Can you still download the free windows 10 upgrade

Read more: Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh. Windows 7 users who don't upgrade to Windows 10 are already missing out on Microsoft's security updates, bug fixes and technical support. So the best way to protect your computer from viruses is to update it now.

We'll show you how to download Windows 10 for free and give you the latest on Windows 11 computer requirements and a common Windows 11 error that Microsoft users are running into. And here's what you can expect before upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows This story was recently updated. 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. Go to the Download Windows 10 website. Under Create Windows 10 installation media , click Download tool now and Run.

If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC , and save the installation files. It should be noted that if you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, while Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only be updated to Windows 10 Pro.

The upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Other users may experience blocks as well , depending on your machine. This upgrade using the media creation tool isn't meant for the general consumer, but it works for many nonetheless. Here's why - and how to get it. Before getting started, I recommend a few preliminary tasks that can head off potential problems:.

With those preliminaries out of the way, go to the Download Windows 10 webpage and click the Download tool now button. After the download completes, double-click the executable file to run the Media Creation Tool. That option installs the most recent version of Windows It typically takes an hour, more or less, depending on your hardware. Having an SSD as your system drive is the best way to speed up the process.

If you know you'll want to upgrade to Windows 10 on more than one PC, or if you just want more flexibility in the event that the instant upgrade fails, choose the second option and save the installation files to a USB drive or as an ISO file.

The download takes a little time but when it's complete, you can run the Windows Setup program manually to install Windows 10 on any PC running any supported Windows 10 version sorry, this won't work with PCs running Windows Vista or Windows XP. The exact steps depend on which download option you chose:. Then just follow the prompts to complete the upgrade to Windows All your apps and data files will be available. The digital license is associated with that specific device, which means you can reformat the disk and perform a clean installation of the same edition of Windows 10 anytime.

If you're thinking of upgrading your old system drive to an SSD, perform the upgrade to Windows 10 on the old hardware; after confirming that the new Windows 10 version is properly activated, install the SSD and then either restore from a backup image or boot from the USB flash drive to do a clean install. You won't need a product key, and activation is automatic. And now the big question: If you avail yourself of this upgrade to Windows 10, is the resulting license valid?

The entire "free upgrade" offer was always accompanied by language that was, to put it politely, a bit squishy. And the language around the end of that offer is similarly vague. That's very odd language. The free upgrade through the Get Windows 10 app ended on July 29, Likewise, the discussion of product keys says a key will be necessary "for this tool to work" not true but doesn't say a word about licensing.

And unlike the weaselly "Genuine Windows" label on older upgrades, the activation screens for a Windows 10 upgrade specifically confirm the existence of a "digital license. The best laptops: Our recommended models for every use case and platform. New year, new laptop? These are the devices that should be at or near the top of your shortlist.

Anyway, the free upgrade offer was extended, at least for people who use assistive technologies. The FAQ on a separate page even called it a "free upgrade offer extension" and pointedly noted that it was not limited to specific assistive technologies.

Theoretically, upgrading to Windows 10 will not erase your data. However, according to a survey, we find that some users have encountered trouble finding their old files after updating their PC to Windows Processor: 1 gigahertz GHz or faster. Since its official release a year ago, Windows 10 has been a free upgrade to Windows 7 and 8. Part of a new company strategy, Windows 12 is being offered for free to anyone using Windows 7 or Windows 10, even if you have a pirated copy of the OS.