Upgrade Windows 7 to 10 for free (still works)

mrcheez · 22-12-2019 10:13pm #1

Just a heads up that support for Windows 7 ends next month so if you have an activated copy then you can still get the Windows 10 upgrade for free (the offer which was supposedly ended a year or so back).

I upgraded my folks computer yesterday following this guide

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/upgrade-to-windows-10-free-heres-how/

Save you a hundred euro or so

Timberrrrrrrr · 22-12-2019 10:14pm

Have win 7 on laptop and PC (at home) will never change, hate win 10

Lewis_Benson · 22-12-2019 10:16pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Have win 7 on laptop and PC (at home) will never change, hate win 10

What security precautions are you taking from january?

mrcheez · 22-12-2019 10:16pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Have win 7 on laptop and PC (at home) will never change, hate win 10

I actually like it, hated 8.

Some shortcuts you do need to relearn where they are, like Recent documents, but they added a new Timeline feature which I like.

Skuxx · 22-12-2019 11:37pm

I tried this recently and couldn't get it to work for some reason... I'll have a go again tomorrow!

CyberGhost · 22-12-2019 11:41pm

I wish it was possible to just "move" the serial key to Windows 10, for later use.

bennyineire · 23-12-2019 10:22am

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Have win 7 on laptop and PC (at home) will never change, hate win 10

Never change a technology product ? OK Grandpa Simpson.
Windows 10 is grand once you get used to it, also you can change it's layout and feel to be similar to 7.

Don't fear progress and change, lest you be left behind (which you will)

jj880 · 23-12-2019 10:34am

Use classic shell if you want to make windows 10 look like windows 7

http://www.classicshell.net/

Timberrrrrrrr · 23-12-2019 12:05pm

bennyineire wrote: »

Never change a technology product ? OK Grandpa Simpson.
Windows 10 is grand once you get used to it, also you can change it's layout and feel to be similar to 7.

Don't fear progress and change, lest you be left behind (which you will)

I work in IT and use win 10 all the time, I just prefer 7 on my personal gadgets :rolleyes:

23-12-2019 12:11pm

had no end of problems with windows 10, hate it

Alpha_zero · 23-12-2019 12:47pm

Windows 7 is one of Microsoft best operating systems, 10 is better than Vista and 8 sure but thats not saying much as they were rubbish.

The real Bargain would be to go back to windows 7

bennyineire · 23-12-2019 1:03pm

Alpha_zero wrote: »

Windows 7 is one of Microsoft best operating systems, 10 is better than Vista and 8 sure but thats not saying much as they were rubbish.

The real Bargain would be to go back to windows 7

Windows 7 will be end of life in mid January, time to move on folks. Unless you are happy with a unsupported operating system that will most certainly come under sustained attack from hackers next year

mrcheez · 23-12-2019 1:06pm

Alpha_zero wrote: »

The real Bargain would be to go back to windows 7

It will be a real bargain for hackers for sure!

chonix · 23-12-2019 1:47pm

Lewis_Benson wrote: »

What security precautions are you taking from january?

Tinfoil hat

Gadgetman496 · 23-12-2019 2:34pm

jj880 wrote: »

Use classic shell if you want to make windows 10 look like windows 7

http://www.classicshell.net/

Ceased development in Dec 2017...

daheff · 23-12-2019 3:50pm

anything for upgrade from 8 to 10?

have 8. not good. :mad:

lawred2 · 23-12-2019 3:52pm

8 was garbage

10 is a perfectly functional OS

chonix · 23-12-2019 4:07pm

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

Ceased development in Dec 2017...

https://github.com/Open-Shell/Open-Shell-Menu

mrcheez · 23-12-2019 5:46pm

daheff wrote: »

anything for upgrade from 8 to 10?

have 8. not good. :mad:

yep the upgrade works for Windows 8 too

Windows 10 is much better than 8 which I detested

GhostyMcGhost · 23-12-2019 6:24pm

chonix wrote: »

Tinfoil hat

CyberFoil TinVPN

50c for a lifetime sub

Zimmerframe · 23-12-2019 6:44pm

Just a side note, in case not everybody knows.
If you have Windows 10 Home version on your pc and you would like Windows 10 Pro, it's about $99 to upgrade.
If you have an old Win7 pro or Win 8 pro key lying about, just click settings, activation and change product key, then enter your old Win 7/8 pro key and Windows 10 Home will update itself to Windows 10 Pro version for free.

_Kaiser_ · 24-12-2019 6:35am

Gadgetman496 wrote: »

Ceased development in Dec 2017...

I've used this one for years. A lot neater than classic shell and gets regular updates. You can have the Windows 7 menu, 10, or a hybrid version.

https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/

Worth the few quid for a license imo, but it comes with a trial period to test it out and is transferable between devices as well.

sector_000 · 24-12-2019 9:16pm

Thanks OP.
Just successfully upgraded an old win8 laptop today.

Discodog · 25-12-2019 10:18am

Thanks OP worked for me.

Qwerty? · 25-12-2019 11:45am

I wish to change pc harddrive to an SSD, if I upgrade to Windows 10 on the existing hd, then install win 10 on new SSD drive, will the licence transfer? Or what's the best route to go?

Kenny Logins · 25-12-2019 12:06pm

Qwerty? wrote: »

I wish to change pc harddrive to an SSD, if I upgrade to Windows 10 on the existing hd, then install win 10 on new SSD drive, will the licence transfer? Or what's the best route to go?

Just clone the drive to SSD.

somebody_else · 25-12-2019 4:23pm

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Just clone the drive to SSD.

Installing Win 10 on SSD is better option.

Reason behind is that Windows can trim data on drive and when installing it will put data different way that on HDD. Just cloning will work but as not efficient as fresh installation on SSD.
When you update to Win10 on HDD then a digital fingerprint of your system will be recorded by Microsoft and it allow you to install Win10 again on SSD without serial key.

Tom

Qwerty? · 25-12-2019 4:25pm

somebody_else wrote: »

Installing Win 10 on SSD is better option.

Reason behind is that Windows can trim data on drive and when installing it will put data different way that on HDD. Just cloning will work but as not efficient as fresh installation on SSD.
When you update to Win10 on HDD then a digital fingerprint of your system will be recorded by Microsoft and it allow you to install Win10 again on SSD without serial key.

Tom

Thanks, was guessing that but wanted to check before going ahead.

Happy Christmas.

Seve OB · 26-12-2019 1:02am

bring back windows 95
ok that might be pushing the boat out
i'll settle for XP

Kenny Logins · 26-12-2019 1:43pm

somebody_else wrote: »

Installing Win 10 on SSD is better option.

Reason behind is that Windows can trim data on drive and when installing it will put data different way that on HDD. Just cloning will work but as not efficient as fresh installation on SSD.
When you update to Win10 on HDD then a digital fingerprint of your system will be recorded by Microsoft and it allow you to install Win10 again on SSD without serial key.

Tom

It has been a while but I remember running through a process that reconfigured the data for SSD use as the final step. If you have lot of applications installed and set up this is probably the easiest and quickest method and will have you up and running in minutes, if not, fresh install.

Mizu_Ger · 26-12-2019 1:49pm

I tried this on Monday and it worked fine (Home Premium version). However, I did lose nearly 10Gb of disk space after the installation. Not sure why. I expected Win10 to be more lighweight that Win7.

Quackster · 26-12-2019 2:31pm

Mizu_Ger wrote: »

I tried this on Monday and it worked fine (Home Premium version). However, I did lose nearly 10Gb of disk space after the installation. Not sure why. I expected Win10 to be more lighweight that Win7.

The upgrade process saved a backup of your previous Windows 7 installation on your HDD. It should be in a folder called windows.old which you can delete once you are happy that you won't want to revert to your previous setup.

CoBo55 · 26-12-2019 2:37pm

Quackster wrote: »

The upgrade process saved a backup of your previous Windows 7 installation on your HDD. It should be in a folder called windows.old which you can delete once you are happy that you won't want to revert to your previous setup.

You need to use the windows cleanup tool and select system files to delete the massive windows old folder.

Quackster · 26-12-2019 2:40pm

CoBo55 wrote: »

You need to use the windows cleanup tool and select system files to delete the massive windows old folder.

Yep, that's probably the easiest way of doing it.

Solaris10 · 26-12-2019 2:52pm

Quackster wrote: »

The upgrade process saved a backup of your previous Windows 7 installation on your HDD. It should be in a folder called windows.old which you can delete once you are happy that you won't want to revert to your previous setup.

https://www.techspot.com/guides/1219...ws-old-folder/

Quackster · 26-12-2019 3:00pm

Solaris10 wrote: »

https://www.techspot.com/guides/1219...ws-old-folder/

That link isn't working for me but here it is: techspot.com/guides/1219-delete-windows-old-folder

Very good run-through.

ejmaztec · 26-12-2019 3:11pm

CoBo55 wrote: »

You need to use the windows cleanup tool and select system files to delete the massive windows old folder.

Isn't the Windows cleanup tool obsolete now, as far as Windows 10 is concerned anyway?

I use Disk Clean-up, and go for the system files option to get rid of old versions and whatever else is taking up space.

dasdog · 26-12-2019 4:32pm

Thanks - relatively seamless upgrade from 8.1

Tin Foil Hat PS afters:
https://gist.github.com/alirobe/7f3b34ad89a159e6daa1

mondeoman2 · 26-12-2019 5:43pm

Thanks OP,Upgraded Today And Got windows 10 PRO:D
Seems to be working great now,
lost all my files and bookmarks initially,but with a bit of
googling I realised I had to sign in as an adminininistrator.
All good now,
Thanks

Solaris10 · 26-12-2019 6:39pm

Quackster wrote: »

That link isn't working for me but here it is: techspot.com/guides/1219-delete-windows-old-folder

Very good run-through.

https://www.techspot.com/guides/1219-delete-windows-old-folder/

CoBo55 · 26-12-2019 11:07pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

Isn't the Windows cleanup tool obsolete now, as far as Windows 10 is concerned anyway?

I use Disk Clean-up, and go for the system files option to get rid of old versions and whatever else is taking up space.

That's what I meant.... But I think you know that...

Mizu_Ger · 28-12-2019 5:04pm

Quackster wrote: »

The upgrade process saved a backup of your previous Windows 7 installation on your HDD. It should be in a folder called windows.old which you can delete once you are happy that you won't want to revert to your previous setup.

CoBo55 wrote: »

You need to use the windows cleanup tool and select system files to delete the massive windows old folder.

Thanks. I'll check that out.

casio4 · 28-12-2019 8:41pm

I use an old pc with windows 7 and no product key, what can I do? should I get rid and buy a laptop?

Solaris10 · 28-12-2019 8:47pm

casio4 wrote: »

I use an old pc with windows 7 and no product key, what can I do? should I get rid and buy a laptop?

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

download Free Version...

AllForIt · 28-12-2019 9:00pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Have win 7 on laptop and PC (at home) will never change, hate win 10

Used to feel the same but picked up a new PC with a Solid Disk Drive and Win 10 installed this year, having previously installed 10 on my old PC. The main problem was it was so slow on a Hard Disk that it was unusable but a SSD made all the difference. Now I'm flying on it. Wouldn't go back to 7.

mrtom · 02-01-2020 6:17pm

Failed upgrade:
Model
sony viao pcg-71911m

somebody_else · 03-01-2020 1:28am

Check if you have enought free space on disk and if disk is ok (bad sectors funny noise when starting etc).

Your screen looks broken so maybe disk have some faults.

Try running sfc /scannow and chkdsk /r

Tom

BorneTobyWilde · 03-01-2020 1:33am

What happens ones files folders, info, pictures, so on. will that remain after an update?

Qwerty? · 03-01-2020 2:07am

Qwerty? wrote: »

Thanks, was guessing that but wanted to check before going ahead.

Happy Christmas.

All up and running thanks. A great bargain.

It accepted the win 7 key on the new SSD drive on installing windows 10 from scratch.

mrtom · 03-01-2020 3:15pm

somebody_else wrote: »

Check if you have enought free space on disk and if disk is ok (bad sectors funny noise when starting etc).

Your screen looks broken so maybe disk have some faults.

Try running sfc /scannow and chkdsk /r

Tom

Thanks somebody_else:
Have tried these steps & no issues detected. 30Gb free on C.

"0x8007001f-0x20006
the installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during REPLICATE_OC operation hell.
My research tells me this error related to update issue, in my case is an ehco of a deeper malaise.
Will proceed with fresh W 10 install.

Can I assume that during this I can choose my C partition to install & preserve my other partitions ?

CoBo55 · 03-01-2020 4:57pm

mrtom wrote: »

Thanks somebody_else:
Have tried these steps & no issues detected. 30Gb free on C.

"0x8007001f-0x20006
the installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase with an error during REPLICATE_OC operation hell.
My research tells me this error related to update issue, in my case is an ehco of a deeper malaise.
Will proceed with fresh W 10 install.

Can I assume that during this I can choose my C partition to install & preserve my other partitions ?

30 gig is very tight.

Upgrade Windows 7 to 10 for free (still works)

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