All pre-release Windows 10 Insider Preview product keys have been deactivated as July 29th nears

[starbuck]

Microsoft has deactivate all of the pre-release keys given to Insiders for the Windows 10 Insider program. Basically, this means If someone doesn't have the Insider Preview currently installed on their PC, they will not be able to do a fresh install of Windows 10 Insider Preview and activate it with a pre-release key, even if it's build 10240.

Thankfully, if you are still currently running the Insider Preview, your key will remain activated for the time being. However, if you need to reinstall the Windows Insider Preview, it's probably best to wait until RTM. Here's what a Microsoft spokesperson had to say:

"All pre-release product keys published earlier for builds of Windows 10 Insider Preview have been deactivated and will no longer activate any Preview builds, including Build 10240. This will not impact any devices that were activated in the past using those product keys.

We hope Insiders will continue to test Build 10240, which is only intended to be installed as an upgrade from a previously-activated version of Windows 10 Insider Preview – we do not support clean installs of Windows 10240. Windows 10 is intended to be installed on Genuine Windows devices, whether devices in the Windows Insider Program or those taking advantage of the free upgrade offer.

We’re getting really close to the launch of Windows 10, and we’re looking to receive that final bit of feedback before we roll out the finished product!"

Source:
http://www.winbeta.org/news/all-pre...ct-keys-have-been-deactivated-july-29th-nears

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

Wow, good to know. Thanks, Pete.

 

[AWS]

I wonder if we have to do another install to get the free key pushed to us. I did notice that when I installed 10240 it was a clean install since I now have a windows.old folder which I didn't have before. Plus the preview build watermarks are now gone.

 

[allheart55 (Cindy E)]

I noticed that the watermarks are gone but I never checked for a Windows.old folder

 

[starbuck]

Plus the preview build watermarks are now gone.

Seems that is part of the 10240 build.

For example, you’ll notice with this build that the desktop watermark is no longer there (you can still do Search > Winver to see your version number.

http://blogs.windows.com/bloggingwi...-for-windows-insiders-in-fast-and-slow-rings/