All betas have an expiry date.  That's normal.  You 'should' still be able to 'upgrade' to the normal RTM version....though that might need to be a full install...

I read that I could do that, Paul. But I'd lose all my installed programs, same if I do a factory reset.

I'm thinking of trying to blow in a backup of Windows 8.1, then MAYBE, upgrade that to Win10, thereby keeping my installed programs.

That said, I guess I wasn't thinking of Insider Builds as betas. Which is why I said "I stupidly" chose to opt in.

Of course I could easily remove the watermark with each subsequent build, but that's a PITA.

I believe I'd rather just have the release version, at least on my laptop, and get my updates the slow and easy way. I don't like the idea that my OS could expire.

I'm sure that each subsequent "beta" would further extend the expiry date, but at what point would it become a release version again?

Ok, just because I know that this entire forum is on pins and needles, I thought I'd post the results.

I ended up doing a fresh install of Windows 10 and I WILL NOT opt in for Insider Builds.

All is well in RedneckVille.

Oh, I might add that during this process, I have found one more reason to love Stardock.

More here:

https://forums.wincustomize.com/471072/page/1/ 

News at 11.

On an unrelated site [it's for FSX] I did mention there was absolutely no reason on God's earth to be an early adopter of Win 10 ....certainly not just because 'it's available'.

It's eventually going to cost you...but NOT for almost a year...so in 10 -11 MONTHS time it's still a free update...so leave it to 'OTHER suckers' to live through the angst of failure/fault/issue and just WAIT.

There's almost half a chance that by that time the OS won't still be kicking people randomly in the balls....

[probably will have the kicking down to a fine art by then] ....

Jafo

reply 5

On an unrelated site [it's for FSX] I did mention there was absolutely no reason on God's earth to be an early adopter of Win 10 ....certainly not just because 'it's available'.

It's eventually going to cost you...but NOT for almost a year...so in 10 -11 MONTHS time it's still a free update...so leave it to 'OTHER suckers' to live through the angst of failure/fault/issue and just WAIT.

There's almost half a chance that by that time the OS won't still be kicking people randomly in the balls....
[probably will have the kicking down to a fine art by then] ....

What about DX12? Some people think that it's worth it to be able to use that stuff (I'd rather not risk it, myself).

I upgraded and I'm with Jafo, there's no good reason to upgrade at this point. 

And I know everyone's hating on win10 for all kinds of legit reasons, but I don't think this thread has one of them. I mean...

silly reason to post a thread.

Well, I must say it took me by surprise. I don't think it's silly at all. Others might be taken by surprise as well.

Am I missing something? Are you saying that in 10-11 months I will have to pay? I'm confused, (suprised?).

The free upgrade is only available for 12 months.  If you upgrade later than that there's a fee...just as normal.

It's MS's way to 'push' people away from the older OS vers....sooner rather than later.

If it had been a paid-for upgrade from day 1 far fewer people would now be using 10 ...

Like I said before......no hurry. What I have works. Win 10 comes along preinstalled on a brand new machine...when I'm ready. Besides...with my luck I upgrade and my machine self destructs.

I don't either.  I like tips and tricks and warnings.  Thanks for the post.

I dunno, every day I read/hear something to put me off upgrading to 10, and this is yet another example that says it is under-developed and not yet ready for use.

As I understood it when I joined the Insider Program, early updates would still be delivered to members after the RTM, yet this is saying otherwise, and that RTMs are being downgraded to trial/beta versions when opting in.  That's crap!

I don't care how free it is, things will need to improve considerably if I am ever to become a 10 user.... and if that hasn't happened before the 12 months is up,  then I never become a 10 user.

Ah, ok. But if you upgrade in the first year, it remains free ongoing then. I gets cornfuzed sometimes. Especially after a few pints.....  

I don't need a few pints!  I only have to turn around 360 degrees and I'm confused.

Then there was the time I felt a bit unwell while we were repairing a fairground roundabout... and my boss told me to go sit in the corner.

When it comes to Win 10, though, you wouldn't be the only person who's confused.... which isn't at all surprising when you look at the way MS has worded some of its information regarding the OS.  Some of it is ambiguous at best.... and the rest is legalese that'd confuse most users.