Update windows 8 auf windows 10

Editors Note: Windows 11 arrived in 2021. See our Windows 11 system requirements guide to see if your laptop or desktop is compatible. Windows 11 is a free upgrade, much like Windows 10.

Microsoft shut down its free Windows 10 upgrade program five years ago in November 2017. If you didn’t get your free version of its best operating system to date, you were pretty much out of luck. Or, so we thought. It turns out you can still upgrade to Windows 10 without spending a dime. 

It turns out there are several methods of upgrading from older versions of Windows (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1) to Windows 10 Home without paying the $139 fee for the latest operating system. So let's give you the lowdown on how to update to Windows 10 for free. 

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Keep in mind that this workaround won't necessarily work all the time. If it doesn't, you'll need to pay the Windows 10 Home license fee or, if your system is older than 4 years, you might want to buy a new one (all new PCs run on some version of Windows 10). You will certainly need to upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 if you are still running those legacy operating systems, as Microsoft no longer supports them. 

How to Upgrade to Windows 10 for free

1. Ensure you're using a genuine copy of Windows 7 or later. Anything older will not work (please, if possible, buy a new system if you're using Window XP or Vista). If you're using Windows 7, write down the activation key (you may need this later). A free tool like NirSoft’s ProduKey will help you find it.  

2. This is a good stop to pause and back up anything you’d like to save on your current PC before continuing. Follow our Windows 10 backup instructions on how to do so. 

3. Visit the Windows 10 download page (opens in new tab). This is an official Microsoft page that may allow you to upgrade for free. Once you're there, open the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool (press "download tool now") and choose "Upgrade this PC now." 

4. Accept the terms and choose the upgrade options that lets you keep your files and preferences. Again, having a backup ready at this point is very important so save everything to the cloud or to an SSD or USB. 

5. Reboot your computer and connect it to the internet. Open Settings and choose "Update & Security" and click "Activation." From here, you can see if the Windows 10 upgrade worked. If not, press an "Activate" button (if there is one); this will create a digital Windows 10 product key. Try using your Windows 7 or Windows 8 license key. 

Now that you know how to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, be sure to check out our other Windows 10 tutorials below, including tips on how to uninstall programs on Windows 10, how to find your MAC address in Windows 10, how to create a new folder in Windows 10 and more.

Also, you may want to skip Windows 10 ( I don't know why, but to each is own) and download Microsofts latest Windows 11. 

We already showed you how to upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10, now let’s take a look at going through the upgrade on Windows 8.1.

Windows 10 is now ready in 190 countries. If you reserved your copy, you should see a message to upgrade. If not, you can always download the Media Creation tool from Microsoft and install it or download the Windows 10 ISO for a clean install.

We already showed you how to upgrade your Windows 7 computer to Windows 10; now, let’s look at going through the upgrade on Windows 8.1.

Update: Microsoft has dropped support for Windows 8.1, as it explains in a blog post:

Windows 8.1 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018, and will reach end of Extended Support on January 10, 2023. With the general availability of Windows 8.1, customers on Windows 8 had until January 12, 2016, to move to Windows 8.1 to remain supported.

Note:

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10

Even if you don’t see a message from the get windows 10 app on the taskbar, if the upgrade files have been downloaded to your PC, you can start the process via Windows Update.

However, you won’t be doing it through Windows Update in the modern Settings app. If you try, you will see the following message:

You need to use the desktop version of Windows Update. To do that, use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key+X or right-click the Start button and select Control Panel from the power user menu – which is also available in Windows 10 (it’s called the Quick Access menu in 10).

Scroll down to the bottom of the Control Panel and select Windows Update.

You’ll see the Windows 10 upgrade is ready. Just click the “Get Started” button.

Check for Issues

Note that the upgrade might fail at first. I retried it three times before it started to work. Once it does begin, just like with the upgrade in Windows 7, you’ll need to agree to the

After that, you get the option to begin the upgrade now or schedule it for a later time. Again, just like upgrading Windows 7, you only get a three-day window to schedule the upgrade.

After it starts, sit back, grab a coffee because the process can take quite a while.

You’ll get the familiar screen shown below that lets you know where the upgrade process is at. If it seems to hang, be patient, especially the first couple of weeks…a lot of people are upgrading at the same time. Also, note that your PC will restart a few times, just let it do its thing.

After it completes, you’ll get a Welcome Back screen, and you start clicking through the on-screen setup instructions.

Unless you’re particular about how you want your Windows settings, go with Express Settings during setup (versus custom settings). It allows you to get up and running a lot faster. If you want to make any adjustments, you can do that later.

It will also tell you about new apps like Groove Music, Movies & TV app, Microsoft Store, Photos, and the new Edge browser. And after that, you can log in with the Microsoft account credentials you used for Windows 8.1.

Next, you’ll need to wait a bit while Microsoft sets up your apps and gets things ready for you.

Summing Up

When that’s done, you will be brought to your new Windows 10 desktop and can start checking out all of the cool new features like the new Start menu, Cortana, and Action Center.

Also, keep in mind that there will be updates waiting for you. Windows 10 requires that you install updates automatically, so you will get them without thinking about it. But, if you want to make sure you have everything updated right away after the upgrade completes, go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for Updates.

If you’re running Windows 7 and looking to upgrade, check out our step-by-step guide: How to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10.

For tips, tricks, and how-to articles on using the new OS, make sure to read through our Windows 10 article archive. We are adding new articles daily!

18 Comments

18 Comments

1. CrackberryMeister

   None of the above works on my HP Windows 8.1 laptop purchased about a year ago. Every attempt to update via Windows Update results in error code 80070005. I download the MediaCreation Tool and it fails to launch/run/install or whatever is is supposed to do. Thus far I have failed to find a solution to this error or for the download tool. Maybe someone reading this has a solution and will respond.

   Reply

   • Ali

     The exact same is with me. I have a HP laptop with windows 8.1 single language x64, Everytime upgrade from windows update gives me error and the media creation tool also gives me a error. :something has happened”.

     Reply

     • CrackberryMeister

       I finally downloaded the ISO file, then did a reset on my laptop, ran the ISO file as a virtual drive and Windows 10 installed in less than an hour including all the updates. What a major pain in the butt! I then had to reinstall my apps and restore the personal settings and documents.

       However, I do like the new OS quite a bit.

       Reply

     • Tara

       same tbh i have tried everything but my laptop is from like 2015 or 2016 but it has more than the minimum specs

       Reply

2. Rajesh Kumar Sharma

   Now i agree window 10 version update,media creation tool install

   Reply

   • Sarah

     Hi,

     I have tried the above and did not work. I have a HP Pavilion laptop.

     Can someone please explain how run the ISO file as a virtual drive to me? I burned it on to a DVD and installation still failed.

     Regards,

     Sarah

     Reply

     • Randy

       if i updated windows 8 to windows 10 is this a possibility that all my files and apps will be erase?

       Reply

3. Kenneth Richardson

   Let’s get started upgrading from Windows 8.1 to 10.

   Reply

4. TIJO V VINU

   Hey i am having a win 8 preinstalled hp laptop. I dont why but i didnt get windows 10 reserve option.But My friend who has the same laptop model got so. so i guess my win 8 is corrupted or so. so any way i am going to download the official iso and i would like to know the version which i should be downloading. i have win 8 single language installed on my laptop. so should i download win 10 home or win 10 home single language? will i still be able to upgrade to win 10 if i choose win 10 home instead of win 10 home single language?

   Reply

5. swapnil kuwar

   hi frds I am reserved my free update but they shows your free update is on the way !
   I want to update my pc now then, what should I do ?

   Reply

6. Yuki

   Just an FYI: If anyone reserved it, downloaded it, had it freeze on them and got frustrated so we went back to the previous version and then tried to get it at a later date we’re SOL–according to Microsoft’s site the free update via taskbar expired July 29, 2016. When I initially tried downloading it I had an issue with my mouse/trackpad–it wasn’t working and neither were my programs. Tried re-downloading it a few more times–kept getting the same problem. At the time I was a college student and didn’t have the time or inclination to deal with the stress that the upgrade was causing me–figured I’d get it done sooner or later. Yeah, I was wrong. Tbh though, can’t say that I was all that thrilled about a new version at that time–I’m on 8.1 and that seemed to be enough. To some degree it still is enough, but I do regret missing my opportunity.

   Reply

7. GravyDave

   So Annoying, It Just Always Says Checking For Updates, Wont Stop Loading! I Don’t Know What To Do!

   Reply

   • CrackberryMeister

     GaryDave, I am assuming you checked the box “get updates online” that is available at the very beginning of the installation. That is the wrong approach. If you can start the update form the beginning,uncheck that box and upgrade without checking for updates online.Once you have upgraded to WIN 10 it will do all the necessary updates after you get it running with no worries.

     Reply

8. Balachandran M P

   I tried several times with my windows 8.1 pre installed laptop for upgrading to windows 10 but never get the prescribed screen on windows update window. how can I complete the task?

   Reply

   • Yuki

     Bala, did you sign up for and download the win10 taskbar update? If you did, please see my previous post: I’m on win8.1 too and got the notification that it was ready to download; I tried after the expiration date and nothing–the free upgrade they offered expired last June. The only way to get win10 now is via purchasing it online or at a retailer, or by purchasing a new laptop with it pre-installed.

     Reply

9. Villo

   Hi,
   is this update still works or not? can I do it manually update ?

   Reply

10. Henrie

    my screen gets stuck at “checking for updates”
    what do i do.. its been stuck like this for hours

    Reply

    • dbwhit

      I’m quoting CrackberryMeister reply to GravyDave above…”I am assuming you checked the box “get updates online” that is available at the very beginning of the installation. That is the wrong approach. If you can start the update form the beginning, un-check that box and upgrade without checking for updates online.Once you have upgraded to WIN 10 it will do all the necessary updates after you get it running with no worries.”

      Kann man Windows 8 noch auf Windows 10 updaten?

      Das Gratis-Upgrade funktioniert mit allen Windows-7- und -8-Versionen. Wer Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium oder Windows 8 Core nutzt, erhält danach Windows 10 Home. Besitzer der höherwertigen Varianten Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate sowie Windows 8 Pro bekommen Windows 10 in der Pro-Ausgabe.

      Kann man Windows 8.1 kostenlos auf Windows 10 upgraden 2022?

      Windows 10 lässt sich auch im Jahr 2022 immer noch kostenlos installieren. Der Schlüssel dazu ist der „Windows-10-Update-Assistent“. Wir zeigen in unserer Anleitung, wie ihr Microsofts neuestes Betriebssystem weiterhin gratis bekommt.

      Kann man Windows 8 noch updaten?

      Ab Juli 2019 wird der Windows 8 Store offiziell geschlossen. Sie können zwar keine Anwendungen mehr aus dem Windows 8 Store installieren oder aktualisieren, bereits installierte Anwendungen können Sie jedoch weiterhin verwenden.

      Kann man immer noch kostenlos auf Windows 10 upgraden?

      Weil Microsoft den Support für Windows 7 einstellt, müssen Sie Ihr Betriebssystem so schnell wie möglich aktualisieren. Das Upgrade auf Windows 10 ist für kurze Zeit kostenlos erhältlich.