Windows 10 Questions

datv219 · July 18, 2016

I'm getting into pc building and i dont know what to do about windows 10. I signed up and got into the beta version on my laptop. But now when i try to make an iso file, it ask for a product key. I dont remember getting one. A usb with Windows 10 cost $120. And my case doesnt support optical drive, since their irrelevant now. I really don't know what to do

BlueChinchillaEatingDorito · July 18, 2016

42 minutes ago, datv219 said:

I'm getting into pc building and i dont know what to do about windows 10. I signed up and got into the beta version on my laptop. But now when i try to make an iso file, it ask for a product key. I dont remember getting one. A usb with Windows 10 cost $120. And my case doesnt support optical drive, since their irrelevant now. I really don't know what to do

If you want Windows, you're going to have to pay for it. The USB with Windows 10 will include the Product Key needed for activation. That is if you buy from a legitimate source. If you want, you can install a Linux distro like Ubuntu now and save up for a Windows 10 license.

NKX · July 18, 2016

When Microsoft started the Windows Insider Program (WIP), you could install the early builds from scratch and didn't require an existing OS. Good times were had by many. Shortly after the public release of Windows 10 (from memory), Microsoft made it a requirement that new WIP installs required a valid Windows 10 license first, from which you can join the WIP from within Settings. After that time, if you attempted to perform a fresh install using a WIP ISO, or if you attempted to exit the WIP (and return to a production/public build), you were asked for a product key (if your PC wasn't already previously installed and activated via digital entitlement).

In your case, it sounds like you need to buy a key, or jump through some hoops to obtain a valid license. If your system had a previous Windows OS that qualified for the free Windows 10 upgrade, you may perform a factory restore - consider using a second HDD for this, as that works fine - then upgrade and activate to establish your digital entitlement for Windows 10. From there, your USB will work without a key. If you had an earlier version of Windows that doesn't qualify (XP, Vista), then consider looking for a cheap Windows 7 or 8 upgrade license. These can be had for cheap, and will let you obtain Windows 10 for free until the 29th of this month... and might save you a bit of money.

GoodBytes · July 18, 2016

8 hours ago, datv219 said:

I'm getting into pc building and i dont know what to do about windows 10. I signed up and got into the beta version on my laptop. But now when i try to make an iso file, it ask for a product key. I dont remember getting one. A usb with Windows 10 cost $120. And my case doesnt support optical drive, since their irrelevant now. I really don't know what to do

You need to purchase Windows. If you are a student, you can get a discount at the Microsoft store (online or local store), or if your school or its department is registered to DreamSpark premium or MSDNAA, you have Windows 10 waiting for you, ready to be downloaded for free. Your school might be able to give you Windows for 10-15$ as well. See your school IT department for full details. They'll know what you are talking about when you'll ask.

If not, then you'll need to purchase Windows at your retail or computer store. You have 2 types of licenses: OEM and Retail.

Retail gives you a nice box, USB key or disk, and that key is yours. OEM you pay less, but you either don't have anything beside a key in an e-mail or something (and you use Media Creation Tool, to get the ISO and prepare your USB flash drive or disk to get the software), or you do have a disk put into a cardboard envelop. In addition, OEM license ties to your motherboard once installed for the first time. So, if you transfer your system, or plan to change your motherboard, you'll need a new license.