Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Even if you don’t see a message from the get windows 10 app on the taskbar, if the upgrade files have been downloaded to your PC, you can start the process via Windows Update. However, you won’t be doing it through Windows Update in the modern Settings app. If you try you will see the following message: Windows 8 Updates You need to use the desktop version of Windows Update. To do that, use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+X or right-click the Start button and select Control Panel from the power user menu – which is also available in Windows 10 (it’s called the Quick Access menu in 10). Control Panel Windows 8 Scroll down to the bottom of Control Panel and select Windows Update. Windows Update You’ll see the Windows 10 upgrade is ready. Just click the “Get Started” button. Windows 10 Ready Check for Issues Note that the upgrade might fail at first. I retried it three times before it started to work. Once it does begin, just like with the upgrade in Windows 7, you’ll need to agree to the eula After that, you get the option to begin the upgrade now or schedule it for a later time. Again, just like upgrading Windows 7, you only get a three-day window to schedule the upgrade. Schedule upgrade After it starts, just sit back, grab a coffee because the process can take quite a while. You’ll get the familiar screen shown below that lets you know where the upgrade process is at. If it seems to hang, just be patient, especially the first couple weeks…a lot of people are upgrading at the same time. Also note that your PC will restart a few times, just let it do its thing. installing_windows_10 After it completes you’ll get a Welcome Back screen and you start clicking through the on-screen setup instructions. Unless you’re particular about how you want your Windows settings, just go with Express Settings during setup (versus custom settings). It allows you to get up and running a lot faster. If you want to make any adjustments, you can do that later. Express Settings Windows 10 It will also tell you about new apps like Groove Music, TV&Movies Store, Photos, and the new Edge browser. And after that, you can log in with the Microsoft Account credentials you used for Windows 8.1. Log into Windows 10 Next, you’ll need to wait a bit while Microsoft sets up your apps and gets things ready for you. sshot-3 Summing Up When that’s done, you will be brought to your new Windows 10 desktop and can start checking out all of the cool new features like the new Start menu, Cortana, and Action Center. Windows 10 upgrade Also, keep in mind that there will be updates waiting for you. Windows 10 requires that you install updates automatically, so you will get them without thinking about it. But, if you want to make sure you have everything updated right away after the upgrade completes, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates. Windows Update-Brian8-1 If you’re running Windows 7 and looking to upgrade, check out our step-by-step guide: How to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10.