The Final Countdown: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Expires Today
You’ve got until the end of July 29 to upgrade your Windows 7 or 8 machines to Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 10, as part of the company’s ongoing campaign to transition its entire user base over to the new platform. And if you haven’t done so already, there are several reasons why you should take Microsoft up on its offer before it expires. Here are four big ones.
What You Should Know About Upgrading
Today is the last day to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. If you’re currently running Windows 7 or 8.1, you can upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system without paying a dime. However, if you miss the deadline, you’ll have to fork over $119 for the Home edition or $199 for the Pro edition.
To get your copy of Windows 10, open Settings on your computer and then go to Update & Security > Activation. You’ll see an option that says Go back to the previous version of Windows. Clicking it will take you through the steps needed to uninstall the OS and then reinstall it. After going through this process, check your email for a confirmation message with a code.
Where Do I Get the Upgrade?
Windows 10 is a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users until July 29, 2016. After that, you’ll have to pay for it. The best way to get the upgrade is through Microsoft’s Get Windows 10 app. The app will scan your computer to see if it’s eligible for the upgrade and then walk you through the rest of the process. It’ll also install any updates or patches needed before doing the upgrade.
You can also download an ISO file from Microsoft, which is handy if you want to do a clean installation or upgrade from within another operating system like Linux.
What if I Want More Control Over My Computer Settings?
If you’re not a fan of the way Windows 10 looks or feels, there are plenty of ways to change it. You can find instructions online for just about anything, from how to make the taskbar transparent to how to disable those pesky ads that pop up in the middle of your screen. Once you get used to what all the different settings do, you may even decide that you like some features better than before.
And if you ever need help with something, Microsoft has a pretty good support page on their website with some tutorials and troubleshooting tips. There’s also an app called Ask MSFT where you can submit a question and get an answer back within 24 hours. For me, I enjoy having access to my files right on my desktop and the ability to move windows around easily without any additional steps needed. Windows 10 is great!
How do I get support for my PC?
If you’re still running Windows 7 or 8.1, today is the last day you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. After today, you’ll need to purchase a copy of Windows 10 or continue using an unsupported operating system. The best way to get started with your upgrade is by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and clicking Check for updates. Your PC will then download any available updates and start the installation process.
When it comes time to enter your product key, don’t forget that this offer only applies if you’re upgrading from within a qualifying license. Product keys aren’t required when updating from a pirated version of Windows! Now’s the time to take advantage of Microsoft’s generous offer while it lasts. Act now!
What about my files?
Don’t worry, your files are safe. The upgrade to Windows 10 will not delete any of your personal files. In fact, it’s a good idea to back up your files before you upgrade, just in case something goes wrong. One way to do this is by creating an image backup on an external hard drive or flash drive. You can also use the Windows Easy Transfer Wizard to transfer your files and settings from one computer to another.
