Windows 8 users can install Windows 10 Technical Preview through Windows Update We've seen several builds of the Windows 10 Technical Preview -- some official, some less so -- and there's another big build due in January. If you're interested in Windows 10, it's likely that you have already jumped onto the preview builds and have been updated as and when new versions are released. But as we get closer to the actual launch, the publicly released builds are going to start to get more exciting. In January users of existing preview builds will be able to upgrade automatically, or there's the option of downloading an ISO. But Microsoft hasn’t forgotten users of Windows 8, and the company has released a tool that makes it possible to grab January's Windows 10 Technical Preview build through Windows Update. This is great for anyone who doesn't have a spare computer available to install the build on, or who doesn't want to fiddle about with virtual machines or a clean install. The preparation tool updates your older copy of Windows so that it keeps an eye out for the new Technical Preview build for you. As soon as it is available -- some time in the second half of January -- Windows Update will let you know and give you the chance to install it. Now this tool is interesting; it indicates a couple of things. Firstly, Microsoft is clearly keen for as many people as possible to try out Windows 10 Technical Preview -- we already know that there are 1.5 million users, but the more the merrier! Secondly, it's obvious that Microsoft wants to make it as easy as possible to install the preview build, and by taking down a small obstacle, more people are likely to try it out. But -- and perhaps most importantly -- the very fact that Microsoft is providing an upgrade path from Windows 7 and Windows 8 to the Windows 10 Technical Preview demonstrates that the company must have great faith in the upcoming release. The preparation tool's download page emphasizes that Windows 10 is pre-release software, but by making it so easy to jump from an official, stable Windows release to an unreleased -- albeit official -- build shows confidence in the work that has been done. This http://betanews.com/2014/12/22/wind...ed+-+bn+-+Betanews+Full+Content+Feed+-+BNnext build could be great!
Microsoft to offer January's Windows 10 Tech Preview via Windows Update Near the end of next month, Microsoft will be hosting a Windows 10 event at its campus in Redmond where they will discuss the next chapter for the OS. It is widely expected that this will include new consumer features like Cortana and the UI updates that we have seen in the leaked build. If you are still running Windows 7 or 8.1 and want to prepare your machine for this build, Microsoft has released a new tool to get you ready. At the download links below, you can grab the bits from Microsoft that will get you ready for the Windows 10 TP, but based on how quickly the install process happens, it doesn't look like too much is going on under the hood. Based on the language used on the screen prompts, it looks like this tool enables the new Windows 10 bits to be delivered via Windows Update. Microsoft is already using a similar mechanism in Windows 10 to deliver updates and it is possible to grab the current bits via Windows Update but this application is specifically targeted at the January release. Microsoft's event takes place on January 21st and for those who are curious, the event will be live streamed this time around and will include presentations from Satya Nadella, Terry Myerson, Joe Belfiore, and Phil Spencer. That crew represents the top of the org chart for nearly all things Microsoft which means that there will be much to talk about. Download: Windows 7 | Windows 8.1 | Read: More Info | Thanks for the tip Techdows! http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-to-offer-januarys-windows-10-tech-preview-via-windows-update
Prepare your PC to upgrade to Windows 10 through Windows Update Microsoft will release a new Windows 10 Preview build in January to the public. Most expect it to be the consumer-focused build company representatives were talking about earlier this year but no one outside of the company knows for sure right now what it will ship with. One indicator that this is likely the case is the release of a new tool. The Prepare this PC program enables users of supported versions of Windows, that means Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, to update to the next preview of Windows 10 using Windows Update. A word of caution: The next Windows 10 version that Microsoft will release in January is still a preview build. It is not recommended to use Prepare this PC on your main computer to get the update as you will install beta software on it in this case which can cause all kinds of issues on it. Anyway, you can download the program for all supported operating systems from this page on the Microsoft Windows website. Just run the 30 Kilobyte tool after download and click ok to complete the process. This configures the PC so that Windows Update will pick up the next Windows 10 build that Microsoft releases in January. Another word of caution: You need to know that you cannot restore the old version of Windows once the update to Windows 10 has been installed. The only option to go back is to create recovery discs of your own, for instance by using backup software. Depending on which version of Windows is already installed on the PC, all, some or no personal files and settings will be available after the update. If you're upgrading from You can keep Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 Windows settings, personal files, and most apps Windows RT 8.1 or Windows RT Technical Preview doesn’t run on Windows RT systems Windows 7 Windows settings, personal files, and most apps Windows Vista Nothing—you must boot from media and perform a clean install Microsoft will make available a preview ISO disc image as well, and it is usually better to do a clean install instead of an upgrade unless you want to test the update functionality on a test system. This can also be used in a virtual machine to test Windows 10 without affecting any of the installed operating systems on the PC. Important Requirements / Information The Technical Preview expires on April 15, 2015 Windows 7 users need Service Pack 1 installed if they want to upgrade using Windows Update. Windows Media Player won't play DVD anymore after the update. Windows 8 Pro users with Media Center will have Windows Media Center removed during the upgrade. The Windows 10 Technical Preview can be upgraded to Windows 10 RTM (source). Microsoft plans to release the final version of Windows 10 in Fall 2015. read it all here http://www.ghacks.net/2014/12/23/prepare-your-pc-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-through-windows-update/
