GWX is shorthand for Get Windows 10. I am sure by now most have figured this out.
- Preface
If you own a PC running Windows 7 & 8.1 and you actually don't see yet the GWX app icon of Windows in the notification tray to reserve your free Windows 10 Upgrade, the reasons could be:
- Your device isn’t up-to-date with at least Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1 Update.
- Windows Update is turned off or is not set to received updates automatically.
- You’ve blocked or uninstalled the necessary Windows Update functionality.
- Your device is not running genuine Windows.
- Your device is running Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, or Windows RT/RT 8.1, which are excluded from the reservation offer.
- Your device is managed as part of a school or business network.
You also won't see the GWX icon if Microsoft determined your PC cannot run Windows 10.
BTW: When Windows Update KB3035583 got downloaded and installed, it adds a folder to System32 called “GWX” which contains 9 files and a folder called “Download”. One of the four .EXE files reveals what the update really is, the description of GWXUXWorker.EXE states, “Download Windows 10″. This explains the X in the name, the X is the Roman number 10.
- How GWX does
The desktop editions of Windows 10 Upgrade support 32-bit and 64-bit architectures. At now it's not known whether retail copies of Windows 10 will include install DVDs for both architectures. In any case the online installer automatically installs the version corresponding with the architecture of the system's existing Windows installation.
- When GWX process will be started
If you registered for the GWX, the upgrade via Windows Update function will start on 29th July 2015. But not immediately. It may happen in some days, weeks or even some months after.
GWX stores in \Windows\System32\GWX a file named "config.xml". Reading this file shows the upgrade process is broken in several "Phases": section “Phases” describes how the downloader should behave when the Windows 10 release date nears. Initially, during phase “None”, all features are disabled, then during phase “AnticipationUX” advertising banners will be shown, presumably on a homescreen tile and additionally a tray icon will appear. The next phase is called “Reservation” which according to the "config file" will show the advertisement tile, the tray icon but also a reservation page. Further phases are the first publication of the final RTM (release to manufacturing), version the general availability (GA) as well as various phases of the upgrade process such as UpgradeDownloadInProgress, UpgradeDownloaded, UpgradeReadyToInstall, UpgradeSetupCompatBlock, UpgradeSetupRolledBack and UpgradeSetupComplete.
- Preparing for GWX
If you upgrade from a OEM version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 to the free Windows 10 Upgrade, the license is consumed into it. Because the free upgrade is derived from an OEM base qualifying license, Windows 10 will carry this type of licensing too. If you upgrade from a retail version, it carries the rights of a retail version.
CHECK GWX's COMPATIBILITY REPORT
I you have any devices, apps, or compatibility issues, that will prevent a successful upgrade. If there's a problem with a device connected to your PC, it means your PC can run Windows 10, but the device won't work correctly after the upgrade because it isn't fully compatible. For example, your display might not work at the highest resolution, you might not hear audio from your speakers, or your printer might not work. In some cases, installing an updated device driver will fix compatibility problems with devices.
BACKUP THE CURRENT PRODUCT KEY OF YOUR INSTALLED WINDOWS IF IT IS AN OEM INSTALLATION
Having your product key is necessary if you later on want to create a Windows 10 installation media by means of Windows Media Creation Tool or download installation media from Microsoft to do a "clean install". Their downloads require a valid product key. It’s also useful if you want to perform a fresh install of Windows.
The Windows 8 & 8.1 product key is normally hidden and not shown anywhere in Windows’ interface. However, you can use a third-party utility to view the product key stored in Windows. This is the only way to find the Windows product key on PCs that come with Windows 8 or 8.1 pre-installed. Many tools around, some working, some not. For me the best tool to retrieve actual product key is to use . Run the tool and it will display the Windows product key in use on your current Windows system — write it down so you can use it later.
For how to get the Windows product key without using third party software, you go
The Windows 10-license key will firmly be connected the computer, on which the upgrade got installed. If you upgraded a 32-bit version of any Windows edition then this serial will work with 64-bit version of same Windows edition, too. For example, if your computer got upgraded to Windows 10 Home, you can only reinstall with Windows 10 Home.
CLEAN UP YOUR PC
Before Windows 10 Upgrade via Windows Update function is installing Windows 10, GWX creates a backup of current Windows installation. So it's strongly recommended to ensure that current Windows installation is absolutely free of any malware. To achieve this you should run all of the even if you have a scanner already running.
MAKE ROOM ON HDD/SSD TO HOLD BACKUP OF CURRENT INSTALLED WINDOWS
Before Windows 10 Upgrade via Windows Update function is installing Windows 10, GWX creates on drive where current Windows installation is located ( commonly C: ) the folder "Windows.old". The "Windows.old" folder contains a copy of the previous Windows installation - including the registry, and can be quite large in size. So it may be a quite good idea to ensure that approx. 30 GB of space are free on drive where current Windows installation is located.
Important notes:
- This folder will automatically be deleted after 7 days.
- If the "Windows.old" folder gets deleted, you will no longer be able to go back to a previous version of Windows, unless using a bootable installation media which houses previous version of Windows.
- Addendum
My knowledge is that's not known yet, whether or how Microsoft will make ISO copies of the final Windows 10 release available for download. But this may already have become invalid. A guy here said an ISO copy will be available.
Anyways, if GWX has fully downloaded the "Windows 10 Upgrade" package, then you'll find the large file "Install.esd" - ~ 3GB - stashed in a hidden folder called C:\$Windows.~BT , there in a subfolder called Sources.The abbreviation ESD stands for Electronic Software Download and it is an encrypted and compressed WIM file (Windows Imaging Format) with an image of the Windows 10 operation system. Unlike the WIM file, ESD image can not be mounted or modified. Using Microsoft-approved tools or freeware you can turn the Windows 10 image file "Install.esd" into an ISO.
ESD Decrypter - example screenshots:
If you selected Create Full ISO with install.wim
Last edited by jwoegerbauer; 11-06-15 at 01:19 AM. Reason: addendum
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Great read, Why is it I have the "GWX" in my system32 but don't have the W10 notification showing up?
Tiny (19-06-15)
That worked, thanks
jwoegerbauer (17-06-15)
Want to know whether you can upgrade a 32-bit Windows 7 / 8.1 edition to its 64-bit Windows 10 edition counterpart via GWX?
That's what Microsoft's Gabriel Aul (chief of "Windows Insider" program) on Twitter said:
Taken from
Not really new, as Microsoft already long ago told the same:
If I understood it well, a Windows 7 / 8.1 retail product key will activate both 32-bit and 64-bit version of a retail Windows edition, so that is not an issue. However since your retail product key was already activated, you may need to newly activate by phone.
EDIT:
There is one cruel exception: OEM versions are sold separatly for 32-bit OR 64-bit and officially not allowed to be changed between 32/64 bit.
Last edited by jwoegerbauer; 20-06-15 at 12:08 AM.
Cliff S. published a XML-script to simplify watching in Windows's Event Viewer what GWX daily does: Yes, GWX is daily working!
Example screenshot:
wishy77 (10-07-15)
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