02-08-2015, 08:39 AM
Have a look here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/Windows-10-faq
As it stands now, it is downloaded as an update, providing you are running a qualifying OS. Once you have allowed the update to happen, you are then in a position to create recovery media should you ever need to reinstall (e.g. to a new HDD).
If you don't have a qualifying OS, you can buy it.
Windows dual-boots with other OSs with no problem. Before I rebuilt it recently, my old laptop used to triple-boot between XP, 7, and Ubuntu. You just have to be careful about the order in which you install each operating system, with the general rule that you put the oldest on first...
I agree that it's usually worth buying a new disk for a clean installation. Once you're happy that everything works and the old disk is securely backed up, then it can be "trickled down" to the next oldest PC. As disks generally get quicker as well as bigger, then all machines benefit.
As it stands now, it is downloaded as an update, providing you are running a qualifying OS. Once you have allowed the update to happen, you are then in a position to create recovery media should you ever need to reinstall (e.g. to a new HDD).
If you don't have a qualifying OS, you can buy it.
Windows dual-boots with other OSs with no problem. Before I rebuilt it recently, my old laptop used to triple-boot between XP, 7, and Ubuntu. You just have to be careful about the order in which you install each operating system, with the general rule that you put the oldest on first...
I agree that it's usually worth buying a new disk for a clean installation. Once you're happy that everything works and the old disk is securely backed up, then it can be "trickled down" to the next oldest PC. As disks generally get quicker as well as bigger, then all machines benefit.
