How to grab a free genuine copy of Windows 10

The newest version of Windows, Windows 10, will be released on July 29 to a worldwide audience. It is Microsoft's attempt to win back unsatisfied users who did not like the Windows 8 operating system.
The company wants to achieve that through various means, for instance by moving away from the two interfaces of Windows 8 or by re-implementing a start menu, but also by offering the operating system as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.
Updates were released for Windows 7 and 8 that promote the free upgrade to Windows 10 to reach most "home" customers and get them to upgrade to Windows 10.
While it is unclear at this point in time how successful the promotion will be, it is very likely that it will push Windows 10 to millions of systems.
It was not clear up until now how Microsoft would handle systems that run Insider Builds of Windows 10. These preview builds of the operating system can be installed on PCs meeting the system requirements for free.
Microsoft's Gabe Aul revealed in a new blog post published on the official Blogging Windows blog yesterday that these installations will receive the upgrade to Windows 10 final and remain activated under certain conditions.

As long as you are running an Insider Preview build and connected with the MSA you used to register, you will receive the Windows 10 final release build and remain activated.

The only requirement is that a Microsoft Account is linked to the operating system. The Insider Build of Windows 10 final remains activated (read genuine) if that is the case.



This means in turn that anyone interesting in a free copy of Windows 10 can grab one by installing a Windows 10 Insider Preview on a compatible PC and linking it to a Microsoft Account.

Aul notes furthermore that users may do a clean install at any time after they have installed and activated the build successfully to start over again with a clean install.
Once the final version has been activated, Inside Preview users may leave the program and stay on the final build. There is no requirement to remain an Insider after activation and it seems as if there are not any drawbacks to leaving the program after installation and activation of the final Windows 10 build.

It should be clear that the version will be linked to the PC it was installed on and the Microsoft Account it was linked to.

This means that anyone with compatible hardware and a Microsoft account can grab a free copy of Windows 10 and use it indefinitely on a single machine. Considering that Windows 10 Pro retails for $199, that is an interesting proposition which should further boost the operating system's reach especially during the first few months of general availability.

It is unclear -- but likely -- that the offer is only available in a time-limited window. Microsoft has not revealed yet any restrictions but if you are interested in the free copy, you may want to install an Insider Preview build as soon as possible on a PC and link it to a Microsoft account.
Starting with the next Insider build, Insiders who have not linked a Microsoft Account to the operating system will receive notifications to do so to continue receiving new Windows 10 Insider Preview builds.

You can download the Windows 10 Preview here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso?OCID=WIP_r_May_Body_DLISO

Source: http://www.ghacks.net/2015/06/20/how-to-grab-a-free-genuine-copy-of-windows-10/

How To Change The Default Theme In Windows 10

admin Published on Jun 10th, 2015

Desktop theme feature was first introduced with Windows 7 and is exist in the latest Windows 10 as well. While a desktop theme usually includes a bunch of cool wallpapers, it’s possible to bundle mouse cursors, sound schemes, desktop icons and screen savers with it.
In Windows 7 and 8/8.1, we could easily install new themes and switch between installed themes by opening the Personalization window.

In Windows 10, when you right-click on desktop and click Personalize option, the Personalization section of Settings app is launched instead of the classic Personalization window. Because of this, if you want to change the default theme to a newly installed one in Windows 10 or uninstall a desktop theme to free up some disk space, you need to follow a couple of extra steps.
Whether you want to switch between installed themes or uninstall a theme in Windows 10, you can use the directions mentioned in below given methods.
NOTE: Desktop themes are completely different from visual styles. This guide covers only installing and switching between desktop themes and not visual styles.
Method 1 of 3

To change the current theme

Step 1: Right-click on desktop, click Personalize option to open and navigate to Personalization section of Settings app.






Step 2: On the left-side of the Settings app, click Themes.
Step 3: Click the Theme settings link on the right-side to open the classic Personalization window.





Step 4: Here, click the installed theme that you would like to use to apply the theme. That’s it!





And if you want to change the default color, please follow our how to open Color and Appearance window in Window 10 guide. The theme color can be changed under Settings app as well.
Method 2 of 3

To install a new theme

Step 1: There are many safe places on the web from where you can download hundreds of elegant themes. One of them is Microsoft’s own personalization gallery page.
Visit the official Windows personalization gallery page to download as many themes as you want. The Personalization gallery features over 300 themes. Note that themes that were released for Windows 7 and Windows 8 are compatible with Windows 10 as well.
Step 2: After downloading themes, double-click on a theme to install and apply the theme.





Alternatively, you can right-click on a theme and then click Open option to install and apply theme.
To switch between installed themes, please follow the instructions mentioned in Method 1 or Method 3.
Method 3 of 3

Another way to change the existing theme

Step 1: Open the Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows + R keys (Windows+R).
Step 2: In the box, type Control Desktop, and then press Enter to open the classic Personalization window.





Step 3: Here, click on the theme that you want to apply to apply the same. Good luck!





As you probably know, you can download hundreds of themes from the official Windows personalization gallery page by clicking Get more themes online link located in the classic Personalization window.

Source: http://www.intowindows.com/how-to-change-the-default-theme-in-windows-10/

5 Ways To Open Control Panel In Windows 10

The Settings app in Windows 10 aims to replace the classic Control Panel. Microsoft has overhauled the Settings app to include new settings and options.
The Settings app includes almost all the settings and options available in the classic Control Panel and some more. In fact, some of the newly added settings and options are available only in the Settings app. For instance, the settings to customize the Start menu or screen are present in Settings app only.
In short, Microsoft wants everyone to use the new Settings app in Windows 10 as it’s easier to use. In addition to that, the Settings app, unlike the classic Control Panel works great on touch devices as well.

While it’s true that the Settings app is easy-to-navigate and use, long time Windows users always prefer the classic Control Panel over the Settings app while running Windows 10 desktops and laptops.





In Windows 10, as said before, Microsoft wants users to use the Settings app to access and change Windows settings. To support this, with default settings, only Settings app is pinned to the Start.
That said, Control Panel is still exist in Windows 10 and is identical to the one in previous Windows iterations. If you prefer using the classic Control Panel over the Settings app, simply follow the instructions mentioned in one of the given below methods to open the classic Control Panel in Windows 10.
Method 1: Open Control Panel using Run command
Method 2: Access Control Panel from desktop
Method 3: Launch Control Panel using search
Method 4: Create Control Panel shortcut on desktop
Method 5: Pin Control Panel to Start or taskbar
Method 1 of 5

Opening Control Panel in Windows 10

Step 1: Open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows and R keys (Windows+R).





Step 2: In the Run dialog box, type Control and then press Enter key to open the classic Control Panel.
Method 2 of 5

Access Control Panel in Windows 10 from desktop

This is probably the easiest way to launch Control Panel with a mouse.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start button (Windows logo button at the bottom-left corner of the desktop) and then click Control Panel to open the same.





Method 3 of 5

Launch Control Panel using search

Step 1: Open Start menu or screen.
Step 2: In the search box, enter Control Panel and then press Enter key to open the same.





Tip: You can quickly access the search with the help of Windows + C hotkey.
Method 4 of 5

Create Control Panel shortcut on desktop

Step 1: Right-click on desktop, click New, and then click Shortcut.





Step 2: In Type the location of the item box, type the following path.
explorer shell:ControlPanelFolder
Click Next button.







Step 3: In the Type a name for this shortcut box, type Control Panel, and click Finish button.










That’s it! You can now double-click on the Control Panel icon on the desktop to quickly launch the same.
Method 5 of 5

Pin Control Panel to Start or taskbar

Step 1: In the Start search box, type Control Panel.
Step 2: When you see search results, right-click on Control Panel entry and then click Pin to Start to pin it to the Start menu or screen.





Tip: Clicking Pin to taskbar will pin the Control Panel to taskbar!

Source: http://www.intowindows.com/5-ways-to-open-control-panel-in-windows-10/