Editors Note: Unfortunately, Microsoft ended the loophole that still allowed for free upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 7 and 8 in September of 2023. Windows 11 arrived in 2021 and Windows 11 is a free upgrade from Windows 10, so if you can find a Windows 10 license at a cheaper price that's a nice little loophole that remains for you.
Microsoft shut down its free Windows 10 upgrade program five years ago in November 2017. If you didn’t get your free version of its best operating system to date, you were pretty much out of luck. Or, so we thought. It turns out you can still upgrade to Windows 10 without spending a dime.
It turns out there are several methods of upgrading from older versions of Windows (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1) to Windows 10 Home without paying the $139 fee for the latest operating system. So let's give you the lowdown on how to update to Windows 10 for free.
Keep in mind that this workaround won't necessarily work all the time. If it doesn't, you'll need to pay the Windows 10 Home license fee or, if your system is older than 4 years, you might want to buy a new one (all new PCs run on some version of Windows 10). You will certainly need to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 if you are still running those legacy operating systems, as Microsoft no longer supports them.
1. Ensure you're using a genuine copy of Windows 7 or later. Anything older will not work (please, if possible, buy a new system if you're using Window XP or Vista). If you're using Windows 7, write down the activation key (you may need this later). A free tool like NirSoft’s ProduKey will help you find it.
2. This is a good stop to pause and back up anything you’d like to save on your current PC before continuing. Follow our Windows 10 backup instructions on how to do so.
3. Visit the Windows 10 download page. This is an official Microsoft page that may allow you to upgrade for free. Once you're there, open the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (press "download tool now") and choose "Upgrade this PC now."
Get our in-depth reviews, helpful tips, great deals, and the biggest news stories delivered to your inbox.
4. Accept the terms and choose the upgrade options that lets you keep your files and preferences. Again, having a backup ready at this point is very important so save everything to the cloud or to an SSD or USB.
5. Reboot your computer and connect it to the internet. Open Settings and choose "Update & Security" and click "Activation." From here, you can see if the Windows 10 upgrade worked. If not, press an "Activate" button (if there is one); this will create a digital Windows 10 product key. Try using your Windows 7 or Windows 8 license key.
That loophole officially closed on September 20, 2023, when Microsoft posted an inconspicuous announcement on a website for its hardware partners. (For details, see "It's official: No more free Windows 10 upgrades".)
Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10 for free and install it without a product key. It'll keep working for the foreseeable future, with only a few small cosmetic restrictions. And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it.
Yes, technically speaking you can install Windows and use for free. But legally when you install Windows you agree to Microsoft's terms and conditions and they state you must activate your copy of Windows, and that requires a license which must be purchased. So legally there is no free copy of Windows.
There is no free versions of Windows 10, thy provide the download on their website on the Internet for people who have a Windows licence, so they can re-install Windows any time they need to.
If you are installing Windows on a new device or motherboard for the first time and you do not have a product key, select I don't have a product key during the installation setup screens. When prompted, enter the Microsoft account you want to use to purchase a digital license for this device.
You can download it for free directly from Microsoft as an ISO or through the bootable USB application. Download for free! That doesn't give you a license key. If you want a license key you'll need to pay for it.
How much will it cost me? You can buy and download Windows 10 via Microsoft's website for $139. While Microsoft technically ended its free Windows 10 upgrade program in July 2016, as of November 2021, CNET has confirmed the free update is still available for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users.
This error might mean that your PC doesn't have the required updates installed. Check to make sure that all important updates are installed on your PC before you try upgrading. This likely indicates that your PC doesn't have enough space available to install the upgrade.
Users who do not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 (including users of Windows Vista and XP), people who're assembling a new PC and Mac users can buy the full version of the OS at Rs 7,999 for the Home version and Rs 14,999 for the Pro version.
An upgrade moves your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1—to Windows 10. An upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 on a new PC to take advantage of the latest features and security improvements.
It turns out you can still upgrade to Windows 10 without spending a dime. It turns out there are several methods of upgrading from older versions of Windows (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1) to Windows 10 Home without paying the $139 fee for the latest operating system.
Windows 10/11 can stay unactivated forever without any serious limitations. You won't be able to edit your personalization settings, there will be a watermark in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen, and you may get periodic notifications asking you to activate windows.
Users who do not qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 (including users of Windows Vista and XP), people who're assembling a new PC and Mac users can buy the full version of the OS at Rs 7,999 for the Home version and Rs 14,999 for the Pro version.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
