This isn't the indefinite (for now) free Windows 10 upgrade for those who use the Accessibility features but it might be related.
This method uses the most recent Windows 10 ISO file and a free ISO mounting utility. Microsoft acknowledges that it works and leaves it at that, refusing to say when or if they'll turn it off.
Your existing Windows 7 or 8.1 installation needs to be as legal and hack-free as possible, specifically, an activated individually licensed version including system builder and system refurbisher versions. That leaves out Enterprise and Education editions. Also, if you bought a refurbished PC that doesn't have the COA/Product Key label, the refurbisher may have installed a multiple license version that will stay activated until you try to reinstall it, even if you use multiple utilities (Belarc Advisor, ShowKeyPlus, Piriform Speccy) to find the product key.
It's a go-no-go process so if it's not going to work, you'll know right away with no harm done. Oh, and it works with successfully activated "bare-metal" Windows 7 installations immediately after activation (no need to run Windows Update).
1. Make sure you have a reliable connection to the internet. Connect directly to a LAN port on your router or gateway with an Ethernet cable for best reliability or plug a USB WiFi adapter into a USB port (Windows 10 will install a driver).
2. Download and save the appropriate system architecture (32- or 64-bit) ISO file for Windows 10. You can park it on the Desktop of the machine you want to upgrade. The single ISO contains both Windows 10 Home and Pro. The correct version will be chosen based on your existing version of Windows 7 or 8.1. In Firefox, this link bypasses the Media Creation Tool download page. In IE, you'll be taken to the Media Creation Tool page:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10ISO
3. Download, install and run VirtualCloneDrive:
https://www.elby.ch/en/products/vcd.html
4. Right-click the Windows 10 ISO file and pick Mount. If Windows Explorer doesn't open to show you the contents, click Start>Computer and find it among the CD/DVD drives.
5. Double-click setup.exe. If you're prompted to enter a Windows 10 product key, stop. Your existing version of Windows 7 or 8.1 was never eligible for the upgrade. The 1607 build of Windows 10 no longer permits using certain Windows 7 or 8.1 product keys to activate Windows 10.
6. If you know your machine is clean and malware-free, you can safely use the Keep Files and Apps option, but you'll probably get better performance if you choose to keep only your files (and everyone else's on the computer) and put back your programs and apps after the upgrade.
7. Same rules apply: If you keep Windows 10 for 30 days, the Windows.old folder which lets you revert to the previous version will be automatically wiped out and the option will be removed from the Recovery options. Windows.old also contains a backup of device drivers (C:\Windows.old\Windows\system32) so if Windows 10 shows any drivers missing in Device Manager, point to that folder and its sub-folders to install them. Most Windows 7 drivers work in Windows 10.
As always, your mileage may vary.
This method uses the most recent Windows 10 ISO file and a free ISO mounting utility. Microsoft acknowledges that it works and leaves it at that, refusing to say when or if they'll turn it off.
Your existing Windows 7 or 8.1 installation needs to be as legal and hack-free as possible, specifically, an activated individually licensed version including system builder and system refurbisher versions. That leaves out Enterprise and Education editions. Also, if you bought a refurbished PC that doesn't have the COA/Product Key label, the refurbisher may have installed a multiple license version that will stay activated until you try to reinstall it, even if you use multiple utilities (Belarc Advisor, ShowKeyPlus, Piriform Speccy) to find the product key.
It's a go-no-go process so if it's not going to work, you'll know right away with no harm done. Oh, and it works with successfully activated "bare-metal" Windows 7 installations immediately after activation (no need to run Windows Update).
1. Make sure you have a reliable connection to the internet. Connect directly to a LAN port on your router or gateway with an Ethernet cable for best reliability or plug a USB WiFi adapter into a USB port (Windows 10 will install a driver).
2. Download and save the appropriate system architecture (32- or 64-bit) ISO file for Windows 10. You can park it on the Desktop of the machine you want to upgrade. The single ISO contains both Windows 10 Home and Pro. The correct version will be chosen based on your existing version of Windows 7 or 8.1. In Firefox, this link bypasses the Media Creation Tool download page. In IE, you'll be taken to the Media Creation Tool page:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/software-download/windows10ISO
3. Download, install and run VirtualCloneDrive:
https://www.elby.ch/en/products/vcd.html
4. Right-click the Windows 10 ISO file and pick Mount. If Windows Explorer doesn't open to show you the contents, click Start>Computer and find it among the CD/DVD drives.
5. Double-click setup.exe. If you're prompted to enter a Windows 10 product key, stop. Your existing version of Windows 7 or 8.1 was never eligible for the upgrade. The 1607 build of Windows 10 no longer permits using certain Windows 7 or 8.1 product keys to activate Windows 10.
6. If you know your machine is clean and malware-free, you can safely use the Keep Files and Apps option, but you'll probably get better performance if you choose to keep only your files (and everyone else's on the computer) and put back your programs and apps after the upgrade.
7. Same rules apply: If you keep Windows 10 for 30 days, the Windows.old folder which lets you revert to the previous version will be automatically wiped out and the option will be removed from the Recovery options. Windows.old also contains a backup of device drivers (C:\Windows.old\Windows\system32) so if Windows 10 shows any drivers missing in Device Manager, point to that folder and its sub-folders to install them. Most Windows 7 drivers work in Windows 10.
As always, your mileage may vary.
