Operating System upgrade

[jmb515]

I attempted to upgrade my computer to Windows 10.  I was told that I could not upgrade due to the systems age.  I ordered the system directly from HP in August 2011 on Purchase Order [edit].  The reason I wanted to upgrade to 10 was due to the upcoming no support from Microsoft for My Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.  If I can not upgrade to Windows 10, can I upgrade to Windows 8.1 to buy some time?  Software companies such as Intuit have already announced that it will also cease producing products for Windows 7.  Can I upgrade to 8.1 and if so, where to I obtain the upgrade software?  I have been trying to obtain the information from various sources for a few days without any luck.  I have additional data on my computer if it is needed. 

Thank You ! 

John Bohler

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

I'm looking at your PC's specs and the only device that may not work after the W10 upgrade is the wifi adapter, and you can purchase an external usb wifi adapter to get around that issue.

What happened when you clicked on the blue Update Now button at the link below?

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

I have older Intel desktops than yours that are running the latest version of W10 just fine.

You may still be able to get the free upgrade to W10...see the info at the link below.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

As far as purchasing W8.1, Microsoft no longer sells it, so you would have to see if you could get an upgrade kit from Amazon or eBay.

[jmb515]

Paul,

I can not thank you enough ! !    I have been going around in circles with a unnamed national retail store store and their "technical" support group.  Initially they said my computer would accept W10 and then another technical expert said it wouldn't.  He even refused to take the compute and try.  This was after I purchased the W10 upgrade which the store later refused to refund my purchase price of $200.00 plus; later a manager did refund my purchase price.  I was put through hell with them.   I followed your link and now have W10 on my system.  I do not know how to THANK YOU sufficiently.  If I could, I would be delighted to send you a gift card for you and your guest for a dinner on me.  

Your suggestions and solutions were the best.  The only question I have is I never got to a point of entering or purchasing the Microsoft ID/Control  number.  Do I assume this is one of their free installations?  You have made my day and my best wishes to you the best of everything.  I hope you feel gratified that you were able to help somebody  lost in computer land and get them back on the right road.   THANK YOU AGAIN ! !   

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I am very glad you found my suggestion useful.

You can confirm that you got the free upgrade to W10 by clicking on the Windows icon on the bottom left side of the taskbar.

Click on the Settings gear right above the power icon.

A window will open with a bunch of things shown.

Click on the Update and Security option (should be the last item listed).

On the left side of the window, click on Activation.

At the top of the activation window, it should report that Windows is activated with a digital license.

If it does, you are good to go.

[jmb515]

I  hope you received my initial response to your answer to my W10 problem on the HP Community site..  It worked very well despite initial negative words from so called technical experts.   Many THANKS again .  My offer for a dinner on me still holds if I know where to send the gift certificate.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

There is no need for you to send anything.

The fact that I made someone's day in computer land, made my day too!