You might feel tired or anxious whenever your laptop or PC requires an upgrade. But what if you are eventually upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10? You may have concerns about losing data and coming up with compatibility.
The thing is, most of the users struggle to navigate the complex steps, from backing up files to choosing the right upgrade path. Even small mistakes can lead to frustrating errors or failed installations. This guide is set up to take all this stress out of it and supply all the information relevant for you to transition smoothly and be confident in doing so.
Preparation and Prerequisites for Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10
Trust me, you do not want to skip this step. Just like preparing for an important presentation, preparing the system for an upgrade and to work against any issues arising during the process is essential. This section is the initiation guide to a secure and successful transition.
Backup Data
It is important for you to backup important data to OneDrive or USB, so that all of your documents are kept safe during the process. Follow these steps for a smooth and quick backup:
Step 1: Back up your data so you do not lose any files while the upgrade is ongoing. Go to the start menu and type “Control Panel”.
Step 2: From the Control Panel, look for “Backup & Restore” and click on it.
Step 3: Now, you will see Backup & Restore is opened, click on “Set up Backup.”
Step 4: In the new window, you will be asked to select a folder in which you want to save your backup. Select the folder that has more space and press “Next.”
Step 5: If you want to save on a network location, click on the “Save on a Network” option.
Step 6: Add the location of the network on which you want to save your backup. If not, move to the folder and continue from there.
Step 7: You will see two options on screen, one of which says “Let Windows Choose,” which means that Windows will choose the files to backup. The other option says “Let Me Choose,” which gives you the authority to choose the files of your choice. So select the later one and click “Next.”
Step 8: A new window will open in which you can manually select the files that you want to back up. Select them and then click “Next.”
Step 9: Click on “Save Settings and Run Backup.”
Step 10: Once it is done, Windows will start backing up the selected data.
Step 11: If you want to see the progress, click “View Details.” Wait patiently for the backup to complete before moving to the next step.
Check Windows 7 Activation
To check if Windows 7 in your PC or laptop are activated, follow these steps:
Step 1: In the bottom left corner, click on the "Start" menu and then select or type "My Computer" or “This PC”.
Step 2: On the screen, you will see the option of “Properties” on the right side, click on it.
Step 3: Then scroll to the bottom to check for activation under “Update and security”.
Verify Service Pack 1
Before moving forward, we need to check if the “Service Pack 1” is installed or not. Check your with these steps below:
Step 1: Again, click on the "Start" menu and then go to "My Computer" or “This PC”.
Step 2: Go to the option of “Properties” again on the right side.
Step 3: In the same Properties window, look under “Windows edition” to confirm if “Service Pack 1” is installed.
If it's missing, download and install it from Microsoft's website.
Acquire a Windows 10 License
To proceed, you need to buy a Windows 10 Home or Pro license from the Microsoft Store or an authorized dealer. In some instances, genuine Windows 7 license keys may still work for activating Windows 10, though this may not be enforced.
Download Windows 10 Installation Media for Upgrading from Windows 7
Once you have completed the preparations, the next immediate thing is to download the right installation tools to perform the smooth upgrade.
Download and Install the Media Creation Tool
Now, you need to Download the Media Creation Tool which you will find on the official Microsoft website.
Step 1: Type in your browser “Windows 10 Download Page” and visit the official website.
Step 2: In this step, you need to download the “Media Creation Tool”. This tool is compatible with Windows 7 and helps you upgrade or create installation media, such as a USB flash drive.
Run the Media Creation Tool
Step 1: Right-click the Media Creation Tool and choose “Run as administrator” for proper permissions.
Step 2: Now that you have Run Media Creation Tool as administrator, you will see a prompt of “Burn the ISO File to a DVD,” to complete, click on “Finish.”
Step 3: When prompted, select the Upgrade this PC now option. This keeps everything in one streamlined process.
Step 5: Choose the correct edition (Home or Pro) and the architecture that suits your hardware. For most users, 64-bit is recommended for performance and compatibility.
Perform the Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10
If you have reached this step and feel exhausted already, hang in there, tight, because this is the heart of the upgrade process. Follow these final steps carefully, as the installation process heavily depends on these.
Initiate Upgrade and Configure Settings
This part is very important that you must follow carefully.
Step 1: Once you launch the Media Creation Tool and select your options, the setup will begin downloading the necessary files.
Step 2: When setting it up, you will be asked whether or not you would like to have some updates. For now, you can just skip them to make the process a little faster; also disconnect any other unnecessary drives to prevent complications. Just remember to select "Keep personal files and apps."
Install Windows 10
Finally the step where the installation process begins, came. Do not despair or leave the process in the middle; be patient.
Step 1: The installation can take up some time between 1-2 hours. Also, the time depends on your PC’s speed. In the meantime, you will notice your computer restarting multiple times.
Step 2: If prompted, enter your Windows 10 license key or your existing Windows 7 key (if still valid). If not asked during setup, you can activate later through Settings.
Post-Upgrade Steps After Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10
Congratulations! You have made it till here, the hard part is finally done! Having Windows 10 all set up, now it is time to check whether everything seems to work as expected. The purpose of this section is to ensure that your system is secure, updated, and functioning smoothly.
Step 1: To make sure Windows is activated, go to Settings.
Step 2: In the Settings menu, look for “Update & Security” on the left, click on it, and then “Activation”. See if your windows are still active.
Step 2: Do not close the setting. Instead, go to Update & Security, then Windows Update, and install all available updates to ensure your system is secure and up-to-date.
Step 3: Run the Disk Cleanup tool (search from the Start menu) and select "Clean up system files." Take Windows.old to free several gigabytes of space consumed by the old operating system.
Maximizing Productivity After Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10
Updating your computer is not enough; you want it to stay productive and run fast. For that, there is a great tool that I personally use too, which is WPS Office. It is the far best companion for Windows 10 users looking for a lightweight yet powerful office suite.
How to Use WPS Office with Windows 10:
WPS Office runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS to provide you with seamless access to the documents you need from a range of devices.
WPS Office is not anything like traditional office software and is optimized for speed and low resource consumption. This application is good enough for use on comparatively older systems transitioning down from Windows 7.
It can be quite a convenient experience if you work with WPS Office because it smoothly handles .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, and PDF, ensuring a hassle-free experience using your files.
FAQs
1. Is it possible to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 without any cost?
No, the official free upgrade option is long over; thus, you will have to pay for a license. But you may find that some Windows 7 keys still activate Windows 10.
2. Will I have to reinstall all my programs after upgrading?
Not always. If you choose "Keep personal files and apps," your programs should still work after the upgrade.
3. What if I don't back up my files before upgrading?
You may lose files if your upgrade fails. Always backup your important data before initiating the upgrade.
Summary
Some users might find the question, "How to upgrade to Win10 from Win7?" a bit annoying or overwhelming. But don’t worry! Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 doesn’t have to be scary. Just backup your files, check that all your hardware is compatible, and use the Media Creation Tool, and you’ll breeze through the process in no time!
This groundwork would make it a relatively easy transition to a more modern and secure operating system. After that, applications such as WPS Office permit users to carry on with their productive work with the least possible impact on system resources. Whether it's working with documents, calculating data, or displaying an awesome presentation, WPS Office would keep the workflow running smoothly and steadily.
