win 7 & vista to 10 upgrades??

Berton said:

But is it still running Vista? The Vista and earlier versions of Windows and Product Key [Product ID is something else created at install] can't be used to Upgrade to Win10, has to be a clean install with Win7 or later Product Key to qualify for the free Upgrade [Yes it was still possible last week] or purchase a disc, Product Key or in Retail stores a card with the particulars needed.

Another point as I'm sure you've seen is that Windows x86/32-bit will not display the full 4GB RAM or more, usually less than 3.5GB or a bit less, just a limit can't get around, it doesn't prevent use.

no,it has no OS in it right now,I formatted the drive and was going to use it in another pc and load windows 98 second in it just to run a automotive repair manual,I loaded it with windows 98 and then when it did not work the program still,I formatted it and returned it to the Acer and it's been sitting since, SO, are you saying I can load win 7 in it and then get a free upgrade to win 10?? and, can I use the win 10 installation disc from my Dell's to install and use the win 7 key's ??or do i have to do a win 10 free online installation from MSN to get a free upgrade??

boatmoter said:

(1) ACER w/ AMD Dual core, 3500, 160GB HHD windows Vista (factory), but HHD is formatted, has
original Vista Key on case, I bought this new in 2005

You've already had a few replies on your other thread: win 7 & vista to 10 upgrades??

But this new thread has far more details.

Yes, you should be able to upgrade the machines which currently have an activated W7 to W0 and each one will still get a digital licence for W10 and activate. Whether or not they will work well with W10 and get all the latest drivers depends on the OEM supporting them for W10. That's unlikely, but there are often suitable generic drivers from Microsoft that W10 will find and use.

In case there isn't, make a Macrium system image before trying the upgrade so that you can go back to W7 if W10 is unsuitable.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect


I wouldn't use your Win10 disk as it will almost certainly be for an older version, the PC would only have to upgrade all over again once you had W10 installed. Far better to use the latest 1903 install media freely available from Microsoft. For a W7 machine as it cannot natively mount an ISO file the USB media would be the simplest to use. Or you could get the ISO version and burn it to a DVD.

Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Download Windows 10 ISO File


For the Vista machine, the Vista key will not activate W10. Only W7 or later was ever entitled to the free upgrade. If you have an unused key for W7 you could use that on the Vista machine to install and activate W7, then it would be entitled to a W10 digital licence.

Otherwise, as I said on the other thread, you could use Linux on it.

Bree said:

You've already had a few replies on your other thread: win 7 & vista to 10 upgrades??

But this new thread has far more details.

Yes, you should be able to upgrade the machines which currently have an activated W7 to W0 and each one will still get a digital licence for W10 and activate. Whether or not they will work well with W10 and get all the latest drivers depends on the OEM supporting them for W10. That's unlikely, but there are often suitable generic drivers from Microsoft that W10 will find and use.

In case there isn't, make a Macrium system image before trying the upgrade so that you can go back to W7 if W10 is unsuitable.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect


I wouldn't use your Win10 disk as it will almost certainly be for an older version, the PC would only have to upgrade all over again once you had W10 installed. Far better to use the latest 1903 install media freely available from Microsoft. For a W7 machine as it cannot natively mount an ISO file the USB media would be the simplest to use. Or you could get the ISO version and burn it to a DVD.

Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

Download Windows 10 ISO File


For the Vista machine, the Vista key will not activate W10. Only W7 or later was ever entitled to the free upgrade. If you have an unused key for W7 you could use that on the Vista machine to install and activate W7, then it would be entitled to a W10 digital licence.

Otherwise, as I said on the other thread, you could use Linux on it.

Linux?? Hmmm. I bought the Linux installation disc some time ago and chickened out on installing it.. seem a little too complicated.. is it rough to install??

boatmoter said:

Linux?? Hmmm. I bought the Linux installation disc some time ago and chickened out on installing it.. seem a little too complicated.. is it rough to install??

I don't use Linux, but see this reply on your other thread: win 7 & vista to 10 upgrades??
(edit: ah, I see the Mods have sensibly merged these two threads now)

As for you HP machines, HP don't bother testing anything older than August 2013 for Windows 10. That doesn't necessarily mean they can't run W10, just that HP have a self-imposed cut-off date for supporting their older models.

HP PCs manufactured before August of 2013 might not have a complete set of hardware and/or drivers required to use all of the features in Windows 10.
HP is not testing or developing Windows 10 drivers for these PC products.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05195282#AbT8

@boatmoter, I noticed that you have been giving some Reps (thanks, always happy to get one) but you are also using them to ask questions that would be better asked in the thread. Such as this one: "...your saying the 64bit system has a little more performance? if so, can a 32bit be turned into a 64 bit easily??"

The minimum spec for x64 W10 is 2GB RAM, but in practice at least 4GB is required before it's sensible to use the x64 version.

No, you cannot upgrade a 32-bit OS to 64 bits. However, once you have upgraded a 32-bit machine to x86 (32-bit) W10 it will have a digital licence for W10. This licence is for both x86 and x64.

Once the 32-bit W10 is activated you can wipe the drive and clean install x64 W10. When asked for a key click 'I don't have one'. The x64 W10 will activate from the digital licence as soon as it can contact the activation servers.

Bree said:

I don't use Linux, but see this reply on your other thread: win 7 & vista to 10 upgrades??
(edit: ah, I see the Mods have sensibly merged these two threads now)

As for you HP machines, HP don't bother testing anything older than August 2013 for Windows 10. That doesn't necessarily mean they can't run W10, just that HP have a self-imposed cut-off date for supporting their older models.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05195282#AbT8

I know.. but luckily intel.com will automatically install any needed or updated drivers in the hp's..

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boatmoter said:

Linux?? Hmmm. I bought the Linux installation disc some time ago and chickened out on installing it.. seem a little too complicated.. is it rough to install??

I think I will install the Linux on the Acer.. I don't have anymore fresh key's to win 7, Thanks again

Which disk did you buy, which version?

Some are easier to install than others, but of course if you install to the whole disk it makes things easier (no partitioning worries etc.).

If you let us know which Linux this is I am sure someone can offer suggestions on best methods to install.

Rubi said:

Which disk did you buy, which version?

Some are easier to install than others, but of course if you install to the whole disk it makes things easier (no partitioning worries etc.).

If you let us know which Linux this is I am sure someone can offer suggestions on best methods to install.

I have Linux version V.04 32bit, it came with 4 disc, > brief introduction to Linux // V.17.04 32 bit // Library Linux // and a V.17.04 64 bit

Do you mean something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Ubuntu-Releas.../dp/B0047B0U1C

If yes, what is the specific version you ordered?