Windows 10 is the name that currently receives the version of Windows that Microsoft makes available to us, a version of Windows that will keep the same name over the next few years (No more version name change every 4 or 5 years). This version of Windows was released in July 2015.
During the first year of its release, Microsoft allowed all users whose computers were running Windows 7 or Windows 8.x upgrade to Windows 10 for freeas long as it is an original version, not a pirated version.
After the first year, Microsoft closed the possibility of updating computers managed by Windows 7 and Windows 8.x for free, so we were forced to buy an official Windows 10 license if we wanted to enjoy the latest version of Windows. However, during all these years, from time to time Microsoft has allowed to update the equipment for free just like during the first year.
In order to take advantage of this free update window, we had to try, since from Microsoft they didn't officially announce it. With the end of official Microsoft support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, the Redmond team ended their 10-year commitment to support Windows 7, a version that hit the market on October 22, 2009. .
Why you should upgrade to Windows 10
As of January 14, 2020, all PCs are running Windows 7 have stopped receiving security updatesTherefore, all computers managed by this version of Windows are vulnerable to all new vulnerabilities, worth the redundancy, that are detected in Windows 7 from now on.
All computers managed by Windows 7 they continue to work without any problem, but if the equipment is connected to the internet it is advisable to update it as soon as possible to avoid security risks. If not, the computer can continue to function without any problems for as long as it takes, as long as the hardware components continue to function. If we reinstall Windows 7, the computer will continue to activate without any problem.
If you want to continue receiving security update support on your computer so that it is protected against any new vulnerability that is detected, the best we can do is upgrade to Windows 10, a version that will be updated as long as this version remains the current version, and as I mentioned at the beginning of this article, Windows 10 will not receive new versions, but will be updated by adding new functions based on updates not based on new versions.
Windows 10 requirements
Despite the fact that Windows 7 was released in 2009, being compatible with most computers of the time, Windows 10 is compatible with most computers of the time, since the requirements are practically the same. To be able to install Windows 10 on a PC, the minimum requirements are:
- Processor at 1 GHZ or higher
- 1 GB of RAM for the 32-bit version and 2 GB of RAM for the 64-bit version.
- DirectX 9 or later compatible graphics card with a WDDM 1.0 driver
- 800 × 600 minimum screen resolution
How to upgrade to Windows 10
Before updating Windows 10 we must be clear about a couple of aspects. The first thing is which version of Windows we want to install: 32 or 64 bits. Both versions have the same price, however, the benefits that each of them offer us are different.
The 64-bit versions allow us get the most out of our team, since we do not find any limitation when it comes to taking advantage of all the RAM memory and we can extract all the power from the processor. Also, all applications that are designed in 32-bit can run on 64-bit Windows, but vice versa.
Other aspect What we must take into account before updating is to make a backup to be able to do a clean installation from scratch, without dragging any of the performance problems that the computer was suffering. As the years go by, and we install applications, the Windows registry is modified, modifications that in the long run affect the performance of the computer, so when updating to a new version of Windows, it is always advisable to start from scratch .
Once we are clear about the previous considerations that we must take into account before updating our computer to Windows 10, then we show you the steps to follow:
Make a backup
The first thing we must do is a backup of the files we want to keep. To do this, we only need an external hard drive or a pendrive where we are going to copy all the content that we want to keep, not only documents, but also images and videos.
Download an official Windows 10 ISO
Once we have made a backup copy of all the data that we want to keep, we must download directly from the Microsoft website the Windows 10 installer, an installer that will allow us download the version of Windows that we are going to install.
To download the installation tool, click on Download the tool now. Next, the MediaCreationToolXXXX.exe file will be downloaded, where XXXX is the version number of Windows that is currently available.
Make a Windows 10 installation USB or DVD
When you run the MediaCreationTool application, it will check what version of Windows we have on our computer to download the most current version available at that time of Windows 10.
To create an installation USB or DVD, we must select Create installation media.
Next, we must select the language of the version, edition and architecture. If you are in Spain, the same options that you can see in the image above will automatically be displayed by default. If you live in Latin America, it will be shown in the Spanish Language (Mexico).
Finally we must select which medium we want to create: USB drive (requires 8GB drive) or ISO file, file that later we have to burn on a DVD if we are going to install from a DVD.
Start Windows 10 installation
Once we have prepared the installation USB, we must insert the DVD into the computer and turn it off. If it is a USB, we will insert it into the USB port of our equipment once it is off.
Within this option we have to select the units that we want the equipment to read to start. In this case, we must set the USB drive to be the first to read and then the DVD. Once we have established this unit as the main unit, we restart the computer and this It will guide us through the steps that we detail below.
The first window that is shown, allows us to schoose the language of the version that we are going to install, along with the time and currency format and the keyboard that we are going to use. Once we have established the same options that are shown in the image above (which vary if it is a Latin American country), click on next.
In the next window, the installer invites us to enter the Windows 10 product key. If we do not have it at hand, we can click on I do not have a product key, so that we can enter it later when the installation is complete.
Next we must select the Windows version corresponding to our license. Keep in mind that the Windows Home license only allows you to install that version and not the Pro. If we are not clear about the license we have, we must check it before continuing, because if we get the wrong version, we will have to reinstall again Windows.
Finally we click on Next so that start the installation process. The installation process will take more or less time depending on the type of hard drive we have. If it is an HDD, the process will take much longer than if it is an SSD.
Once the installation is complete, the computer will restart and the installation process will begin to finish requesting our user account, inviting us to establish an access password or a PIN code ...
Buy a Windows license
As I mentioned in the previous section, a Windows 10 Home license number is not the same as a Windows 10 Pro license number. The Pro version offers a series of features that we cannot find in the Home version, so If we install Windows 10 Pro and then enter a Windows 10 Home license number, the copy will never be activated and we will be forced to start from scratch.
However, if we install Windows 10 Home on our computer and we have a Windows 10 Pro license number, yes, we are going to be able to use it, since Windows 10 will be in charge of downloading from the internet the rest of the files necessary to be able to activate the copy and all the functionalities available in the Pro version.
When buy a Windows 10 license, the first option, although not recommended, is to go directly to the Microsoft website. Another option, more recommended because it is much cheaper, is to go to No products found.or to eBay and look for OEM licenses.
These licenses are the ones that Microsoft makes it easier for computer manufacturers, licenses that end up on the internet (for different reasons) and that are just as valid as those that we can find on the official Microsoft website.