Can I add MS 10 to my old computer?

[JG4725]

I purchased my HP a65ot (Q6600, Intel core 2 quad with 4 GB of memory) Jan 2009 with Vista op sys 64 bit. Now I'm told that Vista is no longer being supported and Firefox is discontinuing service as well.  I like what I have but want to know IF I can replace Vista with Windows 10 and have a reasonable chance of success?  I'm willing to replace this computer if needed.  IF I can replace it, how long will it be until I run into more issues (hidden hardware issues not supported by new op sys)?

By the way, I'm not a gamer but do use internet, Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, basic stuff; no movies, no GoPro.

Would appreciate any advise so I can make a good decision. 

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

> I purchased my HP a65ot (Q6600, Intel core 2 quad with 4 GB of memory) Jan 2009 with Vista op sys 64 bit.

That is definitely "beefy" enough to run Windows 10, but I would worry about continuing to use an EIGHT-year-old disk-drive.  Do you drive your automobile on equally-aged tires?

> Now I'm told that Vista is no longer being supported and Firefox is discontinuing service as well. 

Correct, as of April 12, 2017.  Google discontinued support for their Chrome web-browser in January 2016.

> I like what I have but want to know IF I can replace Vista with Windows 10 and have a reasonable chance of success? 

For FREE, you can give it a try.

> IF I can replace it, how long will it be until I run into more issues (hidden hardware issues not supported by new op sys)?

For free, download Windows 10: https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

and copy it to a USB memory-stick, or burn it to a few DVDs.

On your computer, I recommend that you buy a new disk-drive.

(Or, an "owner/operator" computer-store may have a "used" disk-drive for $20 to $30.)

Remove the current disk-drive, and connect the new disk-drive.

Boot from the USB/DVDs, and install Windows 10.

When asked for the 25-character product-key, click "I do not have one".

Windows 10 will install in a "trial" mode, i.e., it will work for a few days.

Run Windows Update, to try to download any device-drivers for your specific hardware.

Open "Device Manager", to see if there is any unsupported hardware.

It's possible that your web-camera and/or your printer and/or your scanner will _NOT_ be supported by Windows 10.

If everything goes well, purchase a license for Windows 10, to convert the "trial" to a "full" product.

attach the current disk-drive as a "slave" disk-drive, and copy all your files from "old" to "new".

Otherwise, the disk-drive you purchased becomes "surplus", and you will need to buy a replacement computer.