How to Get Windows 11 or Windows 10 for Free (or Under $20) | Tom’s Hardware

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Windows 10 – Wikipedia – Downsides of Upgrading From Windows 7 or 8

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When Windows 10 first arrived, nabbing a free upgrade was as simple as clicking the Get Windows 10 notification prompt. Things are a bit different now, however, especially with the new free upgrade to Windows 11 being around.

In other words, Windows 7 is now unsafe to use, making this an excellent time to switch to Windows 10 or, switch to Windows Unfortunately, the original free upgrade period to Windows 10 ended years ago, and the workaround to get Windows 10 for free with Assistive Technologies ended not long after that.

It would be best to have a valid product key or a digital license to get a free upgrade. When you purchase an operating system from Microsoft or any retailer, it comes with a product key to unlock it.

A digital license connects your installed Windows platform to a key embedded in prebuilt systems from Acer, Dell, HP, and so on. For a long time, these manufacturers printed product keys on labels stuck on PCs or printed and inserted them into product packaging. However, Microsoft also moved Windows 7 over to this method. This license becomes locked to your Microsoft account. Sites like Amazon also keep a record of purchased downloads, but these rarely include the product key itself, though it may help narrow down where it could be.

Finally, you can download Windows 10 and perform a clean install. Despite officially ending the free update promotion in mid, Microsoft quietly keeps this option available so all Windows PC owners can run the latest version.

Again, unless you have a valid digital license or product key to get a free upgrade, you will be required to pay for a new Windows 10 Home product key. Disconnect any unnecessary accessories to help reduce the chance of errors.

As shown above, you have two options: Upgrade the current PC, or create installation media that will either upgrade another PC or perform a clean install on the current PC. However, in both cases, the tool will temporarily download a disk image of Windows 10, so be sure you have enough space for the file — around 4GB, at least. Step 5: Select the Upgrade this PC now option and follow the prompts.

Step 6: With all issues resolved, the installer will try to port over all the data it can. Keep in mind, however, the vast gap between Windows 7 and Windows 10 in terms of the software you use. Back up or convert any crucial data before you continue. Step 9: As the installer progresses, your PC will restart a few times. The above method is the best way to get Windows 10 for free — at least for now.

There are other ways you can get Windows 10 if you need it, including free and low-cost options that may be worth exploring. Buy a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft. Please read our guide on how to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows With Assigned Access, Windows 10 Pro devices run different applications depending on the user and keep individual identities separate and secured. With Dynamic Provisioning you can take a new PC out of the box, turn it on, and transform it into a productive organization device, with minimal time and effort.

Windows Update for Business can help businesses reduce management costs, provide control over update deployments, enable more efficient delivery of updates, and provide access to the latest innovations from Microsoft. Configure a device in kiosk mode in a very simple way. You can do this locally on the device or remotely using Mobile Device Management.

The shared logon works on PCs, tablets, and phones with minimal IT involvement. Edit photos and spice up presentations. Windows 10 has the apps you need to get in touch with your creative side.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more—get everything you need to create and present your ideas with a Microsoft subscription. Scribble down a headline, draw a chart, add bullet points—design an entire presentation with a digital pen. And on new Windows 10 touchscreen computers, you can zoom, scroll, and sign documents with the touch of a finger.

The new Photos app makes it fun and easy to enhance your digital memories. Use Sticky Notes and type, ink, or add a picture to save ideas, thoughts, lists, appointments, and more—so you don’t miss a thing! Windows 10 has apps and features to help you have fun and get more done with less hassle. Scroll through time to find documents and websites. Log into your Windows devices three times faster by using your face or fingerprint.

Windows 10 features are best experienced on a modern PC. Find out if your current PC is ready for Windows 10 by answering just a few questions. Review this doc for more details on Device Encryption. Active Directory makes management easier but is not required. Pen accessory may be sold separately. Chrome 69 and Firefox Go here for more details on this performance claim. Go here for more details on this battery life claim.

Users will receive an app from Microsoft which they must download to their Android phone and follow the setup prompts, including being signed into same Microsoft Account across mobile apps and Windows 10 PC.

Users will receive an app from Microsoft which they must download to their iPhone and follow the setup prompts. Available on limited select devices supporting far-field capabilities. Connect email accounts in the Cortana Notebook; works with Outlook. Microsoft requires a subscription. Functionality and apps may vary by market and device. To see up to 30 days of activities, users must choose this option in settings.

Available in select markets. Functionality may vary by device. Requires specialized hardware, including fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices. Compare Windows 10 Home vs. Pro Find the right fit for your needs. Windows Security Windows 10 changes the game for security by protecting user identities, devices, and information with a comprehensive solution driven by intelligence that only Microsoft offers.

Device encryption Device encryption is available on a wide range of Windows devices and helps protect your data by encrypting it. Firewall and network protection Your Windows device comes with comprehensive, built-in security features, including firewall and internet protections to help safeguard against viruses, malware, and ransomware. Secure Boot Secure Boot helps prevent malicious software applications and unauthorized operating systems from loading during the system start-up process.

BitLocker device encryption If your device is lost or stolen, BitLocker and BitLocker To Go put everything on lockdown, so no one else can access your systems or data. Windows Defender Antivirus Windows Defender Antivirus uses the power of the cloud, wide optics, machine learning, and behavior analysis to protect your devices from emerging, sophisticated threats.

Windows Fundamentals Windows 10 comes with automatic updates enabled, which means you get all the latest features at no extra cost. Microsoft Edge Get faster browsing 7 8 and better battery life 8 9 across your devices with Microsoft Edge, the browser built for Windows Cortana All you have to do is ask Cortana. Battery saver mode Extend battery life by limiting background activity and push notifications.

 
 

 

You Don’t Need a Product Key to Install and Use Windows 10

 
Retrieved May 16, Windows 8. June 21,

 
 

Windows 10 pro or home which is best free download.Descărcați Windows 10

 
 

What’s the difference between Windows 10 Home and Pro? When you’re building a PC , you’re looking at a lot of expenses, particularly if you hope to game at higher settings and resolutions. Our build guides include all the hardware you’ll need, but there’s still the choice of operating system.

It’s worth noting that Windows 11 is a free upgrade from Windows 10 but if you own neither right now you’re still going to need to pick up a key. While many of the extra features of Windows 10 Pro are clearly designed for business use, like group policy management and domain binding, there are other features that an enthusiast might not be able to live without. Here’s a breakdown of the most useful features that you get with Windows 10 Pro, as well as free alternatives, when applicable.

With Dynamic Provisioning you can take a new PC out of the box, turn it on, and transform it into a productive organization device, with minimal time and effort. Windows Update for Business can help businesses reduce management costs, provide control over update deployments, enable more efficient delivery of updates, and provide access to the latest innovations from Microsoft. Configure a device in kiosk mode in a very simple way.

You can do this locally on the device or remotely using Mobile Device Management. The shared logon works on PCs, tablets, and phones with minimal IT involvement. Edit photos and spice up presentations. Windows 10 has the apps you need to get in touch with your creative side. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more—get everything you need to create and present your ideas with a Microsoft subscription. Scribble down a headline, draw a chart, add bullet points—design an entire presentation with a digital pen.

And on new Windows 10 touchscreen computers, you can zoom, scroll, and sign documents with the touch of a finger. The new Photos app makes it fun and easy to enhance your digital memories. Use Sticky Notes and type, ink, or add a picture to save ideas, thoughts, lists, appointments, and more—so you don’t miss a thing!

Windows 10 has apps and features to help you have fun and get more done with less hassle. Scroll through time to find documents and websites. Log into your Windows devices three times faster by using your face or fingerprint. Windows 10 features are best experienced on a modern PC. Find out if your current PC is ready for Windows 10 by answering just a few questions. Review this doc for more details on Device Encryption. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Learn more. Vs Home Software operating systems. Windows 10 Security features With the ever-increasing risk of malicious software attacks , security is perhaps the most important element for a business when deciding on which operating system to implement. Software productivity Microsoft Windows operating systems Windows Featured Resources Fit-for-purpose IT infrastructure for digitally determined organisations Your innovation engine: Guiding organisations through change in the new digital economy Free Download.

Future proofing data infrastructure with more performance, scalability, and resiliency Dell PowerStore Free Download. Organisations accelerating their digital workplace achieve improvements See the biggest return on device investments Free Download. The trusted data centre and storage infrastructure Invest in infrastructure modernisation to drive improved outcomes Free Download. How to check if your PC is compatible with Windows Microsoft Windows.

How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows So we tried calling the number and waited on hold for a few minutes. We thought activating via phone would be an automated process where we just punched in the key and got an approval code, but instead we got a live representative who immediately asked for our Microsoft account ID.

However, both sites play host to a number of third-party sellers whose product keys may or may not be legit. The easiest but most expensive way to get Windows is to buy your key directly from Microsoft.

You can get these either as downloads or on USB drives. If you have an old Windows key you can carry over from a previous build, that’s your best option and effectively gives you Windows 10 or Windows 11 for free.

If you don’t have a key on hand, you need to decide whether you’re comfortable using an unactivated version of Windows 10 or 11, which limits your customization options, has an ugly watermark and leaves you ineligible for Microsoft support. Many would argue that downloading Windows without paying for or already owning a product key is ethically wrong. That said, Microsoft has made this process easier over various Windows iterations and lessened the limitations and nagging that happens when you don’t activate.

We’ve even seen well-known vendors and Microsoft partners do press presentations with watermarks on their desktop. Scharon Harding has a special affinity for gaming peripherals especially monitors , laptops and virtual reality.

Previously, she covered business technology, including hardware, software, cyber security, cloud and other IT happenings, at Channelnomics, with bylines at CRN UK. Tom’s Hardware Tom’s Hardware. No matter how or whether you pay for it, you can download Windows 10 opens in new tab or download Windows 11 opens in new tab for free from Microsoft.

And, in fact, you should only download it from Microsoft, as grabbing it from any other site or from a P2P network could give you malware. Microsoft offers a free media creation tool, which grabs the latest code from the Internet and then burns itself to a USB Flash drive or outputs a Windows 10 or Windows 11 ISO file you can write to a drive yourself. Once that’s done, you can boot from your installation media and start the process.

During installation, Microsoft asks you to enter a Windows 10 or 11 product key. If you are still on Windows 7 or 8, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

If you have an old, retail non-OEM copy of Windows 7, 8 or 10 you are no longer using on another PC, you can likely use the product key when you do a fresh install of Windows on your new PC. However, you must first make sure it’s deactivated on the old PC it came from.

See our article on how to transfer a Windows 10 or 11 license to a new PC for step-by-step information on how to retrieve and move your key. The process of transferring a Windows license varies, depending upon whether you have digital or non-digital license. With a the former, you’ll need to log into your Microsoft account to deactivate the old PC. And with the latter, you’ll want to use a command line command to terminate the activation. Note that if the product key comes from a prebuilt computer that came from the factory with Windows on it, it has an OEM key that may not work on a different new PC.

Feel free to try it, though, because if it works you have Windows 10 or 11 for free. The good news is that you only have two serious disadvantages from not activating Windows 10 or However, if you are using a Microsoft account that syncs with another computer on which you have custom wallpaper, that wallpaper will appear on your unactivated Windows. But come on; does anyone actually do that? Other than those inconveniences, unactivated Windows should work just fine and receive automatic updates too.

You can see if your school is eligible and download your free Windows 11 key here opens in new tab.