How to: What to do if your currently installed build of Windows 10

technical level : intermediate

summary
if running windows 10 insider preview build, expire. windows 10 insider previews not intended production environments, enthusiasts want on bleeding edge of technology advances or professional evaluating technology future deployment. not unusual users drift away participating in windows insider preview program, forgetting upgrade supported build of windows 10 under development. if happen you, provide options; whether want migrate previous version or continue evaluating windows 10.
details

option 1: restore previous version of windows

if decide no longer want use windows 10, can restore system original version of windows, whether windows 8, windows 7 or windows vista or windows xp. see articles instructions:

scenario: if windows 10 preview no longer booting, dual boot setup.

boot working copy of windows, whether windows xp, windows vista, windows 7 or windows 8.

launch file explorer (or windows explorer - windows 7 , earlier)

browse partition windows 10 preview installed , open users folder accounts stored. open account folder personal folders (documents, music, pictures, videos etc)

highlight folders within personal folder (press control + a or click select under home tab)

click copy on ribbon (home tab)

make sure external hard disk turned on , plugged in, browse external hard disk , click paste on ribbon (home tab)

if not happen have external hard disk, have enough space on boot drive older version of windows installed, can create folder there , paste folders it.

see instructions in article how restore partition space:
how migrate windows 10 preview releases: dual boot setup , protect accumulated data

scenario: if encounter permission error:

if unable open folder after clicking continue, review following article instructions taking ownership of folder.

http://notebooks.com/2011/02/10/how-to-setup-and-configure-file-and-folder-permissions-in-windows-7/

now can browse user folder , proceed copy on data.

option 2: want continue evaluating windows 10 preview (windows 10 being operating system installed).

if wish continue evaluating windows 10 previews, did not chance upgrade more recent build in time, here can do.

go working computer, download latest build in iso format create bootable copy:

download , prepare windows 10 insider preview .iso file

there number of ways start windows 10 setup, before we even though, need ensure have our copy of windows 10 downloaded , turned bootable copy.

how install latest windows 10 build - microsoft community

additional languages can found here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preview-iso-update?os=win10

determine whether 64 bit or 32 bit right needs:

the following article determine difference between both:

32 vs 64 bit

windows 10 32 or 64 bit – right architecture you?

the article references windows 7, same principles apply windows 10.

preparing .iso file installation.

see instructions burning .iso files in windows 7 or later:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/burn-a-cd-or-dvd-from-an-iso-file

you can use microsoft usb/dvd tool, recommended windows xp users.

after obtaining the .iso file use microsoft .iso usb/dvd tool create bootable dvd or usb (requires blank dvd or usb flash stick of @ least 4 gb).

for uefi based systems

if computer uefi based, these systems come pre-loaded windows 8 or later, need prepare iso file such configuration or receive error message during setup. thumbdrive needs formatted fat32 , use gpt partitioning scheme. this, need use rufus, small tool can download free.