The Windows 10 release is fast approaching, and it's time to start thinking about the upgrade. Have a Windows 7 machine and thinking about upgrading to Windows 10? Even though this could be a relatively easy task for many users, it may not be as easy for everyone else. There are few things you want to keep in mind. As such today, we're going to go through the basics to try to minimize any friction that may appear upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7.
Now that Microsoft has ended the support for Windows XP, Windows 7 has jumped in the list as the most popular operating system in use today. However, the software maker hopes that Windows 10 will make a huge difference, not only because the next version packs a bunch of new features, such as a new Start menu, Cortana, universal apps, the new Microsoft Edge web browser, and much more, but because it'll be a free upgrade. The company is expecting a faster adoption of Windows 10.
So, yes, as you probably already know, Windows 10 will be free for the first year after it's released on July 29. It will be free for those users running a genuine copy of Windows 7 and Windows 8. However, before you jump into the upgrade, there are some things you need to know.
Cara Upgrade Windows 7 Ultimate Key Windows 10 Pro
For example, you'll be getting the operating system free of charge, but only if you're running Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.
You can check if you have Service Pack 1 by opening the Run command with the Windows + R keyboard shortcut, typing winver, and below the operating system name, it should read 'Version 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)'.
If you don't have it, you will have to install the update via Windows Update, or by visiting this Microsoft support page. You can manually download the update. Make sure to download 'windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe' if you're running a 64-bit version or 'windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe' if you're running a 32-bit version of Windows 7.
Once you have the latest updates installed and made sure Windows Update is enabled, the 'Get Windows 10' app should soon appear in the notification area with a Windows icon. At this point, if you don't see the app, your computer is probably not compatible with Windows 10. It's also possible that Windows Update isn't configured correctly.
In case you don't want to deal with Windows Update, you can download the update KB3035583, which will install the 'Get Windows 10' app in your system. (You also want to make sure you have installed KB2952664)
After you install the app, click the Windows icon in the lower-right corner of the screen, and then click the Reserve your free upgrade button. Enter an email address to get a confirmation when the operating system is ready to install, click the Send confirmation, and you're good to go.
On July 29, Microsoft will begin rolling out its new operating system starting with machines that are part of the Windows Insider Program. The company will continue rolling out Windows 10 gradually to everyone else who reserved the copy using the 'Get Windows 10' app and those who bought a new PC. Later on, everyone else will get the upgrade as well.
So, this means that as we have previously reported, Windows 10 won't be available for everyone at once on July 29. Making a reservation before it releases will ensure your PC will get the new operating system as soon as possible.
If you were able to make a reservation, it means that your computer or tablet is compatible with Windows 10, but it doesn't mean you won't encounter any issues at the time of the upgrade. You also have to make sure your apps, all your hardware, peripherals, and drivers are compatible as well.
I believe it was only licensed for the console version, which is why it wasn't used on the PC port.You couldn't release it anyway, as uploading it would be in violation of our regulations as well:. This includes content from other games, from DLCs, music creators or from other file authors. Dragons dogma into free mod. That's the intro music from the console version isn't it?Then no, you cannot use it. Absolutely no copyrighted work is to be used without permission of the original creator.
Luckily, the Get Windows 10 app also includes a PC checkup tool that will list any problems with your computer, and various other information you need to know before the upgrade. To check your PC compatibility, open the Get Windows 10 app, click the hamburger button, and from the menu click Check your PC.
Once Windows 10 is available for your computer, you will get notified. Even though the installation should be straightforward, you should make a backup of all your personal files to an external storage and make a full backup of your system using the built-in System Image Backup tool. (You can use my previous guide to perform this task, but note that even though the guide was written for on Windows 10 and 8.1, the same instructions will work on Windows 7.)
Next, you want to disable or uninstall your antivirus and other security software, and you want to disconnect any peripherals other than your keyboard, mouse, and monitor. You may also want to uninstall any applications that you don't use or apps that have been listed by the 'Get Windows 10' as problematic. Sometimes antivirus, peripherals, and certain software could be the cause of an unsuccessful installation.
You also want to make sure you have at least 10GB or more of free storage space available to perform the upgrade. Windows 10 requires at least 16GB of space to install the 32-bit or 20GB to install the 64-bit version.
Once Windows 10 is available to you (time that will vary from PC to PC), a notification on your desktop will appear. Just accept the Important Legal Stuff, and then the Windows setup wizard Your upgrade is ready to install will pop up. You can schedule a time to upgrade, or you can click Start the upgrade now to begin the process.
Now, sit, relax, and wait for the setup will take care of the rest. The upgrade process to go from Windows 7 to Windows 10 could take some time, so make sure to plan ahead and free up at least an hour of time for the upgrade process. (You may also want to do this on a weekend.)
After the installation process completes, you'll be presented with the out-of-the-box experience. Choose the settings you feel more comfortable using, and let the setup finish the process.
That's all! Now, you should be all upgraded to Windows 10. Enjoy!
Here are some additional information
Wrapping things up
The upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 should be a very simple process. With the new operating system, Microsoft is working to deliver the upgrade with the best experience possible by rolling out the new bits in stages. It starts with savvy users and works its way down to make sure every upgrade is successful.
While this guide focuses on Windows 7 users, the upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10 is almost identical, with the difference that you'll need to be updated to Windows 8.1 Update first before upgrading.
Windows 10 will launch on July 29, but it will take some time to reach everyone.
Are you upgrading to Windows 10 on July 29 or will you be waiting for a later date? Tell us what you'll be doing in the comments below.
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Over 350 million PCs are already running Windows 10 and close to a million PCs are being upgraded to Windows 10 every day.
Many users who are running Windows 10 Home edition are not aware of the fact that they can upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro edition using a Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8.1 Pro, or Windows 8.1 Pro Pack product key.
Difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro
The Pro edition of Windows 10 offers many features that are not part of Windows 10 Home edition. Features such as BitLocker, Hyper-V and Remote Desktop are exclusive to the Pro edition. For a full list of changes, please refer to our difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro editions guide.
Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro edition using Windows 7/8/8.1 product key
Complete the given below directions to upgrade your existing Windows 10 Home edition to Windows 10 Pro and activate your copy of Windows 10 Pro using a product key from one of the above mentioned editions of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.
Important: This method of upgrading to Windows 10 Pro might not work after the free upgrade program ends on July 29, 2016. For more, please go through our you can’t activate Windows 10 using Windows 7/8/8.1 product key after July 29 article.
NOTE: Product keys of only above mentioned editions of Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 can be used to activate Windows 10 Pro. Product keys of other editions such as Basic, Home and Home Premium can’t be used to activate Professional edition of Windows 10.
Step 1: Open Settings app by clicking its icon in the Start menu or using Windows logo + I hotkey.
Step 2: Click Update & security icon. Click Activation.
Step 3: Click Change product key and then click Yes for the User Account to see Enter a product key dialog.
Step 4: Enter the following key in the product key box instead of your Windows 7, Windows 8 or 8.1 product key.
The following official product key will only help you upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro edition and will not activate Windows 10. Once you upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, you can use your Windows 8.1/8/7 product key to activate your copy of Windows 10 Pro (scroll down for instructions).
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Click Next button to begin upgrading your Windows 10 Home edition to Pro edition. Your PC might be rebooted a couple of times during the upgrade.
Step 5: Once the upgrade to Pro edition completed, open Start menu, click Settings icon, click Update & security, and then click Activation.
Step 6: Click Change product key, click Yes for the prompt, and then enter your Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8.1 Pro, or Windows 8.1 Pro Pack product key to activate your Windows 10 Pro copy. Click Next button to activate your copy of Windows 10 Pro.
That’s it! Once you upgrade and activate your copy of Windows 10 Pro, Microsoft will give a digital license to your PC.
We recommend you link your Windows 10 digital license to Microsoft account so that you can use the linked license if you encounter activation issues when you perform a reinstall or change hardware in future. Users who are using local user account can also link Windows 10 license to Microsoft account.
I refer to the following Microsoft Community Team’s query:
“……Remember that question you asked on Microsoft Community a few days ago?
Title: DOWNGRADE TO WIN 7 ULTIMATE and UPGRADE TO WIN 10 PRO
We noticed that the question hasn't been marked as Answered yet and we were wondering if you resolved the issue.
The issue “DOWNGRADE TO WIN 7 ULTIMATE and UPGRADE TO WIN 10 PRO” is unanswered. The suggestion to refer to the link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-specifications does not answer my query as well. I knew the prerequisites of upgrading to Win 10 from either Win 7 Ultimate or Win 8.1 Home as I have read the min. requirements/machine specifications to upgrade directly either from the aforesaid OSes beforehand. The issue is whether from Win 8.1 Home downgrade to Win 7 Ultimate and from thereafter upgrade to Win 10 Pro possible without technicality issues. Nevertheless, since I cannot wait for either a reply to the abovementioned issue (or my reservation to upgrade from Win 8.1 Home), I then gathered/downloaded bits and pieces of probable drivers for my machine, formatted my HDD (1TB) for more than 18 hours, clean install Win 7 Ultimate SP1, activated using my previously purchased license and ran Windows afterwards, ran updates until repetitive error (around 25 KB updates failed to install many times) popped up during tiresome cyclic updates process. Fed-up with the errors after failed tries to source answers from Microsoft Community, I tried my luck by upgrading to Win 10 Pro. After couple of days, viola, I have upgraded to Win 10 Pro finally, whew! Now I am running this machine with Win 10 Pro for a couple of days now, being up to date and running very well. Hopefully no problem/s will arise.
Thank to those suggestions though.
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Ever since Microsoft officially announced the launch date for its upcoming Windows 10 operating system and started allowing users of previous Windows versions to register for the free upgrade, we have been getting tens of emails every day with variety of questions.
We have already let you know that it’s possible to upgrade to Windows 10 without losing data and keeping most of installed programs. We have also told you that you can perform a clean install of Windows 10 once you successfully upgrade from Windows 7/8.1 to Windows 10.
Can I upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7/8.1 to 64-bit Windows 10?
A PC user running Windows 7 wants to know if it’s possible to upgrade from Windows 7 32-bit installation to Windows 10 64-bit. In other words, the user wants to if it’s possible to upgrade from x86 flavor of Windows 7/8.1 to x64 flavor of Windows 10.
The answer is NO. One can’t perform an in-place or direct upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7/Windows 8.1 to 64-bit Windows 10. In simple words, if you want to upgrade to 64-bit architecture of Windows 10 by upgrading the current 32-bit Windows 7/8.1 installation by keeping installed programs and your data, it’s not possible at all.
However, if you don’t mind performing a clean install of Windows 10 after completing the upgrade, you could upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit. But before that, make sure that your PC’s processor supports 64-bit operating system with the help of a free tool called 64bit Checker.
Workarounds to upgrade from x86 Windows 7/8.1 to x64 Windows 10
According to Microsoft, users will be able perform clean install of Windows 10 after the upgrade. If you really want to upgrade from 32-bit Windows 7/8.1 to 64-bit Windows 10 without shelling out a single penny, we recommend you upgrade your existing Windows 7/8.1 32-bit installation to Windows 10 32-bit first.
Once upgrading your Windows 7/8.1 installation (x86) to Windows 10 (x86) and activating the copy, download the 64-bit Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, create a bootable USB out of it and then install the 64-bit Windows 10. You don’t need to input a serial key during the installation, as your Windows 10 copy will automatically activated after completing the installation. Please go through our activating Windows 10 after a clean install article to know how it works and why you don’t need a product key to activate your Windows 10 installation.
The only catch is that, you’ll need to install device drivers and programs all over again after the clean install.
Lastly, if you are ready to buy the Windows 10 upgrade copy, you can perform a clean install of Windows 10 64-bit by wiping your current Windows 7/8.1 (x86) installation.
In short, it’s not possible to perform in-place or direct upgrade from Windows 7/8.1 32-bit to Windows 10 64-bit. However, you can go for one of the two above mentioned workarounds to legally upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit. Choice is yours!
Are you planning to upgrade to Windows 10?
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