An In-depth Look: Upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10 Before 2019 Ends

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Are you thinking about how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free before 2020? Here an in-depth look at the upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 10 before 2019 ends.

It has been almost ten years since Windows 7 was released way back October 22, 2009. Unfortunately, its service will come to an end. After a decade’s worth of support, Microsoft announced that it would no longer be supporting Windows 7 starting January 14, 2020.

In such a case, Microsoft highly recommends to upgrade to Windows 10 prior to January 2020 as software updates and technical assistance will no longer be available for the product.

upgrading windows 7 to windows 10

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Now, if you’re still using Windows 7 and is a bit skeptical with the upcoming changes, here are what you should know about your options for upgrading and its end of lifecycle support.

What You Need to Know About Microsoft End of Support

Every Microsoft Windows product has two major expiration dates:

  • End of mainstream support
  • End of extended support

Microsoft will no longer append new features for it, and the warranty claim will end once a Windows version leaves mainstream support. It usually lasts for about five years after the product was released.

The next five years will be the utilization of Windows’ extended support. Within this timeline, Microsoft will continue to provide security patches and bug fixes but will not develop the OS with new upgrades.

Unbeknownst to many, Microsoft is actually offering a compromise for Windows 7 users. Businesses who want to continue using Windows 7 Enterprise or Professional can pay Microsoft for extended support up until 2023, all thanks to the Extended Security Updates program.

The only snag: it will cost up to $350 for all three years of support for Windows 7 Pro machines. It’s way more expensive than a Windows 10 license for a home user and suits only for companies who, for whatever reason, can’t upgrade yet.

What will Happen to Windows 7 After 2020?

If you’re anxious about the fate of Windows 7, don’t worry, it won’t stop working or suddenly break down after January 2020. The only significant change is that it will no longer get security patches and other updates. This will make Windows 7 an insecure OS and will be filled with known security holes that Microsoft will not fix.

The major software cutting off its support to Windows 7 is another consequence to keep in mind if you continue using it. This can be likened with Windows XP whose mainstream apps like Microsoft Office, Spotify, and Dropbox no longer work Windows XP.

These apps, after some time, will decide that it’s no longer feasible to support Windows 7. The same goes for hardware. Some modern CPUs even failed to work with Windows 7 already, and it will only get more serious as the platform gets older.

How to You can Disable Windows 7 Nag Screen

You’ll be greeted with a dialog box every so often after installing a certain Windows update. It’s a reminder that Windows 7’s time is already numbered and that you need to upgrade.

Good thing, it’s not as bothersome as the past Windows 10 upgrade that constantly bugged the user to upgrade. However, it can still get annoying, mainly if you’ve already sorted your plan to upgrade Windows 7.

You will need to check the box for “do not remind me again” option at the bottom-left part to stop this nag screen and close the window after. You will not see this notification any more.

Your Windows 7 Upgrade Options:

Before January 2020 will come, take your cue from one of these upgrade options to bid goodbye from Windows 7 and use the recent operating system.

✔ Upgrade to Windows 10

You may be able to upgrade directly to Windows 10 if your current machine is relatively new. But, it’s likely to work with Windows 10 if you’ve had your computer since Windows 7 debuted.

You need to refer to Windows 10 system requirements page to check if your machine is qualified or not. Take heed as it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a good experience because these are only the bare minimum to get Windows 10 running on a computer. If your PC only has 2GB of RAM or has a tiny 100GB hard drive, it would be better to buy a new machine.

On the flip side, this option still allows you to use a Windows 7 product key for activating Windows 10. If your machine is still capable, you can go to the website, an upgrade for free.

✔ Buy a New Computer with Windows 10

Buying a new computer is probably the best option for most people who don’t want the hassle related to upgrades.

Due to the fact that machines running on Windows 7 could be at least several years old, you will need a more powerful machine to run Windows 10. And, it may call for buying a new computer. Fortunately, you can get a decent computer nowadays without breaking the bank.

✔ Upgrade to Windows 8.1

It’s easy to forget the existence of Windows 8.1 because Windows 7 and 10 are so popular. Although the mainstream support for Windows 8.1 already ended in early 2018, it’s still eligible for extended support up to January 10, 2023.

That being said, upgrading to Windows 8.1 will give you three more years of support after Windows 7 will finally take the rest. However, there are a few consequences to this option.

First, Windows 10 is far better than Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 is only capable of receiving security updates, but Windows 10 receives feature updates to enhance it. Also, Windows 8.1 doesn’t have useful features like multiple desktops and has the much-maligned Start Screen.

Moreover, Microsoft no longer sells license keys for Windows 8.1. You will need to purchase one in another aftermarket retailer or from Amazon, both of which option can be shady. There might be hundreds of machines running Windows 10, but it’s hard to look for a pre-built computer with Windows 8.1 on it.

Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 have similar system requirements, so if you plan to purchase a new computer, the best move is to go for one that runs on Windows 10. You might worry about this problem again before 2023 if you choose to upgrade to Windows 8.1. Nevertheless, the decision is still up to you.

✔ Switch to Another Platform

If Windows OS no longer appeals to you, switching to a new operating system might just be the route to go.

To those who only use a computer for light tasks or on a tight budget, a Chromebook will do just fine. These lightweight devices are ideal for word processing, sending emails. It’s also easy to use, thanks to its built-in security and automatic updates.

If you can afford to spend extra for a more premium experience, a Macbook will be a good choice. MacBooks are more expensive than Windows laptops, but some claims that you’ll never want to go back to Windows after experiencing macOS.

Dare to try something different? Go for a Linux machine. Linux might have the occasional reputation for being user-friendly to advanced users only, but you’d be surprised how easy-to-use the modern versions are.

Takeaway

We’ve already discussed the what’s to come next for Windows 7 and your upgrade options. If you want to keep using Windows, buying a new computer with Windows 10 is your best option. It will give you a better experience than just upgrading a computer.

But of course, you don’t have to do it. Whichever your choice, it’s best to move on from Windows 7 before January 2020 enters. The last thing you’d want to happen is to get stranded on an unsupported OS.

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