Today is your LAST CHANCE to get Windows 10 for free

Just sayin....for those of you sitting on the fence about whether or not to upgrade your DAW. 
 
And for the record, Sonar runs absolutely awesomely on it, definitely the best version of Windows I've used so far and I've had no problem whatsoever with either Sonar or any of my other audio software or devices (other's mileage may vary)...

Leaving Windows as SOON as OSX version is released. Windows 7 has never failed me...but I HATE Microsoft. I know the arguments on both sides, but I have made my choice...everyone else will make theirs as well

I had to set PACE iLok to delayed start on both of my computers also.

Crap. I let this slide too long because I was waiting to figure out how to get a FULL ISO for a clean installation (as opposed to the upgrade method which I don't trust AND I want to install on a partition first to test it all out).
 
So even though I have other stuff on the go I'm poking around to see if I can just download the bugger and install later at my leisure.
 
After about 30 seconds of searching it seems this might be possible and I'm going to provide the links here... a) to maybe help others scrambling like I am (and don't want that foolish upgrade option) and b) to see if anyone who's been through the process can offer some extra intel on WTF I'm doing.
 
Here's the MS page with download links including their ISO/Install Media Creation tool. Not sure if this is the full version for clean install or if it's an "upgrade wizard" thingie that hooks into the system being dl'd to...
 
https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10
 
Here's a "HowToGeek" article on doing a clean install using what seems to be a proper ISO with links to the downloads and directions. I CANNOT VERIFY THAT THIS IS A GOOD ARTICLE OR LINK because I haven't fully read or digested it yet but I have used this procedure in the past for Win7...
 
http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/
 
 
What I'm hoping will happen is I can just download a single ISO (or two ISO's) for my two current Windows systems and simply apply my serial number/reg codes at my leisure (on partitions at first and then maybe do a full wipe and install if I like it). My DAW is Windows7 64 Professional and my laptop (which I use for intertube stuff and testing things out) is Win7 64 Home.
 
Gonna poke at this and see what's up and hopefully end up with a a DVD copy to use for later installation when I have time or cram the ISO's on one of my USB thumb drives.
 
 
Thanks for the reminder, sharke. This is what I get for procrastinating (but I have been busy and the "clean ISO" thing didn't seem to be clear or even possible when I first researched this all last year).
 
 
Cheers.

rlared
Beepster, you may also want to consider first upgrading to Windows 10.  Once you are upgraded, Windows 10 should have an option to "reset" your computer which will basically delete everything and do a clean install of Windows 10.  I just did it last night and it didn't require a CD or ISO or anything.  It was quite easy and then I didn't have to worry about serial #'s or anything like that.

Indeed but I really do want to retain my Win7 installations for the moment for multiple reasons.
 
One thing I did not consider though, and could totally destroy my nefarious scheme, is whether these "free" upgrades need to be registered/activated before midnight tonight.
 
Like if I download the ISO(s) today but don't install/register them until a month from now maybe they won't work because the offer expired.
 
Oof. I'm going to try to download them anyway and hope for the best but I may be out of luck.
 
I'm also quite certain MS servers are going to be SLAMMED today.
 
Whoops. Should have gotten on this much much sooner.
 
/derp

Just remember... you can choose whether to upgrade to Windows 10 or not. But once you go with Windows 10, you can't decide to refuse updates. It's a roller-coaster that only goes down. 
 
Also: if a Product is offered to you for free, then It isn't the product. You are.
 
That said, I run Windows 10 on my DAW and SONAR runs great.
 

In all likelihood, MS will probably extend the deadline anyway.  They are super hot to get everyone on Windows 10.  Probably just trying to create some urgency with the July deadline.

rlared
In all likelihood, MS will probably extend the deadline anyway.  They are super hot to get everyone on Windows 10.  Probably just trying to create some urgency with the July deadline.

This is what I'm hoping. Fingers crossed.
 
Cheers!

joakes
I don't understand the fuss about the updating. FWIW you can stop W10 (professional) from phoning home, updating etc very simply.

Try this : https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

I upgraded months ago, and used the above straight away. No problems.

Hope this helps last minute hesitaters to decide. I had awful latency issues under W7, had to disable the network adapter each time i used Sonar. W10 solved that.

Cheers,
J

I hear ya. My whole premise though is "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and Win7 has really been great for me from the start and I'd rather make the transition gradually (which I should have started 6 months ago... my bad).
 
Also as I poked around that Win10 system today I was essentially lost (like I am with any new OS) so I need a bit of time to explore and learn so that when real problems arise I'm not sitting there totally lost and useless. Kind of why I want to force myself to learn the new ways on my beater rig before transition on the DAW.
 
tl;dr...
 
I'm a scurredykat.
 
:-p

Mine works ok as well.

I don't think "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies as strongly to OS updates as it does to other things. Eventually your old version of Windows is going to turn into a ball and chain. I still see people desperately clinging to XP, a 16 year old OS, because they're afraid to update their DAW's and they still think of it as the "ultimate" Windows. Yet they seem to spend half their time wrestling with whether or not this or that piece of new software is compatible with it.

Beepster

joakes
I don't understand the fuss about the updating. FWIW you can stop W10 (professional) from phoning home, updating etc very simply.

Try this : https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

I upgraded months ago, and used the above straight away. No problems.

Hope this helps last minute hesitaters to decide. I had awful latency issues under W7, had to disable the network adapter each time i used Sonar. W10 solved that.

Cheers,
J

I hear ya. My whole premise though is "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and Win7 has really been great for me from the start and I'd rather make the transition gradually (which I should have started 6 months ago... my bad).
 
Also as I poked around that Win10 system today I was essentially lost (like I am with any new OS) so I need a bit of time to explore and learn so that when real problems arise I'm not sitting there totally lost and useless. Kind of why I want to force myself to learn the new ways on my beater rig before transition on the DAW.
 
tl;dr...
 
I'm a scurredykat.
 
:-p

Yes, i understand.

I have to admit i cheated a little by putting a W7 start button on to W10 plus the W7 menu system and desktop. I didn't like the tiles system. So i got a wolf in sheep's clothing i guess.

But that being said, W10 is the bees knees for latency and i am glad i updated when i did - and how i did.

Just my POV.

Cheers,
J

 All legacy devices for me works on W10.  I was a naysayer because W7 is quite awesome.  Not one of my old outdated audio devices is a doorstop.  
 
 I wouldn't do a clean install so I could use it to test everything.
 
 Activation is quick and you don't involve yourself in it.
 
 Not so sure about W10? Image your current OS, install 10, make sure it it activated, try it. if you don't like it-revert. At least with the activated W10 image you got your free upgrade. 

This is certainly true...
 
but also true is that if you upgrade an OS you need to spend half your time in advance wrestling with whether or not this or that piece of hardware you have is compatible with it.. and the chances are that it is not...and if not, and its an important piece of hardware you are pretty screwed.
 
So Win 10 is only free if you dont have to buy a new interface, controller, or synthesizer ;)
 

sharke
I don't think "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies as strongly to OS updates as it does to other things. Eventually your old version of Windows is going to turn into a ball and chain. I still see people desperately clinging to XP, a 16 year old OS, because they're afraid to update their DAW's and they still think of it as the "ultimate" Windows. Yet they seem to spend half their time wrestling with whether or not this or that piece of new software is compatible with it.

I like Windows 10, but I am a .NET developer.
 
In addition stuff like PowerShell and Chocolatey interests me. Many hours have been wasted installing / re-installing music software. The ability to script installs and automatic updates is a huge plus in my book.