Upgrade to Windows 10 free, here's how

Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works for many Windows 7 and 8 users.

Alison DeNisco Rayome

December 17, 2019 9:10 AM PST

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Microsoft is encouraging Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 before support for the former ends in January 2020. 

Stephen Shankland/CNET

With support for Windows 7 ending in January 2020, Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. On Microsoft's website, the Windows 10 Home operating system costs $139 to download. However, you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works. 

When Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, Microsoft offered an unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users, good through July 2016. But in 2017, Ed Bott from CNET's sister site ZDNet reported that the free upgrade tool was still functional. As of November 2019, readers still report that it works, Bott confirmed to CNET. I tried it out, and was able to upgrade a 2014 Dell OptiPlex 9020 desktop machine from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. 

Read more: Windows 10 Nov2019 Update: Everything you need to know

Windows 7 users who don't upgrade to the new version will no longer be able to get Microsoft's security updates or fixes, or technical support for any issues -- leaving your computer at greater risk from viruses and malware. While Windows 10 users have experienced a number of bugs over the years, upgrading remains the best option for keeping your computer safe, analysts say. 

Here's how to get Windows 10 for free, if you're currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 ($187 at Walmart) Home or Pro: 

1. Go to the Download Windows 10 website. 

2. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run. 

3. Choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you're upgrading. (If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)

4. Follow the prompts. 

5. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation, and you should see a digital license for Windows 10. 

It should be noted that if you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, while Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only be updated to Windows 10 Pro (the upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Other users may experience blocks as well, depending on your machine). This upgrade using the media creation tool isn't meant for the general consumer, but it works for many nonetheless. 

To get the best Windows 10 experience and take advantage of features like passwordless sign-on through Windows Hello, you'll want to purchase a new Windows 10 PC (or one released after July 2015) with all the hardware upgrades. If you're a student or university faculty member, you may also be able to download Windows 10 for free (search for your school's software offerings here). 

For more, check out six simple security changes all Windows 10 users need to make. 

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• https://www.cnet.com/how-to/upgrade-to-windows-10-free-heres-how/

How to create a full system backup in Windows 10

It's an oldie but goodie: Creating a system image of your Windows 10 PC in case your hard drive goes belly up and you need to recover your files, settings and apps.

Matt Elliott

January 25, 2018 5:00 AM PST

Matt Elliott/CNET

It's been around since Windows 7 ($4.79 at Walmart), and Microsoft hasn't touched it since. You won't find it in the Settings app where you likely first turn when you need to perform a bit of system maintenance on your PC. Instead, it's hiding out in the the old Windows Control Panel. What it is is the ability to create a full system backup, which you can use to restore your PC should it fail, become corrupted or otherwise stop operating smoothly.

Because the tool to create a system image is somewhat buried in Windows 10 ($143 at Walmart), let's shine a light on where it's located and how to use it.

Steps to create a backup system image

1. Open the Control Panel (easiest way is to search for it or ask Cortana).

2. Click System and Security

3. Click Backup and Restore (Windows 7)

Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET

4. Click Create a system image in the left panel

5. You have options for where you want to save the backup image: external hard drive or DVDs. I suggest the former, even if your computer has a DVD-RW drive, so connect your external drive to your PC, select On a hard disk and click Next.

Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET

6. Click the Start backup button.

Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET

After the system image is created, you'll be asked if you want to create a system repair disc. This puts your image on a CD or DVD, which you can use to access the system image you created if your PC won't boot. Don't worry if your laptop doesn't have a CD or DVD drive; you can skip this step and boot the system from the system image on your external hard drive.

How to recover your PC using your system image

To use your system image to restore your PC, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security > Recovery. In the Advanced startup section, click the Restart now button. When your PC restarts, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Image Recovery and follow the instructions to restore your PC using your the system image you created.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-create-a-full-system-backup-in-windows-10/

Time to upgrade: How to switch to Windows 10 for free

Time is running out for anyone still on Windows 7. Soon there'll be no more security and software updates. Here's what you need to do.

Saturday, 21 Dec 2019

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Upgrading to Windows 10, doesn't hurt and should cost nothing. Staying with Windows 7, meanwhile, exposes you to a massive security risk. — dpa

The end is near: All support for Windows 7 expires on Jan 14,2020. While the operating system will remain fully functional, no more updates mean you could be working on a computer with major security holes that won't ever be fixed by Microsoft.

Considering that the number of vulnerabilities on Windows 7 that could be potential entry points for Trojans or viruses is steadily increasing, you need to have a plan to upgrade to Windows 10.

Most private users will be able to get a free update. Windows 10 accepts Windows 7 installation keys – provided you still have that edition installed.

You can make the change in three ways: Upgrade the Windows 7 installation to Windows 10, replace it with a brand new Windows 10 installation or install the new operating system parallel to the old one.

Whichever you do, you should save your data beforehand and download the free Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. With this, the disk image required for the migration can be downloaded and saved on a USB stick, for example.

The advantage of a parallel installation is that all your programs, settings and data will remain untouched. The entire Windows 7 installation is preserved and is only a restart away.

If you're upgrading, the experts recommend that you check that all your drivers are up to date beforehand, in particular critical ones such as for the graphics chip or USB interfaces. You also need to uninstall any virus scanner, as Windows 10 brings its own (Defender).

Otherwise, the upgrade may fail due to outdated drivers or because the virus scanner blocks it.

When you go to upgrade, you need to insert the USB stick or DVD containing the Windows 10 disk image while Windows 7 is running and click on the "Setup.exe" file.

If you want a fresh install of Windows 10 that completely replaces Windows 7, you need to restart the computer so it can boot from the USB stick or DVD.

For a parallel installation of Windows 10 next to Windows 7 it's crucial that the hard disk has an additional free partition available. If it doesn't, you can create one in Windows Disk Management (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management).

One of the first steps to take once you have installed Windows 10 is to check the privacy options under Settings > Privacy. You can get there by clicking on the Windows icon at the bottom left, followed by a click on the gear icon.

If you don't want to work through all the various menus yourself you can download a tool such as O&O ShutUp10, which proposes privacy-oriented settings to users and can set them up in one go. – dpa

https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/12/21/time-to-upgrade-how-to-switch-to-windows-10-for-free

How to download Windows 10 as a FREE upgrade, but you need to quick

MICROSOFT has closed its year-long free upgrade program for Windows 10. But users with valid Windows 7 and Windows 8 retail product key are still able to download and upgrade the Windows 10 operating system for free. Here's how.

By AARON BROWN

PUBLISHED: 08:52, Mon, Aug 8, 2016

MICROSOFT

PC owners can still upgrade their machines to Windows 10 for free using a valid Windows 7 key

Microsoft has closed its Windows 10 promotion – one year after the next-generation operating system rolled-out across the globe.

Until the deadline on July 29th 2016, customers with genuine copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8.x were able to upgrade free of charge.

Microsoft now charges customers $119 – or £99 – for Windows 10 Home. Meanwhile, Windows 10 Pro will set you back $199 or £130.

Thanks to its free upgrade scheme, Windows 10 cinched the record for the fastest adoption rate of any Microsoft operating system. 

And with 350 million devices now running the new desktop OS – it is more popular than Windows 8, although it still lags behind the trusted Windows 7.

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However some users have already encountered difficulties with the update, reporting that it is causing their devices to freeze upon starting up.

If you did not manage to upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 before the end of the promotion – there could still be a way to grab Windows 10 free of charge.

According to a report by ZDnet, users are still able to kickstart a valid Windows 10 installation using a never-used Windows 7 and Windows 8 retail product key.

When asked about why this upgrade method has not been closed following the deadline, a spokesperson for Microsoft said: "Users upgrading their PC for the first time will need to enter a Windows 10 product key.

"Users who've previously installed Windows 10 on their PC should activate successfully with a digital entitlement when reinstalling Windows 10 on that PC."

MICROSOFT

The ability to ask voice assistant Cortana questions and queries is one of the biggest changes

It's possible the US technology firm is silently offering customers a grace period to upgrade – despite having brought the promotion to a close.

When ZDnet pressed about whether Microsoft will look to close this loophole soon, the spokesperson refused to comment.

Not that we're complaining about more users being able to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge.

Microsoft is also very kindly offering Windows 10 for free to anyone who requires assistive technologies.

The Redmond firm has incorporated a load of accessibility features offering text-to-speech, and magnified text.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update will offer even more assistive technologies, including 13 new spoken languages added to the narrator, and spoken prompts during search, amongst others.

MICROSOFT

Users who require assistive technologies can still upgrade their PCs for free

Those who upgrade to Windows 10 will be eligible to get the upcoming blockbuster update, Windows 10 Anniversary Update when it launches on August 2nd 2016.

Anniversary Updates contains a redesigned Start Menu (with twice as many adverts as the previous version), new handwriting recognition software, enhanced capabilities for Cortana and more.

The news comes as renown Microsoft author and pundit Paul Thurrott said the popularity and new capabilities built into iOS and Android could spell the end for Microsoft and Windows 10. Thurrott said Microsoft was currently facing "a potential extinction moment."

Windows 10 has been largely well-received, with Express.co.uk praising the next-generation operating system, stating it "feels like the natural evolution of Windows 7" and "manages to right many of the wrongs committed by Windows 8."

But the new OS has not been without issues.

Users have reported infuriatingly slow boot-up speeds, trouble with wifi connections, privacy concerns and issues with child safety features following the jump to Windows 10.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/696537/Get-Windows-10-Upgrade-Free-Download-After-July-29