Windows 7 upgrade dilemma

I would like to continue using Windows 7 but my concern is that it is no longer supported after January 2020. Ideally, if my laptop is still working, I would like to switch to Windows 10 in December 2019. Is there any way of doing this for free by, say, creating a Windows 10 installation disc, or do all free Windows 10 upgrades by whatever means have to be completed by 29 July 2016?

Create a partition and install Windows 10 (of the edition you are entitled to based on current Win 7 edition) as a dual boot - activate it with your COA key on the sticker... your PC will get digital entitlement and you can then delete that partition if need be, knowing you can install Windows 10 anytime in the future and have it activated automatically online with the digital entitlement you already have.

davidhk said:

I am not sure that Win 10 can be activated in a separate partition.
The Win 7 key is already in used in the original partition.

Not the COA key if it's not in use (standard OEM uses a different key) - Retail keys can also be re-used.

davidhk said:

How do you know The OP's COA key is not in use ?
The OP have not mentioned anything about COA key or OEM key or Retail key. Aren't you assuming a lot ?

Going by the instance of probability - it's a laptop, so it's probably OEM, chances that he had to use the COA key?... minimal.

safe01 said:

I would like to continue using Windows 7 but my concern is that it is no longer supported after January 2020. Ideally, if my laptop is still working, I would like to switch to Windows 10 in December 2019. Is there any way of doing this for free by, say, creating an installation disc, or do all free Windows 10 upgrades by whatever means have to be completed by 29 July 2016?

My suggestion.
First make sure you have created an Installation disk or a set of Recovery disks for your Windows 7.
To be on the safe side, back up your personal files to an external media.
That done, use the In-place upgrade install ( which requires downloading the windows 10 iso file ) or use the Windows Update to upgrade to Windows 10.
Make sure it is activated.
Once activated, you have the Digital Entitlement which means you can reinstall the same Windows 10 edition in the same computer any time you want and as often as you want.
Make an installation disc of your Windows 10. ( There is tutorial for that ).
Within 30 days after you have installed Windows 10, you can go back to Win 7 by..................
Right click at Start button > Settings > Update & Security > left side, click Recovery > right side, under go back to Windows 7, click the Get Started button. You will be on your way back to Windows 7.

December 2019 is a long way to go. Things could change by then. But as far as we know at this moment, you can use the Windows 10 installation disk and reinstall Win 10 over your Win 7. No Product key will be required and activation will be automatic because you have the Digital Entitlement.