Switch from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free, here’s the trick.
If you’re still using Windows 7, it’s high time to migrate to Windows 10, now that Microsoft has abandoned its old operating system.
Microsoft announced it well in advance: Windows 7 is now completely abandoned. Since January 14, 2020, the operating system no longer receives any technical support. In other words, except for professionals and companies that have subscribed to a paid maintenance program, there will eventually be no more updates for Windows 7, which could pose serious security problems in case of discovery and exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Of course, PCs still running Windows 7 will continue to work “normally”. Released in October 2009, more than ten years ago, this edition is still considered one of the best versions of Windows along with Windows XP: it still has many fans who still praise its merits.
But, in the long run, unless you “freeze” a computer in its current state, there will soon be no other solution than to switch to Windows 10 or adopt another operating system like Ubuntu. Indeed, much must-have software – especially those related to the Internet, such as Chrome or Firefox – now require Windows 10, no longer offering a version or update adapted to Windows 7. In short, it’s a forced march, and sooner or later we will have to resolve to move to Windows 10
How to get Windows 10 for free?
When Windows 10 arrived in 2015, Microsoft offered a free migration to legal users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. For quite a long time – until July 2016 – all you had to do was accept the Windows Update offer to upgrade for free.
Since then, the upgrade to Windows 10 has officially become paid. The operating system is actually offered for sale at quite varied prices, depending on whether you buy the boxed version or simply an activation key – you can find some at around ten euros on online sales sites. But, against all expectations, and without promoting it, Microsoft has maintained its free upgrade system. And if the procedure is not automatic, it is still possible to make the migration without a purse, directly at Microsoft. An unofficial method, therefore, but perfectly legal!
In practice, you need to get a dedicated (and free) tool from Microsoft and download an official version of Windows 10 (an Iso image, in fact). Everything is then done automatically, on the PC equipped with Windows 7, by simply following the instructions displayed on the screen!
Be careful though: even if the risk is low – we have performed several upgrades without encountering the slightest problem – it is strongly advised to back up all important personal files on the PC before performing the upgrade, otherwise, you may lose irreplaceable data. This is probably the most painful part of the operation.
Of course, the upgrade is normally reserved for official versions of Windows 7, i.e. versions activated with a valid and legal key – a key that can be found on the label attached to the PC or in the box containing the installation CD, but which can also be retrieved using a utility, if necessary. In principle, you do not have to worry about the key: Windows 10 automatically retrieves it during the upgrade and is activated without delay, transparently. A detail that significantly simplifies the operation.
Finally, it should be noted that this upgrade also works in theory on PCs still running Windows 8 or 8.1. In practice, these are the first to have migrated to Windows 10 at its release.
Which PC for Windows 10?
Obviously, you should not expect to install Windows 10 on an antique PC. Or, more exactly, on a computer that is not powerful enough. In its technical documents, Microsoft requires at least the following hardware configuration:
- Processor: 1 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB for the 32-bit version or 2 GB for the 64-bit version
- Storage space: 16 GB for the 32-bit version or 32 GB for the 64-bit version
- Display resolution: 800 x 600 pixels
If these characteristics are not very precise – a 1 GHz processor can be very slow or relatively fast, depending on its design… -they are not extraordinary-the minimum definition corresponds to that of an old 15-inch CRT screen-and a relatively modest configuration is enough to run Windows 10. As we’ve seen during our various upgrade operations, a ten or twelve-year-old PC with a decent processor can perfectly host Windows 10. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend a minimum of 4 GB of RAM. And it’s better to use an SSD for the system rather than a traditional hard drive, to gain smooth operation. In any case, the Microsoft update tool checks the hardware configuration before installation.
In practice, it is advisable to have free space (about 10GB) on the hard disk (or SSD) for the installation. And it is even possible to launch the process from a USB key – the use of a burned DVD is also possible, but not recommended because of its obvious slowness, especially since this type of support has almost disappeared today
In addition, it is essential to perform the upgrade on a computer connected to the Internet, to download the upgrade utility, the copy of Windows 10 – as an Iso file – and the latest system updates.
How to download the Windows upgrade tool?
On your Windows 7 PC, with your usual web browser, click on the link below to go directly to the Microsoft page dedicated to the upgrade tool
