How to upgrade OS from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 10 Pro

[Jimrphoto]

Hi, I Would appreciate some help on how to upgrade my OS to Windows 10 Pro. 

Currently running windows 7 ultimate.

Although CPU-Z confirms the processor has SSE2, EM64T and VT-x, which suggests it should be able to run windows 10, I am unsure  if my hardware is capable of upgrading and running windows 10 Pro.

Many thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I am pretty sure that the Intel/AMD switchable graphics adapters do not have driver support for W10, and will not work properly.

You may also experience issues with the audio and wifi not working.

[Jimrphoto]

Many thanks for your reply Paul. Much appreciated. 

I recently purchased a new HP workstation, with windows 10 Pro I just thought it might be worthwhile updating my old HP laptop from windows 7 ultimate.

I have replaced the internal drive, on the laptop with an ssd, some years ago, and cloned the drive to an external bootable ssd, all the partitions, so I may still have a go at updating to windows 10.

if it doesn’t work satisfactorily,  I’ll install the cloned drive and revert to my original Windows 7 ultimate.

thanks again

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I would definitely give it a try.  You have nothing to lose, as long as you don't buy W10.  Too much of a risk.

Here is an info link on how you may still be able to get the W10 upgrade for free.

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

[Jimrphoto]

Thanks for the link Paul.

I will give it a try when I get round to re-cloning the drive.

Cheers

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[Jimrphoto]

Hi Paul, Just to let you know, I upgraded my Envy Laptop to Windows Pro today with no problems, other than no wifi. This is not a problem for me as the Envy was a “desktop replacement” and was connected via Ethernet to the internet. The video drivers are fine and the sound is ok. 

Got free download via this site. https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2020/02/04/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-for-free-in-2020/#3...

The link on this site takes you directly to a Microsoft download site which contains full details on how to upgrade.

[Jimrphoto]

Just discovered today, that I cannot create a windows 10 recovery drive, following the upgrade from windows 7 unltimate to windows 10 pro. 

I wondered if it’s because the original installation was windows 7 . 

Any ideas? Thanks 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know what the problem could be.

I use the free Macrium Reflect software to create a system image and store it on a portable hard drive.

https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree

I update the image once a month, and delete the old one.

The software also has you make a bootable USB or DVD recovery drive that you boot from, and use to access the system image stored on the portable hard drive.

I have used it a couple of times to restore the PC and it works great.

[Jimrphoto]

Thanks for this Paul.

i think I’ll just use my Acronis software, supplied by Crucial which is a bootable cd, which runs in dos and allows me to create a clone drive which includes all partitions.

Thanks again Paul.