Support for Windows 7 ended more than a year ago, and Microsoft wants holdouts to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. But you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in still works for many people. And if you've found yourself spending more time at home on your computer due to the pandemic , it may be a good time to try it out for yourself.
When Windows 10 was first released in July , Microsoft offered an unprecedented free upgrade offer for Windows 7, 8 and 8. As of the end of April , readers are still emailing me and commenting below, saying that it's worked for them as well. Read more: Windows 10 tips: How to take screenshots, find the secret Start menu and more. 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. 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.
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 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. In any case, don't expect to download the ISO of this software for free because, even if there already newer versions available, you'll still have to pay its full price. Just a year after its initial release, it received its first major update, Service Pack 1 SP1 that corrects certain errors and security issues found in its code. Furthermore, it also comes along with different versions that adapt perfectly to the needs of every kind of users:.
What hardware configuration is necessary to run Windows 7 on a PC? Don't go too mad trying to figure it out, here are the technical specifications necessary on your computer to make it run appropriately:. These requirements are appropriate for a bit processor, however the recommended specs are necessary for bit versions.
Enabling the Administrator account in Windows 7 is very easy. To do so, it is necessary to go to the device administration options. Therefore, open the Start menu, right-click Computer , and select Manage from the context menu. Windows Tools Operating Systems Windows 7 Professional Windows 7 is the new operating system by Microsoft that has arrived to succeed Windows Vista and offer the user improvements at visual and performance level Vote 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Requirements and additional information:.
This is a commercial software. Antony Peel. Software languages. Author Microsoft.