How do I upgrade to Windows 10?

  • Thread starter RikkiGT-R
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RikkiGT-R

RikkiGT-R

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Serious question despite how stupid it sounds.

I've never in 17 years of having my own PC at home ( starting with Windows 2000) upgraded my OS, I usually just buy a new PC with the most recent version of Windows installed. However, my current PC is an ongoing build that I plan to keep for many years and upgrade/modernize as time goes by, so I need to do this. I also want to buy Forza 7 for PC so I really have to upgrade.

When I Google the question, I'm getting countless results on how to still get it for free (mostly old and/or dodgy links), or horror stories of people bricking their PCs trying to upgrade.

What is the best way; download from Microsoft and upgrade? Or buy a USB dongle and install from that?
What should I do to prepare for the upgrade? What can I expect to happen?

The thought of wiping my PC entirely genuinely terrifies me (I have so many important files and programs), so I just avoid it altogether.
If someone could explain it to me as if I were a 10yr old I'd really appreciate it :D

I'm so terrified I've even considered simply buying a new PC, and have visited PC Specialist and Overclockers several times. But why spend £2k upwards when I can just.. upgrade.
Please help me, I'm pathetic.
 
Download the installation image from Microsoft.

If your question is how to activate Windows 10 for free (presuming that you don't have a valid activation code) then that's not discussable at these forums.
 
TenEightyOne
Download the installation image from Microsoft.

If your question is how to activate Windows 10 for free (presuming that you don't have a valid activation code) then that's not discussable at these forums.
Click to expand...

Definitely not! :eek:
That's why I'm struggling to find a clear explanation; all the Google searches are showing dodgy links on how to pirate the OS.
I want to know the best way to buy and install it fully legally.

Do I just download the file from MS and let it take over?
Is there a way to "protect" important programs and files that I can then re-activate after Windows 10 is installed?

Stuff like that...
 
Or you could simply buy a retail copy from a physical store. Comes in USB or DVD form.

FIV921PID1SPYJB.MEDIUM.jpg
 
If you have Windows 7 or 8, you can still technically upgrade to 10 for free.

FYI - There's no difference between the "regular" Windows 10 and the assistive technologies version.
 
OK, I do appreciate the replies so far but -

What do I need to do before upgrading?
Will the upgrade wipe my PC completely?
Can I move files to an external HDD and then move them back once the upgrade is complete?
 
Bought the physical copy from Maplin just now and gonna bite the bullet. Wish me luck... :D

EDIT: done. That worked perfectly and all my files remain safely on my PC.
To think I hesitated.
 
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TenEightyOne
Glad it worked... now make a back up of all your files! If necessary do it to DVDs if you can't afford a backup drive after that jaunt to Maplins :D
Click to expand...

Done!
As a side note, I have to say I'm seriously impressed by Microsoft Edge.
 
DG_Silva
HERETIC!!! Burn it with fire! [ /sarcasm]

Seriously though, I've never used it but it's alleged to be the browser IE was supposed to have been.
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:D

It's really very good! Pages load much faster than Chrome (genuinely surprised me) and uses a lot less RAM while running. Depends what you prefer of course but I am loving the layout and the speed of it, plus for personal reasons I try not to use Google when possible so it's nice to have a quality alternative.
 
RikkiGT-R
Bought the physical copy from Maplin just now and gonna bite the bullet. Wish me luck... :D

EDIT: done. That worked perfectly and all my files remain safely on my PC.
To think I hesitated.
Click to expand...

How do you like Windows 10 so far?

I upgraded to an PC from an 8 or 9 year old laptop running Windows 7 and a lot of things have been very strange to figure out. I also got a 27" UHD monitor and the overall tiny size of Windows 10 text has been a nightmare.
 
nowcontrol
Go to >Display Settings .. and put the scale to 200%

View attachment 675448

That should help. 👍
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I actually got an add on for Firefox called No Small Text or something like that for browser pages and there was a tutorial on one of the Windows 10 forums where you could download some registry files that increased the font size and also made it bold so I've got all of that pretty much covered.

The only area I still have an issue is when you go in and save a picture or file to your library, that drop down box where you can rename it or whatever is still very small. With having everything else kind of like I like it I don't want to risk changing the overall scale. I'll just live with that one small problem for now.
 
The easiest way is to go to the store and buy a retail copy. This usually has a USB installer in the box along with a code written on a card in the box. Microsoft used to give you a physical disc but now they just do the USB installers. The only problem I see with that is that your average computer user doesn't know how to make the BIOS boot from the USB.

So far I like Windows 10, but I also built a new machine to run it on. I know some people with older computers are running into a lot of driver-related issues. I also had to go through and revamp all of the privacy settings, but after that, have not had an issue.
 

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