Upgrading Windows 8.1 laptop to Windows 10 (license Key)

Hi

You may/may not get Windows 10 for free, but check if you meet the system requirements.

How to Check Windows 10 Computer System Specs & Requirements - Microsoft

Even though there are less chances of license loss, write down your product key somewhere.

Press Windows+R and type cmd. Press enter.

Paste the following there: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get oa3xoriginalproductkey. Press enter.

Write down the output on a paper or something.

Then backup all your data. Even though 8.1 to 10 doesn't require a clean install, I recommend to still have a backup of it.

Then go to your PC manufacturer support website and download the compatible drivers for your device.

Then go to the following website:

Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File) (microsoft.com)

Click on Download tool now.

Run the tool and when prompted, choose Upgrade this PC now.

Let the upgrade finish. It might take a long time.

Also, if you want to buy Windows 10:

Get Windows 10 | Microsoft

Download Windows 10 Home | Microsoft

Buy Windows 10 Pro for Business - Microsoft

Regards,

You may or may not still get 10 for free, but you first have to see if 10 is compatible with your device.

The free upgrade to Windows 10 offer from Microsoft expired on the 29th July, 2016.

You will have to contact MS support and they may be able to assist you with a free upgrade to 10..

Also read this information:

All the Ways You Can Still Upgrade to Windows 10 for Free

Here's how you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade | ZDNet

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A word of advice:

You should always have your data backed up to at least two external media destinations (external hard drive, DVDs, flash drive) in case of system file corruption and/or hard drive failure

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Windows 10 media creation tool on the Software download page 

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"Start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10"

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10startfresh

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This tutorial will show you step by step on how to do an upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10.

How to Upgrade to Windows 10

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2267-upgrade-windows-10-a.html

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Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ - Windows Help - Microsoft Support

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Windows 10 supported upgrade paths:

✔ = Full upgrade is supported including personal data, settings, and applications.
D = Edition downgrade; personal data is maintained, applications and settings are removed.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-10-upgrade-paths

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First thing to do is to make sure that you have the correct system requirements and that your Computer Manufacturer supplies the correct Drivers for 10 for your Model Number.

Driver Downloads:

HP:

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/drivers.html

"Windows 10 System Requirements"

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3884/windows-10-system-requirements

https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/windows-10-specifications#sysreqs

If you read those Microsoft's system requirements for 10, you will find that if you only go on them you will be sadly disappointed in performance.

For reasonable performance should have at least:

2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor.

4 gigabyte (GB) of RAM for 32-bit or 8 GB for 64-bit

500GB hard drive

DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver

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Detailed information on Minimum hardware requirements:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/minimum-hardware-requirements-overview

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Some Manufacturers have listed Model Numbers tested with 10 at their website:

HP Products Tested with Windows 10

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If you do have to buy Windows 10:

How to buy Windows 10:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/cat/Windows/categoryID.70036700

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If you are upgrading to 10 at least make a system image backup for two reasons.

1. Some people report they don't get the free upgrade and want to reinstall 7, 8, or 8.1 depending what you attempted to upgrade from..

2. If you don't do the system checks and 10 is incompatible with your device and it becomes inoperable.

These are quite good programs to use for Complete PC Backup and are free:

"EaseUS Todo Backup Free"

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm

"Welcome to EaseUS Todo Backup Manual"

http://www.todo-backup.com/support/help/

http://www.todo-backup.com/download/docs/User_Guide.pdf

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"Macrium Reflect Free"

http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

"Macrium Reflect Tutorial"

http://www.macrium.com/webtutorial/tutorial.asp

Cheers.