With the biggest decision out of the way, we can get on with how to upgrade your machine. We've got a selection of the best external hard drives here. You can save your personal files and photos to OneDrive or to an external hard drive. Next, make sure you've backed up your files. If you're just planning on using Windows 10 for personal use, I'd recommend sticking with just the Home version. Windows 10 Pro adds business functionality features such as encryption, remote log-in and creating virtual machines.

These versions of Windows 10 work like traditional boxed copies of previous versions of Windows, where you’ll be able to install the OS on a computer of your choice, and reinstall it when you build a new model.įirst things first, you'll need to decide which version of Windows 10 you'd like to upgrade to. Windows 10 is available as boxed software and as a download. The UK government's National Cyber Security Centre recently warned Windows 7 users to stop using online banking and email after this date and you can read more about that here.īest cheap laptop 2021: Our favourite budget Windows laptops and Chromebooks If you opt for choice two, and you're using Windows 7, you will stop receiving updates after 14 January 2020, putting you and your files at significant risk of security flaws and hackers. If you opt for choice one, you can read how to download and upgrade your operating system to Windows 10 below.

Buy a new machine with Windows 10 already installed.

Stick with your older version of Windows for the time being, or.

Pay for the upgrade to either Windows 10 Home or the more expensive Windows 10 Pro version.

If you're looking to upgrade, you've got three choices: Sadly, that period has long since passed, as the free upgrade progamme came to an end on 29 July 2016.Īs a result, you'll now need to pay for Windows 10 to upgrade to the new operating system. During the first year of Windows 10, Microsoft offered a free upgrade for all existing Windows 7 and Windows 8 users.

Windows 10 upgrade location