If you’ve been clinging onto Windows 7 this long, you probably already know it’s going to reach its end of life expiration date tomorrow on January 14, 2020. While we commend you resolve to this point, if you’re finally ready to throw in the towel, you should be glad to hear there’s still a free way to upgrade to Windows 10.
That’s right, you don’t need to give Microsoft $139 to get the latest version of Windows, thanks to the company’s own Get Windows 10 (GWX) initiative that never truly went away.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free:
- Go to this Windows 10 webpage and click the Download tool now button
- Run the Media Creation Tool, which you’ve just downloaded
- When the first menu appears, choose the Upgrade this PC now option and follow the instructions
And that’s it. The whole process usually takes an hour or so and should work for most users. That said, you can take a few precautions to ensure the upgrade works for you, the most important of which is checking for any recent driver updates and BIOS updates. You’ll also want to uninstall any third-party security software and disconnect any external storage devices.
Be aware that the free upgrade to Windows 10 upgrade only works for users who’ve installed retail versions of Windows 7 including Home, Pro, and Ultimate—sorry Enterprise users, you’re out of luck.
Upgrading to Windows 10 should almost be a given at this point, especially when its free to jump ship. But if you’re still adamant with riding out the Windows 7 train, know that you’re leaving your computer open to viruses and malware now that the OS will no longer receive security updates or fixes, or technical support for any issues from Microsoft.
Lastly, if you’re still riding along with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 for whatever reason, this free Windows 10 upgrade method will work for you as well.
Source: IGN.com How to Upgrade to Windows 10 for Free