Although you can also upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 using an in-place upgrade without losing your files is typically the recommended method, there’s always a chance of issues and errors, which could result from custom configurations, apps, driver incompatibility, and other problems. A clean installation minimizes the chances of problems because you’ll be deleting everything on the hard drive and installing a fresh copy of the operating system. This guide will teach you the steps to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7, ensuring you don’t run into issues during installation.
Windows 10 minimum hardware requirements Create a full backup of Windows 7 Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7
Windows 10 minimum hardware requirements
These are the minimum hardware requirements to upgrade to Windows 10: In addition to determining the hardware compatibility, to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10, you’ll need a valid Windows 10 product key. You may still upgrade to Windows 10 using a Windows 7 product key, but be aware that Microsoft no longer offers free upgrades, as such, the company can stop devices from activating using this method at any time.
Create a full backup of Windows 7
Although Microsoft has been improving the upgrade process with Windows 10, there are always chances that the upgrade will fail, and to avoid any problems, you should make sure to have a full backup of your system that you can use to roll back if anything happens. To create a full backup on Windows 7, connect an external hard drive with enough storage, and use these steps: Once you complete the steps, a full backup of your device will be created, which you can use in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.
Also, in addition to a full backup, you’ll need to create a backup of your files and web browser settings (favorite, password, and personal settings) to the cloud, such as using OneDrive, or an external drive that you can restore manually on the new installation. If you need additional assistance, use this guide with the complete process to create a backup and restore Windows 7 and files.
How to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7
Before upgrading, you must create a USB bootable media using the Media Creation Tool or Rufus with the Windows 10 installation files. To upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 using a clean installation, use these steps: After you complete the steps, the Windows 7 installation will be wiped out, and the setup will install a clean copy of Windows 10.
The last thing left to do is manually restore your files from the file backup you created and check for updates on Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Windows 7 support officially ended on January 14, 2020, the January 10, 2023 date marks the end of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) are available through specific volume licensing programs for Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Professional for Embedded Systems editions of this product. If you plan to upgrade through a clean installation, remember that Windows 10 will only have support until October 14, 2025. If your hardware is supported, it’s best to upgrade to Windows 11. Update January 4, 2023: Originally published in August 2019, it was revised in January 2020 to ensure the information is still accurate. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
