Head to the Windows 10 download page and select Download tool now.

You now need to get the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Check your PC exceeds the minimum requirements on Microsoft's website. You’ll need to be on Windows 7 Service Pack 1 – if your PC is up to date, this should already be the case. At the bottom, it will say if the licence is activated. Check this using Control Panel from the Start Menu, clicking on System and Security, and then System. What to do firstįor the best chance of getting a free upgrade, your current version of Windows 7 must be legal and activated with Microsoft. Not everyone is going to be able to upgrade for free, but here's how to check and proceed.

In a recent survey of 1,013 Which? members, we found that 13% were still using Windows 7 on their main computer, while some 30% of people around the world were still using Windows 7. So long as you keep your computer up-to-date, your Windows 10 will always be supported. Microsoft is aiming to move all Windows users on to Windows 10, which is the 'final version': there won't be a Windows 11 instead Microsoft will put out feature updates twice a year as well as regular security updates. If you're still using Windows 7, it's time to upgrade: after a decade of support, Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7. Follow our step-by-step guide to installing Windows 10 on your Windows 7 PC However, it might be possible for you to upgrade your computer for free. This lets you create and run virtual machines, so you can test specific environments or risky software without damaging your host PC.A new licence for Windows 10 costs £119.99 bought direct from the Microsoft website. There's also support for Hyper-V virtualization. This lets you remotely connect to your PC and control it from anywhere, which can be very useful for PCs you leave at the office, for example. Encrypting your data means only you can access it, and that's important if you're worried about data privacy and security.Īnother exclusive feature is support for Remote Desktop. One of the Pro-exclusive features is BitLocker encryption, which helps protect the data on your PC from external attackers.

Upgrade windows 11 home to pro free