All pre-release Windows 10 Insider Preview product keys have been deactivated as July 29th nears

Jonny Caldwell

Windows 10 Insider Preview pre-release keys have been activated

Microsoft has deactivate all of the pre-release keys given to Insiders for the Windows 10 Insider program. Basically, this means If someone doesn’t have the Insider Preview currently installed on their PC, they will not be able to do a fresh install of Windows 10 Insider Preview and activate it with a pre-release key, even if it’s build 10240.

Thankfully, if you are still currently running the Insider Preview, your key will remain activated for the time being. However, if you need to reinstall the Windows Insider Preview, it’s probably best to wait until RTM. Here’s what a Microsoft spokesperson had to say:

“All pre-release product keys published earlier for builds of Windows 10 Insider Preview have been deactivated and will no longer activate any Preview builds, including Build 10240.  This will not impact any devices that were activated in the past using those product keys.

We hope Insiders will continue to test Build 10240, which is only intended to be installed as an upgrade from a previously-activated version of Windows 10 Insider Preview – we do not support clean installs of Windows 10240. Windows 10 is intended to be installed on Genuine Windows devices, whether devices in the Windows Insider Program or those taking advantage of the free upgrade offer.

We’re getting really close to the launch of Windows 10, and we’re looking to receive that final bit of feedback before we roll out the finished product!”

Windows 10 is less than two weeks away, so there’s not much longer to wait. In the meantime, Microsoft encourages current Insiders to continue testing and giving feedback on bugs and other issues as they prepare for the final release. Are you excited about the release of Windows 10 on July 29? Let us know how excited you are in the comments below.