Windows Insiders to Get Windows 10 for Free

UPDATE: The free copy of Windows 10 which will be given to Windows Insiders will contain a time bomb (expiry date) just like any previous Preview build of Windows 10 and it’ll expire and will stop working on a predefined time which can be seen by typing winver command in RUN or Start searchbox as mentioned here. But Microsoft will continue to provide newer testing builds of Windows 10 or next Windows version so by the time the older testing build expires, you’ll have a new testing build to install.

Read More: Who Will Get Free Windows 10?

Since when Microsoft announced that all Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free within 1 year of Windows 10 launch, many people were asking about the availability of free Windows 10 for Windows Insiders. Actually Windows Insiders are the people who are testing Windows 10 preview builds in their computers and providing valuable feedback to Microsoft so that Microsoft can improve Windows 10 and can fix bugs and issues.

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Related: Windows 10 Upgrade Paths and List of Deprecated Features

People suggested that Microsoft should provide Windows 10 for free to Windows Insiders as well as they are helping Microsoft in Windows 10 development and testing.

Now it seems Microsoft has listened to their requests. Microsoft has announced at official Windows blog that all Windows Insiders will get final version of Windows 10 (i.e. RTM) automatically.

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Here is a small excerpt of the official announcement which clearly describes the free Windows 10 availability for Windows Insiders:

Windows Insiders running the Windows 10 Insider Preview (Home and Pro editions) with their registered MSA (Microsoft Account) connected to their PC will receive the final release build of Windows 10 starting on July 29th. This will come as just another flight. I’ve gotten a lot of questions from Windows Insiders about how this will work if they clean installed from ISO. As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated. Once you have successfully installed this build and activated, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh.

So if you are using Windows 10 Insider Preview build in your PC, you’ll get Windows 10 final version for free as soon as it releases to public i.e. July 29th.

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Related: Windows 10 Release Date, Pricing Details and System Requirements

Here is one important thing to note! Microsoft is making MSA (Microsoft Account) mandatory to receive future Windows 10 Insider Preview builds. In other words, you’ll need to sign into Windows 10 Insider Preview build using your Microsoft Account (Windows Live email ID) to be able to receive next Insider Preview build of Windows 10. If you don’t do so, you’ll not receive any new build of Windows 10 in future.

Remember this requirement of using MSA (Microsoft Account) in Windows 10 applies to Windows 10 Insider Preview builds only. Once you install final version of Windows 10, you’ll not need to use your Microsoft Account. You can remove the Microsoft Account in Windows 10 final version if you want.

So basically Windows Insiders need to keep the current Windows 10 Insider Preview build 10130 in their PC and then connect their Microsoft Account with Windows 10 by sign in using Microsoft Account. Once you do this, you’ll receive all future builds of Windows 10 including the final RTM version.

So it seems Microsoft will use your connected Microsoft Account (MSA) as an activation key to activate Windows 10. It also means you’ll be able to use the free copy of Windows 10 in that computer system only and you’ll need to sign in using the same Microsoft Account (MSA) to first activate Windows 10 and after that you can remove the Microsoft Account.

Another important thing to consider is that since Microsoft is making use of Microsoft Account (MSA) in Windows 10 mandatory to receive all future builds of Windows 10 including final RTM build, the current 10130 build is the last build which will allow Windows Insiders to get free copy of Windows 10. Because it might be possible that Microsoft will not provide offline ISO files of future Insider Preview builds of Windows 10. If that happens, only people which are already using Windows 10 Insider Preview build, will be able to install new builds of Windows 10 including final build.

So if you want to become Windows Insider and want to get Windows 10 final release, you just need to do as following:

STEP 1:

Download and install Windows 10 Insider Preview build in your PC from following link:

Download Windows 10 Free Insider (Technical) Preview

Download Windows 10 Insider Preview Offline ISO Files

STEP 2:

After installing Windows 10 Insider Preview, sign in using your Microsoft Account (Windows Live email ID) so that Windows 10 can connect your Microsoft Account.

STEP 3:

Install all future Windows 10 Insider Preview builds as soon as they become available.

That’s it. If you follow above mentioned steps, the final version of Windows 10 will automatically arrive on your PC just like the Insider Preview builds.

One more thing if you are worrying about the clean or fresh installation of Windows 10. Microsoft has made it clear that once you successfully upgrade your Insider Preview build of Windows 10 to final version, you’ll be able to perform clean installation of Windows 10 as well.

And if you are thinking what will happen to Windows Insider program after Windows 10 final version release, Microsoft has announced that the Windows Insider Program will continue after the release of Windows 10 on July 29th. After Windows 10 final version release, the Windows Insiders will continue to receive next Windows version builds. So if you remain on Windows Insider channel, you’ll be able to see the new features, fixes and updates.

Don’t worry! Microsoft will also provide you an option to leave the Windows Insider program if you want and stay on the final build of Windows 10.

How to Leave Windows Insider Program in Windows 10?

So hurry up and install Windows 10 Insider Preview build in your computers…

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Hi AskVG, I have a question. In order for an Insider (referring to myself) to obtain a free copy of Windows 10 to use however he/she wants, does the Insider have to physically install a Windows 10 Insider Preview build on their PC, or have it installed on a VM to get all the benefits of being an Insider.

    I’m asking because I have an Insider Build installed on a VM but I want the final RTM version of Windows 10 installed on my HDD physically as a CLEAN install. Would I have to install an Insider Build physically to be able to do that, or will having a VM work? (Does it mean I have to upgrade my Insider Build or what?)

  2. ^^ I’ll advise you to install it in your system so that Microsoft can get details of your computer hardware to bind or connect your MSA with your PC in order to provide free upgrade to Windows 10 RTM. You should not take any chance.

  3. Hey VG, I have a question. Microsoft said that they will be releasing the free update to Windows 10 even on pirated systems. So, what happened? Did they change their minds?

  4. ^^ +supra107, this is basically another way to get Windows 10 Genuine for everyone, even non-genuine or non-windows PC.

  5. “Microsoft has made it clear that once you successfully upgrade your Insider Preview build of Windows 10 to final version, you’ll be able to perform clean installation of Windows 10 as well.”

    That means once windows upgraded to Final version I will be able to Format my PC and do the fresh install from the scratch, if Yes then which product key I’ve to use to activate my Free Final version or Microsoft will tie license to Windows Live ID.

  6. What if I have two computers running Windows 10 TP linked with the same Microsoft account? Will I get two licences? Should I use a different account on different computers?
    I would like to have Windows 10 (legally) for my desktop and my laptop…

  7. Hello VG, Microsoft has changed the Statement.

    “Once you have successfully installed this build, you will also be able to clean install on that PC from final media if you want to start over fresh. It’s important to note that only people running Genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can upgrade to Windows 10 as part of the free upgrade offer.*”

    This means only those Windows Insiders who have genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 would be upgraded to Windows 10 for free.

    So this is not a free upgrade for everyone who joins Windows Insider Program.

    Thanks

  8. ^^ Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 RTM will be available for all Windows Insiders if they have connected their MSA to Windows 10.

    @Max
    You should use different MSA for different computers.

    @Azz
    No. Windows 7/8.1 must be genuine and activated.

    @Vroon
    Everything will be cleared upon Windows 10 launch.

  9. So I registered for Windows insider using one of my emails. But then I used my 2nd email to login windows 10 technical preview, which the second email was not registered with insider. Should I make a new user with the registered insider email in order to receive the build or should I not bother with it?

  10. ^^ Yes. You need to use the same email ID to log into Windows 10 which you used to register into Windows Insider program.

  11. I was a Windows 10 insider, but I wanted to do a fresh install. Big mistake. I downloaded the final release and it refused every activation code I tried. Microsoft support treated me like I was trying to steal a copy, although they could easily find out that I was an insider. Last time I waste any effort on a beta.

  12. i have a question that is i did upgraded windows 10 home using the free upgrade offer . Now if i format and install windows 10 pro insider preview will it be activated for free or it prompt me to buy the pro version later? is it possibe to install windows 10 pro using the insider preview even after i have upgraded to windows 10 home edition using the free upgrade offer?

  13. ^^ Since you upgraded from Home edition, you can’t use Pro edition for free. But if you install Insider Preview of Pro edition and stay on Insiders group, you’ll be able to use it without any problem.

  14. Last year in 2015 the Windows 10 build 10240 changed activation. No longer need to enter any key at all if upgrading or already have Windows 10.

    At this late DATE May 1, 2016, well after the release of retail version 10586, it is not clear if the program allowing the Free conversion of Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview Evaluation copy – Build 1xxxx to Fully Activated is over.

    My experience – it did convert to Activated and as I install the latest Previews it reverts to Preview Evaluation.

    This should help Ted above – simply SKIP entering any activation code.

  15. Nice article. I used this way in past to receive free windows.
    Lately had problem with main board, after replacement have message to reactivate windows.
    Automatic reactivation procedure do not help. Can you recommend article or way how to activate system? Read that clean installation can help, but before made it, prefer to ask.

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