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.
 

Welp... with some extra searching I just found the answer to the registration deadline question over on CNET...
 
http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-for-free-after-the-july-29-deadline/
 
Essentially I'd have to download, create the ISO image(s), install and register Win10 on both PC's. So effectively the upgrade and registration MUST happen now. Then I'd have to use the "Rollback" function to revert back to the previous Windows version.
 
At that point I could use my current version of Windows 7 for as long as I want then install Win10 whenever I feel like it.
 
Problems: This means actually pushing through the upgrade and rolling back which supposedly can cause problems with drivers and programs (not supported by Win10) so those would need to be fixed after the rollback (if any arise). The article states this seemed to mostly be an issue with Win7 installations.
 
A workaround could be to install on a partition to register the Win10 install instead of borking out the Win7 installations. However, due to the deadline and my technical ineptitude (and having other things on the go) I don't think I'll be able to muster the brute force to create the partitions, do the downloads, create the ISO's, register the products, etc on both systems before time runs out (already kind of burnt from meatworld mayhem today and the MS servers are likely going to be more than useless due to the increased traffic).
 
Oh well. No bigs. I like Win7 (and am skeptical about Win10 which is why I wanted to test it) but maybe this info will help others freaking out.
 
 
Cheers, all. Happy nerding.
 
;-)

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.

slartabartfast
The installation files will be available indefinitely but, you need to activate your installation by 11:29 PM July 29 UTC 10.
If you have waited this long, you are going to need a lot of luck, as the update servers are apparently getting pounded if my experience is any indication. One option is to install Windows 10 then revert back to Windows 7 or 8 after you activate your installation. The digital entitlement should stick to the machine so that you can activate Win 10 if you re-install it later. 

http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3455364
 
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2466327/windows-10-becomes-a-fully-fledged-paid-product-tomorrow-as-free-offer-expires

http://www.zdnet.com/article/the-procrastinators-guide-to-free-windows-10-upgrades/

http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-lock-in-your-free-windows-10-upgrade-and-keep-using-your-old-windows-version/
 
 
 

 
Thanks for the extra confirmation. Gonna let it ride. The only real problem I'm having with Win7 at the moment is MS seems to have COMPLETELY destroyed the update mechanism. Been wrestling with that the past few days as well. Might need to just lock down the DAW if that doesn't resolve itself.
 
Cheers.
 

stickman393
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.
 

Yup. One of the things ticking me off about it. I was also just up at a box store this morning poking at some Win10 lappys (first real experience with Win10) and it seems a little obnoxious. Not as obnoxious as 8.1 looked and DEFINITELY not as obnoxious as Vista was but it didn't make me drool with anticipation.
 
Mostly I was interested in the reported performance improvements and not becoming TOO much of a dinosaur.
 
However I've got my little monkey brain set on replacing my poor battered Acer laptop at some point so I can actually Skype and screencast with anyone who needs it and of course anything new is gonna come with Win10.
 
Not sure if that's gonna be possible but these budget laptops are certainly more that capable compared to when I bought this thing. Heck... I think a lot phones have more horsepower now. lol
 
Cheers.

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!

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

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

I'm trying again for the 7th time to get 10. So far Sonar is working fine, but before it has always stopped after a few days. My fingers are crossed...this will be the last time I try.

Mine works ok as well.

Beepster
 My whole premise though is "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

Exactly. Besides that, who knows what Win10 will turn out to be after the free upgrade period is over. Money pit, or "you can't do that", or both.