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Free Windows 10 Upgrade @ Microsoft (Previous Installation/Licence Required)

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For those who haven't upgraded here's a reminder. All credit to kimba88 for the previous post

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:

  • Go to the Download Windows 10 website.
  • Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run.
  • 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.)
  • Follow the prompts.

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

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Comments

  • But why won't they let me upgarde from XP? :(

  • Have an old laptop (samsung NP900X3C) with Windows 7 Home Premium, on it's last legs -used primarily as HTPC. Bought myself a NUC, and thought instead of buying an OS, I'd install Windows 10 and somehow use the old laptop's window's license. So I created the Windows 10 installation USB-stick on the old laptop, installed it on the NUC.. but then realized the Windows 7 Product ID in old laptop was some OEM key?, which didn't work in Win 10 activation prompt. Did a bit more reading, which indicated I needed to get the SLP key in the motherboard, using a tool, and somehow get that in my NUC? Forget it, I just installed Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.. Looking forward to testing it out over coming days..

    • +1

      I've been a long time fan of Ubuntu and I go back to it now and again, but if you want something flashy as a HTPC, give elementary OS a shot. It's prettier and it uses less resources (or so I've read). Works great as a HTPC.

      • Ta. It's been a bit of an eye-opener, whilst installing apps, realising how much I got used to Windows.. I'll probably need some time to settle in Ubuntu, before trying out other distributions. Thanks for the tip, I'll keep it mind.

    • Run this on the old laptop

      https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazesoftwindowskeyfinder/fi…

      It will show you the key from the BIOS (SLP Key) as well as the installed product key.

  • Wow, this worked with Windows 7 Starter from an old dead laptop.
    Thanks!

  • my computer is upgrading this system automatically

  • Thanks, this worked perfectly. Downloaded the file to USB. Did a fresh Win10 Pro install on a new SSD and used my old Win7 Pro serial.

  • +1

    Regarding X570 and possibly X470, B450 and B550

    So, i might be a little late on this… i don't know.
    With some effort i created a Windows 7 installer that actually works on AMD's X570 chipset.
    I did some research and it seemed that many people were having difficulty with this.

    If this installation media does not contravene any rules or laws I'd be happy to make it available somehow.

    If someone could suggest a Torrent or or file sharing site?

    To be clear, this is install media only with chipset/USB drivers integrated to allow installation on X570 boards (and possibly others), tested on 2 different Asus boards.
    I cannot provide any activation or serial number for it.

  • +2

    Just dusted off my old Surface Pro 3 from 2014 which had windows 8 preinstalled, an operating system I found frustrating at times. Much happier on Windows 10 and pretty stoked the tablet still works after all these years

    And for anyone curious that was Windows 8 Pro -> Windows 10 Pro. Used windows 10 installation media and didn't require a disc or USB flash drive

    • +2

      The key numbers for 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 are all interchangeable - if you have a licence for any of those Windows versions (your Surface Pro 3 has one in the BIOS) then you can install any other of those versions 👍

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