A Year Later, You Can Still Upgrade to Windows 10 for Free

[learninmypc]

Ok, I think I'm going to start the coffee & go for it. I have a friends laptop here "just in case", thank you.

 

[ROYAL115]

I have no idea if, when and how to upgrade Windows 7 Starter or Windows 7 Ultimate. I do not see these versions very often at all.

I had a laptop with Win7 Starter on it. It upgraded to Windows 10 Home. No problems. Someone stole the computer. Problem.

 

[cliffordcooley]

For anyone wondering about the upgrade path.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

 

[tipstir]

I figured this out myself after login issues and I was using two versions of this OS on USB sticks. Still need the product key on the PC system you have. Windows 10 has come a long way. Login issue is the huge bug stems in Home Premium but now shows up in Pro version as well. Still does the same with VRM aka Swap file. I have 32GB on one system and why in the world would it still swap huge HD space over 32GB. I have to re-configure swap so the system is quicker. A lot of short comings also. One plus to Windows 10 is that it can take advantage of your faster CPU where the Windows 7 couldn't deal with new gear. Windows 10 does a lot better job with drivers then Windows 7 did. Cortana still needs a lot of work to get that AI working 100%. Hey Cortana not random you have to wait for that feature to cool down then start again then you have to use the mic with mouse to get it working. Simple question like What is the temp outside shouldn't have to load up Edge to do that.

 

[bazz2004]

"Simple question like What is the temp outside shouldn't have to load up Edge to do that." How could you have failed to notice the Weather app? Click on the Start button and try it. You will have to let Microsoft know your location though and that seems to frighten some people. Visit the Microsoft store and see if any Windows 10 apps are of use to you. The selection could be better but there's some good stuff there.

 

[Puiu]

For those who don't want updates to download and install while they are doing something (although you can control when it restarts much better now) you can just set your WiFi connection to be "metered".

 

[alexnode]

Windows 10 is a good upgrade , The best windows yet and the best looking windows too. What could be a problem for some people is if they stop supporting older hardware ... Which will happen in 5 years time, for sure , they will need to fork new features for new machines.

 

[BSim500]

Still no more interested now than the first time this article was published 7 months ago...

 

[LenovoX]

Why would anyone in their right mind download the bloatware they call 10. Screw Microsoft they can take 10 and shove it where the sun don't shine.

not before the mofo's solve my BSOD after the latest update...

 

[LenovoX]

Where can I find the Windows key? Is anyone using Spybot's Anti Beacon?

You can use produkey: Web Site: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

 

[Mugsy]

Why would anyone in their right mind download the bloatware they call 10. Screw Microsoft they can take 10 and shove it where the sun don't shine.

Reason #83 why I hate Windows 10:

I purchased a new Win10 tablet a few months ago. Yesterday, it attempted to update to the latest version (1703). It took 6-1/2 hours, and when it finally finished, my built-in WiFi adapter was disabled. I had to roll back the update just to get my WiFi back.

After talking to MS tech support, I was told that the latest version of Win10 is not compatible with devices using an Intel ATOM processor. (???)

The "fix" was to disable Windows Update *entirely* and wait for them to release the next version.

Seriously.

 

[OutlawCecil]

The old Windows 7 or 8.1 key is needed for clean installs and bios based keys.

This is only true if the machine has never had Windows 10. If you want a fresh install, upgrade the existing to Windows 10, then wipe it and install fresh. You can skip the Windows 10 key request screen and it will automatically be activated. (This is because Win10 is a lifetime license for that PC and it's stored on Microsoft servers.)

 

[trparky]

"Microsoft hasn't commented about what's going on here or whether it will block this method in the future. The company seems more concerned about getting as many people onto Windows 10 as possible."
Yeah because Windows 10 adoption has been in the toilet lately and they damn well know it.

 

[OutlawCecil]

CONSPIRACY THEORY:
My suspicion is that the crisis effort of Microsoft to get people to use Windows 10 is due to the American government and the NSA having talked Microsoft into including code in Windows 10 to make it easier for them (the NSA and our government) to spy on anyone using Windows 10.
With Windows XP and any other Windows operating systems since then, it would be too difficult (if not, impossible) to get this spy code into everyone's computer.
DISCLAIMER:
I have no proof whatsoever of my suspicions, only a gut feeling that this may very well be the case.

No different from the conspiracy theories like the one people believe that the government has cameras in all TVs and can watch you. The problem? Um... there are repair guys out there who've seen the inside of TVs and would know if there were any hidden cameras. Getting back to your theory here... There's lots of people who dissect Windows core files and business networks that closely watch incoming and outgoing data from workstations. If this theory was true, people would have seen the major leaks or vulnerabilities and made it public news. (Sometimes this actually happens and it's later fixed by the way)

THE REALITY:
Microsoft (and many other software companies) have started down a new route of collecting usage data which helps them know what users do and don't do using their products. Things that are used often are focused on, things that was barely ever used are later discarded or ignored for updates. So in the end, yes, your PC is leaking all kinds of data. Microsoft may indeed know what settings you change. Do they know you look at p0rn, where you live, or what your name is? Nope. Use one of the great tools mentioned in this article if that info leaving your PC bothers you.

 

[reproductor]

This just popped up in my inbox even though the comments are from January 2017.
Notice that Microsoft has not updated the Upgrade page to reflect Creators Update released April 2017.
Recall that Microsoft users having problems with Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade in 2015-16 were endless - finally the engineers threw up their hands and said "DON'T USE OUR UPGRADER - CLEAN INSTALL Windows 10 then your programs & user files!"

Unless you have a newer W-8.1 PC, do the Clean Install - Windows 10 latest version is free to download.
Assuming the Free Activation using a W-7 or W-8.1 COA still works.
Don't believe the advice that you can rollback to W-7 with no issues. Probably need a repair install.

 

[Stingy McDuck]

If I upgrade my Windows 7 to Windows 10, can I go back to 7 in case I don't like 10?

 

[Neebsgaming]

I'm waiting for Windows 11 to upgrade from Windows 7.

 

[Nobina]

If I upgrade my Windows 7 to Windows 10, can I go back to 7 in case I don't like 10?

Yes, you can.

I'm waiting for Windows 11 to upgrade from Windows 7.

Might never happen. MS said W10 is the last version of Windows and it will be a shitty service rather than an OS and it's just gonna get updated instead of having W11. And who knows how W11 would turn out if it ever came.

 

[Evernessince]

I've been on windows 10 for some time now and it really isn't better then 7. There are some serious annoyances (aside from the telemetry and design) like the fact the legacy part of the interface seems to lag quite often. For example, right clicking is more snappy in windows 7. So is getting to any of the advanced options. It's ridiculous how long I have to wait to pull up the Networking center in windows 10 after I click the option. None of Microsoft's updates seem to be making anything better either. They keep updating the interface and it's like going from "meh" to "meh". They add features few will use like 3D paint, yay.

Like I said before, Microsoft is only decent because no one competes with them.

 

[dob_1]

Many people upgraded and the upgrade didn't finish, which ruined their HDD - or caused lasting issues - necessitating a reinstall.

All you have to do is call up Microsoft and they'll typically give you an activation key.
I did this with my Uncle's laptop when upgrading from Windows 7.

I had a boot disk crash after upgrading to Windows 10. With a new boot disk I found I couldn't use the same key even though the old installation was completely gone and I was the 'owner'. Microsoft refused to issue a new key without paying. The key is now linked to the drive it is installed on, not the user! So beware when you upgrade you lose the right to transfer the operating system to a new disk without buying another licence.

 

[Dimitrios]

Why would anyone in their right mind download the bloatware they call 10. Screw Microsoft they can take 10 and shove it where the sun don't shine.

Reason #83 why I hate Windows 10:

I purchased a new Win10 tablet a few months ago. Yesterday, it attempted to update to the latest version (1703). It took 6-1/2 hours, and when it finally finished, my built-in WiFi adapter was disabled. I had to roll back the update just to get my WiFi back.

After talking to MS tech support, I was told that the latest version of Win10 is not compatible with devices using an Intel ATOM processor. (???)

The "fix" was to disable Windows Update *entirely* and wait for them to release the next version.

Seriously.

Same here!!! I have two tablets one is a 2in1 and the update rendered my two tablets useless since it messed with my wifi. Please keep me up to date I had to roll back my Windows 10 and I was so pissed I was swearing on their facebook saying I have owned almost ever OS never complained in the past. I even told them I was selling my stock shares that's how pissed I was. I hate these Atom processor's as well. Both tablets are a few months old. Wish AMD was more into the tablet market.

 

[Boilerhog146]

Jellybean keyfinder will find the windows key.simple tool..

 

[peter p]

Why would anyone in their right mind download the bloatware they call 10.Screw Microsoft they can take 10 and shove it where the sun don't shine.)))))

Hahah good jokes man)))

This is considered "good joke"?
Sticking something where the sun don't shine is nr. 12 in The Big Book of Notorious Cliches, 2002.

 

[Danny101]

I am a video game programmer and IT technician of many years. Windows 10 does have bloatware they push and some abundance of communication in the background that doesn't need to be there but overall it's a good and stable OS. I created some batch files to go through and cleanup some of the settings, remove bloatware, and much more. I use these scripts on all Win10 machines I encounter with my job and they work well, although I add and remove things all the time. Anybody who is interested in checking out my cleanup scripts can ask, and I'll send you a copy. I also have tons of experience with Win10 issues if anybody has questions. As a side note: Never run random batch files without looking them over first! I expect people to at least be cautious of my files, although I can guarantee they are safe. Look me up on Facebook by searching for "PCcloud9 Tech News & Tips".

It's a solid OS, it just needs some tweaks!

Any OS can be adjusted. MIcrosoft made Windows 10 harder to adjust.

 

[AntiShill]

Why would anyone in their right mind download the bloatware they call 10. Screw Microsoft they can take 10 and shove it where the sun don't shine.

Hyperbole aside. Although the migration to Windows 10 is not painless and plenty of pitfalls and landmines to dodge, the fact that windows 7 is already schedules to NOT get updates and security patches any day now, will leave sticking to Windows 7 a really foolish thing to do. Didn't everyone just go thru the IWannaCry nightmare? Sticking to XP would probably be even more insane, unless you have hardware that just can't work with windows 10, there is really NOT a good reason to be obstinate and stubborn. At some point you will have to make the transition, better sooner than after you get hit by some nasty ransomware.

CONSPIRACY THEORY:
My suspicion is that the crisis effort of Microsoft to get people to use Windows 10 is due to the American government and the NSA having talked Microsoft into including code in Windows 10 to make it easier for them (the NSA and our government) to spy on anyone using Windows 10.
With Windows XP and any other Windows operating systems since then, it would be too difficult (if not, impossible) to get this spy code into everyone's computer.
DISCLAIMER:
I have no proof whatsoever of my suspicions, only a gut feeling that this may very well be the case.

The NSA files with all the weaponized leaks, worked much better against the likes of Windows XP. Older windows have been a static target for attack for longer and more likely to exploits identified. Like all static defense, it is only a matter of time before they are defeated. And I doubt stuxnet was designed with Windows 10 in mind either. NSA will do their spying without Microsoft permission or cooperation, there are plenty of router, switches in the internet where NSA has already inserted their packet sniffers.