Windows 10 Free upgrade from 8.1

[GlenicoNico]

I've been wanting to upgrade to Windows 10 since the first day Microsoft offers free upgrade from Windows 8.1. I have a few questions however.

1. Will I lose all my data?
2. How does it work? (do I need a USB drive to install? or will it figure itself out without me doing anything AT ALL?)
3. What's the difference between the free upgrade and the retail version?

 

[little_me]

1. if you choose to keep data, no, you wont lose it. however it is ALWAYS recommended to back up important things before big operations like this.
2. you either download/install it through windows update or media creation tool http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install
since you HAVE to do upgrade and not clean install on first time, you don't need usb drive/disk at all.
3. Free upgrade will be tied to hardware, aka OEM installation (based on some blogs) but there has also been mention that retail win7/8 will be retail even in win10

retail, you can in reinstall on different computer if/once you upgrade. provided of course that same license is not used in old one still.

 

[herrwizo]

1) No. All data is preserved. And so are all your programs.
2) Upgrade over the Windows update - sit back and relax until it is done. You can also download Windows 10 ISO image from Microsoft website, burn it to a DVD media, then install under your current 8.1 while it is running. Upgrade will be performed. No USB required.
3) In terms of functionality, none. Retail can be used for a clean install on the first attempt, which the upgrade version cannot (in fact it can, but your windows will not be activated) - you need to upgrade your 8.1 first to get a new windows 10 key licence, only then you can do clean install if you wish.

 

[Geek Jed]

You will not loose your files. (although some ppl freak out cause windows 10 installation automatically makes a new profile). No USB drive, it works through and as a windows update. The free you can only install once.

 

[GlenicoNico]

Okay thanks! A few more questions. When do I get to chose to keep all my data? during the installation? If it's a free upgrade, what will be written in the "Product ID" section?

 

[GlenicoNico]

Okay, I got the update. Gonna upgrade right now. Let's hope it'll run smooth.

If I'm not back anytime soon, it means that "Project Battle Tank" ( http://pcpartpicker.com/b/DrCypg ) has lost the battle (see what I did there) with Windows 10.

 

[GlenicoNico]

It's done! Faster than I thought it would be. All my data are still here. Everything seems to be working fine so far. I don't see any performance increase whatsoever. Boots just as fast as it was, 5-7 seconds. Gaming wise, still getting the same results.

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/8446/4nuy7k.jpg

Thanks for the help guys!