Windows 10 Trials
I'm trying to get my hands on a trial version of Windows 10 but I can't seem to figure this one out. I've done hundreds of trial installs of virtually every other OS that MS has, but this one seems to be especially difficult to find... Either that or it's Monday and the coffee hasn't kicked in yet.
Where the heck do I get a trial key?
Where the heck do I get a trial key?
Windows 10 Trial is no longer available, as 10 has gone RTM. You are able to upgrade to 10 with a valid install of 7/8 and preserve your license key for this use. I upgraded multiple machines without incident or intervention this way.
yesterday, i made a download of windows 10 iso. there are many sites available for example at http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/windows-10-download-iso-32-bit-64-bit-free/. then i made a backup image of windows 8.1 pro and installed windows 10 from iso (8.1 pro automatically provided a cdrom drive for th eiso). it worked without issues, so i resigned to go back by restoring from backup.
installing from iso may not work for a vm (since there are a lot of reboots) or for a new disk.
but if you have a new disk you may add it as a new drive to current windows. then make a physical copy of your system disk (for example by using paragon free tools) and then you have a perfect backup.
if you don't have a ssd yet, it might be a good chance now.
Sara
installing from iso may not work for a vm (since there are a lot of reboots) or for a new disk.
but if you have a new disk you may add it as a new drive to current windows. then make a physical copy of your system disk (for example by using paragon free tools) and then you have a perfect backup.
if you don't have a ssd yet, it might be a good chance now.
Sara
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If you do an upgrade you will not be prompted. I have done about 6 upgrades so far, from Win 7 and Win 8 and no key asked for. However when you do a clean install (which i have not done yet) you will be asked for a key and from what I have read your win 7 and 8 keys should work (but I am not 100% sure).
No, keys for previous Windows versions won't work when doing a clean install. You either need a valid key for a purchased version of Windows 10, or just skip entering the key a couple of times. This of course leave you with windows not activated.
If on a PC you have done an upgrade to Windows 10 from within the old OS, it never asks for the key and windows gets registered with m$ and activated automatically. For this to work of course you need an internet connection. Otherwise the upgrade probably will fail, or it won't be activated and you may have to call m$ to get it activated.
On such a PC where Windows 10 was properly activated before, you can then later do a clean installation of Windows 10, and during the installation again skip where you are asked to enter the key. This time when the installation is finished, you'll have an automatically activated Windows, as it previously already was activated once.
If on a PC you have done an upgrade to Windows 10 from within the old OS, it never asks for the key and windows gets registered with m$ and activated automatically. For this to work of course you need an internet connection. Otherwise the upgrade probably will fail, or it won't be activated and you may have to call m$ to get it activated.
On such a PC where Windows 10 was properly activated before, you can then later do a clean installation of Windows 10, and during the installation again skip where you are asked to enter the key. This time when the installation is finished, you'll have an automatically activated Windows, as it previously already was activated once.
I can second rindi's response. Using the installer to perform a clean installation will not use a prior versions key or media as proof of purchase. In order to perform a clean install, you must have a valid Windows 10 Key.
-saige-
-saige-
ASKER
I selected my answer because it's the best for the situation I'm in as there's a reason why I don't want to test the Enterprise version of Windows 10. However, I did select those two answers as they're technically correct.
You can also get the technical preview by joining the insider program - https://insider.windows.com/
-saige-