How to Upgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 7 or 8

Windows 10 is the best PC operating system yet, with a powerful new Start menu, a UI that switches between and touch and mouse-friendly modes, the Cortana digital assistant and a host of other improvements. If you're already running a legitimate copy of Windows 7 or 8, you're eligible to upgrade for free. Running an OS upgrade takes a little time but not much effort or expertise -- when you're done, you'll have the most powerful Windows yet, with all your programs, settings and data still in place. Here's how to upgrade to Windows 10.

Windows 10 should install without a hitch, but driver problems are a possibility and, during any system update, there's always a chance something will go wrong. Before you begin the process, make sure you have all of your data files backed up, preferably to a cloud service such as Microsoft's own One Drive, where you can download them again if your computer crashes. If you don't have a system restore disk already, it's a good idea to make a full system backup, using disk imaging software such as Macrium Reflect, which makes a bit-by-bit copy of your hard drive.

Finally, make sure you have 1 to 2 hours free to run the install. Though you can walk away for large portions of the process, you can expect all the downloading and file copying to take at least 60 minutes and, in our case, closer to two hours on a fast Internet connection. If you have slow or inconsistent Internet, you should go to some place that has a strong connection and follow the instructions for creating a USB install disk you can use at home.

How to Upgrade Via Direct Download

2. Click the "Download Tool now" button

3. Launch the Download Tool.

4. Click Select Upgrade this PC Now if you are just installing on this computer and want to do so right away. However, if you want to create your own USB or DVD media, see the section below on "How to Create Windows 8 Install Media." Though it requires a few extra steps and a blank Flash drive or disc, creating your own install media allows you to not only install on multiple computers, but also reinstall on your current computer if something goes wrong.

The tool will take a while to download the software so be patient, particularly if you have a slow Internet connection. After it downloads, the software also goes through a preparation process and downloads some more files, all of which takes time, perhaps as long as an hour even on a high-speed connection.

5. Click Accept on the license terms screen. Wait again as the software checks for updates. You may want to walk away, as this also takes several minutes.

6. Click the Install button. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the computer to copy files. It will reboot several times.

7. Click Next at the login screen.

8. Click Use Express settings. You can always change some settings later.

9. Click Next on the "New apps for the new Windows" screen. The computer will say "finalizing your settings," and then take you to the Windows 10 lock screen.

10. Log in to your computer. Windows 10 will take another couple of minutes to do an initial setup and then it will take you to the Windows desktop.

How to Create a Windows 10 USB Install Disk

If you have a 4GB or larger USB flash drive or a blank DVD handy (and you still use an optical drive), you can create your own Windows 10 install disk. Having your own disk allows you to run the upgrade on multiple computers without waiting an hour for a fresh download. You also have the option of doing a clean install or running the upgrade a second time if you run into problems later. Here's how to create a Windows 10 install disk.

Before you begin, make sure to insert your flash drive into one of your USB ports. Be aware that all data on the drive will be erased.

1. Follow steps 1 -3 above, installing the Download tool and launching it.

2. Select "Create installation media . . . "

3. Select the language, edition and architecture (32 or 64 bits) of Windows. Make sure your selections match those of the computer(s) you wish to upgrade. So, if you currently have Windows 8 Home (64-bit), choose Windows 10 Home 64-bit.

4. Select USB flash drive. If you plan to burn this to DVD instead, select ISO file and, after the process is over, you'll have to use a DVD burning program to write the ISO to disc.

5. Click Finish when the process is complete. If you don't plan to install Windows 10 right away, you can remove the drive and stop here.

6. Launch setup.exe on the flash drive to start the upgrade process.

7. Select "Download and install updates" and click Next. If you are in a big hurry, choose "Not right now." Wait several minutes for the updates to download.

If the software asks you for a product key, you are using the wrong version of Windows 10 to upgrade. For example, you might be attempting to install Windows 10 Home over your existing Windows 8.1 Pro or vice versa. The following steps are the same as if you install via direct download.

8. Click Accept. The software takes a couple of minutes to check your system.

9. Click Install. You can now walk away for at least 30 minutes. After the OS is finished installing, you will be presented with a screen showing your username.

11. Select Use Express settings.

Windows 10 Tips

Windows 10 Tips

Having issues with Windows 10? Our sister site, Tom’s Hardware, has a team of staffers standing by in the forums to answer your questions 24/7.

nice & easy to learn,thank you so much.

tell me how to install windows 10 in my HCL ME ICON 1045 laptop

When I upgrade the windows from 7 to 10, this means I have not lost the original version of the system ?

How to Upgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 7

My computer want finish update so want come on.

Great! V. Useful , as you have successfully guided, like an excellent Mentor/Teacher! Thank. You sincerely . Barkat Ali . (Myself is a journalist / Teacher) I am grateful to You Sir.

When the free upgrade to Windows 10 came out, I upgraded and or downloaded

Windows 10 to my PC but didn't upgrade do the free download to my laptop.My husband had died and I was going through the grieving process and I didn't know that you only had a certain a amount of time in which to do it. Question; Can I still get the free download of Windows 10 to my laptop and if so how do I go about it.Thank you for any information and tips you might have to offer.

I am trying to upgrade to window 10.

Sir it is dont work.

I open this in windiws explorer and a cd symbol shown in cd drive.

Then i click on setup , it is stopped at 8%.

Now what can i do sir. plz tell .me

Hi , I upgraded from windows 7 to Windows 10 anniversary free edition 6 months back. and reversed to windows7 Home basic l0 days back. Now I want to go back to my windows 10 anniversary edition. How can I do this please guide.

mi windows7,8,10 downlode my pc

IN Oct 2015 I did a free upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 10. It now says Windows will run out in Sep 2016. Turns out that at some point I have (unintentionally) installed Windows 10 Pro instead of Home and the "free" upgrade will now cost me almost £200 to buy a licnece. I feel tricked by microsoft and have no idea what to do.

Great opportunity for me I have used many of microsoft operating system versions

will my installed software deleted if i do upgrade with a usb drive of my cracked window 8

Umh, it has taken me all day just to get the upgrade ready. Will it need an internet connection for the other steps (i.e. 5-10).

my computer it going so slowly even day it finish .

My upgrading seems to run perfectly from windows 8 to windows 10.

my upgrading seems to run perfectly from windows 8 to windpws 10.

Can content inside hard disk can be deleted ?

Windows 7 support is over, but there's no doubt, As Windows 7 is the most recommended OS, Which through user can do almost all work without any problem, Where I recommend you to activate your OS being purchased its license code from ODosta Store

Which is distributing license for almost all types of Microsoft Products. I personally use it and have a good experience.

You can upgrade your OS to windows 10, But you can face some technical issues, So I recommend you to have clean installation of windows 10 and activate using license.

is it normal that it take such a long time for it check updates ?

I would like to have windows 10 installed for free on my lap top

My windows ten is updating ,Ididn't do this updating ,it just started on it own seem to be stuck at 80 percent.

FIrst, best oprating system ever for PC is linux without competition.

Secondly, I was trying to upgrade to windows 10 and it won't do it because I have a spin HDD(where I have windows) and a ssd. Before that I had removed the sdd to install it and worked, but as soon as I inserted the ssd windows wouldn't boot anymore. Microsoft can't even do something this simple to work.

i also update my window that is nice one

Hello. I am updating to windows 10. The process has been ok until the point I had to choose settings. I did that fine and it has been finalizing my settings since then which was 7 hours ago. What should I do.

My pc is in the process of upgrading from window 7 to window 10, alas, the process is getting too long, about 5 hours have been spent so far. I would want to know if it is safe to interrupt the process by force closing my pc.

Thanking you while waiting for your technical advice.

All my software for the Windows 7 operating system was placed on the computer when I bought it. How to I get the software license number so I get windows 10.