Joinsubscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Microsoft has quietly continued the free upgrade offer for the last few years.
You just have to provide a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8 key. Microsoft may one day pull the plug and cut off new upgrades. But, for now, you can still upgrade. And, after you do upgrade, your PC gets a valid Windows 10 key that winddows keep working—even if Microsoft stops allowing new upgrades in the future.
If you have Windows 7 PCs in your business, Microsoft may not consider you compliant with the terms of its licensing agreement after using frre method to upgrade your business PCs. Before you get started, we recommend aindows back up your files.
We also encourage you to find your Windows 7 or Updste 8 keyjust in case you need it. During the upgrade process, you can choose whether you want to keep all the files on your system tk start fresh.
If you sign in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account, that license will be linked to your Microsoft account, making it even easier to reactivate Windows 10 on your PC if you ever need to install it. And yes, you should update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free able to perform a wineows install of Windows 10 in the future. Update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free you have update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free Windows 7 system, it really is a good idea to upgrade.
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Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8. Once you have the Windows 8. If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.
In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows 8. Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information. This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page.
Run the Windows 8. If you're running Windows RT 8. For info about how to fix this problem, contact Microsoft support. This error might mean that your PC couldn't connect to the Windows Update servers. If you're using a VPN connection to connect to a work network, disconnect from the network and turn off the VPN software if applicable and then try to install the update again.
The error could also mean there isn't enough free space in the System Reserved partition. You might be able to fix this problem by using third-party software to increase the size of the System Reserved partition. Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer. Error: Failure configuring Windows Updates.
Reverting changes. These are generic errors that might appear any time a Windows update fails. You'll need to determine the specific error code to investigate how to best resolve this problem You can find the error code for the failed update by viewing your update history.
Look for KB in the list, note the error code, and then contact Microsoft support. To view your update history:. Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up , tapping or clicking Settings , tapping or clicking Change PC settings , and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
This error might mean that your PC doesn't have the required update KB installed. Check to make sure that all important updates, including KB , are installed on your PC. If all updates are installed, you might need to refresh your PC. To refresh you PC:. Tap or click Update and recovery , and then tap or click Recovery. The free upgrade offer had just ended, and when I downloaded the Windows 10 upgrade tool and ran it on an old Windows 7 PC, I fully expected that the upgrade would fail activation and I'd be asked for a product key.
Over the next four-plus years, I repeated those steps on test PCs at regular intervals and confirmed that the free upgrade tool still works. I continue to receive email messages regularly from readers offering firsthand reports that their free upgrades were successful, with no purchase or product key required.
A small number of readers have reported that the upgrade fails because of a Setup error or a compatibility block. For details on how to troubleshoot these errors, see "This free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works. Here's why - and how to get it. Whether you're looking for a tablet to stream videos or to replace your laptop, here are some compelling options. Before getting started, I recommend a few preliminary tasks that can head off potential problems:. With those preliminaries out of the way, go to the Download Windows 10 webpage and click the Download tool now button.
After the download completes, double-click the executable file to run the Media Creation Tool. That option installs the most recent version of Windows It typically takes about an hour, depending on your hardware. Having an SSD as your system drive is the best way to speed up the process. If you know you'll want to upgrade to Windows 10 on more than one PC, or if you just want more flexibility in the event that the instant upgrade fails, choose the second option and save the installation files to a USB drive or as an ISO file.
The download takes a little time but when it's complete, you can run the Windows Setup program manually to install Windows 10 on any PC running any supported Windows version sorry, this won't work with PCs running Windows Vista or Windows XP. The exact steps depend on which download option you chose:. Then just follow the prompts to complete the upgrade to Windows All your apps and data files will be available.
The digital license is associated with that specific device, which means you can reformat the disk and perform a clean installation of the same edition of Windows 10 anytime. If you're thinking of upgrading your old system drive to an SSD, perform the upgrade to Windows 10 on the old hardware; after confirming that the new Windows 10 version is properly activated, install the SSD and then either restore from a backup image or boot from the USB flash drive to do a clean install.
You won't need a product key, and activation is automatic. And now the big question: If you avail yourself of this upgrade to Windows 10, is the resulting license valid? The entire "free upgrade" offer was always accompanied by language that was, to put it politely, a bit squishy. And the language around the end of that offer was similarly vague.
Connect to the internet. It's best to stay connected until the update is done. Get the latest critical and important updates. There are some updates you might need before you can install Windows 8. In most cases, the latest updates will be installed automatically using Windows Update. Temporarily turn off your antivirus program. Some antivirus software might interfere with the installation.
After you install Windows 8. The Store is no longer open for Windows 8, so you'll need to download Windows 8. Go to the Windows 8. Select Confirm and follow the remaining prompts to begin the download. The update will download and install in the background while you use your PC to do other things. The installer will check to make sure you have enough disk space, that your apps and devices will work with Windows 8. In some cases, the installer might find something you need to take care of before you can continue installing the update.
If so, you'll see a message telling you what you need to do. After the update is downloaded and the first phase of the installation is complete which could take between 15 minutes and a few hours, depending on your system and your connection speed , you'll see a message telling you that your PC needs to restart. Or you can restart it yourself. Important: If you leave your PC before it's ready to restart, be sure to save your work and close any desktop apps you're using to make sure you don't lose anything when it restarts automatically.
Restarting will take longer than usual—from 20 minutes to about an hour—while the update is applied. During this time, you won't be able to use your PC. You'll see a list of recommended settings called Express settings. To accept these settings and continue, select Use express settings. You can change any of these settings later, after you finish setting up. If you'd like to change some of these settings now, select Customize.
For more info, select Learn more about express settings. To learn about how these settings affect your privacy, select Privacy statement. Next, you'll be asked to sign in. If you already use a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows 8 or Windows RT, your account name will be filled in for you. If you previously used a local account, you can still use it to sign in.
We'll send a security code to the alternate email address or phone number you've set up for this account, and you'll need to enter that code to verify that you're the owner of the account. This helps us protect your account and devices when you access sensitive info. If you don't have alternate contact info set up for the account yet, you'll be asked to provide it now.
To sign in with your local account, enter your password. You can always connect to a Microsoft account later, and we recommend giving it a try. Simply put, your Microsoft account is the glue that holds together so many useful features of the new Windows. With an account, you'll be able to get apps from the Windows Store, automatically sync your settings and documents between PCs, back up your photos to the cloud so you can get to them from anywhere, and see all your contacts from multiple email and social networking accounts together in the People and Mail apps.
If this is your first time setting up a PC with Windows 8. If you already have another PC running Windows 8. Photos you take with this PC are saved to your camera roll folder on this PC, and a smaller copy of each photo is automatically backed up to your OneDrive.
When you create a new document, the default save location is OneDrive. But you can always choose to save individual documents locally or on another drive. Windows will save a backup copy of your PC settings to OneDrive.
If something ever happens to your PC and you need to replace it, your settings are saved in the cloud and you can transfer them to a new PC instantly. You can change any of these settings later in PC settings. If you'd prefer to turn off all of these settings now, select Turn off these OneDrive settings not recommended.
Windows checks for these critical updates when you finish setting up Windows 8. Downloading and installing these updates might take a few minutes, depending on the updates you need.
Your PC might also need to restart one or more times to complete the updates. Your desktop apps come with you when you update to Windows 8. You can see all of the Windows Store apps you own in the Your apps section of the Store.
The following Gateway laptops, desktops and tablets have been tested as being suitable to install Windows 10 Creators Update. HP Products Tested with Windows Lenovo devices tested for Windows 10 version October Samsung - Find out if your system runs Windows Was this reply helpful? Yes No. Sorry this didn't help. Choose where you want to search below Search Search the Community. Search the community and support articles Windows Windows 7 Search Community member.
I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Bill Smithers Volunteer Moderator. And Windows 8 is no longer supported; 8. Follow these steps before you buy Windows 8. If not available, Windows 8. Thanks for your feedback. How satisfied are you with this reply?
Windows 8. To check if the update is already installed, go to the Start screen. If you see a Search button near your account name at the top of the Start screen, you already have the update. Make sure your PC is plugged in and connected to the Internet using a non-metered connection. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settingsand then tap Change PC settings. If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settingsand then click Change PC settings.
Tap or click Update and recoveryand then tap or click Windows Update. In the list of updates, select the update containing KBand then tap or click Install. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or provide confirmation. Follow the previous steps to check for updates, install all important updates, particularly KBrestart your PC, and then check for KB again. Depending on your version of Windows, you'll need the following amount of available drive space on your PC to download and install the Windows 8.
Note: These amounts are estimates, so you might need slightly more or less available drive space for the update. If you see any of the following Windows Update errors when you try to install the Windows 8. If you need more help, contact Microsoft support. This error might mean that a file needed by Windows Update is damaged or missing.
Here are a few steps you can try update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free fix the problem:. Run the Windows 8. If you're running Windows RT 8. For info about how to fix this problem, contact Microsoft support. This error might mean that your Update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free couldn't connect to the Windows Update servers. If you're using a VPN connection to connect to a work network, disconnect from the network and turn off the Update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free software if applicable and then try to install the update again.
The error could also mean there isn't enough free space in the System Reserved partition. You might be able to fix this problem by using third-party software to increase the size of the System Reserved partition. Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer. Error: Failure configuring Windows Updates. Reverting changes. These are generic errors that might appear any time a Windows update fails. You'll update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free to determine the specific error code to investigate how to best resolve this problem You can find the error code for the failed update by viewing your update history.
Look for KB in the list, note the error code, and then contact Microsoft support. To view your update history:. Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer uptapping or clicking Settingstapping or clicking Change PC settingsand then tapping or clicking Update and recovery. This error might mean that your PC doesn't have the required update KB installed.
Check to make sure that all important updates, including KBare installed on your PC. If all updates are installed, you might need to refresh your PC. To refresh you PC:. Tap or click Update and recoveryand then tap or click Recovery. Under Refresh your PC without affecting your filestap or click Get started.
Need more help? Join the discussion. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help.
Can you help us improve? Resolved my issue. Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn't match my update windows 7 pro to windows 8.1 free. Incorrect instructions. Too technical. Not enough information. Not enough pictures. Any additional feedback?
Submit feedback. Thank you for your feedback! Here are a few steps you can try to fix the problem: Run the Windows 8. Install the Windows 8. If you're running Windows 8. To view your update history: Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer uptapping or clicking Settingstapping or clicking Change PC settingsand then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
Tap or click View your update history. Follow the instructions on the screen.