metrics and updates I agree (that is why you buy Enterprise to be in control of it using a policy from the domain controllers ), for consumers, well, that is your future unless you go Linux (and even then Canonical et all will do the same in time).

Either way, W10 is free and I'm glad so I don't have to waste my W7 licenses in VM's for a few apps (Illustrator, Lightroom and Visual Studio and maybe Office) when I go mobile with Linux Mint :)

If Linux had a Coninuum type interface (not Unity, bleh), then I would use that instead of Cinnamon (but I still need a way to run those essential apps I need on Linux).

So for people on Linux/OS X that need Windows for small usage, free is good.

I will get back about installing it on real hardware tomorrow after I play about with HDDs on my Linux laptop :) I will simply replace the HDD's and install for a while. I don't want to USB disk install it because it's via the CPU and it's slower as USB is CPU bound.

I'm not referring to me.

I'm not considering this.

I'm trying to send a warning.

I have Win10 off the back of my Win7 purchase and I don't care about that.

Sure, I could have scored an extra copy this way - giving me both - but I don't need Win7 or 10 licences for VMs.

The stuff I would run in a VM is XP Pro x86 within Linux, Unix or XP Pro x64, and Linux within Linux.

NOTHING[!!!] under the OSMTH ["Umbrella Corp"] military, their entire Livery system, its Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, their CERN and travelling their web/net "pipes" is private.

You simply must decide what level to give them the run-around, which is easier the less you make a scene - like me, but I ain't afraid to speak out.

My Win10 machine holds my commercial person[a], but this person is only associated with employment, a few emails, a couple of online sales outlets, an online payment method, Steam and GOG, and is isolated from the real me, my other machines and OS environments, including my key-ring via the fact that I don't use those facilities on them to avoid cross-profiling.

[The Muppet Surgery Special]

deviantchild の投稿を引用：

The Muppet Surgery Special の投稿を引用：

Up to you :) I actually like Continuum very much, yes Cortana and the metrics and updates I agree (that is why you buy Enterprise to be in control of it using a policy from the domain controllers ), for consumers, well, that is your future unless you go Linux (and even then Canonical et all will do the same in time).

Either way, W10 is free and I'm glad so I don't have to waste my W7 licenses in VM's for a few apps (Illustrator, Lightroom and Visual Studio and maybe Office) when I go mobile with Linux Mint :)
Linux had a Coninuum type interface (not Unity, bleh), then I would use that instead of Cinnamon (but I still need a way to run those essential apps I need on Linux).

So for people on Linux/OS X that need Windows for small usage, free is good.

I will get back about installing it on real hardware tomorrow after I play about with HDDs on my Linux laptop :) I will simply replace the HDD's and install for a while. I don't want to USB disk install it because it's via the CPU and it's slower as USB is CPU bound.

I'm not referring to me.
I'm not considering this.
I'm trying to send a warning.
I have Win10 off the back of my Win7 purchase and I don't care about that.
Sure, I could have scored an extra copy this way - giving me both - but I don't need Win7 or 10 licences for VMs.
The stuff I would run in a VM is XP Pro x86 within Linux, Unix or XP Pro x64, and Linux within Linux.
NOTHING[!!!] under the OSMTH ["Umbrella Corp"] military, their entire Livery system, its Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, their CERN and travelling their web/net "pipes" is private.

You simply must decide what level to give them the run-around, which is easier the less you make a scene - like me, but I ain't afraid to speak out.

My Win10 machine holds my commercial person[a], but this person is only associated with employment, a few emails, a couple of online sales outlets, an online payment method, Steam and GOG, and is isolated from the real me, my other machines and OS environments, including my key-ring via the fact that I don't use those facilities on them to avoid cross-profiling. [/quote]

Whatever works, I am now installing W10 on a physical machine (just switched HDD's in the laptop to try it).

When you use Windows update , they get a detailed description of your contents (apps installed) on your machine anyway, as does the Steam app hardware survey.

What they will see on mine is 8/10 cross platform free apps :) The remaining apps I do have are Office, Lightroom, Illustrator and Visual Studio).

I encrypt everything else (physically and on the cloud).

I am just planning a migration to Linux so this free W10 is a godsend for me (well; I already have a mix of laptops here, Linux, W7 and W10 now).

I just don't like always on hot microphone apps like Cortana. But your mobile has it too, and Chrome browser etc.

It really is like that scene in the Batman movie where he taps into all mobiles as radar to find the Joker.

That is why I am migrating to Linux long term. I already moved most of the apps (critical first step) and how to deal with other remaining apps (W10 freebie helps).

But I do really really like the Continuum desktop environment. If Linux (not Ubuntu's Unity it's a half effort attempt) had something like Continuum, it would be a killer.

Continuum is simply, awesome and mostly the concept is sound and done right. Canonical take note :)

Well I just installed W10 Pro (from Microsoft's link) and without upgrading, it is a fresh install and no activation key, and it's not time limited and funcational.

Ok I did notice that my Linux Mint runs cooler (this is a laptop I am refurbing and updating so I am monitoring temps) than Windows 10. Windows 10 hits the southbridge (I/O work) far more than Linux, also I see the CPU cores being worked far more. Rapid spikes on temps on both that are not seen on Linux. Just something I am observing.

[TransgressorOfTheUnspeakableWord]

I have all their OSMTH spy crap uninstalled and two applications blocking everything except WU; plus, I disabled services which weren't flagged by the aforementioned applications and known by me to be dodgy, as well as used Group Policy to enforce extra security.
I don't mind them getting my hardware for this machine.
They're not getting anything else from this machine though, and not tying any other devices to me.
Their G**gl* is completely banned from all my machines and, as such, the intended dependency upon this SRI creation is begginnig to show with my web functionality breaking down as I refuse to let the monster have my info.
Your idea of encrypting in the cloud is ridiculous.
Merely by using any cloud, you gave whatever you uploaded.
Yeah - and, as for "Canonical", there's a clue right there in the word, right smack in your face.

Anyway, I have a basic user question:-

How do I get Win10 to stop ignoring my file associations, so it doesn't keep asking me how to open files?
My associations are obeyed when one program calls another to complete a task, though ignored when attempted to directly open from within Explorer.
It's begun to pull this crap again and I can't remember how I fixed it in my last Win10 install attempt - because I remember it did the same, but haven't managed to find the solution on the web this time around.
Where is this new, globally-overarching, setting ticked somewhere?
I'm still not used to system tools and settings being divided between combined interfaces of Metro and traditional Explorer.
My copies of XP x86 and x64 do as they're told once file associations are set, as does Win7 x64.