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Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Usually $225 @ Microsoft (Previous Installation/Licence Required)

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Free Windows 10 Upgrade - Usually $225 @ Microsoft (Previous Installation/Licence Required)Affiliate
Go to Deal
kimba88 on 28/01/2020 - 20:44 microsoft.com (9725 clicks)
Last edited 30/01/2020 - 21:35 by 2 other users
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Support for Windows 7 is now officially over, which means Microsoft wants holdouts to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep devices running securely and smoothly. If you have an older PC or laptop still running Windows 7, you can purchase the Windows 10 Home operating system on Microsoft's website for $225. But you don't necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works.

Here's how to get Windows 10 for free, if you're currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Home or Pro:

  1. Go to the Download Windows 10 website.

  2. Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run.

  3. Choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you're upgrading. (If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)

  4. Follow the prompts.

  5. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation, and you should see a digital license for Windows 10."

Above instructions/details taken from: CNET Article

Mod: As pointed out by bigjezza, a digital licence will not be deemed a legal licence, if using you are using this installer to upgrade without a valid windows 10 licence (from a purchase or previous upgrade). From Microsoft: "If you don't have a license to install Windows 10 and have not yet previously upgraded to it, you can purchase a copy here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-windows-10." For those who do not meet those requirements, install at your own risk.

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closed Comments

      • Agret on 29/01/2020 - 00:05
        +12

        If you want a clean install you can just format your drive and install it fresh and post-install activate it with your Windows 7/8 key. No need to waste time doing in-place upgrade first.

        • Tythefly86 on 29/01/2020 - 00:57

          Agret is right. Why metalslaw had 5 upvotes is beyond me. 🤦‍♂️ Now it's 4 :)

          • daitro on 29/01/2020 - 02:21
            -1

            @Tythefly86: Because we only get 5 downvotes a day :(

          • psyclone1982 on 29/01/2020 - 08:37

            @Tythefly86: What if you don't know the CD Key?

            Then you can upgrade without a CD-Key and clean install without a CD-Key.

            If you format and don't know the CD-Key you are stuffed.

            • smashman42 on 29/01/2020 - 11:09

              @psyclone1982: Pull it from the registry? Google is your friend

              Might not be plain text like XP and before, but it is still in there

            • Agret on 03/02/2020 - 15:44

              @psyclone1982: If you don't know the product key just download produkey from nirsoft and it will tell you your Windows & Office keys

        • hanofee on 29/01/2020 - 18:32

          Just did this last week. If u have the OEM version of Win7, usually they put the sticker at the bottom of the laptop for its license key (that's what I used to install clean Win10 on new SSD of my old laptop).

        • AlexF on 29/01/2020 - 19:54

          Once activated using Windows 7 key on new install, can I continue using Windows 7 (on another machine or VM), or will I get Windows is not licensed messages?

          • Agret on 03/02/2020 - 15:44
            +1

            @AlexF: You can continue using the old key no problem

      • some_one_some_where on 01/02/2020 - 11:17

        In-place upgrades help with Office, other purchased or licensed products already installed, no need to provide keys, in case of fresh install you will need all your license keys again.

    • rogerm22 on 28/01/2020 - 22:35
      +9

      Alternatively, you can do a clean install and then activate Windows 10 with your Windows 7 or product key.

      • d86 on 29/01/2020 - 12:06

        Can I activate Windows 10 Pro with a Win 7 Pro MSDN key?

        • Jackson on 29/01/2020 - 19:27

          I am in a bit of a bind as I have a PC here running W7 that I can't boot in to, and when using the installation media it won't upgrade unless run from within the OS which I can't do. Tried the W7 install and that didn't work either, only let's me install a new instance of W7 with the old install put in Windows.old folder. Anyone have any recommendations? I don't have the original product key available to me

          • 4wd on 30/01/2020 - 17:33
            +1

            @Jackson: Grab the LazeSoft Recovery Suite, create a bootable flash drive on another computer, boot yours from it, and then use its Windows Key Finder.

            There's other methods using Linux Live CDs (chntpw command) but the above might be the easiest.

            • Jackson on 30/01/2020 - 20:08

              @4wd: It's already got a w10 install on another drive for now so just have to do the last part, will let you know how it goes

    • TheGoodPart on 28/01/2020 - 21:02
      +2

      Heard good things about https://tails.boum.org/ for excellent privacy

    • Viospeed on 28/01/2020 - 21:05
      +12

      Best version since Windows 2000? Are you forgetting Windows XP? People still run Windows XP because of how good it is / was.

      • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:11
        +9

        He clearly forgot Windows ME ;)

        • Tiggrrrrr on 28/01/2020 - 21:43

          +1 for Vista

          • Tythefly86 on 29/01/2020 - 00:59
            +3

            @Tiggrrrrr: Vista was terrible. WTF

            • starionx on 29/01/2020 - 01:15
              +1

              @Tythefly86: …

            • logistics on 29/01/2020 - 01:31
              +2

              @Tythefly86: I never understood the Vista hate. Never had issues. It just worked.

              But if memory serves me right, it did need more memory than what we were used to in those days.

              • Jenny Death on 29/01/2020 - 03:02

                @logistics: Vista was also pretty unstable and slower than xp until sp1. It was also a security nightmare though every version of windows seems to be.

              • [Deactivated] on 29/01/2020 - 07:48
                -1

                @logistics: Windows 10 'just works' also. Seriosuly, I've been using it for a long time and it really is that good. I use it for video and audio editing and it never fails me.

            • Tiggrrrrr on 29/01/2020 - 14:06

              @Tythefly86: Sarcasm?

      • stickyfingers on 28/01/2020 - 21:12
        +1

        XP was literally a fancy version of 2000. Both based on NT. But I guess XP is newer so you've got a point.

    • Corgsta on 28/01/2020 - 22:06
      +11

      Phwor. In half an hour, down to -10 for that one. Did I say something racist?

      Windows 10 has telemetry built in which tells Microsoft your unique installation id and what software you're running and how often you run it. If your PC crashes during editing a document, part or all of that document is sent to Microsoft. All of your search history using Cortana is sent to Microsoft.
      https://www.computerworld.com/article/3159424/you-still-can-…

      From Wikipedia, everyone trusts old Wiki…
      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_10

      Privacy and data collection Edit

      Concerns were shown by advocates and other critics for Windows 10's privacy policies and its collection and use of customer data.[39] Under the default "Express" settings, Windows 10 is configured to send various information to Microsoft and other parties, including the collection of user contacts, calendar data, computer's appearance including color of the chassis and "associated input data" to personalize "speech, typing, and inking input", typing and inking data to improve recognition, allow apps to use a unique "advertising ID" for analytics and advertising personalization (functionality introduced by Windows 8.1)[40] and allow apps to request the user's location data and send this data to Microsoft and "trusted partners" to improve location detection (Windows 8 had similar settings, except that location data collection did not include "trusted partners"). Users can opt out from most of this data collection,[39][41] but telemetry data for error reporting and usage is also sent to Microsoft, and this cannot be disabled on non-Enterprise versions of Windows 10.[41] The use of Cortana intelligent personal assistant also requires the collection of data "such as your device location, data from your calendar, the apps you use, data from your emails and text messages, who you call, your contacts and how often you interact with them on your device” to personalize its functionality.[39][42]

      • [Deactivated] on 28/01/2020 - 22:24
        +3

        Most people just don't care about their privacy.

        For most people who don't use CAD or adobe products, linux is great alternatives. It perfect for older generation who just need a computer to skype, web browser, word editor.

        Window 10 Enterprise doesn't even have option to turn turn telemetry off. If I want to send crash report, I will do it manually to send to developer.

      • ippy on 28/01/2020 - 23:12
        +2

        Mate, I agree. I am clinging on to win 7 on my main pc coz (profanity) it. I have Win 10 on my laptop and I hate it but I am currently too busy/lazy to put ubuntu on it. I will soon!!!!

      • Valliance on 29/01/2020 - 16:45

        So Microsoft is tracking all the times ive typed "calc" and "notepad" in my search bar. Oh no!

        My computer usage has never changed an inch on any Windows version. 10 performs better in modern apps and for gaming. Simple as that. I don't care for tiny bits of privacy when using a free OS, im not paranoid about things that really don't matter.

      • Corgsta on 31/01/2020 - 07:33

        How to upgrade from Windows 7 to Ubuntu:
        https://ubuntu.com/blog/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-7-to-ubu…

    • noshopping on 28/01/2020 - 22:29

      Not sure you got downvoted. Microsoft tracks all of this stuff and that information is called home. However they don't resell the data, which makes a huge difference. Companies like Avast Antivirus is free but they sell all their user data to 3rd party companies (Microsoft was one of their customers). That's why people get pissed off.

      Snippet of article:
      An Avast antivirus subsidiary sells 'Every search. Every click. Every buy. On every site.' Its clients have included Home Depot, Google, Microsoft, Pepsi, and McKinsey.

      "Until recently, Avast was collecting the browsing data of its customers who had installed the company's browser plugin, which is designed to warn users of suspicious websites. Security researcher and AdBlock Plus creator Wladimir Palant published a blog post in October showing that Avast harvest user data with that plugin. Shortly after, browser makers Mozilla, Opera, and Google removed Avast's and subsidiary AVG's extensions from their respective browser extension stores. In a tweet sent last month intended to entice new clients, Jumpshot noted that it collects "Every search. Every click. Every buy. On every site"

      See: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qjdkq7/avast-antivirus-se…

      • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 22:57
        +2

        Microsoft may not sell data, but they either have someone on the inside from the NSA, or their data comms are being mirrored without their knowledge.

        NSA gave microsoft a heads up when they found out their tools were leaked by russians regarding the eternal blue exploit and it's funny how after the assassination of an iraq general they decided to make Microsoft aware regarding another vulnerability that bypassed driver signature and allowed RCE on Windows. Funny how NSA did this when cyber attack alerts were heightened.

        • noshopping on 28/01/2020 - 22:59
          +1

          True, but as you can see above, the guy got downvoted hard. Nobody cares about privacy these days, when they really should.

          • Posts on 28/01/2020 - 23:02
            +1

            @noshopping: I agree people should care more about privacy. It's quite common now from all the data leaks, around tax season in the US, the criminals are racing to get the breached users tax returns submitted before the actual users so the criminals can claim all the tax money. Crazy stuff.

          • Corgsta on 30/01/2020 - 13:04
            +1

            @noshopping: They're called consumertards, I think there are a lot here just by how many upvotes the Google Nests and Amazon Echoes get. Talk about invasion of privacy..

    • joeflacco on 29/01/2020 - 08:46

      And make sure to use Google Chrome for maximum privacy.

  • TheGoodPart on 28/01/2020 - 21:00
    +4

    Somebody should tell the Aus government and save them $8.7 Mill ;-)
    https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/01/the-australian-government…

    • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:06
      +15

      Doesn't apply to enterprise customers, but most enterprise customers are also staying with windows 7 due to IT issues, legacy software and other transitional hurdles

      Inevitable, but sometimes cheaper (or just easier) to keep kicking the can down the road ;)

      • BargainKen on 28/01/2020 - 21:59
        +1

        Any enterprise customer with an E5 license got a complimentary extra year of support, so might explain why some have "stayed" with it. After that or for anyone else, its on a per device basis support cost which increases yearly (bill footed by us the tax payers).

    • dlovep on 28/01/2020 - 21:06
      +1

      They're not alone….
      https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/228577/german-go…

    • bchliu on 28/01/2020 - 21:07
      +7

      That 8.7M is used to support their machines for another year whilst they plan the upgrade to Win 10 in case there's any emergency outbreaks. It's not going to save anything other than incompetent management who didn't prepare for the upgrade earlier than the deadline.

      • TheGoodPart on 28/01/2020 - 21:10
        +2

        100%

        Seriously, everyone knew well in advance that support for Windows 7 would be finishing. They had more than enough time to prepare adequately.

      • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:09
        +3

        Bzzzzt
        Wrong, do not pass go, do not collect $200

        • 2025 on 28/01/2020 - 21:11
          -5

          Show me the proof
          Pro tip. This stuff is my job lol

          • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:19
            +3

            @2025: Then you clearly need a new job…

            If this is your level of IT knowledge , and you work with windows machines, I hope you are level 1 help desk in their first week….
            Otherwise, you clearly need to do a lot more study

            • 2025 on 28/01/2020 - 21:22
              -2

              @SBOB: Lol whatever Trevor
              Show me the link that proves that this grants you a license to use the software.

              • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:25
                +6

                @2025: without a valid license, it won't activate.

            • 2025 on 30/01/2020 - 22:28
              -2

              @SBOB: :p

              Crusade over guys.

              Before my first post on this thread I remembered this old Klingon proverb, and acted upon it:

              Don’t pick a fight you can’t win lol

          • bchliu on 28/01/2020 - 21:31
            +2

            @2025: I feel sorry for your employer.

          • Agret on 29/01/2020 - 00:09
            +1

            @2025: If you want to test it yourself and see proof firsthand grab a random PC or create a VM and install a fresh install of Windows 10. After installing it enter your existing Windows 7/8 product key into the activation box and press activate. It will confirm it online with Microsoft and grant you a Windows 10 digital license. Check the "System" dialog and under license status it will say "activated with digital license"

            This applies only to Windows 7/8 Home & Pro editions, if you are using Enterprise edition your license is not transferrable to Windows 10 and your employer must re-license any applicable devices by purchasing a Windows 10 Enterprise license.

            • 2025 on 29/01/2020 - 00:13

              @Agret: I know it will "activate"

              From the link in OP:
              first need to have a license to install Windows 10.

              Which y'all don't have, unless you buy it.

              It's like an honour box. But we see it as a bargain? WTF?

              • Agret on 29/01/2020 - 00:16

                @2025: The Windows 7 & 8 retail licenses are transferrable to Windows 10 if installed on the same machine.

                We're talking about retail licenses here not Enterprise VLK/MAK/KMS keys which are all non-transferable.

                Microsoft give Win7/8 Home/Pro users a Windows 10 license. You only need to buy a new license if you are getting a new machine.

                • 2025 on 29/01/2020 - 00:17
                  -1

                  @Agret: follow op's link. And read. Cheers.

        • onlyletters on 29/01/2020 - 10:10

          in a corporate environment, it will still let you upgrade to Windows 10, likely that if you are audited, they will ask for the license for each machine, win 10 machine count 100, windows 7 license count 100, that's all they see, they will issue an infringement for it, they don't care how you obtained windows 10, pay for the 100 licenses, or be hit with a 50k fine and pay the license fees on top of that

          • Roman Sandstorm on 29/01/2020 - 15:48
            +1

            @onlyletters: @onlyletters
            You may be astounded to know, but modern keyboards actually have a 'Shift' key, which permits the use of capital letters. And not only that, there are other punctuation marks than commas; full stops ('periods' in North America), colons, semicolons, and so much more.

            It's an exciting world out there, only: I say embrace it.

  • scuderiarmani on 28/01/2020 - 21:02
    +4

    One, it's not $225 to anyone that knows, Two, this has been going on for years.

    • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:07
      +4

      Might want to try reading a bit harder…

      • 2025 on 28/01/2020 - 21:14
        -3

        Where? On the page that says how to get windows 10? And it offers a link to by a new pc or get it from the store??

        This is a link to make an ISO or a bootable USB
        It doesn’t give you a license to use it.

        • lostn on 28/01/2020 - 21:26
          +4

          "Free Windows 10 Upgrade" implies it comes with a legal license to use it. There is no astrisk or "conditions apply". What's the point in upgrading if it becomes non-legit? If you have to pay extra for the license then it isn't a "free" upgrade.

    • Nousernamehere on 28/01/2020 - 21:08
      +3

      You clearly have absolutely no clue what you’re talking about. Take a look at the domain this has been offered for since Windows 10 was released.

    • payton on 28/01/2020 - 21:08
      +1

      (resolved), your neg got revoked under a minute lol.

      • 2025 on 28/01/2020 - 21:10
        -8

        Lol Yeah this activates just fine. Just like a pirated copy.

        What it doesn’t do is give you a license to use Windows 10.

        Big difference

        • SBOB on 28/01/2020 - 21:12
          +7

          Might want to take those negs as a clue that you're clearly wrong..

          It provides a legit, fully licensed windows 10 install for that machine
          100 percent legit, and 100 percent Microsoft supported.

          • joeflacco on 29/01/2020 - 08:40
            -1

            @SBOB:

            Might want to take those negs as a clue that you're clearly wrong..

            that's the dumbest thing I've ever read on ozbargain tbh

        • Cave Fire on 28/01/2020 - 21:14
          +2

          hi this is through microsoft, they have had it going for years now.

          • 2025 on 28/01/2020 - 21:15
            -6

            @Cave Fire: No it is not licensed. It is activated but not licensed.

            • dlovep on 28/01/2020 - 21:17
              +3

              @2025: Weird, when they offer free Windows 7 to 10 and activation, you need license from Microsoft to certify your copy is legit ?

            • Duff5000 on 29/01/2020 - 00:13
              +1

              @2025: You really think Microsoft offering free upgrades to Windows 10 somehow makes it not licenced?

              That is absurd.

        • dcep on 28/01/2020 - 21:20
          +7

          Windows is activated with a digital license

        • Pricebeat on 28/01/2020 - 21:25
          +5

          Happy to take paypal payment to make your copy licensed. Just download via above link and you are good to go.

          That will be $225 inc. Gst thanks!

          • kellyly on 28/01/2020 - 21:56

            @Pricebeat: Hold on.
            I think he is already in the business of doing it.

    • incipient on 28/01/2020 - 23:33
      +1

      Hey people he's not wrong! Technically the media creation kit is only for people with a licence to install Windows 10!

      The fact that this has been an allowed avenue for literally years that Microsoft is clearly fully aware of (as it's their tool) makes everyone pretty entitled to use it.

      You're nit-picking. So just go home.

      • Duff5000 on 29/01/2020 - 00:22
        +5

        Well he is wrong. There is nothing wrong with downloading the install files, that has been an option for other versions of windows and other programs. You could make as many USB sticks as you want with the windows installer on it, that isnt a problem. It is the licence you need to activate the program.

        Microsoft upgrade licences for previous versions of windows so they can activate windows 10. That is nothing like theft.

        By his logic, accepting an upgrade to first class when your ticket only said economy is actually theft.

        • incipient on 29/01/2020 - 01:45
          +1

          Using this to upgrade a copy of win7, without a win10 licence, is against the very non-threatening "instructions" on the tools page.
          "you have a licence to install Windows 10 and are upgrading this PC from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1"

          Further down "if you don't have a license to install Windows 10…you can purchase a copy here:"

          So he's TECHNICALLY correct. This tool will give you some "digital entitlement" or whatever they call it, to activate win10, but no licence, at least from what their page says.

          • Duff5000 on 29/01/2020 - 12:44
            +1

            @incipient: from the download page: "To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10."

            If they happily accept and upgrade 7 and 8 licences to 10 then i would argue you meet that criteria.

            Either way, to call it theft is absurd. The even give you an option in the installer to say "i don't have a product key" and it will still install and give you time to get one. You can use the installer to buy a product key if you want to. Downloading the tool is clearly not theft despite his constant assertions to the contrary.

            • incipient on 29/01/2020 - 13:03
              +1

              @Duff5000: Just because it works doesn't remotely indicate it's legitimate. That's like driving into a national park that takes honour based entry fees. Just because it "works" that you drive past, doesn't make it right.

              I do believe this is a perfectly acceptable way to get win10 however, but it still doesn't, as originally said, give you a valid licence for it. This, in the strictest sense, is theft. As I said above however, I personally would say it's acceptable for mum and dads, or even small business, to use.

              • Duff5000 on 29/01/2020 - 13:16

                @incipient: Surely that is on microsoft. If they chose to upgrade a 7 or 8 licence to 10 then how is that theft?

                it still doesn't, as originally said, give you a valid licence for it.

                how so? You get a digital 10 licence that says it is valid.

                https://i.imgur.com/iRacDd7.png

                The only thing here is they gave an end date for the promo. They then kept giving the upgrades out anyway, if they keep giving them out then that is their choice.

                • 2025 on 29/01/2020 - 15:48
                  -1

                  @Duff5000: I guess what annoys me is that MS have said it’s not ok. In several places.

                  And their padlock preventing it is broken.

                  And this community has shown that if the protection is faulty, and it doesn’t stop you, then it’s ok to do.

                  I’m hoping the locks in my house don’t fail like this. They use a key code. If it starts accepting any code, according to this logic y’all are free to take what you please.

                  And if I don’t fix it, apparently it’s my fault for allowing it.

                  Not cool.

                • OzB123 on 29/01/2020 - 15:58

                  @Duff5000: Hey Duff5000, did this process actually allow you Win10 Pro as per the screenshot?
                  I have Win7 Pro running now and really don't what Win10 Home, at least Pro version allows us to negate a lot of the data logging that people have discussed here.

                  TIA

                  • Duff5000 on 29/01/2020 - 16:11

                    @OzB123: Yeah i was upgraded to pro from 7/8 pro.

                    • OzB123 on 29/01/2020 - 16:13

                      @Duff5000: awesome, thanks
                      will give it a go on a couple of machines

                      • 2025 on 29/01/2020 - 17:09

                        @OzB123: If I remember correctly Pro offers the same control over telemetry as home. You’ll need enterprise.

                        • OzB123 on 29/01/2020 - 21:02

                          @2025: Noted, thanks, have chopped out a lot with win10 decrapifier and some other items on another PC running win10 pro

                          • 2025 on 29/01/2020 - 22:12
                            +1

                            @OzB123: Great stuff! That script will get you close to Enterprise LTSB haha

                            I’ve heard good things about O&O Shutup 10. Probably worth checking out.

                            Could always go down the rabbit hole of poisoning DNS entries for MS telemetry servers, with Pihole or something similar. Even editing the hosts file would do it, to be sure to be sure

                            Good luck!

  • fjanon on 28/01/2020 - 21:06
    +1

    Does it wipe out all the content of the Win 7 drive? Thanks.

    • kimba88 on 28/01/2020 - 21:07
      +1

      It hasn't for me. I would still have important things backed up though.. Just in case

      • HolyFosh on 28/01/2020 - 21:09
        +1

        Did cause issues with my laptop though. I did an upgrade and it gets a lot hotter now.

        So it shuts off after an hour or so without a cooling pad.

        Probably could be fixed with a wipe and reinstall though.

        • kimba88 on 28/01/2020 - 21:11

          Did you then update to the latest November 2019 updated version?

          • HolyFosh on 28/01/2020 - 22:22

            @kimba88: Yep. No change, disabled a bunch of stuff but it gets hot enough to have a thermal shutdown now.

        • bostos on 28/01/2020 - 22:39

          You will want to update the drivers after the upgrade

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