10 Things You Should Know Before Installing Windows 10 Technical Preview

As you already know, Microsoft has now released Windows 10 Technical Preview to the public. While anyone who signs up for Windows Insider Program can download the build, you need to know few things before installing it on your device.

Here we go,

1. Install Windows 10 Technical Preview only if you,

   1. Want to try out software that’s still in development and like sharing your opinion about it.

   2. Don’t mind lots of updates or a UI design that might change significantly over time.

   3. Really know your way around a PC and feel comfortable troubleshooting problems, backing up data, formatting a hard drive, installing an operating system from scratch, or restoring your old one if necessary.

   4. Know what an ISO file is and how to use it.

   5. Aren’t installing it on your everyday computer.

2. Reliability: Unexpected PC crashes could damage or even delete your files, so you should back up everything. Some printers and other hardware might not work, and some software might not install or work correctly, including antivirus or security programs. You might also have trouble connecting to home or corporate networks.
3. Protect Your Privacy: Microsoft has updated the privacy statement for Windows 10 Technical Preview. if your PC runs into problems, Microsoft will likely examine your system files. If the privacy of your system files is a concern, consider using a different PC. For more info, read the new privacy statement.
4. Hardware Compatibility: Technical Preview should work with the same devices and programs that work with Windows 8.1, but you might need to update or reinstall some of them. Drivers for basic functions like storage, networking, input, and display come with Windows. These drivers allow you to complete the Windows installation and connect to the Internet. You might be able to get more drivers from Windows Update.
5. Try Windows 10 Technical Preview on a keyboard/mouse setup: Your apps and devices should work as expected, though of course there will be exceptions. We’d love to know what you think about how the new Windows works with mouse and keyboard and whether it provides the best of new and familiar functionality for Windows and apps.
6. If you have a touch PC: Technical Preview works with touch, but some things will be rough and unfinished. More touch-friendly improvements are on the way. In the meantime, let us know what it’s like to interact with Windows and apps in the preview.
7. What can  you keep when upgrading?

   This table shows what you can keep when you upgrade from your current version of Windows. Keep in mind that no matter which operating system you’re upgrading from, you should play it safe and back up everything.

   To check your version, see Which Windows operating system am I running?

   If you’re upgrading from	You can keep
   If you’re upgrading from Windows 8.1 or Windows 8	You can keep Windows settings, personal files, and most apps
   If you’re upgrading from Windows RT 8.1 or Windows RT	You can keep Technical Preview doesn’t run on Windows RT systems
   If you’re upgrading from Windows 7	You can keep Windows settings, personal files, and most apps
   If you’re upgrading from Windows Vista	You can keep Nothing—you must boot from media and perform a clean install

8. Windows Update will be set to automatically install important updates as they become available. You won’t be able to turn off automatic updates in Windows Technical Preview. To change when preview builds are installed, open PC settings, click Upgrade and recovery, click Preview builds, and then click Change the time my PC installs preview builds.
9. System Requirements: Basically, if your PC can run Windows 8.1, you’re good to go. If you’re not sure, don’t worry—Windows will check your system to make sure it can install the preview.

   • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster

   • RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

   • Free hard disk space: 16 GB

   • Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

   • A Microsoft account and Internet access

   • Technical Preview is only available in English, Chinese Simplified, and Brazilian Portuguese.
10. To go back to previous OS: You’ll need to reinstall your version of Windows from the recovery or installation media that came with your PC (typically DVD media). If you don’t have recovery media:

    • For Windows 7 or Windows Vista: Before you update, you might be able to create recovery media from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer. Check the support section of your PC manufacturer’s website for more info.

    • For Windows 8.1 or Windows 8: You might be able to create a USB recovery drive. For more info, see Create a USB recovery drive.

Source: Microsoft