Evolv-ing Thread

[Punk In Drublic]

I don't know, I did read recently there is now a "limited" version, very limited is what I took from what I briefly read but I didn't see anything about free. Interesting, have to keep my eyes open for more info. Win 10 is amazing, I mean you can install in on anything from a gaming desktop down to a cell phone.

My understanding (and could be wrong), is you must perform an upgrade from Win 7/8/8.1 in order to receive the free Win 10. Win 10 must also be of the same or similar version as your previous Windows – meaning, Win 7 Home cannot be upgraded to Win 10 Pro.

If performing a clean install and using a older key, it will not honor the free upgrade.

I would suggest anyone looking to upgrade to look into this with detail and back up any critical files first.

 

[TrollDragon]

At the shop we would buy Windows 7 COA stickers (carefully peeled) from a supplier, a quick automated phone activation was all that was needed if it didn't activate online. Before the automation it was painful having to read numbers back and for with a thick accent Hindu. I told more than one of them that I couldn't understand them and they either needed to take a class or two in English pronunciation or automate the process...

Automation was the winner.

 

[TrollDragon]

As for windows 10, my BIOS was modified with an SLIC 2.1 code and matching .XRM-MS Certificate file.

 

[SlickWilly]

My understanding (and could be wrong), is you must perform an upgrade from Win 7/8/8.1 in order to receive the free Win 10. Win 10 must also be of the same or similar version as your previous Windows – meaning, Win 7 Home cannot be upgraded to Win 10 Pro.

If performing a clean install and using a older key, it will not honor the free upgrade.

I would suggest anyone looking to upgrade to look into this with detail and back up any critical files first.

"I would suggest anyone looking to upgrade to look into this with detail and back up any critical files first."
Amen brother.

Here's what worked for me, I have win 7 pro (which I bought, not oem version) on my desktop (on an SSD drive for C). Getting ready for win 10 I bought another SSD, unplugged my win 7 SSD, plugged in the new blank SSD and did a fresh install of win 10 I downloaded from MS here. Download Windows 10 I went with the install from a 3.0 USB drive method, it worked great and fast. During install it asked for the key, I typed in my win 7 key and it installed win 10 pro, and it activated with no issues.

Yeah I know, I could have made life easier doing it another way, in hind sight I could have and should have just plugged in the new SSD leaving the win 7 SSD alone and just installed win 10 on the new SSD but I'm no pro with this stuff, but I somehow manage to get by LoL. I really was afraid I'd screw something up and I didn't want to end up loosing files and having no working OS system... I mean, if I can't get online and have access to my emails. I start to shake at just the thought of it...

 

[Steamer861]

I don't know, I did read recently there is now a "limited" version, very limited is what I took from what I briefly read but I didn't see anything about free.

Check out the video, you can just install windows 10 & run it with out activation key you have a watermark & a few personalization options don't work

 

[SlickWilly]

As for windows 10, my BIOS was modified with an SLIC 2.1 code and matching .XRM-MS Certificate file.

Whoosh.... that the sound it made as that went right over my head.

 

[BillW50]

Check out the video, you can just install windows 10 & run it with out activation key you have a watermark & a few personalization options don't work

I remember Windows 7 and 8 you can install without a key. But I seem to recall it worked for like 30 days and then it won't boot until you gave it a key.

The thing about Windows 10 for free, here is how I see it. They rather you pay for it and most people will anyway. But for whatever reason you won't, they still rather you run Windows 10 for free. Two reasons I can think of. One, it is better for MS for you to have for free than you run Mac OS, *nix or something. And two: MS, NSA, etc. has backdoors in Windows 10 that they could break into your computer anytime they want to. This is true of earlier Windows too, but they are much better in Windows 10.

Speaking about breaking into your computer, this is true of Chinese made chips too. I forgot what year they started putting backdoors into their chips. Something like 2003 rings a bell. This is also why our military doesn't use anything with Chinese made chips in it.

Windows 95 key was easy. All numeric and if the number was dividable by 8, I believe that worked. Or you could use the beta key which was all zeros. MS meant to remove the beta key before the retail release, but it never happened. OEM versions, the beta key wouldn't work.

And like TrollDragon, my four Windows 10 machines doesn't need a Windows 10 key. I read this is true because of TPM. I could clear it or disable it. But Windows 10 will then want a key which the manufacture didn't provide. Nor can you install anything but Windows 10 on these machines I've heard (unless you turn TPM off). I tried booting Linux on one of them and the TPM blocked it. Which stopped me from cloning the drive.

 

[awsum140]

Translation: That's how MS keeps track that the machine has had Windoohs 10 on it. They write a small file to the BIOS and read it for future authentication.

Nothing wrong with the method you used, Willy. Being cautious is always a good thing.

 

[TrollDragon]

Whoosh.... that the sound it made as that went right over my head.

Basically it's the Windows activation number that is coded into the bios and it looks for the certificate in the root directory on install.

They do the same thing with network cards etc, you can't use aftermarket cards in certain machines as the Bios looks for a specific ID on the factory card that the aftermarket ones don't have. The machine will throw an unauthorized device error at post.

The BluRay DVD drives in the PS4 have the same thing, the controller board on the drive is keyed to the motherboard of the PS4. If you have to replace the drive you move your old controller onto the new drive, hopefully it's not the controller that's bad.

 

[TrollDragon]

Translation: That's how MS keeps track that the machine has had Windoohs 10 on it. They write a small file to the BIOS and read it for future authentication.

Nothing wrong with the method you used, Willy. Being cautious is always a good thing.

Windows 10 machines don't usually need a key entered on install as the info is right there in the BIOS, unless you are using a retail install disk.

 

[BillW50]

Basically it's the Windows activation number that is coded into the bios and it looks for the certificate in the root directory on install.

Lots of OEM Windows have been doing this to at least back to XP. Like you can take a Dell Windows disc and install it on any Dell without a key. If you used it on a non-Dell, you were asked for a key. Dell wasn't the only one with OEM Windows, same for Gateway, HP, Alienware, Toshiba, etc.

 

[Steamer861]

Windows Free? Easy! Apple make a fortune off app store! Windows has app store too Mac OS Free totally, no water mark ,no licence or activation key

 

[dwcraig1]

40 minutes later Win10 Pro is up and running. This is the first time one of my desktops ran a legal copy of Windows (if it is legal that is)

 

[dwcraig1]

Let the updates begin.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Win 10 can run without activation, updates will be limited and could change to no updates at all (should MS choose). After a grace period, a watermark will appear on the screen and you will be constantly nagged. I’m sure there are hacks around this if one is willing to go to such extents.

MS, NSA or any skilled individual can gain access to any previous versions of Windows or any operating system for that matter. Nothing is full proof – they just add layers of security to make it more and more difficult. But I doubt home users are sitting behind multiple enterprise firewalls with security teams monitoring them 24/7. Not to mention home users use dynamic IP’s that change on a schedule set by their ISP. In order to gain access to Punk In Drublic’s computer, they need to know this IP. And if they figure out my IP address, then I welcome them – perhaps we can have a little split screen Call Of Duty Death Match, or laugh at my silly cat pictures. Nothing to see….move along!

As for the Chinese developing chips that allow access. The chip itself must be implemented into the device in such a way to allow access. This means the Chinese would have first hand knowledge of the design of the device they are trying to breach so that their infiltrating chip can operate accordingly. Now if the US military contracted Chinese manufactures to make complete or partial devices, then shame on them for not having more control over their technology partners. I view this as the US leaving the door open with the keys in the ignition, and the Chinese took the car for a joy ride! If national security is at risk, then everything down to the solder used should be analyzed and a analyzed again, regardless of where it is manufactured.

 

[SlickWilly]

For those Harbor Freight fans I found a great new website dedicated just for finding HF coupons. This one lets you do a search for the tool you're looking at, you can search by word or the item number. Poke around here, it's a really nice website! Harbor Freight Tools Coupon Database - Free coupons, 25 percent off coupons, 20 percent off coupons, No Purchase Required coupons, toolbox coupons The even have an app for android phones, I can find a coupon and save it on my phone then show them the coupon at checkout. I can also do a search while in the store! No more looking online and printing them out before I leave the house!

Just a FYI, they also show any "super coupons" too but know you have to belong to the Insider Track Club in order to use those which is $30 a year --> Inside Track Club I tried that once, never saved me enough to make it worth my while, most of the stuff discounted was stuff I wouldn't use and if you did find something it might save you 2-3% above the 20% off coupons that are always out there for anyone to use, of course, YMMV.

 

[ShamrockPat]

And now for something completely different ........... and brought to you by our federally funded news provider, the CBC, I present to you the Canadian view. From our left coast to the right and in the middle.
TLDR; Things look pretty barren
https://www.cbc.ca/life/style/so-what-are-we-doing-with-our-pubic-hair-these-days-1.5154929

 

[SlickWilly]

And now for something completely different ........... and brought to you by our federally funded news provider, the CBC, I present to you the Canadian view. From our left coast to the right and in the middle.
TLDR; Things look pretty barren
https://www.cbc.ca/life/style/so-what-are-we-doing-with-our-pubic-hair-these-days-1.5154929

Oh the things I could say...

If it was about breast implants, I'd call it fake news...

 

[BillW50]

 

[dwcraig1]