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Microsoft has done an interesting thing with Windows 10. Besides giving it as a free upgrade to anyone with an activated Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC the OS is also one big shareware demo.
![Number Number](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125482375/671673855.jpg)
Specifically, by the demo I mean near fully functional OS that you can install anywhere to try out. This ability means you can download the Windows 10 ISO right from Microsoft and install it on a home-built PC, or any PC for that matter. Even Mac users can do this and install the OS using Bootcamp (more on this later).
How it works
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Anyone can go and download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. Simply navigate to http://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10.
If you are on a PC, you can download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool that lets you make an ISO for use on a DVD or USB key. You can then use this to install Windows 10 on any computer. The process allows you to pick the language, edition, and architecture.
Once you put the ISO onto that USB key or burn to a DVD, you are all set.
You do not have to Activate Windows 10
Perhaps one of the little unknown secrets about a Windows 10 installation is that you do not need to use a product key during the process.
Oh, Windows 10 prompts you for it, twice in fact. However, in both cases you can hit the little 'Skip for now' button and let Windows 10 install. It is tiny, but it is there.
So what happens? Nothing. Windows 10 Home or Pro is installed, and you can use it. There are just two limitations that I have come across:
- Watermark on the lower right-hand corner saying Activate Windows
- You cannot use anything under Personalization e.g. change wallpaper, accent colors, lock screen, themes, etc. All options are there, they are just grayed out and inaccessible
Other than this you have a fully-functional Windows 10 OS. There are no nag prompts either and yes, you get all system updates (at least for the year).
You can enroll in the Windows Insider program. However, this just removes the watermark, but it will not allow you to personalize the computer.
Shhh, you still can personalize
What is amusing is although you cannot personalize the computer, you still can. This trick assumes you have other Windows 10 PCs that are activated, and you use the same Microsoft account on both. If you do, whatever you personalize on the activated PC or Mac syncs over to your non-activated version. This method is how I have a non-default wallpaper on the non-activated device used for this article.
Another trick, pointed out in comments, is that you can add new wallpaper. Simply open up the Photos app and hit the ellipsis in the upper right-hand corner. Choose 'Set as lock screen' or 'Set as background' and voila, you have personalized your PC.
It is an odd workaround, but you likely won't notice the limitations.
All of this works on PC or Mac, too. This ability means those with Apple computers can just download and try out Windows 10 without consequence. Tomorrow Windows Central will show you how that works.
Now you want to Activate
However, maybe you do want to change that wallpaper or color. Alternatively, maybe you just feel bad and want to pay for a full-fledged license. Microsoft made this very simple. To buy a license to activate either Windows 10 Home or Pro, do the following:
1. Go to Settings
2. Go to Update & Security
3. Choose Activation
4. Select Go to Store
The Windows Store now opens to a product page for either version of Windows 10. You can now buy Home or Pro, and it unlocks and activates your version of Windows 10.
Windows 10 Home costs $119.99 , and Windows 10 Pro costs $199.99.
The purchase runs through the Store like any app purchase, and you can just use your Credit Card, PayPal, or whatever payment methods you set up.
The Takeaway
Microsoft has actually opened up Windows 10. The fact that you can download the ISO and install it without a product key on any PC or Mac is neat.
The idea here, of course, is to get the OS into as many hands as possible. This tactic is not much different than Google and Android and giving it away for free (granted, there are patent fees).
Microsoft wants Windows 10 on every computer because it is the Store and their services that are important. This strategy means that Windows 10 can be put everywhere with a tiny drawback. Sure, you have a watermark, and you cannot change the wallpaper, but if you are a Mac user and you want to tinker with Windows 10, there is literally nothing stopping you. It just works.
![Windows 10 License For Mac Windows 10 License For Mac](/uploads/1/2/5/4/125482375/243678090.png)
Even better, Microsoft makes buying Windows 10 through an un-activated copy very easy with a mere Store purchase. You do not even have to leave the house.
It is a strange new world if you enjoy Windows, but a much more user-friendly one too.
If you think this guide is helpful, we have many more posts like this in our Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks page. Or try our massive Windows 10 Forums at Windows Central for more help!
What do you think of Microsoft's new 'just take it!' approach to Windows 10?Let us know your thoughts in comments!
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We’ve made it so easy to get Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop®. Here is the easiest the fastest way of getting Windows 10 running on your Mac with Parallels Desktop, even if you do not have a license for Windows 10. You can now purchase and download Microsoft Windows directly from the Parallels Desktop installation with a few simple clicks!
Note: Before you can install Windows 10, please double-check the following requirements to have the best experience with Microsoft Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop:
- Check Windows 10 system requirements that can be found directly from Microsoft
- Make sure you’re running the latest build of Parallels Desktop
As a new user, you will be prompted by the Installation Assistant to download and install Windows 10 as an automatic download, as seen below:
(Figure A)
If you select “Install Windows,” this will begin a download of Microsoft Windows 10 automatically.
If you decide to select “Skip” but still need to download Windows 10, you can manually “Add New” virtual machine by following this pathway:
Parallels Desktop > File > New
This will bring up the Installation Assistant that will walk you through creating a new virtual machine.
(Figure B)
In Figure B , “Get Windows 10 from Microsoft” is selected. Once you hit “Continue,” you will be directed to a new screen that allows you to choose which version of Windows 10 you’d like to purchase. See Figure C below.
(Figure C)
In Figure C, you have an option to purchase Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro edition directly from the Microsoft store.
If you already have a Windows 10 license key, you can download Windows 10 as a virtual machine and enter in the license key directly into the virtual machine to complete set up. In Figure B, you’re able to select “Download Windows 10.” Selecting this option and pressing “Continue” will prompt you to the download page for Windows 10, as seen below in Figure D.
(Figure D)
After you select “Install Windows,” your download will begin. This download time is dependent on your internet connection, so it could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours.
Once completed with the above download, you will be able to enter the Windows 10 license key in the screen below:
(Figure E)
After entering the Windows 10 license key, you will have full access to the Microsoft Windows operating system to meet your needs. The Windows 10 OS will show up in your Control Center as a virtual machine.
(Figure F)
In the above Figure F, you can click to start your virtual machine and run Windows on Mac without rebooting.
You’re done! Easy peasy, right? Enjoy using Windows 10 on your Mac to run popular software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and thousands more.
You’re done! Easy peasy, right? Enjoy using Windows 10 on your Mac to run popular software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and thousands more.
Here are a few alternative methods for creating Windows 10 virtual machine using Parallels Desktop:
Migrate your PC as a new virtual machine which can be read about here: http://kb.parallels.com/en/123929
Set up Parallels Desktop based on an existing Boot Camp partition: http://kb.parallels.com/112941
Set up a Parallels Desktop virtual machine using an external USB stick: http://kb.parallels.com/123364
Need a Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with your educational software? Buy directly below:
Looking to make the most out of your Mac by running Windows through Parallels Desktop? Download a free 14-day trial and get started today!
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