Windows 10: Questions: - About ready to upgrade from Win8.1 to Win 10

I am been reading many of the Win 10 Upgrade messages - but there seems to be many different ways that the upgrade to Win10 can be done. Any comments about my quesitons below are appreciated.

Someone told me yesterday that one of the easiest ways to do the upgrade from win8.1 to win10 is to just CLICK on Microsoft Window-graphic when it shows up in the lower right-hand part of my monitor (area next to where the hidden icons).

I hope that my win8.1 desktop is ready to do this upgrade.
Is there an information email on the Ten-Forums describing the actions taken after Clicking on that MS Window-Graphic ?
and if so thanks for any pointers about the Win10 upgrade. ?

I have really been enjoying all the information and quesitons on your win 10 website.
Thanks, and best to all. All be safe... Cliff

:)

 

Questions about how to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 SP1

Hi Kalpana

Can I use internet download manager(IDM) for downloading Windows 10.Can it helps me not to connect with internet for long time period and my downloading starts from that point where I previously pause downloading not from the beginning.I understand If
I have 32 bits I update only to 32 bits but can I download both 32 bits and 64 bits.You told me I have get only upgrade version in this offer can upgrade version includes all features of Windows 10.Why not full version of Windows 10 provide by Microsoft in
this offer.What type of license I will get for Windows 10 in this offer.Can Microsoft provide me product key for Windows 10 in this offer.How Microsoft will contact me when my upgrade will ready can I get information about this along with download link in
Get Windows 10.Can Microsoft provide me Technical Support for lifetime for this version of Windows 10 and provide solution for all my future problems.

 

Questions about how to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 SP1

Hi,

Apologize for the late reply.

You would not be able to use IDM for downloading Windows 10. the files you need for the upgrade will be downloaded through the Windows updates to your PC.

Migrating from 32 bit versions of Windows to 64 bit Windows 10 will require a custom install. Refer the thread.

Swiching between 32bit n 64 bit in new windows 10 n not to install different bit separately?

For more information about the upgrade, refer to the section 'What edition of Windows will I get as part of this free upgrade?' and 'Will I get all of the features of Windows 10 once I upgrade?'

https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/windows-10-faq

For product key information, refer to the section in the article: When I upgrade a preinstalled (OEM) or retail version of Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 license to Windows 10, does that license remain OEM or become a retail license?

Frequently Asked Questions: Windows 10

Refer to Andre De Costa's reply for 'lifetime of the device'

windows 10 device lifetime support.

Hope this information helps.

 

Might want to have a read here. The GWX (Get Windows 10) icon is described starting at #4.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2...tallation.html

 

Hi Cliff

I don't think that 'Clicking' the Windows Graphic is the best way to go, as for one thing you could be waiting a long time for it to appear, it could take days or maybe even Weeks!

As such you could be better off Creating your own ISO Disk (Burning the installation Media onto a DVD) or Saving it onto a USB Key if preferred.

Make sure you've got all the Updates Service Packs etc on 8.1

Then follow this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

Making sure you choose the one that's compatible with your version (shouldn't be a problem its all explained quite clearly)

Then Burn it on to a DVD or copy it onto a USB Key.

After which you should be good to go and have Windows 10 on your Computer in about an hour.

But Before you Start make sure you Back Up EVERYTHING! All your FILES your PHOTOS and anything else you may want to keep.

The same would apply if you went the Windows Graphic Route.

Then with 8.1 running, insert the Installation DVD that you just burned or the USB Key (NOT the one with your files and photos on!)

No getting into the BIOS or any of that stuff, it should just run.

What you are actually doing when you Upgrade, is to put Windows 10 on Top of 8.1 (or on top of Win 7 if you were running that)

If you only had Windows 8 you would have to put 8.1 on top of Windows 8 then Windows 10 on top of that.

Same thing if you had XP. (Windows XP to Windows 7) ( Windows 7 to Windows 10)

If you have a Genuine Bone Fide Copy of 8.1 Activated on your Computer and you haven't replaced the Mother Board or anything major like that.

Then when you install Windows 10. It shouldn't ask you for a Product Key but in the event it does then just click 'Skip'

Don't put in the Product Key for your Existing Operating System (ie Windows 8.1) because it won't work (and its not meant to!)

During the Installation you will be asked if you want to Save anything or Nothing at ALL.

That's entirely up to you but having backed up all my Files/Photos etc (ready to reinstall in Windows 10) I decided to save Nothing, as I felt the Install might be smoother that way, so I Clicked the Bar that said Custom and followed the Instructions. All very easy.

One thing to Watch out for, is what's going to happen during the Install.

The Screen will sometimes go Black and just hang there and then it might go Blue and do the same.

All sorts of Stuff that would normally Cause an outbreak of Panic! OMG The Black Screen of Death! What shall I do!

Basically just hang in there and don't Panic! Sometimes the Screen will even appear to lock up!

Also during the Installation it will be putting in Updates or you could again 'Skip' these until till later.

Now for the Question that everyone asks: Where's the Product KEY?

There short answer is that when doing an Upgrade there isn't one! (Not so for a Store bought copy of Windows 10)

The product Key for the Windows 10 Upgrade is Stored on Microsoft's Servers (think of it as a Virtual Key) You never get to see.

As they will be aware you have upgraded, although it might take a few days for it to be actually Activated. (I used mine while I was waiting)

If that doesn't show on your Computer, after about a week you could give them a call, though without any major hardware changes your end, it should be all OK.

When I upgraded from 7 having backed up all my Files and Photo's I did a Totally Clean Install of 7 before I went and put Windows 10 on the Top.

The only reason I did this was to clear out any old junk from my HD but that's up to you, as many people don't bother to do that and I'm not even sure that it makes any real difference.

Now something else that seems to be making some heads Spin, is doing a Clean Install of Windows 10.

Which is where the Installation DVD (That you previously Burned) or the USB Key really comes into its own.

When you are doing an UPGRADE you CANNOT do a Clean Install the FIRST TIME ROUND

First of all you have to perform the Upgrade and then when you get confirmation that your product has been Activated.

Then you can do the Clean Install from your DVD or USB. (But only if you want to) I decided to play around with Windows 10 until I got the hang of the various features and then do a Clean Install and start over.

The Upgrade for me was quite painless, once I stopped biting my fingernails, every time the Screen went Black or Blue.

Although I did have a few 'Glitches' which were caused by out of date drivers on my Graphics Card but once they were updated, everything was ok.

Also you are going to find about an hour of updates coming your way at various times but once they were on, I found Windows 10 was Rock Solid.

Good Luck I hope it goes as well for you as it did for me.

 

Cyberdesigner: Thanks so much and I have read all, and did not miss a word.... and reread many times. God Bless you and thanks again. I will be tying to do as you say as you say in that info.

Now here is some of the way I have arrived to where I have now. I have an Acer i5-5600, and have had it for about 4 years, it is a 4-in-1, and I have the 2nd touch screen twin monitor for it. It has always worked fine, and I purchased it with win7, and upgraded to win 8, and later to win 8.1, and all the updates are fine. I have always have Norton 360 and North security running on it. and all those updates are fine. The system stays on all the time, and I have 2 other win 8.1 systems running at home. One of them is a dell, and the other one is an old desktop but it runs good, all online all the time and uppdated by norton and MS all the time.

I still have each of them on wifi at home but my wifi is a slow DLS from AT&T (5000) but has always been fast and good enough for me and my wife to use.
I have already made and OSI file on a 4.2gb dvd, but will probably make a 2nd one tonite.
Microsoft has confirmed in an email to me that my 8.1 is ok with them and I have been seeing the windows graphic window in the lower right-side of my screen for about 2-3 weeks.
I am sending this now--- before it gets lost.. and will comment more later..
Again- thanks so much.. Where do you live(city), as I am in San Antonio, TX and 77 years old now.
Please send me more info... I am listening... !!!
PS: thanks.. so much for all you sent me... be safe.. cliff

 

If you are highly dependent on the machine you intend to move to W-10 I would not even think about it unless you have a reliable way to Restore it to a previous time before any upgrade. Preferably this back-up would be in the form of a System Image as once you move to W-10 any previous Restore points from 8.1 will be gone and the reports have been mixed regarding the built-in feature to return to 8.1. Don't mean to scare you off but I am sure you have read about the array of problems some are encountering.

Now, if you are not highly dependent on this machine and/or you have a solid back-up plan then go for it.

 

I have not fighured out the best way to always return to this title..... so I just SEARCH for it again each time.

Thanks for any info about the best way to return.

tks..cliff

 

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Gator2013

Thanks so much. I have been reading a lot and many 100's of message about the different problems that many of the win10 upgrade users here on ten-forums have been having. Yes, it is more than a bit scary. I have been using my Acer i5-5600 system for about 3+ years and it has worked well. About all I put on it now is a collection of many photos, mostly .jpg that I have taken lately and some of my email in/out using mostly YAHOO. Most of the home and important files are on the win8.1 ystem that my wife users on t different computer.. I do have a backup of most of files but will also make a 2nd backup of 1 or 2 major folders before starting any update to win 10.

I really do appreciate your comments..... I have ever thought about just purchasing a win10 OS, and puttng my good data on it.
be safe and thanks.. cliff

 

Cyberdesigner:
I will read everything you send me tomorrow but not tonight.. tks.

 

Thanks, and I have now made a shortbut to return here.

 

If you are using a USB stick or DVD to upgrade with, the upgrade from Windows 8 to 8.1 is not required (and neither is Service Pack 1 for Windows 7). That is only required if you are going to upgrade using the Get Windows 10 icon and native Windows Update.

 

Thanks, and I am only moving from win8.1 to 10.

I am interested in reading a lot more about the upgrade and learning more about the problems involved from others as they have done the upgrade.

I will be waiting awhile before doing it.
Thanks so much... Cliff