Windows 10 Download: You can still get Microsoft’s operating system for free before Windows 11 arrives

If you held on upgrade to Windows 10, the time has come. Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 over a year ago, and it wants locks to move to Windows 10 to keep devices running safely and smoothly, especially before Windows 11 begins to unfold this month of october. Windows 11 will only be available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users. Anyone using older operating systems will need to pay for the upgrade. (Here is how you are going to download windows 11 when it is available and how to check if your computer will be compatible with the new operating system. Plus, here’s everything you need to know about switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11.)

If you have an older PC or laptop that’s still running Windows 7, you can buy Windows 10 Home from Microsoft’s website for $ 139 (£ 120, AU $ 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 for many people. With the potential new version of Windows just around the corner, maybe now is the time to make sure you’re running the latest version to make future updates easier.

When Windows 10 first launched in July 2015, Microsoft offered an unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users, valid through July 2016. But in 2017, Ed Bott CNET’s sister site ZDNet reported that the free upgrade tool was still functional. I tried it in November 2019 and was able to upgrade a Dell OptiPlex 9020 2014 Desktop PC from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. As of August 2021, readers are still emailing me and commenting below, saying it worked for them as well.

Read more: Windows 10 Tips: How to Take Screenshots, Find the Secret Start Menu, and More

Upgrading your operating system isn’t just about new features. Windows 7 users who do not upgrade to the new version will no longer be able to obtain updates or security patches from Microsoft, or technical support for any issues, which will put your computer at increased risk of viruses. and malware. Although Windows 10 users have encountered a number of bugs over the years, upgrading is still the best option for keep your computer safe, say analysts. And more and more people seem to be taking the step: Windows 10 now has more than 1.3 billion active users worldwide, Microsoft reported in May. (Just note that with Windows 11 coming, Windows 10 support will end in 2025.)

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How to download Windows 10 for free

Here’s how to get Windows 10 for free, if you’re currently using a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 Home or Pro:

1. Go to the Windows 10 download website.

2. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, Click on Download the tool now and To run.

3. To choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you are upgrading. (If you are upgrading another machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)

4. Follow the prompts.

5. Once the upgrade is complete, go to Update settings and security> Activation, and you should see a digital license for Windows 10.

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 update to Windows 10 Pro. (The upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Other users may also experience freezes, depending on your machine.) This upgrade using the Media Creation Tool is not intended for the general public, but it works for many nonetheless.

To get the best Windows 10 experience and enjoy features like login without password through Hello Windows, you’ll want to buy a new Windows 10 PC (or one released after July 2015) with all hardware upgrades. If you’re a college student or faculty member, you can also download Windows 10 for free (find your school’s software offerings here).

For more information, see the best antivirus protection of 2021 for Windows 10, six security changes every Windows 10 user needs to make and all the big differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11. You can also get Microsoft Office online for free, too much.