For a long time, these manufacturers printed product keys on labels stuck on PCs or printed and inserted them into product packaging. However, Microsoft also moved Windows 7 over to this method. This license becomes locked to your Microsoft account.
Sites like Amazon also keep a record of purchased downloads, but these rarely include the product key itself, though it may help narrow down where it could be. Finally, you can download Windows 10 and perform a clean install.
Despite officially ending the free update promotion in mid, Microsoft quietly keeps this option available so all Windows PC owners can run the latest version.
Again, unless you have a valid digital license or product key to get a free upgrade, you will be required to pay for a new Windows 10 Home product key. Then, select the Download Tool Now button.
Disconnect any unnecessary accessories to help reduce the chance of errors. As shown above, you have two options: Upgrade the current PC, or create media that will either upgrade another PC or perform a clean install on the current PC.
The free Win 10 upgrade worked for me, flawlessly. It took six hours due to slow internet but I lost none of my programs or files in the transition. I just tried it yesterday, and it worked. Followed your directions above. I had a legal version on Win 7 Home. I did multiple Windows 7 machines over the summer. I had one problem. Updated to Windows 10 and indicated I had a digital license. One Win 10 was installed I was able to do the updates. I have one machine left to do next week.
Apart from some locally determined issues, the transition went smooth. Both machines have now been running Win 10 for a couple of weeks. A few people have been writing their success stories of upgrading from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 in the Ask a Question form, so there are a few more success stories than listed in these comments. Instead of posting those stories as Questions where only we get the message, it might be more useful or other readers if you post your success or failure stories here as comments.
I have a Client who had previously resisted Win Having proven the activation, I then did a fresh install of Winows 10 Pro. All good. I downloaded and installed W10 and all seems to be working fine but I have my backup just in case.
Thanks Leo for all that you do! No sooner was this process concluded when I saw the notification that Windows was activated. I just finished doing a Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade on the last of my machines. It took a while, but it did work and it is showing that Windows is activated. This machine has only local accounts no Microsoft accounts , so I would expect this to work for anyone else.
I had a couple Windows updates to do for. NET and a device driver, but the process was very smooth. All my installed apps worked out of the box except one. Just had to make one change to the shortcut to get that to work. Had to go into the shortcut properties and tell it to run as administrator. I did the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 about a week ago.
Follow the directions and be patient. And I would add that it would be a good idea to have all your Product Activation codes handy for when you first use the associated software after the upgrade. Classical Catch Fortunately there was another computer in house so the file could be opened on that. Unless the Excel file is encrypted, it can be opened with Libre or Open Office and a few other office suite programs.
Just finished an upgrade from Win 7 Pro to Win 10 Pro. Went smoothly and was activated with a free digital license. It worked. I had previously upgraded that computer to win 10 back when it was promoted as free but reverted to back to Win 7.
I used the link to successfully update from Windows 7 today. I was not asked for a key. So glad to have found this, thanks for providing it! In other words, all of our other software and personal files will be overwritten — correct? Try Open Shell, previously known as Classic Shell. It tames Windows 8 and I just went through the process of creating a backup and upgrading to Windows Very simple process following along to your instructions.
I have Office I use Office for almost all my work. Do you know of a way to correct this? Thanks, Darryl. JSYK, I updated my laptop this week week 51 of flawlessly — made the iso image — went to the website — downloaded installer — worked perfectly. Thank you very much. Both computers were vintage. I like Win10 with the exception of Cortana and the ads in solitaire. I got rid of Cortana. I regularly use the Magnifier utility in Windows, which is indisputably an assistive technology.
Of course, I'm not a lawyer, and this column isn't legal advice. But I will say that I am personally confident in the activation status of any PC upgraded using the tool on that page during the eligibility period. This extension was, I think, a very large nod and a wink, designed to make it easy for those who wanted a Windows 10 upgrade to still get it while placating the OEM partners who were none too happy about the year-long emphasis on upgrades rather than new PC sales.
Alas, I say "was," because the extension which was itself extended officially ended on Jan. The page that formerly ran an Upgrade Assistant now displays a message about the expiration of the offer. The big question now is whether Microsoft will ever turn off the code on its activation servers that dispenses digital licenses after an upgrade from an earlier Windows version.
I've continued to test that scenario, and I can confirm, long after the end of support for Windows 7, that it still works. I continue to hear from readers sharing their experiences. If you've used this technique on a PC, click my name at the top of this post and use the contact form to let me know how it went for you.
Note: This article was originally published in January It has been updated multiple times since then to reflect the most current information. ServiceNow acquires DotWalk, aims to automate, speed up upgrades.
Windows Microsoft update fixes Kaspersky antivirus app glitch. Microsoft is embarrassing itself and customers can see it. Low code and no code may open more doors to artificial intelligence. Microsoft: Windows 11 rollout is going so well, we're making it available to more PCs. Five ways to step up software reliability. Got Windows and an Android handset? Microsoft just updated its Your Phone app. 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 buy a new Windows 10 PC or one released after July 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. Stay current on the latest Microsoft news, plus reviews and advice on Windows PCs. For more, check out the best antivirus protection of for Windows 10 , six security changes all Windows 10 users need to make , all of the big differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and every Windows 10 setting you should disable. You can also get Microsoft Office online free , too.
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read.
0コメント