As Windows 7 users should know, support for Win 7 stopped early 2020.
Windows 7 users who don't upgrade to the new version will no longer be able to get Microsoft's security updates or fixes, or technical support for any issues, leaving your computer at greater risk from viruses and malware. It's time to move to newer, modern, operating system.
For those users who are looking for an alternative besides Windows 10, a number of choices are available.
Checkout these
12 Free Alternatives to Windows Operating Systems
While Windows 10 users have experienced a
number of bugs
over the years, upgrading remains the best option for
keeping your computer safe
, analysts say. And more people seem to be making the move: Windows 10 now has more than
1 billion active users
worldwide, Microsoft reported in March. Here's how to get Windows 10 for free, if you're currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Home or Pro:
- Go to the
Download Windows 10 website
.
- Under Create Windows 10 installation media, click Download tool now and Run.
- Choose Upgrade this PC now, assuming this is the only PC you're upgrading. (If you're upgrading a different machine, choose Create installation media for another PC, and save the installation files.)
- Follow the prompts.
- When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update & Security > Activation,
and you should see a digital license for Windows 10.
Be aware that if you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, while Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only be updated to Windows 10 Pro. (The upgrade is not available for Windows Enterprise. Other users
may experience blocks as well
, depending on your machine.) This upgrade using the media creation tool isn't meant for everybody, but it works for many nonetheless.