This was posted 4 years 2 months 1 day ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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

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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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      • My family has survived without counting or using numbers for some time. We don’t know how long. But it’s a while

  • +1

    hardly a deal. Always been free and probably always will be.
    Next Windows OS will likely be subscription based, like Office 365

    • +1

      Microsoft have said that Windows 10 will be the final version of Windows.

      • -2

        The new OS is rumoured to be called 'Microsoft Doors'.

  • Got to say I have a few laptops that I won't upgrade due to software from manufacturers that are not supported on other windows versions or they have changed there views and want a subscription service to use their software even though the older stuff I have is still usable.

    Lappy 1 lg w40 running win xp
    Lappy 2 Lenovo running win 7
    Lappy 3 dell xps 15z dual boot win 8.1 and ubuntu

    All are used for certain applications.

    I have upgraded a dell tablet to win 10 which was ok but win 8.1 is better.

    Edit: this is a good incentive from MS, I'd dare say that not only do they want to spy if it's so but also what people that are tech savvy do is install linux on a old but perfectly good system that still can do day to day functions. I know I have on a few occasions with family and friends so I think Microsoft can't slug people when there are better free alternatives.

    • +1

      W8.1 better than W10, you can't be serious

      • The tablet was designed around win 8 and it works well. I upgraded a dell tablet to win 10 and the tablet format was a PITA so always used it in desktop mode although it was not 100% usable while out and about in my line of work.

        Win 10 on my desktop yes is good although my dell tablets works easily with me with 8.1 running.

  • +1

    Who really pays retail these days for Windows 10?

  • +5

    I'm going to stick with the current Win7 install on my old laptop until it basically dies and whatever replacement I get will get Win10 anyway. I haven't needed any new software for yonks and everything otherwise is configured "just" how I like it.
    Work uses Win10 and while there are some neato things, not much there that really wants me want to mess up the balance I got now.

  • +4

    Thanks but no thanks, still happy on Windows 7, may we have many more happy years together. Don't give a shit about all the scare-mongering regarding security updates stopping.

    • -4

      Windows 7 will be fine for several months at least, until the next big attack is found (which will come), but even then Microsoft have released patches for XP/2003 in the past 12 months, so again you may safe enough.

  • Anywhere I can buy an upgradeable legit copy of Windows 7 for cheap?

    Building a new PC for the folks on the weekend and a "free" upgrade to W10 fits the bill nicely…

    • If you want to it legally, search for a cheap Windows 7 retail DVD on eBay. To do it illegally for a few dollars, but a cheap OEM license from eBay.

      • don't buy the DVD.

        There's no assurance its product key hasn't been activated on some other machine.

    • Just download an ISO and activate with a key bought on Ebay…

  • +1

    I guess no free upgrade for xp….

    • It's only for Windows 7 and 8/8.1, not for XP or Vista.

  • +2

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12435/windows-10-up…

    This is straight from Microsoft. Not from some new editor at CNet that only started about 4 months, and started their tech writing career after Windows 10 was RTM!!..

    Is the Windows 10 free upgrade offer still available?
    The Windows 10 free upgrade through the Get Windows 10 (GWX) app ended on July 29, 2016.

    How do I get Windows 10?
    You can purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro for your Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC. However, the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC. Today's computers are faster and more powerful and come with Windows 10 already installed. To learn more, view new Windows 10 PCs.

    Do I still qualify for the free upgrade offer if I've already downloaded Windows 10 to a USB drive, but haven't yet upgraded my device?
    All upgrades must have completed and reached the "Welcome" screen by 11:59 PM UTC-10 (Hawaii) on July 29, 2016; this is one worldwide point in time.

    Will the media creation tool still be available for customers to download Windows 10 installation media?
    Yes, the media creation tool and Windows 10 installation media (ISO files) are available for customers to install Windows 10. <snip>

    • How about from someone writing about windows since the mid 90s

      https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-…

      • +1

        Sadly its not from M$. When he says "apparently activates" yeah cool.

        This is official information. Its not observing the behaviour of Windows Activation (a software feature designed to prevent wide spread use of a product key) and basing the fact that its licensed or not on the fact that its activated.

        Go install Microsoft SQL server 2 core on a 20 core server. Activate it. Done. All Good.
        Congrats you've observed it activated therefore it must be legit.
        Discover that you haven't licensed the other 18 cores. Its not correctly licensed! What do you do? Post it on Ozbargain as a bargain lol? 20 core license for the cost of 2?

    • Yeah, that article is out of date. You don't need a license key to download the win 10 install from the media creation tool anymore. So Microsoft has changed that themselves. The differences to an activated copy are the "activate windows" watermark and not being able to change wallpaper.

    • So much hate here for this information - lots of shouty people with their hands over their ears going lalalalala. The argument that because it's technically possible, it must be legitimate is pretty weak, I reckon.

      I've never understood why Microsoft allowed the whole process to slide into a grey area after the 2016 date passed - it would have been easy enough to disable their activation servers from accepting Win7 keys? I guess it sold some upgrade licences for them, but it doesn't make much sense to simply go silent on the upgrade pathway, which continues, technically, to work

      That said, for the average punter, I'd say go for it; its unlikely to ever be an issue, MS would never risk the backlash associated with revoking late-issued digital licences, en masse. For people who manage Win10 machines for a living, not so much.

      In an earlier thread you mentioned a a machine with a build date of 2018 that had been upgraded outside the 2016 period, surely it would have been sold with Win10 (and maybe a Win7 downgrade licence?) ?

  • +1

    How is this a deal… Hasn't it always been free? I have upgraded a couple PC's over the last few years for free. I upgraded my mother's PC from windows 7 to 10 just the other day.

  • +4

    Linux is still free, in case you want to skip all shenanigans of Microsoft.

  • +2

    If something is free, youre the product.

    • Does that include using linux?

      • Nope, linux distros are free because lots of passionate people donate their time, or generate their income from large corporates.

  • I also did this for a relative about 1 month ago and it worked fine.

  • +7

    this has always been free!

  • Been using something similar at work upgrading 200+ win7 to win10. Just create a win10 ISO image and then run that on the win7 PC's. Easy

    The only caveat with this is that all of the PC's upgraded this way get the generic windows 10 product key. Could raise issues if Microsoft decide to be like, no more OS for you haha

    • +1

      You don't get a generic key, you get a digital license that is tired to your hardware. If you reinstall the edition of Windows 10 you have the license for, it will automatically be activated when Windows goes online and see that you have a license for your PC.

      • Your license for win 10 is the generic key. Your oem license is still attached as well. Don't believe me, upgrade a PC from win 7 to 10 and then use produkey to check what your key is

        • Maybe it shows that, but you do get an actual digital license that never expires.

          • @rogerm22: This is true for computer with UEFI. The licensed is stored on the UEFI, hence it gets picked up when you reinstall windows, no need to enter the key. Most windows 7 computer won't have UEFI tho, since they would be 7+ years old

            • +2

              @ShouldIBuyIt: Hardware id stored at Microsoft. Change too much hardware and you will not be able to reinstall without repeating W7 stuff.

            • +1

              @ShouldIBuyIt: No, as rifter said the license is based on your hardware id. When you install Windows 10 and it connects to the internet, it will check your hardware id at Microsoft. If it sees you have a license, Windows 10 will be automatically activated.

    • You can just copy the files from the USB media and share it on the network. That's how I set it up, I also carry a usb ssd drive with the files for fast and easy deployment. Can run it off the ssd or even copy it to the local drive so it doesn't hold up my device.

  • +1

    You can also create the boot media and do a clean install (so you can start from a new SSD if you want and directly install windows 10 with your windows 7 key).
    I had windows 7 pro key (don't think the version mattered though).

    • +5

      It does. If you enter a Win 7 Pro/Ultimate key u get Win 10 Pro, a Win 7 Home key gets u Win 10 Home.

      • What I meant was that I don't believe the type of key matters to be able to directly install windows 10 - without having to install windows 7 first.
        It indeed matters for the windows 10 version you end up with.
        But I could have been clearer.

        • Oh yeah absolutely, there is no need to actually go through the "upgrade" process. Actually according to my experience upgrade frequently stucks at the checking update stage so rather just do a clean install.

  • +5

    After reading a few articles and did some research.
    Apparently @bigjezza is not wrong about be able to activate but not having a valid licence.

    It is stated on the download site of the media creation toolkit the customer must have a valid license for Windows 10

    • +8

      Can I take a bow yet?
      PS thanks for doubting me and looking into it. Great critical thinking. High five! :)

      • +2

        I cant believe how many people downvoted you here and it looks like some are even doing it at work.
        It is essentially same as saying that if a software comes with no protection then you can just copy n use it "legally".

        • +1

          True

          Its the difference between IT pro's. Those that do it at home. Those that do it at work for their colleagues. Those that do it for their share holders. Big difference in how one approaches licensing and compliance…

          But at the end of the day its still stealing because its lock is broken

          And that's my beef. This is not a bargain. Its stealing. It shouldn't be on this site.

          • +4

            @2024: I work for an MSP, our upgrades from 7 to 10 are charged out with a retail Windows 10 licence for that reason. People don't understand and it never ends. The official page states explicity, but no, I can do it so I'm right, the company who makes the product is wrong… Dunning Kruger in motion.

            I see it is as the same as buying Server 2019 licences from ebay for $9, sure you can, and Microsoft will say they are legit keys (because they are) but they aren't legit keys for the reason you purchased them, I don't know how many arguements I've had over clients balking at the high cost of server software/cals when they can get the same for less than $50…

          • +2

            @2024: I do it all the time at home with absolutely zero guilt towards MS
            (Morally questionable but hell) but definitely wont do it at work.
            I think doing so at work, in a for-profit setting is depriving MS of their fair share of profits and exposing my company to unnecessary legal risk. When my boss found himself in deep shit because of this I doubt he would be thankful that I have saved him some money with these kind of "tricks".
            Pls people here, a license is a simply legal agreement, not some "clever" ways to get a software to work on your computer. If you dont have an explicit license (be it paid or free) to use a copyrighted software, it is still illegal.

    • +3

      Both bullet points below state a Windows 10 licence is required:

      You have a license to install Windows 10 and are upgrading this PC from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

      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

  • This was always free….

    • +1

      Not sure why negged… Something that has been (and should be) free remaining free isn't a bargain lol

      It's also a little late for them to advertise it's free - retailers already got in with the upgrade now scams.

  • It has always been free for upgrading

  • so they are starting to advertise it again? has always been free but stop advertise it.

  • +1

    Thanks mate.

  • +3

    I suspect that M$ have left the door open for upgrading Win7 to Win10 for free as basically they are happy (& want) everyone across on Win10. They would have shut off the digital upgrade lic servers otherwise. It's easier for them to manage those PCs etc and also familiarises end users with Win10. They have nothing to lose but everything to gain. I can't see them knocking on anyone's door anytime soon (or ever) for upgrading post Jul 2016.

    • They would lose new PC sales and software upgrades so I'm wondering why it works.
      Is it an honour box?
      Honey pot for a list of IP addresses to sue? $10 a household, surely a judge would agree with that considering what Village Roadshow were asking.

      They've made it clear its not free. I mean it says on the main page in big text that you must have a license before you download it, and if you don't have a license it says where to buy a copy…

      So MS could argue people knew it before they downloaded it, and now those people owe them…

      • They've made it clear its not free. I mean it says on the main page in big text that you must have a license before you download it, and if you don't have a license it says where to buy a copy…

        If you are building a new PC you can't just install it using the tool without a license. If you have an existing PC on Windows 7/8 it will carry across the existing license when you upgrade.

        • -2

          And the upgrade faq says that offer expired years ago

          So yeah it works

          But it’s stealing

          Shouldn’t be here on ozbargain

          • +1

            @2024: It's not stealing. If Microsoft did not want people to upgrade for free, they would no longer allow Windows 7 and 8.x product keys to be used to activate it.

      • +1

        Honey pot for a list of IP addresses to sue? $10 a household, surely a judge would agree with that considering what Village Roadshow were asking

        For downloading an installer that is useless without a licence? The suggestion is absurd.

        • -2

          This post is about illegally downloading the Windows 10 installer without a license and installing it as if you do have a license.
          This post is absurd.
          Cant believe its still up tbh

          • +1

            @2024: So they don't prompt to enter a key anymore during the install? I only have laptops with UEFI so it automatically validate/activate the key.
            If they don't prompt for a key, you can assume they just want everyon.e on W10 for free rather than on macOS

            • @ShouldIBuyIt: Microsoft uses digital licenses for Windows 10. If you previously installed Windows 10 on a PC and activated, the next time you install Windows 10 on that PC/laptop, you don't need to enter a key (as it would attempt to check for the digital license first).

          • +5

            @2024:

            This post is about illegally downloading the Windows 10 installer without a license and installing it as if you do have a license.

            No it isn't.

            The windows installer is free to download from microsoft. It isn't theft as you constantly assert.

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

            Microsoft only say on that page "To get started, you will first need to have a licence to install Windows 10. You can then download and run the media creation tool.". That does not say it is illegal to download at all.

            Microsoft freely upgrades 7 and 8 licences to 10. If you have a 7 or 8 licence then you meet the requirement owning a licence.

            People can also freely use the media creation tool to install windows then pay for a licence post install. If it was theft like you keep wrongly asserting they would require a licence to be entered before downloading. They would also not offer to sell you one during the install.

            The installer even has an option to tick that says “I don’t have a product key”, IT STILL INSTALLS and you still think downloading the installer is illegal? FFS man, of all hills to die on you picked this?

            If they didn't want to accept 7 and 8 licences and upgrade them to windows 10 then they could chose to stop doing so. They don't care, for some reason you do. Give it up already……

            • -3

              @Duff5000: Lol full of assumptions

              Read the facts mate
              Don’t assume because it works it must be legit.

              Have you got any supporting documentation from Microsoft supporting your position?

              I have provided links and quotes from MS supporting my position.

              Microsoft say they don’t freely upgrade. That finished in 2016 mate.

              The lack of fact checking and believing what you want to believe isn’t healthy. Fake news

              Next on ozbargain. 600 windows Server 2019 CALs for Free! Just don’t buy them. Lol

              • +1

                @2024: Is downloading the media creation tool theft as you assert even though that is a valid way to buy windows? Even though they put an option in for the installer to continue without a key so the user can try the product and buy a key later?

                Microsoft say they don’t freely upgrade.

                If they chose to accept and upgrade a 7 and 8 licence to 10 then that is their choice. If they want to stop that they are free to do so. Sure they said they would stop in 2016, they clearly chose not to or they wouldn't keep accepting it.

                edit: and as for suing people like your post above suggests. As the microsoft employee said "You can't shit on someone taking advantage of an activation workaround when you as the manufacturer never closed it."

                • -1

                  @Duff5000: Microsoft licensing is separate to windows activation

                  At best Microsoft Licensing is hard to understand properly and I get that you haven’t grasped the basic concepts but that is ok because like I said it’s a tricky thing to understand and I’d suggest you contact your Microsoft Rep for clarification of their explicit statement that the only way to license windows 10 is to buy a copy or a new pc.

                  Fun fact: activation was first trialled in Australia with the office suite. Circa 1999. It is Microsoft’s way of confirming the product key hasn’t been used too much. Before activation, you could use any code as long as you understood the prefix.
                  Even back then, just because the code worked, didn’t mean you had a license to use it. Just like today

                  • +1

                    @2024:

                    the only way to license windows 10 is to buy a copy or a new pc.

                    Incorrect. Microsoft gave me a digital license to 10 when i upgraded from 8 years ago. They are still doing the same thing. My licence is valid just as any others are they chose to upgrade and give a digital licence to now. Until microsoft decide to stop doing that this is fine to do. https://i.imgur.com/iRacDd7.png

                    This is nothing like installing the same key on many computers. You can quit it with the condescending BS, i had my fair share of software pre activation days and have worked for a software developer in the past. We had a microsoft audit at the time.

                    If this 'deal' was….

                    Hey guys if you download windows installer you can click "i don't have a key" and it still installs just fine. Here is how to get rid of the activation message at the bottom"

                    …. i would agree with you. That isn't the case though. Microsoft gave free digital licences for 10 to 7 and 8 users, they set a date to try and get people to do it. They then kept giving the licence upgrades out essentially unofficially extending the offer. It isn't theft. Not even close. I don't even care as i upgraded years ago.

                    • -3

                      @Duff5000: If this deal was prefixed with “must have Windows 10 license” as the OP’s link says in big text, I’d be fine with it too

                      You must have upgraded during the free upgrade offer that expired in 2016. Score! Free upgrade!

                      Why can’t anyone provide any written documentation from Microsoft supporting their stance?

                      I have provided several links and quotes. It’s not that hard to back up your claims if they are in fact true. It took me several minutes. Are you so (mod: edited) that you can’t copy and paste a link backing up your hollow statements?

                        • -2

                          @Duff5000: How about I share an official MS link for Exchange server that installs and activates fine. From Microsoft’s Servers.

                          Post it as a bargain. Free exchange. Save thousands

                          Activation is not a license to use the software lol

                          • @2024: How is that at all similar?

                            Was it a promo they were doing for years?
                            Does it end giving you a digital licence for the product? (this gives you a licence for 10, your example does not. a point you repeatedly ignore)
                            Is that something microsoft has allowed to be stepped through on their own support forums?
                            You really think microsoft would allow sites like znet to be showing people how to do that without taking action?

                            You are likening a promo that had an end date that didn't really end to obvious copyright infringement. That isn't even close to the same thing.

                            I dont care, continue your crusade. I will not bother replying to this nonsense again.

                            • -1

                              @Duff5000: Yeah no worries lol

                              Maybe someone else will provide an official link that I can read that says that this is ok. All the links from Microsoft I’ve read say it’s not ok.

                              But whatever

                              I mean all ya have to do to end my crusade is prove me wrong with a communication from Microsoft.

                              Instead everyone just gives up - they got nothing. In fact I’d love the upgrade offer to still be active. It would make my working life much easier.

              • @2024: Stopped posting fake facts. Quick google would show that Microsoft themselves initially extended the free upgrade to Dec 2017 (yet, they never updated the original T&C of 2016 you were keep referring over-and-over). When u didn't even know Microsoft position, stopped stating that "2016". That is the fake news.
                Microsoft can close the upgrade route easily. They can even disable your windows if they want to (if it's connected). Yet, they chose to do none (not even trying to deny that many forums posting this free upgrade was never discontinued way beyond 2017).

                • +1

                  @hanofee: Lol is that the assistive offer where one had to lie and say you were using ZoomText or some other assistive technology to get the free upgrade? That ended at the end of 2017 - Different offer to this lol

                  Check your sh*t mate

                  Got anything else? Don’t scream fake news when you’re spreading falsehoods and have nfi what you’re on about

  • +1

    I prefer free, as in speech, even though free, as in beer is pretty tempting.

  • +1

    This explains why my copy of Windows 10 pro N edition, activated fine without a key.

    • Yeah they use some kind of fancy hardware ID for activation lately. As long as you don't change too many components it'll auto activate if you've activated previously.

      (Too many as in SSD/HDD change is fine, GPU upgrade likely find, etc)

      Has always been free though, not sure why Microsoft waited until now to announce it so publicly… Could've done it before all the retailer's got their foot in the door.

      • That's the catch though, I work in IT so I'm aware of how it works, but I full expected to need to buy again.

        1. I changed significant hardware (GPU + Primary HDD for SSD + Secondary HDD for SSD)

        2. We never got the N edition released here.

        3. My last copy was picky about when it was 'active; or not, being an OEM key with no longer matching hardware.

        I didnt expect a fresh install to activate, when clicking the "I don't have a key" option, lol.
        ESPECIALLY a version that wasn't offered in this country.

        • For the purpose of activation it's only if you change motherboard, you are able to upgrade your HDD/GPU no problems as they are not significant changes to the system.

  • Argh no option for this. Does this include upgrading from windows 8.1. I did a fresh formation my Acer predator G3. Can't activate

  • Looking to sell old laptop which has Window 7. Can someone guide how to restore factory settings and then upgrade to Window 10?

    • +1

      Probably the quickest way is to Download the Win10 installer for Microsoft and select the option to create USB key.
      Boot from USB key.
      Select the Win10 version that matches your Win7 i.e. Pro or Home.
      Enter your Win7 Lic key
      Install fresh (not upgrade).

      Other Option: If you upgrade from within Win7, you could choose (at anytime) to do a Recovery and Fresh install which wipes everything (prior to selling)……all done from within Win 10. Nice and easy.

      • Nope, doesn't work. You can't do a fresh install and enter the Win7 key - it says invalid. I had to install 7 first and then upgrade.

        • During the install you pick "I don't have a product key" when prompted, then select Windows 10 Home as the edition to install. After installation press on activate and then enter your Windows 7 product key and it goes through no problem. Definitely don't have to install Windows 7 first.

    • You should have a recovery partition, look at the instruction manual for restore or recovery. Or even check your start menu or taskbar for a manufacturer program eg. lenovo's have Lenovo care etc

  • Legend OP. How did you know I just bought a brand new SSD and needed this? Legend!

  • Can you get windows for free if you don’t have windows 7 (for having dual Operating systems on a Mac)

    • +1

      You can download Windows 10 and install it without activating it if you want to, only limitation is that you can't change your wallpaper and after the grace period you will have a watermark in the bottom right saying that you need to activate Windows. It will never stop working though and you still get all the updates etc.

      • Nice, There’s a game that I want which is only available on windows.

  • +1

    Yeah I already knew about this but what I didn't know is if you have 64btt hardware but 32bit Windows 7 you can do an in place upgrade to 32bit Windows 10.Then use the same key once activated to install 64bit Windows 10.

    Pretty good if you have a laptop that came with OEM windows 7 32bit

    Thought this expired on the day when they discontinued 7 but looks like still there for free

    • Alternatively skip the step of downloading/upgrading 32 bit Windows 10 and just download 64 bit Windows 10 and create a USB installer with it. Boot from the USB and you can do a clean install without product key and after installing it enter your Windows 7/8 key and it will activate it.

  • I'm still running unactivated Win10 on my techfast PC. sure I got a watermark telling me to activate it, and changing the desktop wallpaper is done differently, but other than that it's protected and basically still functional. might get around to it one day but really, I'm in no rush

    • It will be hard as your PC would be fairly new and won't support Windows 7. You might be able to hack around it. You still need to get Win7 installed and activated though.

      • yeah i dont really care about it to be honest. if i ever have a spare $130 or whatever it is lying around i might. or buy a key online. in the end i got a functional product with some very minor inconveniences (which ive read can be disabled but even then i cant be bothered)

        • i have the same message and havent bothered fixing it. I have a licence, it just complained when i changed motherboard and i need to call then to fix the activation.

  • -2

    Firstly a Windows 10 license can be purchased for just a few bucks.
    Secondly, been there tried that. This stopped working last year.

    However you can still upgrade licensed Dell and HP machines to Win 10 for free.

    For HP you need the HP Win 10 installation disk and do the upgrade.
    For Dell, after upgrading you activate with the Win 7 key on the side of the machine.

    • +1

      It did not stop working. I do it regularly. Windows 10 will activate with a valid Windows 7 or 8 product key, no matter what brand of computer it is.

  • My recommendation - don't bother with 10. Stick with 7, use Chrome instead of IE11, and use a decent AV software (recommend Kaspersky Free) and you should be fine for years.

    • +1

      Fine for the interim until Win 7 is considered out of date and is no longer supported by software vendors.

      • -1

        Software vendors will continue to support it as long as enough people are still using it. More than 25% of PCs are still running it. It would have to drop below, say, 5% for most companies to drop support. I don't see that happening for a few more years.

    • +3

      Exploits will be found, and they will no longer be patched by M$, and not all of them will be picked up by AV, since a lot of exploits don't require a virus to be exploited.

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