Have never & will never upgrade to windows 10.
Far too many privacy issues.
Windows 10 will always be free for that reason

handy tip, thanks

Thanks, will prove useful

will it check your windows 7 to see if its an OEM serial number ?

I bought this used as a back-up computer , it originally had Vista , has windows 7 now but I have no paperwork on it

I would hate to see it bricked by Microsoft !

actually if anybody had a W7 or W8 operating system of doubtful provenance, this upgrade is a neat way to give yourself a 100% legit copy of W10

when you upgrade you will get a brand new unique product key XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

people who have borrowed a W7 or W8 product key in the past, or bought one for a couple of quid, may find it activates at first then a few months later gets bricked (as redondo quaintly expressed it) when MS systems see it has been used additional times, eg when your dodgy seller sells the same product key to another chancer

nobody else will have your shiny new W10 product key

What exactly is Assistive Technologies?

Assistive technologies are used by people with varying disabilities, be they physical, speech/hearing impairment etc.

My main concern is that if so many people "claim" to use these technologies (which include screen readers, speech to text etc) without any legitimacy then Microsoft may decide to pull the plug thus depriving genuine disabled users - something I am sure none of us would applaud.

Heat added. I will try it out this weekend. I have a legit windows 7

This does work, no problems.

Have never & will never upgrade to windows 10.
Far too many privacy issues.
Windows 10 will always be free for that reason

upgrading to windows10 removes dvd playback functionality without warning!!!!!!! ....I reinstalled win7 ultimate

​mine was an upgrade from win8 when it eventually upgraded without errors! it never kept dvd playback suspect im not only 1 to experience this

​yea I had vlc installed to read dvds but I never got a warning about losing playback, since going back to win7 been happy days

You could always do what I do and run dual boot systems. I run it alongside Win 7 and 8 as well as Linux and have even managed to get it up and running alongside an old XP system I use for testing. In addition, I am also running it from a memory stick.

I seem to recall hearing that installing with a Win7/8 key still works as well

and gives an activated new product key?

Yes it's completely legit.

I'm not sure that "completely legit" is quite the right phrase if you are getting the license by falsely claiming to be an assistive technology user, but yes, it does work! :smirk:

Going to try and upgrade my Windows 8 tablet to this. Annoying that it has a puny >20GB storage - installing W10 requires 16GB!! Wish me luck, I may update my progress.

​Get rid of the recovery partition but be sure to copy it over to a pen drive or something. I did that on my Lenovo when I dropped 10 on it - freed up a good chunk of space. But be careful!

Thanks, my nipper decided to downgrade his laptop after the free offer closed and has been on my case since to go back to windows 10.
Updating now as we speak.

I agree, but I'm using Microsoft's Windows 10 Anniversary update KB: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12387/windows-10-update-history Which runs on Win 7/8!

interesting that it's not more widely reported - I wonder why not? I casually follow a few sites such as Supersite for Windows & they usually pick up on stuff like this - eg assistive technologies route is very well understood by all the blogs

Ok, so my tablet's hard drive is not quite large enough to download all 16GB of the W10 installation stuff. So Im wondering if I can put the stuff on a big USB instead, and install it from there?

Edit: apparently I will need a new product key when using this method. Is there any way I can get the product key from this free upgrade, so I can use it here?

I thought MS changed the rules so that you can use your device's old product key when clean installing W10? In any case use a keyfinder such as Jellybean Magical to make a note of your old product key before you go any further.

yep: Here’s how Microsoft describes the change.

“We have received a lot of feedback from Insiders on making it easier to activate Windows 10 on devices that take advantage of the free upgrade offer to genuine Windows by using existing Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product keys. If you install this build of the Windows 10 Insider Preview on a PC and it doesn’t automatically activate, you can enter the product key from Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 used to activate the prior Windows version on the same device to activate Windows 10 by going to Settings > Update & security > Activation and selecting Change Product Key. If you do a clean install of Windows 10 by booting off the media, you can also enter the product key from prior Windows versions on qualifying devices during setup.”

Q. Is it true Windows 10 can now be installed using a Windows 7 or 8/8.1 key?

A. Yes but only from build 10565 onwards. Initially for a Windows 10 activation a Windows 10 key had to be used or an upgrade for Windows 7/8.1 had to be performed and only after that upgrade was performed a clean install on the same piece of hardware could be performed which would be automatically activated. With the new change it is now possible to perform a fresh install of Windows 10 and use a Windows 7 or 8/8.1 key. This is documented at http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_install/activation-faq-for-insider-preview-build-10565/68e759a2-abcc-4b16-8758-92a720a6efe9?auth=1 and will make it easier to perform future Windows 10 installations on new hardware.

That sounds excellent, thanks guys. I will go ahead after noting my current product key.
I'll stay in touch :smiley:

Edit: P.S. I will be using this guide (option 1) with the linked update tool from here. Wish me luck.

Not quite, it will work but its still not technically got a valid licence so classed as a illegal install despite the key coming from Microsoft.

Would they ever know, unlikely, but doesn't make it a legit install..

Little known fact: all the old 7 & 8/8.1 product keys that were replaced by new W10 keys when people upgraded last year, are all still valid as product keys. 2 for the price of 1 :smiley:

Oh I'm a bit stuck now. I have put the OS media on the USB stick, and cannot seem to get the tablet to boot from that USB stick. Setting the drive as the boot option #1 in the BIOS still causes it to boot to Windows 8 as usual :confused:

If any pro could help, it would be much appreciated. <3

Edit: I have managed to free up the 16GB neccesary to simply download W10. So im using the usual method instead. Thanks for all the help so far anyway guys.

not a pro but I have come across this problem with PCs

you might need to stop the normal boot process (during boot up) with the equiv of repeatedly pressing F8/ whatever it is with your device - then manually instructing it to boot from USB stick

it's not enough sometimes to change the boot priority

If you don't have a legal install of 7/8 (ie borrowing a key) then resultant W10 upgrade may work but the installation still remains classed as illegal.

http://www.windowscentral.com/you-can-upgrade-windows-10-free-even-if-youre-using-pirated-version-windows

that's probably true though illegal might be the wrong way to describe 'not legit in the eyes of MS'.

they wouldn't actually ever know from that point on that your PC was any more/ less legit than any other W10 machine

computer says yes = yes, ie a yes is a yes - activated with legit W10

Is there a way to "save" a windows 10 ISO copy ( if that is what a bit by bit copy is called ) to use as a back-up later ?

My friends Kid tried to enter the Windows 10 password too many times and now its blocked ,

I was hoping he could get a legit copy off the web , install it and the computer would already have the old legit serial number so it would work and update like normal ( I do not let W-10 update automatically :smiley: )

anyway , I wish they gave you a recovery disc in the box when you bought the computer !

Great find. Will try it out this weekend. :smiley:

Didn't work for me, after final reboot the start windows 10 it said reinstalling previous copy of windows 8.1.

sure, there is an option to save W10 installation media to USB stick or disc - maybe not on this AT link but try the other link above

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10?tduid=(4cee7604e70c8449ff489350ca340f94)(266696)(1503186)(skim3570X1544160Xa2d1cf6397197a6dcddf3a53ef93f481)()

Been using Windows 10 for a year now & still prefer Windows 7.
My Logitech MX1000 hates Windows 10 & finds it hard to copy N paste among other glitch things.

Mods not letting me comment with wordpress link showing easy steps to disable all of windows 10 spying.
I will post instructions here. its completely safe nothing to download why I am not allowed to post link lol.

As many of you know Windows 10 is logging every single step you take while testing it, because i love my privacy and many of you do same here is how to disable it.

Before/During Installation

Do not use Express Settings. Hit Customize, and make sure everything is turned off.
It’s strongly recommended that you use a local account with Windows 10.

After Installation

Head to Settings > Privacy, and disable everything, unless there are some things you really need.
While within the Privacy page, go to Feedback, select Never in the first box, and Basic in the second box.
Head to Settings > Update and Security > Advanced Options > Choose how updates are delivered, and turn the first switch off.
Disable Cortana by clicking the Search bar/icon.
(Optional) Disable web search in Search by going to Settings, and turning off Search online and include web results.

Slightly Complex

Open up the Command Prompt by launching cmd as an administrator, and enter the following:

sc delete DiagTrack
sc delete dmwappushservice
echo “” > C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl

Open up the Group Policy Editor by launching gpedit.msc as an administrator. Go through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds. Double click Telemetry, hit Disabled, then apply. NOTE: This only truly works in the Enterprise edition, but the final step provides a decent enough workaround for Pro users.
While still in the Group Policy Editor, go through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive, double click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage, hit Enabled, then apply.
Open up the Registry Editor by launching regedit as an administrator. Go through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection, select AllowTelemetry, change its value to 0, then apply.
First, download the Take Ownership tweak and enable it. Then, head to the Hosts File by going through C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc, take ownership of the hosts file, and add the following IPs into it.

127.0.0.1 vortex.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
127.0.0.1 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com


Up To You

Replace Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer with Firefox, Chromium, or any forks/variations of them.
Replace Windows Media Player with VLC or MPC-HC
Replace Groove Music with Foobar2000, Winamp, or MusicBee.
Replace Photos/Windows Photo Viewer with ImageGlass or IrfanView.
Replace Notepad with Notepad++

Thats all Folks!

I’ve run a test for day all good, but its running under the hood / kernel its very hard to ensure

I have had no system crash or hiccups from this.

Mods not letting me comment with wordpress link showing easy steps to disable all of windows 10 spying.
I will post instructions here. its completely safe nothing to download why I am not allowed to post link lol.

As many of you know Windows 10 is logging every single step you take while testing it, because i love my privacy and many of you do same here is how to disable it.

Before/During Installation

Do not use Express Settings. Hit Customize, and make sure everything is turned off.
It’s strongly recommended that you use a local account with Windows 10.

After Installation

Head to Settings > Privacy, and disable everything, unless there are some things you really need.
While within the Privacy page, go to Feedback, select Never in the first box, and Basic in the second box.
Head to Settings > Update and Security > Advanced Options > Choose how updates are delivered, and turn the first switch off.
Disable Cortana by clicking the Search bar/icon.
(Optional) Disable web search in Search by going to Settings, and turning off Search online and include web results.

Slightly Complex

Open up the Command Prompt by launching cmd as an administrator, and enter the following:

sc delete DiagTrack
sc delete dmwappushservice
echo “” > C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Diagnosis\ETLLogs\AutoLogger\AutoLogger-Diagtrack-Listener.etl

Open up the Group Policy Editor by launching gpedit.msc as an administrator. Go through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds. Double click Telemetry, hit Disabled, then apply. NOTE: This only truly works in the Enterprise edition, but the final step provides a decent enough workaround for Pro users.
While still in the Group Policy Editor, go through Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive, double click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage, hit Enabled, then apply.
Open up the Registry Editor by launching regedit as an administrator. Go through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\DataCollection, select AllowTelemetry, change its value to 0, then apply.
First, download the Take Ownership tweak and enable it. Then, head to the Hosts File by going through C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc, take ownership of the hosts file, and add the following IPs into it.

127.0.0.1 vortex.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-win.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telecommand.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 oca.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.telemetry.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 redir.metaservices.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 choice.microsoft.com.nsatc.net
127.0.0.1 df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 reports.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 services.wes.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 sqm.df.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 watson.ppe.telemetry.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net
127.0.0.1 telemetry.urs.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 telemetry.appex.bing.net:443
127.0.0.1 settings-sandbox.data.microsoft.com
127.0.0.1 vortex-sandbox.data.microsoft.com


Up To You

Replace Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer with Firefox, Chromium, or any forks/variations of them.
Replace Windows Media Player with VLC or MPC-HC
Replace Groove Music with Foobar2000, Winamp, or MusicBee.
Replace Photos/Windows Photo Viewer with ImageGlass or IrfanView.
Replace Notepad with Notepad++

Thats all Folks!

I’ve run a test for day all good, but its running under the hood / kernel its very hard to ensure

I have had no system crash or hiccups from this.

Surely if Microsoft wanted to spy on you they can do it in any way. It's their OS.

yeah, sadly there is always that risk with those who created the software.
But what about Linux, like linux Mint , is this good for privacy, so many people raving on about how much better it is than windows, it's just compatability with programs I think that why many people dont use it, if all the programs that works on windows worked on Linux distro like Mint or Ubuntu then u reckon lots of people be using it?

Great. Thanks. Never got round to doing the upgrade so will definitely utilise this. Heat added.