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Pbryanw
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Will I be able to reserve a copy of Windows 10 using my Windows 8.1 VM?

Hi,

I've managed to get the Windows 10 reservation app to run in my Windows 8.1 VM.

Currently it says Windows 10 can't be installed on this PC because it doesn't have enough RAM (I've assigned the VM 4GB) and also because of the VMware SVGA 3D graphics adapter.

I know that Windows 10 will be freely available upon launch, but will reserving be fixed with a later update or is it best just to wait until Windows 10 gets officially released and then wait for the ensuing Windows 10 compatibility release from VMware?

Thanks, Paul

Message was edited by: Pbryanw

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andymorgan
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Removed the appraiser and now my windows app icon has disappeared too.

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iFrog
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I too have the VMWare SVGA3D error, I was able to  reserve a copy for a windows 7 64 Ultimate VM running on vmware fusion 7.1.2 os x 10.10.4 late 2013 MBP 13"

I have my windows 7 VM backed up working on a copy now to see if uninstalling vmware tools and disabling 3d fixes the issue.

Well that didn't work, it removed the icon like it did for the others, so I'll restore the original state of the VM before trying the changes and wait for a fix.

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pax2k
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What I did:

1. Uninstall VMware tools

2. Restart Windows

3. Deleted all files in c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download

4. Run wuauclt.exe /updatenow from CMD as Administrator

5. Go to Windows Update and Windows 10 started to download.

6. After download installation of Windows 10 started.

The machine restarted and "Upgrade to Windows" installer has started. 21% finished with installing Windows 10 as I type.

update.png

After upgrading I reinstalled VMware tools and it's all looking good! Smiley Happy

update 2.png

ixnayus
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It's launch day, and there is still no fix for this from VMWare.  This is absolutely inexcusable.  What a disaster.

As for editing the compatibility checker file, this didn't work for me either.  My upgrade icon disappeared but came back after about 10 minutes.  However, it still reads that it can't be upgraded, although now it doesn't know why.  So there must be a bit that still reads "incompatibility" elsewhere.

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ixnayus
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Unfortunately for me, following your instructions pax2k did not work for me.  Nothing happens after step 4 even after multiple attempts and reboots.  Still getting "No updates available" from Windows Update and "Your PC Can't Be Upgraded" from the Windows 10 tray icon.  I'm wondering how the planets aligned for you so the download started.

PS - I just found this detailed set of instructions that pax2k‌ describes:

http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/28/how-to-force-windows-to-start-downloading-the-windows-10-update-fi...

<rant> I can't think of a more confusing way to roll out a product launch.  Mystery icons. Wait-and-see invisible downloads.  Incompatible drivers.  It's like MSFT willfully ignored the lessons learned from every product launch ever and every fundamental human interface conceit.  And don't get me started on the fiasco of VMWare letting launch day arrive without releasing compatible drivers.  Simply inexcusable.  </rant>

pax2k
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I used:

VMware Fusion 6.0.6

OSX 10.11 Beta

Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit

I guess it was my turn to win the lottery Smiley Happy

Your guide says that you need to look for updates before running "wuauclt.exe /updatenow" after deleting the content in "c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download". Did you tried that?

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ixnayus
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pax2k‌ - short version, there's a very critical step apparently: type in "wuauclt.exe /updatenow" but don't hit return.  Open Windows Update (the desktop version, not the Win 8 tile version). If Windows Update isn't checking for updates, click "Check for Updates" to get it going.  Then hit return in your terminal to fire the forced update.  After trying 4 times, I finally got the timing right and Win10 started downloading.

Long Version:

  1. I had to revert to an earlier copy of my VM before all the nonesense with hacking the detector and reservation tool suggested much earlier in the thread.  Your mileage may vary.  So I started with a copy of 8.1 circa early July.
  2. I ran Windows Update to ensure all updates are installed.  Multiple reboots and updates were necessary to get the green "Your PC is up to date" message.
  3. I uninstalled VMWare tools.  Reboot.
  4. This is where I pick up the instructions here (http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/28/how-to-force-windows-to-start-downloading-the-windows-10-update-fi...)
  5. Delete the contents of “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download”
  6. Open Windows Update (the desktop version, not the Win 8 tile version)
  7. In search, look for CMD but don't hit enter.  Instead, right-click on the icon and "Run as administrator."  The timing of this next sequence appears to be critical:
  8. Type in "wuauclt.exe /updatenow" but don't hit return
  9. Switch back to Windows Update. Click "Check for updates."  While Windows Update is searching for updates, switch back to CMD and hit enter.
  10. Windows Update should now show "Downloading Windows 10"

Note: I had to try variants of this sequence about 5-6 times until I got it to work, point is, keep trying.

Also note: this only got me to the point where I'm downloading Win10.  I can't verify that this actually gets around the VMWare driver incompatibility.  I'll report back soon.

grdh20
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None of this fixes the Vmware video drivers for proper Win 10 compatibility. Smiley Sad

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dariusd
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The VMware SVGA drivers are compatible with Windows 10.  If you have upgraded your VM to Windows 10, you may need to reinstall VMware Tools in order for the display driver to be recognized... We've had reports that it is removed by the Windows 10 update process but works fine after reinstallation.

If none of that helps, it sounds more like something in your VM is corrupt and preventing the VMware SVGA driver from working correctly...  I'd recommend installing Windows 10 into a fresh virtual machine unless you want to go digging through the Windows registry and event logs to try to figure out why it's not working.

Cheers,

--

Darius

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grdh20
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Thanks. I'll try that. As it was I couldn't adjust any resolution and Win10 thought mi 27" imac was a 27" Acer (of apparently low resolution). I did get a message that VMware tools needs to be ungraded after installing win 10 and choose to "upgrade" it, but that didn't help.

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Pbryanw
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I see that VMware Fusion's Twitter account has addressed this SVGA driver issue.

They posted a link to a guide which suggests that you download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to create an ISO, then mount it in Fusion to perform the upgrade. Link with instructions below:

http://www.mikeroysoft.com/windows-10-and-vmware-fusion/

The media creation tool also has the ability to perform an in-place upgrade, without the need to create download media, so I'll be trying that later, after I upgrade my main PC.

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jimger
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I used the media creation tool with out any problems for an in place upgrade.  Working fine with VM Tools

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sergio_valle
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How did you start the "Get Windows 10" application

Where is it ???

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wila
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Hi,

The Microsoft link is here:

Windows 10 ISO

Browse there from within windows and you get the page for the "Media Creation Tool"

Browse there from Safari on OS X and it lets you download an iso directly.

--

Wil

| Author of Vimalin. The virtual machine Backup app for VMware Fusion, VMware Workstation and Player |
| More info at vimalin.com | Twitter @wilva
Pbryanw
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Thanks for the link wila - I should have included that in my last post.

I think the media creation tool is the most straightforward way to upgrade your VM, if you must have Windows 10 immediately.

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iFrog
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windows 10 installed , but was saying my product key from windows 7 ultimate wasn't valid, so wouldn't activate.  Windows 7 has been activated all  along, any ideas ?

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SpecGadget
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Excellent, thanks!  I performed these steps and Windows 10 is now downloading and preparing to install.  Thanks for sharing.  Smiley Happy

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ixnayus
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I'm in the same boat as you, iFrog‌.  After working on this for 6 hours, I finally got an installation screen only to be told by the Windows 10 installer that none of my perfectly legitimate and paid for Win8 and Win7 licenses will work.  I want to scream.  Could MSFT have made this any more frustrating?

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iFrog
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well i am wondering if in the windows update a key is supposed to be generated, but because VMware can't do it that way, we didn't get a key.

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patrickc
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Here's a more official post from Microsoft on ISO upgrades. They do list a few reasons why upgrades may not work as expected.

How to: upgrade from previous versions of Windows using Windows 10 - Microsoft Community

From their post:

Please be aware that you cannot use the free upgrade offer to perform a clean install on first attempt. You must first upgrade from the qualifying version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 (whether you do it through Windows Update or using the .ISO file). Ensure the upgrade is completed successfully and then ensure that it is activated. You can then proceed to do a clean install by using recovery media or using the Reset function in Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC (Get Started).

Please note: The copy of Windows 10 you download must correspond with the edition of Windows you are upgrading from:

  • Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Core must use a Windows 10 Home ISO
  • Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro must use a Windows 10 Pro ISO
  • Your currently installed copy of Windows must be activated. If it is not, you will be prompted to enter a product key.
  • If you are using Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8.0 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Enterprise editions, or volume license Windows 7 Professional you won't be able to use the free upgrade offer.