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Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Usually $225 @ Microsoft (Previous Installation/Licence Required)

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Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Usually $225 @ Microsoft (Previous Installation/Licence Required)Affiliate
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kimba88 on 28/01/2020 - 20:44 microsoft.com (9716 clicks)
Last edited 30/01/2020 - 21:35 by 2 other users
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Support for Windows 7 is now officially over, which means Microsoft wants holdouts to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. If you have an older PC or laptop still running Windows 7, you can purchase the Windows 10 Home operating system on Microsoft's website for $225. But you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works.

Here's how to get Windows 10 for free, if you're currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Home or Pro:

  1. Go to the Download Windows 10 website.

  2. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run.

  3. Choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you're upgrading. (If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)

  4. Follow the prompts.

  5. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation, and you should see a digital license for Windows 10."

Above instructions/details taken from: CNET Article

Mod: As pointed out by bigjezza, a digital licence will not be deemed a legal licence, if using you are using this installer to upgrade without a valid windows 10 licence (from a purchase or previous upgrade). From Microsoft: "If you don't have a license to install Windows 10 and have not yet previously upgraded to it, you can purchase a copy here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-windows-10." For those who do not meet those requirements, install at your own risk.

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closed Comments

    • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:08
      +3

      It does (if you choose upgrade ) and once upgraded and licenced, that machine is valid for a fresh windows 10 install, so you could upgrade, licence it and then later do a fresh install if you wanted to (as long as you don't change any significant hardware on that machine )

      • stalker878 on 28/01/2020 - 21:23
        +1

        how do you migrate the license over again to a fresh install once you upgraded it?

        • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:33
          +4

          The windows activation servers recognise your machine based on previous licence.

      • 4wd on 30/01/2020 - 18:01

        Doesn't really matter even if you have made significant hardware changes after a Win10 install. Within the last two weeks I replaced the motherboard, CPU, RAM, system drive, in my Win10Pro machine - basically everything and cloned the SATA SSD to a NVMe SSD.

        Windows came up as unactivated but I just ran the troubleshooter, click the link that asks if you've changed hardware when it can't work out the problem, log into your MS account, and it's activated again.

        All my machines use local accounts but I always switch to MS account login from each one, once, to ensure the system is registered to my account, then just switch it back to local account login.

    • deelaroo on 28/01/2020 - 21:09

      Not if running as an upgrade the same user data and software will be there, some software may not work and may require upgrading or replacing with another that does support Windows 10.

    • frewer on 28/01/2020 - 21:10

      I did it a few months ago, it does migrate the whole thing for you seamlessly. However, a few thing needs to done manually e.g sticky note, 32bit vs 64bit software,

    • kimba88 on 28/01/2020 - 21:16

      It asks you during the download if you want to keep personal files and apps, just personal files or delete everything and start again.

    • shiyoushi on 28/01/2020 - 21:41

      If you choose to do an upgrade rather than a fresh install, it should keep all your user documents and files… You may need to install your programs again though.

      And that is only if nothing goes wrong - for peace of mind I would probably copy everything onto a non-boot drive or USB drive first.

      • MuchUsernameWow on 28/01/2020 - 23:34

        I just installed 10 on two PC's and I didn't have to reinstall any games or programs. Only my gfx driver on one pc and my wireless usb driver on the other.

        All of my Skyrim mods remained as well, though I had to do some minor tweaking to get it to run again. (related to the way Win 10 handles UAC)

    • MuchUsernameWow on 28/01/2020 - 23:36

      I backed up everything before I upgraded but didn't lose anything. All Steam and Gog games were still installed and ready to play. (tested most and all working fine).

      I expected absolutely everything to go wrong with this upgrade but nothing did.

    • cornucopia on 29/01/2020 - 08:24

      If you mean user files and apps then no, they all transition, although a very few apps may not be compatible. I had a TV tuner/PVR that didn't make it, however I found a new one that is waaaay better than what I was using. And there is a freeware version .. :-) .. !!

      https://sichbopvr.com/

  • Westpac on 28/01/2020 - 21:09

    Is it worth upgrading for this type of computer:
    Processor: Intel i5 CPU 2.50GHZ
    RAM: 4GB
    system type: 64 bit

    • battler on 28/01/2020 - 21:13
      +4

      Yes

    • dlovep on 28/01/2020 - 21:14
      +3

      it's Free why not give it a try ? you can always revert back to Windows 7, just remember backup what ever is important.

      • Lizard Spock on 28/01/2020 - 22:40

        Is it easy to revert back to Windows 7 once you've upgraded to 10? (Do you know if there Is there a time limit?)

        • bickel72 on 29/01/2020 - 00:56
          +3

          Yes, very easy. You get 10 days from the upgrade date to revert back to Windows 7.

          Just go to "Settings" in Windows 10 then "Update and Security" and then finally "Recovery" tab. In the middle of the page will be an option "Go back to Windows 7". Press the "Get Started" button within 10 days from the upgrade date and that is it if you don't like it.

    • ccsvchost on 28/01/2020 - 22:18
      +3

      I run windows 10 on a 12 year old laptop upgraded with an ssd and it runs fine. I feel the ssd is important if you have 4gb ram or less on windows 10.

    • rogerm22 on 28/01/2020 - 22:38
      +1

      Yes and it should run really well. Upgrading to 8GB of RAM would improve performance for either Windows 10 or Windows 7.

      • ShouldIBuyIt on 28/01/2020 - 23:10

        Should upgrade to SSD before the RAM really

        • rogerm22 on 28/01/2020 - 23:11

          Well ideally you would do both at the same time.

          • ShouldIBuyIt on 29/01/2020 - 08:28

            @rogerm22: I agree, but if they have limited funds (or just want to flip it quickly) then the SSD is the priority.

        • Westpac on 29/01/2020 - 07:46

          Are you talking about the SSD hard drive?

  • bomber_bloke on 28/01/2020 - 21:10

    Microsoft Piracy Team casually lurking in the comments updating their 'to be contacted' lists..

      • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:13
        +3

        Give up, you're wrong….

        • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:15
          -4

          Actually I’m not.

          • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:20
            +7

            @2024: Stubbornly wrong ….the best kind on the internet.

      • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:29
        +1

        it can't be piracy if the owner is giving it to you. Piracy is when it's stolen. Who did MS steal it from? Themselves?

        When an app is given away for free on Play store, or an ebook on Amazon Kindle, is that piracy also?

        • bomber_bloke on 28/01/2020 - 21:51

          I'm referring to all the people above talking about the various "ways" they get it for free anyway

  • dfg555 on 28/01/2020 - 21:17

    any coomers?

    • Blue Cat on 28/01/2020 - 21:20

      only zoomers

      • MrGareth on 28/01/2020 - 21:30

        OK boomers

  • itsTricky83 on 28/01/2020 - 21:17
    +2

    I've done this on hundreds of computers at work and it still works. (Unfortunately don't have volume licensing which would make things much easier)

    • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:19
      -6

      Are you not worried about an audit?

      • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:31
        +5

        why would he be worried? what he's doing is 100% legal. If MS is allowing the upgrade, he didn't steal it or anything.

      • itsTricky83 on 28/01/2020 - 22:57

        Nope, not worried at all. The entire method exists via Microsoft's offering. I'm not doing anything adverse in order to upgrade. Purely clicking a link on Microsoft's website, therefore if they allow it to happen with simply a few clicks, then I don't see the harm.
        Besides, I am sure we spend enough on O365 subscriptions to make up for it!

        • hts on 28/01/2020 - 23:44
          -4

          You should be worried a little.
          https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/windows-7-end-of-lif…
          - Can I upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free?

          There was a promotional free upgrade offer available when Windows 10 first released, but that offer expired on 29 July 2016.

          All official Microsoft communications state the free upgrade ended July 29th 2016. Even though the function exists (and I certainly have used it, still use and will use it, knowing its not 100% legit) it isn't an officially support/endorsed/backed method. Because of this many MSP companies charge for the Windows 10 upgrade, as no one wants to be culpible of Microsoft wrath if they decided to enforce the upgrade cost.

          Also, I doubt Microsoft take into considerations your 365 spend. Ive work for Universities that would be audited every 1 - 2 years and would be handed an invoice for being out of spec, even though they already spend hundreds of thousands per year on Microsoft licensing…

          For a corporation, I use it as a 'Your PC needs to be replaced' moment, if it has Windows 7 and came with Windows 7, not 8.1 or 10, and doesn't have Windows 7 installed through downgrade rights, it is between 6 and 11 years old, would be long out of warranty and should be replaced with a newer machine with warranty, that would draw less power, generate less heat, take up less space etc etc. For a home user though, go for it, if your PC works for what you want to do and are happy with it, stick with it.

    • Shonky on 28/01/2020 - 21:20
      +3

      It allows you to legally upgrade your existing licence to a legit digital licence for Windows 10.

      It's not piracy. You are wrong.

    • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:21
      +2

      Not even neg votes a day to deal with such levels of incorrectness….

      • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:24
        -2

        The heard of ozbargainers haven’t thoroughly researched this, don’t know what a MAK is compared to a KMS key so I’m not at all worried by the downvotes lol

        • Shonky on 28/01/2020 - 21:29
          +2

          Irrelevant. You upgrade to Windows 10. You get a digital licence. It works.

          • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:31
            -4

            @Shonky: You do this for a public company. Rollout to 1000 machines. Ms audits you. You tell them that you took advantage of an offer that expired in 2016. You did the rollout in 2019. They check the build dates on the PCs. 2018.
            Your company owes MS…

            • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:34
              +6

              @2024: So now you're back tracking and going the enterprise doesn't count road…

              Give up, you are wrong, and clearly need to brush up your IT skills if this is your job

        • Lizard Spock on 28/01/2020 - 22:42
          -1

          It's spelt MAC not MAK. This troll knows nothing 😂🤣😂

          • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 22:44

            @Lizard Spock: proving my point about the heard lol
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing
            CTRL+F
            MAK
            First paragraph about Micro$oft

            • Lizard Spock on 28/01/2020 - 22:53
              -2

              @2024: Dude, I was messing with you

              • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 22:56

                @Lizard Spock: Yay. I feel messed with.
                Anyway I've highlighted where MS say this cant be done. Its up to the individual if they still do it <shrug>

            • Lizard Spock on 28/01/2020 - 22:56

              @2024: So I just PM'd Bill Gates about the activation and he said
              "Please contact Nadella". I then said
              "Don't you mean Nutella?"
              He the sent a rolling eyes emoji. I don't think he knows

              • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 22:57
                +1

                @Lizard Spock: I cant describe my reaction to that joke because I'm sure it would offend someone somewhere haha

                • Lizard Spock on 28/01/2020 - 23:01
                  +1

                  @2024: All good. You have a lot of Chutzpah. Some think that you're Meshuggah, but they're just Fakakta

            • itsTricky83 on 28/01/2020 - 23:06
              +2

              @2024: I think you've assumed that we upgraded Enterprise Licensed Windows 7/8x PC's to Windows 10…
              … These were all OEM Windows 7 Pro workstations.
              They are NOT Enterprise licensed workstations.

              • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 23:21

                @itsTricky83: Afraid not.

                Did everyone miss this paragraph on OP's link?

                To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10. You can then download and run the media creation tool. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below.

                Or the other messaging from Microsoft
                https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12435/windows-10-up…

                • bargainparker on 28/01/2020 - 23:37
                  +1

                  @2024: Sorry, I forgot my popcorn, but it was fun nevertheless.
                  You are not getting it. If you have a valid licence from 7 to 8 pro then you can still upgrade to 10 and be done with it. The fact is this is on the Microsoft official servers, not some torrent that someone uploaded, and it can't be illegal. When you have a licensed copy, all you do is upgrade, Microsoft recognizes it and gives you a legit win 10 digital licence.

                  You should try it, I'd hate to see you doing this https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DisgustingUntimelyApe-size_restric… after 5 years when you realise you have to pay for something you could have for free.

                  • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 23:52

                    @bargainparker: Yeah it works. Ive known this for years. Maybe in another world I'd put it on a PC for my granny for free, simply because the software's lock is broken.

                    But this is theft and does not belong here on ozbargain.

          • bchliu on 29/01/2020 - 00:12

            @Lizard Spock: MAK = Multiple Access Key. Corporate key that you can use on multiple machines for easier deployment. As opposed to KMS (Key Management Service).
            https://medium.com/@breich_84283/the-difference-between-mak-…

    • redcreek200 on 28/01/2020 - 21:24
      +2

      Lol. Let it go jez. You lose.

  • Blue Cat on 28/01/2020 - 21:19
    +2

    upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly.

    Who knew Microaoft was so good at telling ironic jokes?
    LMAO

    • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 21:46
      +3

      According to this site which publicly announces all the known common vulnerabilities and exploits:
      https://www.cvedetails.com/product/17153/Microsoft-Windows-7…
      https://www.cvedetails.com/vulnerability-list/vendor_id-26/p…

      These are the total vulnerabilities each OS has racked up:
      Windows 7: 1283
      Windows 10: 1111

      The problem is, Windows 7 is just over 10 years old, while Windows 10 is almost 5 years old.

      The average vulnerabilities per year are:
      Windows 7 : 128.3 per year
      Windows 10: 222.2 per year

      Are we really safer on Windows 10?

      • ccsvchost on 28/01/2020 - 22:20
        +1

        The difference is that windows 10 will have those vulnerabilities patched, while windows 7 is stuck with them. No conspiracy here :)

        • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 23:22
          +2

          You're assuming there are no patching problems. Late last year, we had like 2-3 weekends in a row where Windows servers went offline after applying patches and were stuck in blue screens. These are Windows server 2016 and 2019 deployments.

          And who can forget when a windows 10 upgrade patch deleted user data?
          https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/9l2v3z/windows_1…

      • bostos on 28/01/2020 - 22:45

        There are different releases of Windows 10, technically a different OS, vulnerabilities found are patched and likely be fixed in the newer releases

      • jv on 28/01/2020 - 22:54

        The problem is, Windows 7 is just over 10 years old, while Windows 10 is almost 5 years old.

        How many more people are searching for these now compared to 10 years ago?

        • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 23:16

          There's lots more, but during the last 5 years, they didn't forget to search on Windows 7. It was just over a year that Windows 10 only surpassed Windows 7 deployments. Windows 7 was still very much a target, just a lot harder target.

          Windows 7 also still has a solid search function last time I checked, that can't be said for Windows 10. And no, searching in Windows 10 with cmd doesn't count.

          Feel free to do a vulnerability scan on your Windows 7 and Windows 10 machines and see the results

  • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:32
    +5

    Taking bets on how long before bigjezza gets a name change to DisabledUser69696969.

    • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:36
      -5

      Lol
      Just educating people. That technically this activates yeah.

      But activation and a software license are separate things.

      The offer ended in 2016. Simple as that.

      • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:37
        -1

        And the offer restarted in 2020 as a final grace period for those still on W7 when support is ended.

        • nismo33 on 28/01/2020 - 22:37

          Wtf? I upgraded 2 pcs last year thru this process

          • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 23:38

            @nismo33: it was open the whole time, but unofficially.

      • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:38
        +1

        Dig up…..

        • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:39

          Ok. If it was resurrected show me the sauce

          • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:41
            +3

            @2024: The download is from windows, and activates via windows activation servers, to update your existing windows 7/8 windows licence

            Microsoft don't want people running legacy windows…it's 100 percent windows supported and you're 100 percent the most clueless person in this thread…

            • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:44

              @SBOB: No source. Ok. I’ll try not to read into that

              • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:47

                @2024: Thank goodness, as clearly reading isn't a strong point….

            • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:46

              @SBOB: Oh btw. My tech net versions are from Microsoft. Activate via Microsoft. Exactly like this. But if I put them into production at my mums cookie factory?
              Well. They activate. They are official.

              but it’s not licensed correctly

              • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:48

                @2024: It's only early, but I'm nominating you for Ozbargain Most Incorrect Post Of The Decade…

                • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:51

                  @SBOB: Yeah happy to be proven wrong

          • Tiggrrrrr on 28/01/2020 - 21:55

            @2024: Tomato or BBQ?

      • rogerm22 on 28/01/2020 - 22:42
        +6

        It only activates because Microsoft specifically lets Windows 7 and 8 product keys be used to activate it. If Microsoft did not want people upgrading for free they would stop this.

        • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 23:40
          +4

          correct. They wanted to keep quiet about it because they didn't want the perception to be out there that people on W7 didn't even want to upgrade during the free period. It lets them upgrade quietly.

          They only announced an end date because they wanted to pressure you into doing it sooner. In reality, they still want you to upgrade but didn't want to look desperate. They wanted it to look like a privilege they're giving you, instead of them begging you to upgrade.

  • heal on 28/01/2020 - 21:33
    +7

    Been running Windows 3.1 with no problems since 1992. Can't see the point of upgrading.

    • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:40
      +3

      DOS 6.22 was the last good windows ;)

    • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:43
      -2

      3.11 offers networking improvements. I’d say you’re probably ok to jump to that and run setup.exe from that floppy (if it still works)

      • roastchook on 28/01/2020 - 21:54
        +1

        Mate, you have been a member here since 2013. I fully expected to see 2020, It's always Ok to admit you are plain wrong wrong wrong, which you are.

        • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 21:57

          All I ask is an official word from M$. From this decade. Or the last 3 years - anything. But not from when the offer expired in 2016.

      • aldroid on 28/01/2020 - 22:47
        +1

        Don't forget to install win32s and trumpet winsock

        • 2024 on 28/01/2020 - 22:49

          yeah
          in autoexec.bat replace
          windows
          with
          windows :

          it will skip the loading screen and shave some time.
          True story

          • truetypezk on 28/01/2020 - 23:27
            +1

            @2024: I didnt know that! Must have wasted me a hell lot of time!

    • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 22:06

      I'm pretty sure you're safe from wannacry :)

    • cornucopia on 29/01/2020 - 08:30

      Wow! My family has been using the same abacus since 1156. And is still works fine. .. :-) !!

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