How to Upgrade Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10

There is good news for the Windows operating system users. You can now upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for better user experience on your device.

Since Windows 7 has been one of Microsoft’s most successful systems, and only at the end of last year, it managed to be surpassed in deployment by Windows 10, despite having been on the market for a decade. For its part, Windows 8.1, designed mainly for touch screens, has had much less acceptance.

The PC users should consider updating their operating systems to Windows 10 . In the coming years, Windows 7 will no longer have support, and users will need to switch to version 10 of the windows operating system, or they will start to have problems. Here’s the essential information to address this change.

Upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These are some of the frequently asked questions related to this change.

Why do I need to upgrade my computer to Windows 10?
When should I upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1?
Is upgrading to Windows 10 FREE?
What is the cost of a Windows 10 license?
How do I upgrade my laptop or desktop to the latest version of Windows?
How long does it take to upgrade to Windows 10?
What minimum requirements will my computer need to have to migrate?

1. Why do I need to upgrade my computer to Windows 10?

Microsoft’s end of support for one operating system practically forces users to migrate to the next. And when a version of Windows becomes unsupported, it no longer has security improvements and updates, so that the system starts to see its functionalities clipped and especially becomes very vulnerable to malware attacks and failures.

2. When should I upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8.1?

Specifically, the end of Windows 7 support is just around the corner and will be January 14, 2020, although those who pay will have an extended support of 3 years. Windows 8.1 updates will end on January 10, 2023.

3. Is upgrading to Windows 10 FREE?

It’s a complex matter. We can say yes and no at the same time. Initially, when Windows 10 came to market, Microsoft offered free updates from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to promote adoption of the new operating system. This promotion lasted one year and ended specifically on July 29, 2016. At this time, Microsoft’s ‘official’ stance is that a license code is needed to activate the operating system once it has been installed.

However, with the Windows Update Tool, a version 7 or 8.1 user can migrate to Windows 10 without anyone asking for the license code in the process (a 25-number, 5-to-5 letter) run. In this way, the new Windows 10 ‘adopts’ the license of the old operating system.

There is another possibility to have Windows 10 for free. And it is by entering the Microsoft Insider program, which allows you to download beta (or trial) versions of the operating system for free. Keep in mind, though, that being final versions can have errors.

The ones who are going to have problems are the ones who want to catch up without any license code. Microsoft warns that using Windows 10 without a license leads to reduced product functionality where the performance of operating system applications (such as mail, news, weather, or Groove Music) or Groove Music will be affected features (such as Windows Hello, or Cortana) and customizations (such as wallpaper or lock screen).

4. What is the cost of a Windows 10 license?

The official Microsoft prices in your Store are as follows: the Home version (for home user) starts at 119 dollars; the Pro version (for SMEs), from 199 dollars; and there’s also the Pro for Workstations version (for computers with high workloads), which costs 309 dollars. These prices are greatly reduced if the one you buy is a company that requires a lot of licensing. Microsoft has special licensing plans in these cases.

5. How do I upgrade my laptop or desktop to the latest version of Windows?

You have to visit the Microsoft page to download the media creation tool and go through the Windows 10 download process. The Microsoft tool will guide you to check if your computer is compatible and then start the update. It is an automatic process, and you only have to be attentive to give your data as a user and password when the system requests it, in addition to choosing the privacy option that suits you best.

6. How long does it take to upgrade to Windows 10?

This process is a little long, although it will all depend on the Internet connection speed that we have contracted and the characteristics of the computer itself. A reasonable time can be 3 or 4 hours for a full installation with the latest features and security packages. However, in 45 minutes a user can start working with a basic system installation

7. What minimum requirements will my computer need to have to migrate?

According to Microsoft, the “minimum” requirements for a good experience on your Windows 10 computer are as follows: processor at 1 GHz or faster, 1 GB RAM for 32-bit systems, or 2 GB for 64-bit systems, and 16 GB hard drive for a 32 b operating system it’s or 32 GB for another 64-bit one. However, for the proper functioning of the equipment and all its applications, experts recommend computers that have twice these features.