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Windows 10 "free" upgrade for DreamSpark users, problem.

I have Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro which I legally obtained via Microsoft DreamSpark because I'm a student (and students have no money :D).But I have a problem getting my "free" Windows 10 upgrade.
In August, I tried upgrading a PC, but I got this problem. http://i.imgur.com/4CGSeni.jpg

The media creation tool told me that "something happened" with error code that lead me to nowhere.

I tried ISO but it was asking the key, I tried my 8.1 key I used on the current installation and it didn't worked.

Skipping wasn't an option.

Then I googled, and got a generic key that everyone gets when upgrading, I tried and it continued installation, but after installing, the Windows wasn't activated and I couldn't do anything to make it so. So I used that "Go back to Windows 8.1" button.

Funny because that PC had that Windows reservation icon, giving notifications every day but it was nowhere to be found when I tried to upgrade that PC.

Later I tried on virtual machine and it told me "something happened" twice, this time with no error code. http://i.imgur.com/xO6gcyV.png

2 months later I tried again and got this message http://i.imgur.com/faEnw5s.png

Where's my "free" Windows 10 upgrade? Is it a no-no because I haven't paid for it?

While pirates get a legitimate license when upgrading their pirated version of Windows, how does it makes sense when I can't get legitimate license when upgrading legal version on Windows 8.1?

Hello Kyuunex,

The free windows 10 upgrade comes from the update KB3035583, which is installed through the windows updates. To get your windows 10 key, and to upgrade for free, you need to update your PC to the point where you have the GWX applet icon on your taskbar, and to reserve a copy of windows 10. From here, you will be placed into a queue to download the OS. 

It is important to upgrade this way as it will generate a unique windows 10 license key, different to the current key of the machine. Thats why your windows 8.1 key did not work. 

To get the free upgrade, please ensure that all updates have been installed (it may say that all are already installed, but unless you have the icon for Windows 10, then they have not all been installed). Once all the updates are complete, reserve a copy and select upgrade when offered. 

Another check you can to is to run these in command prompt:

dism /online /get-packages | findstr 3035583
dism /online /get-packages | findstr 2952664

These will search for the required updates, and inform you whether they are installed or not. If they are, then it is a matter of patience until the icon appears.

The creation media is used for creating installing the OS manually or creating bootable media, but it will NOT generate the license key needed for an official version of windows 10. 

I hope you find this helpful,

Kind regards

Fergus

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This may also help with this issue:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_upgrade/dreamspark-windows-embedded-81-industry-pro/804efa0c-39a0-4a4c-9e0a-7fccf0d21642?auth=1

Kind regards,

Fergus

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Last updated December 29, 2017 Views 559 Applies to: