Hands-on with Windows 10: Installing the Windows Technical Preview

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.



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.

 

I downloaded the ISO files for 32- and 64- bit machines this morning. I'm going to install W10 Preview on a Dell laptop that I use for W8. Going to use a separate hard drive. Just gotta look around here. I must have a spare hard drive.

 

Let me know how you make out, Tony. I'm going to install mine as a dual boot on Sunday.

 

Now running W10 Preview on a Dell Inspiron 1545. This machine originally came with W7. I installed W8 and noticed a nice speed bump. I think there's another nice speed bump with W10, but it's too soon to tell. Some things may be faster while others that I haven't uncovered may drag.

Installation was a breeze. I used the same MS account that I had on my W8 machine. Some things came over. For instance, when I brought up this web site, it knew my user ID. I still had to type in my password. Same with logging into my gmail account.

My first concern is the acceptance of the EULA. I learned that W10 preview contains a key logger. It's used to track time to open files, etc. In the fine print, it says they can track your keystrokes. So if you type something personal, beware.

Check this
http://thehackernews.com/2014/10/download-Windows-10-keylogger.html

 

I found the familiar Start menu. Mine was not set to show it. Probably because it brought over something from my W8 machine. The trick was to get to the Taskbar Properties. Under the Start Menu tab, enable "Use the Start menu instead of the Start screen".

 

Mine seem to be automatically set, Tony but that's probably because I did a clean install.

It looks to me as if Windows 10 is a combination of Windows 7 and 8.

I've noticed that All Programs are now called All Apps.

The Windows Search (Programs and Files) now gives you results from the internet as well as from your computer.
I'm not sure I'm liking this new feature.

 

I also did a clean install. This is a totally separate drive. So it didn't get any info from the old drive. When I mentioned that the setting was brought over from my W8 machine, I should have said that it probably picked it up from a setting that was set from my W8 machine and stored in my MS account.

 

Installed the Win 10 preview, so now have a triple boot.
For my wifi and graphics card drivers i installed the Win8 versions.... all working fine.

I noticed that as well..... a little off putting. No idea why that was added.

 

Triple boot? You are braver than I am, Pete.

I agree, I personally don't like the search giving results from the web.

 

Win7, Win8.1 and the new Win10.
Win7 is the main OS..... this is actually backed up on to another standalone Win7 system.
So Win7 is safe ... the other 2 are just for learning purposes so there's nothing critical on those.
I can afford to lose everything without a worry.

No problems at the moment though.

I also can't understand why MS made it so difficult to find Control Panel.
Instead of looking for things now i just use the search feature.
Have to say that Win10 isn't as good as i thought it would be.... maybe by the time it's finished it will get better and more user friendly.