How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free

How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free Yes, you can still get the free upgrade from Microsoft By Tom Warren@tomwarren Jan 14, 2020, 10:00am EST If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement. Share this story Share this on Facebook (opens in new window) Share this on Twitter (opens in new window) Share All sharing options Microsoft Windows 10 stock Part of The Verge Guide to Windows 10 Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users ended a few years ago, but you can still technically upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge. While Microsoft has removed the special upgrade offer sites, the company continues to activate Windows 10 licenses for people who upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. ZDNet’s Ed Bott has been testing this method for years, and the free upgrade still works. It’s also really simple for anyone to upgrade from Windows 7, especially as support ends for the operating system today. Assuming your PC supports the minimum requirements for Windows 10, you’ll be able to upgrade from Microsoft’s site. The most important thing to remember is that the Windows 7 to Windows 10 upgrade could wipe your settings and apps. There’s an option to keep your files and personal data, but because of differences between Windows 10 and Windows 7, it’s not always possible to keep all of your existing apps. Make sure you’ve noted what apps you use regularly so you can easily obtain them by downloading the installers again. Windows 8.1 can also be upgraded the same way, but without needing to wipe your apps and settings. Related The best laptop you can buy right now Dell XPS 17 (2020) review: heavy hitter HP Envy x360 (2020) review: AMD wins again Here’s how to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10: Back up all of your important documents, apps, and data Head over to Microsoft’s Windows 10 download site In the Create Windows 10 installation media section, select “Download tool now,” and run the app When prompted, choose “Upgrade this PC now.” Windows 7 upgrade prompt Microsoft You’ll then be asked whether you want to keep your personal files or start fresh. Remember: starting fresh or keeping your files still means that all apps and settings will be deleted for the Windows 10 upgrade. Once the upgrade is complete, you should receive a digital license for Windows 10, which can be found under Settings > Update & Security > Activation.