Microsoft’s free Windows 10 upgrade offer still applies to many Windows 7 and 8 users.

With support for Windows 7 ending January 2020, Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 10 to keep their devices running safely and smoothly. The download cost for the Windows 10 Home operating system from the Microsoft website is $ 139. But it is not necessary to pay cash. The free upgrade offer from Microsoft, technically terminated in 2016, is still valid.

When Windows 10 was first released in July 2015, Microsoft provided unprecedented free upgrades to Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 users by July 2016. However, Ed Bott reporter of CNET sister site ZDNet in 2017, the free upgrade tool still works. As of November 2019, readers have reported that it still works. I tried it and was able to upgrade my 2014 Dell OptiPlex 9020 desktop system from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro.

Windows 7 users who have not upgraded to the new version can no longer receive technical support for security updates or fixes or issues from Microsoft, which may leave their computer at risk of viruses and malware. According to analysts, Windows 10 users have experienced many bugs over the years, but upgrading is the best way to keep your computer safe.

If you are currently running a licensed and activated copy of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 (Walmart $ 187) Home or Pro, here’s how to get Windows 10 for free:

1. Go to the Windows 10 download website.

2. Under Download Windows 10 installation media, click Download and run the tool now.

3. If you are the only PC to upgrade, select Upgrade this PC now. If you are upgrading another system, select Create installation media for another PC and save the installation file.

4. Follow the instructions.

5. When the upgrade is complete, go to Settings Update and Security> Activation to see the digital license for Windows 10.

If you have a Windows 7 or 8 Home license, you can only update to Windows 10 Home, but Windows 7 or 8 Pro can only update to Windows 10 Pro (the upgrade is not available in Windows Enterprise). Depending on the computer, you may also experience blocks). This upgrade with media authoring tools is not for the average consumer, but nevertheless works for many.

To get the best Windows 10 experience and take advantage of features like passwordless sign-on through Windows Hello, you’ll need to buy a new Windows 10 PC (or a PC released after July 2015) with all hardware upgrades. If you are a student or university professor, you can also download Windows 10 for free