How to Upgrade My PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10
Microsoft ended the support for Windows 7 in 2020, which means it’s time to upgrade your operating system to a later version of Windows if you haven’t done this yet. Note that, in addition to Windows 7, Microsoft terminated the support services for Windows 8 in 2016, and its support for Windows 8.1 will end the next year (2023).
What’s more, Microsoft has also announced that Windows 10 will reach its end of support date on 14 October 2025. This means what you truly need is to upgrade to Windows 11.
However, not all systems support Windows 11, and you will need to purchase a Windows 11-compatible laptop or desktop. The good news is that certain Windows 7 computers are eligible to upgrade to Windows 10 (for a fee). So, you still have about three years to use Windows 10.
What does of End of Support means for Windows OS users?
When Microsoft discontinues the support for Windows OS versions, it means you will no longer enjoy its customer service and will not get any technical assistance from those Windows operating systems. Plus, your system will not receive any security updates, which can put your data at risk and make it more vulnerable to cyber threats.
Thus, when a Windows OS reaches its end of support date, it is important to move to a more updated and secure operating system such as Windows 10 or Windows 11. It will ensure that you will keep receiving security updates to keep you and your data safe.
Can I upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for free?
No. Microsoft does not offer free upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and Windows 11. It shut down its free Windows 10 upgrade program in November 2017. However, it is free to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. We understand that many people think that they can save money by first upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and then to Windows 11. You must know that there is a catch.
Before upgrading to supported Windows later versions, you need to first see if your current PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10. As said above, there are certain Windows 7 computers that support Windows 10. However, if you are aiming for Windows 11, you might not be able to upgrade because PCs that are running on Windows 7 are highly unlikely to meet these requirements. In case your Windows 7 PC does meet the minimum requirements of Windows 11, then go ahead.
How do I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10?
It is quite simple for anyone to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and it is also highly recommended because Windows 7 is no longer supported by Microsoft.
If your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 10, you can directly upgrade from the official website of Microsoft. What you must know before upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is that it can wipe your settings and apps. While you will get an option to keep your files and personal data, it might not be possible to keep all of your existing apps.
So, make sure to keep a list of what apps do you use regularly so that you can easily download them later by downloading the installer later.
You can upgrade from Windows 8.1 the same way and your apps and settings will not be deleted.
Here are the steps to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10:
- Take the backup of all your important documents, data, and apps.
- Go to the Microsoft’s Windows 10 download site.
- Purchase the Windows 10 download plan.
- Go to Create Windows 10 installation media section, select “Download tool now” and run the app.
- Once you are prompted, click on “Upgrade this PC now”.
- Once you choose to upgrade, you will be asked to upgrade your personal files or start fresh.
- Remember that whether you start fresh or keep your files, it still means that all apps and settings will be deleted for Windows 10 upgrade.
- Once the upgrade for Windows 10 is finish, you will receive a digital license for Windows 10. You can find this license by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
So, you see there is not much to worry about when it comes to upgrading your PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
Even though updates are good for security purposes, many people tend to pause their updates of their Windows OS. Besides, sometimes, an update can go very wrong and that’s why some Windows users tend to postpone their updates for about one to two weeks to make sure that there are not any issues with the latest updates.
Another reason to pause updates and schedule them later is that some updates come at very inconvenient time, for example, when you are working on a very important project. Luckily, though you cannot stop updates completely, you can pause them by adjusting settings.
You can find any available updates by going to Settings > Update & Security. There, you will find any pending updates, if any. Otherwise, you will see that your PC is up to date.
Windows typically need to restart your PC to finish installing updates. Since an update can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, you might want to adjust the restart times. For that, you need to click on “Check for Updates” and “Schedule the restart” to finish the install later. Select the date and time of your choice when you won’t need your PC for work.
We hope this article has helped you with upgrading your PC from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
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