14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 Technical Preview is already up for grabs for those who registered for the Windows Insider Program, but since Microsoft is struggling to make this particular release available for as many people as possible, the company rolled out an app that makes direct updates possible for Windows 8 users.
Previously, users who wanted to install Windows 10 Technical Preview on their computers had only one option: download the official ISO and deploy it manually. Windows 7 users, however, were also allowed to get the latest testing build via Windows Update, and starting today, the same is valid for Windows 8 adopters too.
The tool that Microsoft released for free is only supposed to prepare your computer for Windows 10, and beside pressing “OK” twice, you have nothing else to do.
As Microsoft says on the official website, you only need to read system requirements, click “Prepare this PC now,” and repeat the step on any PC that you want to prepare for the testing bits of Windows 10.
When a new build of Windows 10 is released, Windows Update should provide you with a notification telling that Technical Preview can be installed on your computer.
You can't go back to Windows 8 without reinstalling
One important thing that users should take into account when deciding to get Windows 10 Technical Preview through Windows Update is that they won't be able to go back to Windows 8 without reinstalling the operating system completely.
“If you want to stop using Windows Technical Preview and return to your previous version of Windows, you'll need to reinstall your previous version from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC—typically a DVD. If you don't have recovery media, you might be able to create a USB recovery drive,” Microsoft says.
The same is valid for all the other OS versions out there, so make sure that you create a backup to easily restore your previous Windows installation in case you're not satisfied with Windows 10 TP.
Keep in mind, however, that Windows 10 Technical Preview is not supposed to become your main operating system because it still has bugs and issues, so you're not recommended to update your single Windows 8 computers to this early build of the OS.
As far as the next Windows 10 version is concerned, Microsoft has already confirmed that it's scheduled to arrive in late January, most likely with new features aimed at consumers, but full details will be disclosed at a January 21 event in Redmond.
