Windows 10 Upgrade Paths and Things to Know Before Upgrading

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BoraMurdar

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We know that Microsoft has announced the free upgrade to Windows 10 operating system for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users.

If you are using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 in your computer, you'll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free in the first year of Windows 10 launch which will happen on July 29, 2015. Once you upgrade your device to Windows 10 in first year, you'll be able to use Windows 10 forever on that device at no additional charges.

Now you might be having many questions in mind such as which Windows 10 version will you get after upgrading? Will your 3rd party software programs remain in the system after upgrade or will Windows 10 upgrade remove them?

That's why today in this topic, we are going to answer all such frequently asked questions about upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. We'll also tell you about important things which you should know and remember before you upgrade to Windows 10.

So without wasting time lets start the topic:

Windows 10 Upgrade Paths

First of all lets share the details of Windows 10 upgrade paths. Here we'll tell you about which versions of previous Windows OS qualify for the free upgrade to different Windows 10 editions:

Free Upgrade to Windows 10 Home:

Following Windows versions will get the free upgrade to Windows 10 Home edition:

  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 8.1 (without Pro)
  • Windows 8.1 country specific editions
  • Windows 8.1 Single Language
  • Windows 8.1 with Bing
Free Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro:

Following Windows versions will get the free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro edition:

  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows 8.1 Pro
  • Windows 8.1 Pro for Students
Free Upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile:

Windows Phone 8.1 devices will get free upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile. It'll also depend upon the OEM (manufacturer company) and mobile operator or carrier whether they release the new Windows 10 firmware for the mobile phone or not.

NOTE: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise and Windows RT/RT 8.1 do not qualify for the free upgrade offer.

Important Things to Know Before Upgrading to Windows 10

If you decide to upgrade to Windows 10, you should keep following things in mind:

1. Windows 7 users must have SP1 (Service Pack 1) installed in their systems to be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free via Windows Update.

2. Windows 8 users must update to Windows 8.1 update (which is free) to be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free via Windows Update.

3. If you are using a 3rd party antivirus and anti-malware program and decide to upgrade to Windows 10, the setup will first check whether your antivirus and anti-malware subscription is current or not. If the subscription is valid and current, Windows 10 setup will first uninstall the antivirus and anti-malware applications while taking a backup of your settings during upgrade. After upgrading, Windows will install the latest version available of your antivirus and anti-malware programs and will also restore your settings. But if your antivirus and anti-malware programs subscription is not current, Windows 10 upgrade will uninstall the security programs and will enable the built-in Windows Defender application.

4. OEM applications which usually come preinstalled in branded computer systems, may be removed during upgrade.

5. If Windows 10 setup finds incompatible software in your system, it'll ask for your permission to uninstall them. You'll have to accept the removal request to upgrade to Windows 10.

Deprecated Features That No Longer Available When Upgrading to Windows 10

There are a few features which were present in previous Windows versions but have been deprecated in Windows 10. Following list will tell you about the features which will no longer work after you upgrade to Windows 10:

Windows Media Center:

Windows Media Center (WMC) no longer exists in Windows 10. So if you have WMC installed in previous Windows version, it'll be removed automatically during upgrade to Windows 10. You can try these free alternatives to WMC in Windows 10.

DVD Playback Functionality:

Windows 10 doesn't support DVD playback natively. So you'll need to install 3rd party software such as Media Player Classic (MPC) or VLC Media Player to enjoy DVD playback. Microsoft will provide a free DVD playback app for existing Windows Media Center users to use in Windows 10.

Desktop Sidebar and Gadgets:

Sidebar and gadgets feature was already removed since the launch of Windows 8, so you'll not see them in Windows 10 as well after upgrade.

Customize Windows Update Settings to Change Update Download Behavior:

Windows 10 Home edition will not allow users to change Windows Update download behavior. The updates will always set to Automatic for download and installation. On the other hand, Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise edition users will be able to change the update download behavior using settings.

Classic Games:

Solitaire, Minesweeper and Hearts Games will be removed during upgrade to Windows 10. You can install the new versions of these games called "Microsoft Solitaire Collection" and "Microsoft Minesweeper" in Windows 10.

USB Floppy Drives:

Windows 10 doesn't support USB floppy drives. If you want to use them in Windows 10, you'll need to download the required drivers from Windows Update or manufacturer website.

OneDrive app in Windows Live Essentials Suite:

If you have Windows Live Essentials suite installed, the OneDrive app will be removed and replaced with the inbox version of OneDrive app during upgrade to Windows 10.
From AskVG
 

frogboy

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I don't think i have ever been so much in two minds about anything before this. I think i will upgrade :rolleyes: to windows 10 and then back it up and continue to use Windows 7 until it all gets sorted out. (Bugs etc). :D
 
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BoraMurdar

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I don't think i have ever been so much in two minds about anything before this. I think i will upgrade :rolleyes: to windows 10 and theb back it up and continue to use Windows 7 untill it all gets sorted out. (Bugs etc). :D
I have installed the previous build of Windows 10 and it was still unpolished and buggy. This time Microsoft cannot tell that they didn't have time to clean up everything, we will see what we'll get on July 29th
 
S

Sr. Normal

Great job @BoraMurdar , thanks. :)

I still do not know that I will. I have bad experiences with Microsoft operating systems when they are fresh. In addition, at that time I will be on vacation, I will not return until August 15. I do not know if I can install it or there is a deadline.

We will see it. Thanks again
 

frogboy

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Great job @BoraMurdar , thanks. :)

I still do not know that I will. I have bad experiences with Microsoft operating systems when they are fresh. In addition, at that time I will be on vacation, I will not return until August 15. I do not know if I can install it or there is a deadline.

We will see it. Thanks again
You will have one year after that date to install Windows 10.
 

jamescv7

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I think doing a backup should be must since my laptop contains preinstalled OEM and willingly to accept this risk though.

Now the thing which didn't mentioned about the possibility of lose the function of reset and refresh which needs a bootable device/ISO to mount it.
 

Koroke San

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Jan 22, 2014
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First let window 10 complete mature ( likeit can supports all my 3rd applications/drivers without any bug or error, no instability , let my favorite security software's runs butter smooth on it with no issue & wanna know the exact reason why Microsoft giving free window 10 upgrade) , so we'll meet next yr, till then buh bye
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") :)
 

frogboy

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Jun 9, 2013
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First let window 10 complete mature ( likeit can supports all my 3rd applications/drivers without any bug or error, no instability , let my favorite security software's runs butter smooth on it with no issue & wanna know the exact reason why Microsoft giving free window 10 upgrade) , so we'll meet next yr, till then buh bye
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") :)
Sounds like the best thing to do i think also. ;):)
 
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