A Step-By-Step Screencast of Upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free

As most of you know that Microsoft offering a Free upgrade to Windows for all Windows 7 users, if they upgrade within 1 years of Windows 10 release.  Here is a step-by-step screencast procedure to be followed for successfully upgrading to Windows 10.

Pre-requisites: In order for you to receive Windows 10 upgrade, your system has to meet below minimum requirements

1. Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1): You need to have Service Pack 1 installed for Windows 7.  You can check the Windows version using “Winver” command.
2. Your Windows 7 is NOT of Enterprise edition. You can check the Windows version using “Winver” command.
3. Your computer should not be part of a Domain. Which usually be case with all Corporate computers
4. Ensure you are running a genuine Windows operating system and is properly activated.
5. Verify that you are NOT running Volume License copy, you can check your license and activation details using “slmgr /dli” command
6. Ensure there are no Pending Windows Updates for your system
7. Ensure KB3035583 Update which installs “Get Windows 10 app” in Windows 7SP1 is installed on your system
8. Ensure you have at least 3 GB free disk space on your system to download the Windows 10 OS

Screencast of Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 10 Upgrade Process:

• Once you have “Get Windows 10 app” installed as part of KB3035583 Update, you’ll see a Systray Icon With white Windows logo as shown below

• 

The “Get Windows 10 app” Systray program loads from “C:\Windows\System32\GWX” folder as shown in below

• 

Right Click on Systray Icon and click Get Windows 10, as shown below:

• 

Then you’ll see below Windows detailing the steps for “How to get Windows 10 for free!” 

• 

in Get Windows 10, Click on Settings icon (with all four horizontal lines located on the top left of the Window), In the Settings Widget Click on “Check your PC” option which will verify that your system has met all the pre-requisites in order for the upgrade to start.

• 

It’ll give you a compatibility report as shown below:

• 

Once you have all updates and system pre-requisites met, then click on “Reserve your free upgrade”. You’ll see a confirmation indicating that your free Windows 10 upgrade is reserved and Windows 10 will be downloaded to your system.

• 

You can provide your email address to get a confirmation, then see status that “Your upgrade is reserved!” as shown below

•  

Once your upgrade is reserved, your Windows 10 download will as as shown below:

• 

When you click on “View download progress”, you’ll Windows Update downloading 2.63 GB of Windows 10 OS as shown below:

• 

During the Windows 10 ISO download, if your internet connection is interrupted, you have nothing to worry as Windows 10 download will resume from when it was interrupted last time

• 

Once your Windows 10 download is complete, its install will start and your system will be restarted to load Windows 10 ISO installation.

As part of Windows 10 install, You’ll be prompted to format the existing drives on your system and choose a drive for your Windows 10 install

As you are upgrading from Windows 7 SP1 to Windows 10, all of your previous Windows 7 system files will be saved in a folder call “Windows.old” which you can delete once you are fully comfortable running in windows 10.

Here are Windows 10 Offer Details from Microsoft:

Windows Offer Details

• Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial.
• 3 GB download required; standard data rates apply.
• To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability.
• Once you have upgraded, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.
• Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices that you already own.
• Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market.
• The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier.
• Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled.
• Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required.
• Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise and Windows RT/RT 8.1.
• Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer.
• To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page.
• Windows 10 is automatically updated.
• Additional requirements may apply over time for updates.
• The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier.

References:

• The Get Windows 10 App will not display on domain joined PCs
• Upgrade to Windows 10: FAQ
• Windows 10 Specifications