Microsoft has confirmed that those trying out the Windows 10 Technology Preview, or any future beta release of the upcoming operating system, will be able to upgrade to the final release without needing to perform a full system wipe and reinstall.
Microsoft has long made beta test versions of its impending operating system updates available to the public, typically with a raft of restrictions that prevent people from using them as freebies. While the biggest restriction is normally a time limit to its usage, the company has also traditionally made it so there is no direct upgrade path from a beta to a final release; instead, users wanting to upgrade needed to wipe their systems and start again from scratch.
Responding to a customer query on the Twitter social networking site, Gabriel Aul - the head of Microsoft's Windows Insiders programme under which its Windows 10 Technology Preview has been released - confirmed that this would not be the case for its latest operating system. 'Our intent is to ensure that you can upgrade every build all the way to the final release,' wrote Aul, 'without having to clean install.'
The news will be welcomed by anyone who wants to try out the new features of Windows 10 - including its more Windows 7-like Start Menu, which addresses one of the more popular complaints levelled against Windows 8 and Windows 8.1's more touch-centric user interface.
Microsoft has not yet offered a firm release date for Windows 10 at retail, but is expected to be planning a launch late 2015. More information about the operating system is to be announced on the 21st of January at a press event, including the possibility of a more consumer-centric preview programme.
Microsoft has long made beta test versions of its impending operating system updates available to the public, typically with a raft of restrictions that prevent people from using them as freebies. While the biggest restriction is normally a time limit to its usage, the company has also traditionally made it so there is no direct upgrade path from a beta to a final release; instead, users wanting to upgrade needed to wipe their systems and start again from scratch.
Responding to a customer query on the Twitter social networking site, Gabriel Aul - the head of Microsoft's Windows Insiders programme under which its Windows 10 Technology Preview has been released - confirmed that this would not be the case for its latest operating system. 'Our intent is to ensure that you can upgrade every build all the way to the final release,' wrote Aul, 'without having to clean install.'
The news will be welcomed by anyone who wants to try out the new features of Windows 10 - including its more Windows 7-like Start Menu, which addresses one of the more popular complaints levelled against Windows 8 and Windows 8.1's more touch-centric user interface.
Microsoft has not yet offered a firm release date for Windows 10 at retail, but is expected to be planning a launch late 2015. More information about the operating system is to be announced on the 21st of January at a press event, including the possibility of a more consumer-centric preview programme.
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