Need to update new to me, used computer. Don't know if infected or not

I hope this is a reasonable choice of subforums since the end game is to upgrade to 10, but there may be several matters to be dealt with first. If there is another preferred subforum, perhaps the moderator will move it?

We closed an office and I inherited an eMachines, 3-4 year old Win 7 Home computer that was used by the bookkeeper (who is a cautious sort/not given to surfing and downloading, etc) but was on an office network, and who knows which other person might be doing what online.

So I would like to run a malware scan in the safest possible way to see if it is clean, and if so, to run Win 7 updates, then finally upgrade to Win 10.

The machine is at my home and is offline for safety. I have the signin password and can start the computer. see the desktop, etc.

I know a little about PC's, probably enough to understand simple instructions and to know when to ask for further guidance if I get in over my head.

How would you suggest that I proceed, first with malware check, keeping in mind that I do not want to possibly infect my home lan computers? Thanks

Consider clean install upgrading to windows 10. See this link:
Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First Installation Upgrade Tutorials

Odysseus said:

... I inherited an eMachines, 3-4 year old Win 7 Home computer ... I would like to run a malware scan in the safest possible way to see if it is clean, and if so, to run Win 7 updates, then finally upgrade to Win 10.

....How would you suggest that I proceed, first with malware check, keeping in mind that I do not want to possibly infect my home lan computers?

Does this machine have other software installed that you want to keep? Office perhaps? If there's nothing you need to keep, then what I usually do for a second hand Windows 7 machine is a manufacturer's factory reset - it's the only way to be sure.

Check online for instructions for your particular model, this video shows how to do it on an eMachine ET1831.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOJeKYthwQ4

If you want to upgrade to 10 it looks likely all free upgrades may end 31 December, so be quick.

Last time I worked on an eMachine I was surprised by some of the Folder names on it. Several years ago eMachines was bought by Gateway [to have a "value" line] which in turn was bought by Acer. Just a note that eMachine links may take one to pages with Acer on them.

I haven't investigated costs of upgrading to 10 yet, but that seems in order if a clean install of 10 is the solution.

Is there anyway to go straight to 10 without having to buy it? Is it still possible to do the "no-charge" upgrade somehow?

Reason for asking is that this computer will only be used on occasion, for times when another supplemental computer needs to be utilized for one reason or another.

When we got the potential infection issue resolved, I was intending to bring up the question of just keeping 7 vs moving to 10, so it looks like my timetable has been advanced by a good suggestion from zbook.
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I had written the above in response to zbook's post, but it appears that Bree has anticipated those questions.

So now:

1) Is it just a matter of clicking on "Upgrade now" on this page (apology for the full URL, but don't see how to do a link with a shortened description)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/acce...otROOWcxDwg)()

or is there some documentation required as to which assistive technologies, etc are in use (in other words, is this just a wink and keeping the upgrade path open for all a bit longer)?

2) Assuming it is just "click on Upgrade Now", would the safest route be to be to do a factory reset first (i.e., the first option [Completely restore System to Factory Defaults])? I assume so, and therefore ask how best to remove all the data files before doing so?

I am guessing that the data files should be written to a DVD, then doing the reset. (I don't think this data will ever be needed, but should be retained so as to conform to any business data retention requirements), then moving to 10)

Odysseus said:

1) Is it just a matter of clicking on "Upgrade now" on this page (apology for the full URL, but don't see how to do a link with a shortened description)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/acce...otROOWcxDwg)()

or is there some documentation required as to which assistive technologies, etc are in use (in other words, is this just a wink and keeping the upgrade path open for all a bit longer)?

Actually, you don't even need to use the Assistive Technologies route. Despite saying it ended, Microsoft seem to have quietly left the normal upgrade path open. Having now announced an end date for Assistive Technologies it is likely they intend to turn off all free upgrades.

I prefer to upgrade by using the Media Creation Tool's 'Make media for another PC' option to download the install media to an ISO file or a USB drive. A manual upgrade using the install media seems to be the most reliable method.

A Windows 7 machine doesn't have the native ability to mount an ISO file, so I'd use the USB version. Then you start the upgrade from within Windows 7 by using the Windows File Explorer to look for Setup.exe on the root of the USB drive, then run it.

Download Windows 10 ISO File

Upgrade to Windows 10

Is the "Media Creation Tool" something on the eMachines or on the MS website (I'm guessing the latter)?

Is the MCT what will be loaded onto the USB drive?

Will I need the Win 7 key, and if so, is Magical Jelly Bean the best tool to use?

The Media Creation Tool is downloaded from Microsoft here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...d/windows10ISO

Option One in the tutorial Download Windows 10 ISO File tells you how to use it. You run the MCT and it downloads the files to make an ISO file or a USB media. Both contain the same full setup files needed to do an upgrade to Windows 10 or a clean install.

If you upgrade a licenced copy of Windows 7 you do not need to give a key. The upgrade checks that your Windows 7 is genuine and activated, it also check what edition you have and install the edition of Windows 10 you qualify for, Home or Pro. Once you have Windows 10 up and running it will use this information to register a digital licence for that edition on Microsoft's activation servers. This licence is tied to the unique hardware ID of your PC, so the activation servers will recognize it and activate it if you ever needed to do a clean install. The HDD is not part of the hardware ID, so you are free to upgrade that. Changing the motherboard is a step too far though.

After Windows 10 has been activated you can do a clean reinstall, should the need arise, and skip entering a key. Provided you install the same edition (Home or Pro) as you had before the digital licence on the activation servers will automatically activate it.


PS: ShowKeyPlus here on Tenforums is a much better tool for finding keys.
ShowKeyPlus

Bree (and zbook and Berton), many thanks for all the great help. I'm shattered now, but will try to find time tomorrow to work on this. Certainly need to get it done sooner, rather than later, but also need a clearer head than now.