Desktop (tower)

EveryWhere

mksysb wrote: »

Read it properly, I was disagreeing with the OP who said it wasn't free.

I even gave you a mention

"but I'm sure everywhere will be along in a minute to explain how you can upgrade win 7 for free."

Aaahhh...didn't see the other poster's post and misread yours.

melbury

EveryWhere makes it sound so easy and straightforward that I feel like a complete idiot:o I know you are all 100% right in what you say.

However, if the computer was open and the HDD removed, would I still be able to get online for instructions from you guys as to exactly what to do?

I am still confused about Windows 10 being free from Microsoft, thought it was only free for a limited time, so many people have told me that. How do you get the free download?

I have just been on the Microsoft website and it says, quote:

"There was a promotional free upgrade offer available when Windows 10 first released, but that offer expired on 29 July 2016.

You can purchase and download Windows 10 on your device today. However, if your computer is more than three years old, it might be time to consider upgrading to a new device. We would love to help you find a computer that’s faster, safer, and delivers the new features Windows 10 has to offer before your current PC slows you down."

Checked the price of Windows 10 Home on the Microsoft website and it is £119.99:eek::eek:

So would the new drive thing have to be fitted first and then Windows 10 downloaded?

Neil_Jones

melbury wrote: »

I am still confused about Windows 10 being free from Microsoft, thought it was only free for a limited time, so many people have told me that. How do you get the free download?

Here you go:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Click on the big blue "Upgrade Now" button and run the file you get given, follow the onscreen instructions to do an upgrade.

When done you will have a Windows 10 digital licence for your current device. You can verify this from Settings -> System -> Activation in Windows 10.

Now you can build some "Windows 10 installation media" from the same webpage above to make a CD or USB stick, swap your drive out for an SSD if that's what you want and boot from the Windows 10 media you just made. Because the SSD will be empty the computer will have no option but to boot off the CD/stick you made. When it asks for a product key, just skip it. Windows will activate itself.

melbury

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Here you go:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

Click on the big blue "Upgrade Now" button and run the file you get given, follow the onscreen instructions to do an upgrade.

When done you will have a Windows 10 digital licence for your current device. You can verify this from Settings -> System -> Activation in Windows 10.

Now you can build some "Windows 10 installation media" from the same webpage above to make a CD or USB stick, swap your drive out for an SSD if that's what you want and boot from the Windows 10 media you just made. Because the SSD will be empty the computer will have no option but to boot off the CD/stick you made. When it asks for a product key, just skip it. Windows will activate itself.

Thank you, but the last paragraph sounds terribly complicated, I just don't understand it:(

Why are they saying that it is no longer free on the page I looked at, if it actually is still free? Very confusing.

Neil_Jones

melbury wrote: »

Thank you, but the last paragraph sounds terribly complicated, I just don't understand it:(

Why are they saying that it is no longer free on the page I looked at, if it actually is still free? Very confusing.

Officially it is not free, however users of assistive technology (screen readers and so on) were still entitled to get it free on an ongoing basis. However it later turned out that there were not (and still aren't AFAIK) any checks on this, it was the same thing as before just in new packaging.

The original target aim was to get Windows 10 on 1 billion devices by the end of the original free period. They fell short of this by a long way which is presumably why they came up with the "technology aid" upgrade route to hide it. Which anybody who can Google can find.

EveryWhere

melbury wrote: »

Thank you, but the last paragraph sounds terribly complicated, I just don't understand it:(

Why are they saying that it is no longer free on the page I looked at, if it actually is still free? Very confusing.

That's because the last paragraph is a bit of an unnecessary step. There is also a confusing description of assistive technologies, which has nothing to do with anything.
The Windows 10 upgrade is free. It has always been that way. They suggested otherwise initially, as they wanted everyone to move to Windows 10 asap.
You should either, just run the upgrade over the top(seems like the easiest option for you, but definitely not the best, or clean install Windows 10 to a new SSD.

The best is to follow instructions to create the Windows 10 installation media, fit the SSD and then clean install Windows 10 to it.

All can be undertaken with a step by step guide. But you actually have to get started, not just worry about it.