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Update Win7 to Win10

4 years ago

I have an old desktop computer running Win7 pro. My understanding is that Win7 won't be supported in 2020. This machine is an I5 3.2 GHz 64 bit machine with 8 GB memory that would seem capable of easily running Win10 so I would like to upgrade it. I also have a newer laptop that was initially a Win8.1 machine that was essentially automatically upgraded to Win10 with Microsoft's free and easy online upgrade. I had initially assumed that I would need to buy some upgrade from Microsoft but I couldn't even tell if that would allow a seamless update not requiring reloading of programs etc like the win8 to win 10 of my laptop.

However, then I saw online that some people have been able to still upgrade win7 machines to win 10 through some loophole in Microsoft's upgrade system. It seemed a little confusing;. has anyone done this and was it difficult? Otherwise, how easy or expensive is the regular upgrade?

Featured Answer

Elmer J Fudd

4 years ago

chas, keep in mind that a PC is more like a light bulb than like an old car. For an old car, it starts running not so well and accumulates minor problems that become major ones. An old light bulb works until it doesn't work at all. Old PCs are more like old light bulbs.

Everyone has their own views but I never put money into old PCs. They're old PCs and when one problem gets fixed, another won't be far behind.

If you aren't ready to proactively replace what you have, then just keep using it with Win 7. Be sure to have a top-rated security product active and current and be sure to back up any important files you don't want to lose. If you want to be careful, do any person business stuff using the other PC. But I wouldn't worry about it.

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Comments (8)

Elmer J Fudd
4 years ago
chas, I think the key to your comment is when you mentioned "old desktop". I wouldn't spend any money on that.

If you want stay a Windows desktop PC, look around for refurbished ones. Look at the Dell outlet as an example, plenty of choices of refurbished units, with Win 10, for $350 or less.
bengz6westmd
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
chas045, I have no idea about upgrading free to Win10 as you mention, but wouldn't be surprised if it can be done. Perhaps use your search engine to look, but I'd be careful about trying it. Honestly, I see no problem continuing to run Win7, at least for a few more yrs.

Elmer, about a yr ago I got a refurbished HP Elite small-form w/8 gigs mem, I5 3.2 MHz processor, 1 TB HD w/Win10 Pro for $180 on Amazon. Added a 32 gig USB 3.1 thumb drive for Readyboost, and it's plenty fast enough for my purposes. I multi-boot Xenial Puppy Linux & that runs well too.

I looked at each seller's ratings & chose one with high ratings/high numbers of rates.
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chas045
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks bengz...re continued win7 use: but wouldn't win7 be vulnerable without continued updates?

and Elmer: my machine seems to be running as well as my far newer win10 laptop. I just needed the upgrde for the security. I don't mind paying something, I would prefer to pay far less than $350 'though. I would also prefer easier than harder.
Mo
4 years ago
There's a link to Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade checker on this page. I'd run that first to make sure whether or not you can upgrade.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_install/windows-7-81-10-compatibility-testing-for-windows/310e06a4-b181-45ec-ae6d-ee93a1632932
Mike C
4 years ago
I HAVE upgraded a Win7 Pro & a Win7 Home to Win 10 in August without any problems. You do need to have the original keys. My Win7 Home supposedly had an invalid key (the one that came with the machine brand new). I installed as a dual boot on the Win7 Pro machine after creating a second partition for Win10.
bengz6westmd
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Mike C, I assume you didn't have to pay? Did you just download a Win10 iso file to install it?

chas045, IIRC Win7 still has Defender updates (check your installed updates to see)? Plus, if you have a decent Antivirus/Malware, your security should be OK. Do you need/use Microsoft Networking/File and Printer Sharing and Remote Access (listed in the Network adapter properties) as many of the security updates involve those. I have those disabled as I don't need them (you don't need them for simply connecting to the Internet, you just need them for connecting to & sharing files w/other computers), and that reduces considerably any threats.
chas045 thanked bengz6westmd
Mike C
4 years ago
Bengz - I went to the MS website, had to download a tool that allows you to create installation media. You need 8GB of media. I used a USB stick and told the computer to boot from the USB drive. If burning a DVD, it tells you to use a dual layer DVD. I didn't pay anything more for the upgrade from Windows 7 64 bit. The website https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 will get what you need.

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