This is especially important if you recently reinstalled the original version of Windows in preparation for the upgrade. If you have a PC running a 'genuine' copy of Windows 7/8/8.1 (Windows 7 Home, Pro, or Ultimate edition, or Windows 8.x Home or Business, properly licensed and activated), you can follow the same steps I did to install Windows 10 as an upgrade.īefore getting started, I recommend a few preliminary tasks that can head off potential problems:
Want your own digital license to the latest Windows 10 version? Follow these instructions. For help decoding setup errors, see 'Windows 10: Use setup log files to troubleshoot installation problems'. For details on how to troubleshoot these errors, see 'This free Windows 10 upgrade offer still works.
Over the years, a small number of readers have reported that the upgrade fails because of a setup error or a compatibility block. Also: How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 (there's a catch)
