How to Upgrade for Free to Windows 10 Home or Pro

[CountAllVotes]

Found these instructions on youtube.

Will be giving this a try soon!

[Ohiya]

1. Thanks for posting this.

It was perfect timing!

[splat]

2. Please let us know if it works n/t

[CountAllVotes]

3. There are some great tips at the end

He tells you how to make the interface look like Windows XP or Windows 7.

Lots of great info. even if you don't care to do it right now.

Not sure how much RAM you need, that is what my question is.

[lpbk2713]

4. Many thanks.

I thought I was going to have to shell out two or three hundred bucks for
a new PC just so that I could get Win 10. I installed it yesterday and it set
up without a hitch. It even set up my twenty year old monochrome HP1020
printer. And everything I had on Win 7 worked. Before I installed it I thought
I would have to reinstall Wordperfect X6 but it works just fine. Just be sure to
disable your anti-virus before installing or it will cause yo some problems. That
guy in the video did a great job with this.

[CountAllVotes]

5. You are most welcome

Yes, the video is very good as he takes you right to the source.

I plan to upgrade one of my computers as soon as I can get more RAM on it (only 4 RAM as of now = not enough already w/Windows 7).

Was lucky to stumble across this!

[Boxerfan]

6. I did this last night-success!

I'm am the least tech able person and I avoided this till the bitter end.

I'll say this-make sure you have your G-mail password written down somewhere you can find it. Otherwise it went without a hitch just followed the video guide. And being able to emulate the Windows 7 desktop was a major blessing. I hated-still hate-the windows 10 layout.

I have a clear screen almost-3 links and a trashcan showing that is all-how I like it.

Effin tiles & links to Walmart etc.. killed em all.

[CountAllVotes]

7. Glad to know it worked for you

I'm running Windows 10 on a used ThinkPad I bought on ebay for >$200. I'm slowly learning it but HATE the interface.

I plan to switch to the old interface as soon as I can.

I just got my Windows 7 laptop up and running yesterday so I guess it is ready-to-go.

Is your printer still working?

That is my biggest worry.

Please advise if you know.

Again, glad this worked out for you.

Almost too simple isn't it?

[Boxerfan]

8. No printer-avoiding the ink scam

The only real problem I had turned out to be a update bug that stalled videos on Youtube-that has now been fixed. I think that was a Chrome issue.

I have not owned a printer in many years. I rarely use them so the ink dries out. But can't just replace the black oh no. And the ink is more than they charged for the printer. Typical pusher scheme-get them hooked & jack up the prices.

Just use a thumb drive & head to a Kinko's should the need arise.

[CountAllVotes]

11. I have an HP 4500 Envy

I paid about $100 for it.

It copies, scans, etc.

I need it to do what I do.

The ink thing is a rip-off as if you don't use HP cartridges, it doesn't work that great.

Anyway, I tend to use one black XL cartridge and one regular color cartridge at year so I spend about $35 or so for the ink.

I have an office supply place nearby that charges .10 cents a page and they are only open on certain days at certain times.

So, its worth it for me to be able to do what I need to do for $35 year.

If I needed to print more, I guess I'd have to find another option.

As it now stands, this printer only prints (no more copy/scan) with Windows 10 even after installing the updates for Windows to to it.

I'm stuck needing a computer with Windows 7 on it to use it for the foreseeable future it seems, hence my question re: printer issues.

[Timewas]

26. Go laser

Spend a little extra at first and go laser..... not that high anymore and work great cartridge lasts a year or more depending on printing habits and don't dry out of not used.

[at140]

22. You are like me, I hate the Windows 10 interface

so down load the program called "classic shell" and it will make your windows 10 look like windows 7.
After I did that, I am liking Windows 10. Google "classic shell" to get the web address to download from.
It will look something like classicshell.net or .org.

[CountAllVotes]

24. Yes, I hate Windows 10

Last edited Thu Jan 9, 2020, 11:24 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm using it right now in fact and I still don't know wtf is going on most of the time.

Hate is a mild word for it.

Windows 7 isn't disappearing around here anytime soon!

I hear you re: the interface! Ugh!!!

[Aussie105]

27. You hated lace up shoes as well

when you were old enough to upgrade to them.

Remember that?

[CountAllVotes]

30. Do not like Vista, Windows 8, Windows 98 1st ed. either

Any more suggestions?

[LPBBEAR]

34. upgrade?

I wouldn't call moving from Windows 7 to Windows 10 an "upgrade".

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. I'm at the library doing this right now. Thank you.

{some editing. It's an N5050, not a 4040.}

The library has download speeds way beyond what I can muster at home. Even so, after a little more than an hour, I'm only up to 46% -- make that 47% -- on my progress.

The computer is a Dell Inspiron N5050. I didn't check the hardware to see if it had what it took, but so far, so good.

I have another laptop at home with Vista installed. I suspect that's too old for Windows 10. I can't recall what make and model it is, or its vintage.

I must have read about the prospect of the free upgrade somewhere else. The demise of support for Windows 7 has spurred more than a few people to get their act in gear. I haven't viewed he video. I am using the instructions given at c|net. They show up at the top in Google.

Upgrade to Windows 10 free, here's how
Microsoft's free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works for many Windows 7 and 8 users.

Alison DeNisco Rayome
December 17, 2019 9:10 AM PST

I talked to IT at work yesterday about upgrading for free. One of he fellows there shook his head and said that campaign was over. I said I had seen the article on c|net and that I would be giving it a try this weekend.

50% now.

Really, thank you again.

[CountAllVotes]

10. Let me know how it goes

It seems to have a great success rate.

Just yesterday I was able to download/install all Windows 7 updates but my desktop would not install a few of them.

The desktop has 8 RAM but still, the slow DSL connection.

Glad this seems to be working for so many!

I found it by accident and read the reviews on it and it sounded almost too good to be true so I decided to share it.

Happy New Year btw!!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

13. Problems. I had to turn off my computer. The library was closing.

Last edited Mon Jan 6, 2020, 12:34 PM - Edit history (1)

As the instructions warn, "make sure you don't turn off your PC." I had no choice. The battery is no good, and the second the computer is unplugged, off it goes. I did log out without doing a hard crash.

I'm at work now, and I'm getting error messages. I've booted into a startup repair program (from MS, not a third party).
.
.
.
Important update (about an hour later)

I'm now at Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > Windows Update. There's a dialog box named "Preparing to install... It aksed me if I wanted to resume installing. A restore point is being created. I'm told my update failed at 3:22 p.m. on Saturday. That status just now changed. I'm told that my update was installed today at 10:37 (the clock is wrong. The computer is a Dell, and it had defaulted to Austin, Texas, time.

According to my update history, I have now installed the Microsoft Silverlight update KB4481252. I had done that on Saturday as well, though.

I'll keep in touch.

[CountAllVotes]

14. Wow, that sucks!

I hope you are able to get it to work!

I've had the same problem(s) with the updates as it now stands. Their status is "hidden" on that computer. I'm using is very carefully believe me!

Best of luck!!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

15. Troubles galore. I was on the phone with a (legit) MS tech.

He needs to take remote control of the computer to see what causing the hangup. There's a firewall at work that won't let that happen.

I got the number at a support.microsoft site. 1-800-642-7676. He wanted me to go to https://www.aka.ms/. I was not allowed to visit that site.

The updating might be taking place in bits and pieces. I keep installing Windows updates via that control panel window that I mentioned.

Hmmmmm. With these occasional updates in place (and following a restart after each one of them) I seem to be making some progress. That's new. Keep your fingers crossed.

[CountAllVotes]

18. When I click on that link it redirects me to a Microsoft site

It is asking for log-in info.

Do you have a Microsoft account set-up by chance?

I guess you could give it a try IF you could get to that page.

I have no idea why you can get to it.

It says:

Sign in
Can’t access your account?
Sign-in options

When you get to that page.

Do you have a firewall or an anti-virus running? That could be the problem.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

20. Reply, Wednesday a.m.:

Starting Monday morning, I have had the computer at work while I attempted the upgrade. I am not allowed to connect my computer to the work network. Not via ethernet, not via Bluetooth, and not via wifi. Forbidden. Forget it.

What I can do is get a one-day password to connect to the workplace's guest network. That still has a firewall. I was not permitted to hand over control of my machine to the MS tech in {some other country}.

I did get a case number from that MS tech. I was prepared to try again from the library this weekend.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

16. If I do get all this laptop updated, it will need a battery. It has none now.

I found it in my neighbor's trash. I guess they thought it was password-protected. For two users, yes, but for the third, no.

It's a Dell Inspiron N5050. Lots of people at Amazon sell batteries. Can you recommend a seller?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dell+inspiron+n5050+battery+replacement

I am now reading "The updates were successfully installed." Never mind; that's from an earlier update. That's for a Windows 7 update, not the Windows 10 OS.

I haven't had to do any restarts. That doesn't seem right. Oh, it's now in the "preparing" stage. I suspect the repeated restarts are just about to commence.

I'm nowhere near done. There are several steps. This sure ain't Windows 95.

Thanks for everything.

[CountAllVotes]

17. I tend to buy that kind of stuff on ebay

I'd recommend buying from a seller on ebay that offers refunds and free returns, that way you can get your money back come hell or high water.

I know what you mean, I have an old ThinkPad with XP on it that has a battery but it runs down in just a few minutes so it is for the most part gone.

You got it right, this sure isn't Windows 95.

Are you on a wireless connection?

I have a slow DSL connection and I know I'd be up all night babysitting the machine, starting and stopping it.

I am trying to still download updates for Windows 7 on that other computer that has updates that won't install hidden.

Do you know how to do this? If they won't install you can have it download them again and select them and hide them but ... you are probably hiding some sort of *critical* update or some such thing.

I'll tell you, Microsoft has us up the creek and they know it.

If I see another window pop-up telling me to upgrade to Windows 10 I think I'll

I did a quick search on ebay for a battery for the machine you name and it gave me 270+ results! Its out there ... lowest price I see is:

$7.99 to $18.99
Buy It Now
Free Shipping
Free Returns

Seller is: championbattery

I hope this helps!

HELP! Indeed!!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

19. I couldn't do this if I weren't on WiFi.

My workplace is strict. You cannot connect anything to their network without their approval. Visitors to the building can get temporary WiFi access, good for a day or two. I got a pass for this from the IT folks this morning.

I am now on a blue screen. The words say "Working on updates 23%
Don't turn off your PC. This will take a while.

Your PC will restart several times."

I've been on this screen (with increasing percents) for about an hour. It hasn't restarted yet.

It looks as if I'll leave the laptop running when I leave for home this evening.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

21. Wednesday morning: success!

I have the laptop at work. I left it running Monday evening when I left for the day.

It was off when I came in Tuesday morning. I turned it on. The wedge-shaped Windows 10 logo appeared on the screen, and I got the Windows 10 startup chimes. This:



That was as far as I got. The hard drive activity light was going on and off unpredictably, so I figured that the upgrade was ongoing. I left the laptop running.

We got early leave Tuesday starting at noon, due to the incoming snow in DC. Again, I left the computer running. When I came in Wednesday morning, the computer was off again. I turned it on. The Windows 10 screen was there, the default view of the mountain lake. This:



It's still updating and installing programs. I uninstalled an ancient version of McAfee, years out of date. Now I've got the blinking hard drive light again. I can wait it out.

Thanks.

[CountAllVotes]

23. I am so glad this worked out for you!

Congratulations!!!



Persistence pays off doesn't it?

[chwaliszewski]

25. Thanks

[50 Shades Of Blue]

28. A great big thank you for this!

It worked like a charm!

[Duckerington]

29. Still works

It still works in 2020 as well!

[CountAllVotes]

31. Good to know!

Thank you!!

[krispos42]

33. It's still working

My kid built is own computer at the end of last year. We bought my mom a new computer for her anniversary over the summer, so with her old Windows 7 computer out of service, we just used the serial number from that install for my kid's new one, and now he has free Windows 10.

I'm still clinging to Windows 7. Understanding that I only retired my XP computer a year or so ago.

[LPBBEAR]

35. Win10 "Upgrades"

I am a semi retired Computer Tech. Ater reading through these posts I thought I should comment.

1. Windows 10 is NOT an upgrade.
Windows 8 and 10 introduced a new addition to the traditional Windows interface that was called "Metro". It was a horrible idea and looked a lot like an AOL from many years ago.



A truly terrible idea from Microsoft. Windows 10 somewhat returns to the traditional interface but elements of Metro still remain.

2. All Windows versions from Vista onward are resource hogs.
Microsoft has always "fudged" their claims about how efficient Windows is.
For instance:
Windows95 can run on 4mbs but reality was 8mbs with more being better
WindowsXP can run on 64mbs but reality was 512mbs with more being better.
Windows Vista can run on 512mbs but in reality 4gbs was what made it bearable.
Windows 7 can run on 2gb but 8gb was where you should be.
Windows10 can run on 2gb but you better have 16gb to make this swine run reasonably well.

The point here is if you are using a system you bought that came with Windows 7 you need to remember that the manufacturer likely built it according to Microsoft's "claims" for hardware requirements. I can guarantee you it won't run Windows 10 with anything resembling decent performance. It may "work" but the system will be sluggish and unbearable to use. You will eventually become frustrated and start looking at replacing your once perfectly functioning computer for a new one. Microsoft likes when you do this. Since they no longer sell copies of Windows 7 you will be forced (locked into) purchasing Windows 10 which they will eventually make as obsolete as Windows 7. And thus the cycle starts anew.

3. Microsoft's "upgrade" fails often.
I have lost count of the number of customers who have brought in systems trashed by Microsoft's "upgrade" to Windows10. While it more often works than not there are a whole lot of failed upgrades out there that ended up with corrupted file systems and unworkable computers. Doing an upgrade like this, over the Internet, depends upon decent Internet connections. Not everyone has the luxury of a high speed fiber connection. Some of you are using (shudder) Dialup or only marginally better DSL connections to your ISP. Additionally I have had customers bring in systems where not only the so called upgrade failed but somehow, magically, the upgrade trashed their "restore" partition making it impossible to even return the system to the original WIndows 7 operating system the computer was sold with. Remember when computers came with a set of operating system discs you could use to restore your system in the event of failure? A few years back Microsoft convinced manufacturers they didn't need to provide those and pushed the whole hidden restore partition idea on the manufacturers. The solution to your once perfectly working computer with the failed "upgrade" that can't be restored because you have no restore discs is yet another trip to the computer store to buy a new computer with Windows 10. Funny how that works. And thus the cycle starts anew.

So, in closing there is an alternative to this insanity. Right now there is a glut of perfectly good computers available exactly because of what I've mentioned above. People who have been convinced they were "upgrading" their older computers by going to Windows 10 have basically dumped thousands of decent used computers. Some are sitting in the garages unused, some end up in yard sales, many end up at places like ShopGoodwill. While they might not be capable of running Windows 10 remember what I mentioned above. Windows 10 is a pig!

Most of you do nothing more than cruise the Internet, check your email and log into your bank occasionally. Very few of you actually "require" any version of Windows. Most of you could use a version of Linux with no problem. Guess what? Linux is free. And guess what again? Linux is not a pig and will run rings around any version of Windows performance wise. That old computer will run like gangbusters with Linux.

Additionally, and in saying this I assume we're all progressives here.

Why the hell are you as a political progressive supporting and giving your hard earned money to a ruthless monopolist like Microsoft who has used their market clout to destroy better products and companies anyway?

If you need help with moving to Linux or have questions I'm happy to help.

Numerous versions of Linux available. Start here to get an idea of whats available.

https://distrowatch.com/

[hunter]

36. Linux Mint might be a good place to start.

https://linuxmint.com/

For people worried about messing up their main computer a Raspberry Pi can be bought new for about $100.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-400/

Linux Mint or Raspberry Pi Desktop will run well on old Windows 7 computers, even computers that have become extremely sluggish running Windows 7 or 10.

I don't regularly use any software that requires Windows so Linux works very well for me. The Linux browsers are excellent and LibreOffice is a pretty good substitute for Microsoft Office.

Google gave up on its "don't be evil" motto a long time ago and is every bit as wretched as Apple or Microsoft, but it's difficult to mess up a Chromebook. My sister-in-law is an educator and Chromebook evangelist. The public schools around here give Chromebooks to any student who needs one. She convinced me to try one.

Now I use an inexpensive Chromebook for traveling. Years ago I had to travel with expensive Windows machines and I hated it because I'm really good at losing stuff or having stuff stolen when I travel. My battered Chromebook and flip phone are inconspicuous.

Newer Chromebooks run Linux and Android apps as well.

[LPBBEAR]

37. Mint

I agree.

Linux Mint is a good choice for Windows users. It features the Cinnamon desktop as well as a Mate version.

I also like PCLinuxOS which uses the KDE desktop. PCLinuxOS is a "rolling release" version of Linux. Rolling Release means it sort of evolves as time goes on with no need to do a version to version update.

Another nice distribution of Linux especially for older systems is Q4OS. Q4OS still supports 32 bit computers of which many older Windows systems tend to be. 32 bit computers can't run modern 64 bit operating systems. Q4OS has a version of the older KDE desktop called Trinity that has been updated to support modern software. Its a shame to have to toss out a perfectly good 32 bit computer if you don't have to or want to. Keep them out of the landfills people!

Linux has a lot of really nice alternative solutions for those who would like to step out of the Microsoft rat race. Cost isn't an issue either and any money you do spend isn't going to a corporate monster like Microsoft or Apple.