Windows 10 free download: How to get the upgrade now - msnNOW

Support for Windows 7 ended almost a year ago, 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 $139. But you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works for many people. And if you find yourself spending more time at home on your computer due to the coronavirus pandemic, it may be a good time to try it out for yourself. 

a close up of a blue wall © CNET

When Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, Microsoft offered an unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 users, good through July 2016. But in 2017, Ed Bott of CNET sister site ZDNet reported that the free upgrade tool was still functional. I tried it out in November 2019, and was able to upgrade a 2014 Dell OptiPlex 9020 desktop from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. As of November 2020, readers are still emailing me and commenting below, saying that it's worked for them as well.

Read more: 11 easy Windows 10 tricks you didn't know about 

Windows 7 users who don't upgrade to the new version will no longer be able to get Microsoft's security updates or fixes, or technical support for any issues, leaving your computer at greater risk from viruses and malware. While Windows 10 users have experienced a number of bugs over the years, upgrading remains the best option for keeping your computer safe, analysts say. And more people seem to be making the move: Windows 10 now has more than 1 billion active users worldwide, Microsoft reported in March. 

How to take Windows 10 screenshots

What to watch next

UP NEXT

UP NEXT

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. 

Read more at TechRepublic: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)

a close up of a light: Microsoft is encouraging Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 before support for the former ends in January 2020. Stephen Shankland/CNET © Provided by CNET Microsoft is encouraging Windows 7 users to upgrade to Windows 10 before support for the former ends in January 2020. Stephen Shankland/CNET

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. 

To get the best Windows 10 experience and take advantage of features like passwordless sign-on through Windows Hello, you'll want to purchase a new Windows 10 PC (or one released after July 2015) with all the hardware upgrades. If you're a student or university faculty member, you may also be able to download Windows 10 for free (search for your school's software offerings here). 

For more, check out the best antivirus protection of 2020 for Windows 10, six security changes all Windows 10 users need to make and everything you need to know about the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. You can also get Microsoft Office online free, too.

Windows 10 fall 2020 update: Here's what's new

What to watch next

UP NEXT

UP NEXT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ZLUDA v2 Released For Drop-In CUDA On Intel Graphics - Phoronix

Image
One of many interesting and original open-source projects to be started in 2020 was ZLUDA, an open-spurce drop-in CUDA implementation for Intel graphics. ZLUDA - developed independent of Intel and NVIDIA - is built atop Intel's oneAPI Level Zero interface (hence the name, ZLUDA) and allows for unmodified CUDA applications to run on Intel UHD/Xe Graphics hardware with near-native performance. Well, that's the goal at least but with the initial ZLUDA release were a number of support limitations. Out today is ZLUDA Version 2 that has been focused on ensuring it works well with the Geekbench CUDA test cases as an interesting stressor for CUDA on Intel graphics. Additionally, the Microsoft Windows support for ZLUDA has been improved while continuing to provide first-rate Linux support. ZLUDA Version 2 implements more host-side functions, a number of bugs have been fixed, I/O performance improvements, support for creating traces of CUDA kernel executions, and other enhancements for...
Read more

Google chrome crashed and now laptop is running very slowly. Malware? - Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help - BleepingComputer

Image
Hello, My Huawei laptop is not very old and has been working perfectly until yesterday. Google Chrome crashed and now it takes longer to start up, and neither chrome or Microsoft edge work properly (very slow and keep buffering). My avast anti virus has not found anything when I scanned, but I can't think what else the problem can be. I tried some of the steps in the post about a slow computer not being a malware problem but nothing changed, and since I don't have very much installed on my laptop I don't think it can be a problem with memory. Any help in fixing this would be very much appreciated. I have attached my log here; Rachel Scan result of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) (x64) Version: 15-04-2022 Ran by Rachel (administrator) on LAPTOP-AJP0U36V (HUAWEI BOHB-WAX9) (17-04-2022 16:11:18) Running from C:\Users\Rachel\Downloads Loaded Profiles: Rachel Platform: Microsoft Windows 10 Home Single Language Version 21H2 19044.1645 (X64) Language: ...
Read more

SPECapc for Solidworks 2020 benchmark adds new GUI; CPU and 2D drafting tests - Graphic Speak

Image
By Bob Cramblitt The new SPECapc for Solidworks 2020 benchmark includes 10 models and 50 tests exercising a full range of graphics, CPU, and storage functionality. SPEC's Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) project group has released new performance evaluation software for workstations running Solidworks 2020. Major new features in the new SPECapc for Solidworks 2020 benchmark include: Testing under the new Solidworks 2020 enhanced graphics interface. Two new CPU tests for file conversion and simulation. New tests that exercise the 2D drafting mode within Solidworks. A still image from the new simulation tests within the SPECapc for Solidworks 2020 benchmark. Comprehensive performance testing The SPECapc for Solidworks 2020 benchmark includes 10 models and 50 tests exercising a full range of graphics, CPU and storage functionality. Model sizes range from 392 MB to 2.3 GB in memory.  The following models are included in the benchmark: Audi R8 (car)—7...
Read more