allheart55 (Cindy E)
Administrator
Microsoft has released an early version of Windows 10 as a public beta. If you’re the adventurous sort, you can give the new OS a test drive and supply feedback that Microsoft promises to use in the development process as it drives toward a ship date sometime in mid-2015.
The Windows Technical Preview is unabashedly unfinished but definitely usable. Signature features of this release include a new Start menu that replaces the Windows 8-style Start screen, as well as the ability to run Windows Store apps in windows on the desktop and to organize apps into multiple desktops.
Paradoxically, the revised interface, which was designed primarily to address the concerns of mouse-and-keyboard users who know and love Windows 7, is likely to annoy anyone who’s grown accustomed to the new navigation aids in Windows 8.1. (I'll explain how to fine-tune those settings in a follow-up post. Stay tuned.)
Although Microsoft has declared the code stable enough to release to the public, it definitely has rough edges. You will almost certainly run into bugs, and there’s a distinct chance that one of those bugs could cause you to lose data. I second Microsoft’s admonition that you do a complete backup before heading into the beta, and resist the temptation to use this version on a production machine.
More Windows 10
If you’ve installed Windows 7 or Windows 8.x, the installation steps should feel familiar. This is clearly an evolution of Windows and not a fresh start.
How do I get started?
Visit the Windows Insider Program page, click the Join Now button, and sign in with a Microsoft account.
Next, download the installation files, which are available in ISO format. You can select a 32-bit or 64-bit version in any of the following languages: English, English (UK), Chinese Simplified, or Portuguese (Brazil).
Should I upgrade or do a clean install?
That’s up to you. The Technical Preview supports upgrades over Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or later as well as clean installs. To do a clean install, you will need to create bootable media from the ISO file.
How do I create bootable media?
The best tool is the tried-and-true Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. Don’t be misled by the name: It works just fine with the Windows Technical Preview. Download and install the utility and then follow the prompts to create a bootable USB flash drive or DVD. The USB drive must be at least 8GB in size (it will be erased and formatted as part of the process of creating bootable media, so make sure that it doesn’t contain any important files).
Can I set up the Windows Technical Preview as part of a dual- or multi-boot installation?
Yes, the Windows Technical Preview will add itself to the boot menu if you install it on a system that already has a previous version of Windows installed. An important note: When you use a conventional installation, you must install the Technical Preview on a separate partition or physical drive; if you choose the same partition that contains an existing Windows version, you will lose access to that Windows installation. (Your files will be moved to the Windows.old folder.)
Can I set up a dual-boot installation using a VHD file?
Yes. This technique has the distinct advantage of not requiring a separate partition, and the resulting installation can be removed by simply deleting the VHD file and removing the boot entry Using Msconfig. Follow the steps in this post: How to use a VHD to dual-boot Windows 8 on a Windows 7 PC.
Can I install the Windows Technical Preview in a virtual machine?
Yes, as long as the virtualization software doesn’t complain. My test installation in a Hyper-V virtual machine is running smoothly.
Do I need a product key?
The download page contains a product key, but you will not be asked to enter it, nor are you required to activate the Technical Preview. You'll see an Evaluation Version watermark on the desktop displaying the current build number.
How do I send feedback to Microsoft?
You'll see occasional pop-up prompts that ask questions about your experience with the Technical Preview. You can click those tiles to send comments, or use the Windows Feedback button on the new Start menu.
The Windows Technical Preview is unabashedly unfinished but definitely usable. Signature features of this release include a new Start menu that replaces the Windows 8-style Start screen, as well as the ability to run Windows Store apps in windows on the desktop and to organize apps into multiple desktops.
Paradoxically, the revised interface, which was designed primarily to address the concerns of mouse-and-keyboard users who know and love Windows 7, is likely to annoy anyone who’s grown accustomed to the new navigation aids in Windows 8.1. (I'll explain how to fine-tune those settings in a follow-up post. Stay tuned.)
Although Microsoft has declared the code stable enough to release to the public, it definitely has rough edges. You will almost certainly run into bugs, and there’s a distinct chance that one of those bugs could cause you to lose data. I second Microsoft’s admonition that you do a complete backup before heading into the beta, and resist the temptation to use this version on a production machine.
More Windows 10
If you’ve installed Windows 7 or Windows 8.x, the installation steps should feel familiar. This is clearly an evolution of Windows and not a fresh start.
How do I get started?
Visit the Windows Insider Program page, click the Join Now button, and sign in with a Microsoft account.
Next, download the installation files, which are available in ISO format. You can select a 32-bit or 64-bit version in any of the following languages: English, English (UK), Chinese Simplified, or Portuguese (Brazil).
Should I upgrade or do a clean install?
That’s up to you. The Technical Preview supports upgrades over Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or later as well as clean installs. To do a clean install, you will need to create bootable media from the ISO file.
How do I create bootable media?
The best tool is the tried-and-true Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. Don’t be misled by the name: It works just fine with the Windows Technical Preview. Download and install the utility and then follow the prompts to create a bootable USB flash drive or DVD. The USB drive must be at least 8GB in size (it will be erased and formatted as part of the process of creating bootable media, so make sure that it doesn’t contain any important files).
Can I set up the Windows Technical Preview as part of a dual- or multi-boot installation?
Yes, the Windows Technical Preview will add itself to the boot menu if you install it on a system that already has a previous version of Windows installed. An important note: When you use a conventional installation, you must install the Technical Preview on a separate partition or physical drive; if you choose the same partition that contains an existing Windows version, you will lose access to that Windows installation. (Your files will be moved to the Windows.old folder.)
Can I set up a dual-boot installation using a VHD file?
Yes. This technique has the distinct advantage of not requiring a separate partition, and the resulting installation can be removed by simply deleting the VHD file and removing the boot entry Using Msconfig. Follow the steps in this post: How to use a VHD to dual-boot Windows 8 on a Windows 7 PC.
Can I install the Windows Technical Preview in a virtual machine?
Yes, as long as the virtualization software doesn’t complain. My test installation in a Hyper-V virtual machine is running smoothly.
Do I need a product key?
The download page contains a product key, but you will not be asked to enter it, nor are you required to activate the Technical Preview. You'll see an Evaluation Version watermark on the desktop displaying the current build number.
How do I send feedback to Microsoft?
You'll see occasional pop-up prompts that ask questions about your experience with the Technical Preview. You can click those tiles to send comments, or use the Windows Feedback button on the new Start menu.
