Windows 7 to Windows 10 Help

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...10-upgrade-faq
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-or-windows-81
How to Downgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 | NDTV Gadgets360.com

If the end user has the factory installed disks then they can always reinstall Windows 7.

Reusing a windows 7 or 8 iso idk.

I've upgraded two 2006 PCs which are quite usable in Windows 10. Adding a cheap SSD system drive made a huge differecne to performance.

Try upgrading using the Media Creation Tool - you should be lucky and get a free digital Windows 10 licence when you upgrade. You can then do a clean install. You might want to install the 64 bit version of Windows 10 for the clean install assuming your hardware supports it - if not, the installation will fail.

Backup your New Windows 10 installation (e.g. Macrium Reflect Free) and consider using a SSD for the system drive.

Thanks for replies.

morat said:

Is there a guide for reducing cpu and memory usage for old computers running Windows 10?

Bree said:

No need, W10 is very good at memory management, you should have no problems.

I thought that turning off creepy cortana or visual effects would increase performance.

I'm going with the SSD suggestion. I'll keep my old Western Digital 80GB HDD with Windows 7 in storage.

Samsung 860 EVO Series 250GB SATA III 2.5" Internal SSD
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07864WMK8

Is Samsung the most reliable SSD manufacturer?

I like to test new RAM modules with Memtest86. Is there a test equivalent for SSDs?

Memtest86
Memtest86 - Wikipedia

Also,

How do I copy all the files on the [C:] partition including locked and in use files to another hard drive?

I want a backup in case I need a few files from Windows 7 like the discontinued Chess Titans game.

I read that the robocopy command doesn't work with locked files and Macrium Reflect seems a bit overkill.

Can I copy these files in safe mode in command prompt?

Advanced startup options
http://support.microsoft.com/help/17419

morat said:

I thought that turning off creepy cortana or visual effects would increase performance.

Yes, but you'd need a much slower processor to notice any benefit. I turn off all visual effects on an old netbook with an Intel Atom, for example.

Samsung 860 EVO Series 250GB SATA III 2.5" Internal SSD ... Is Samsung the most reliable SSD manufacturer?

...it's what I'd chose....

I want a backup in case I need a few files from Windows 7 like the discontinued Chess Titans game.
I read that the robocopy command doesn't work with locked files and Macrium Reflect seems a bit overkill.

Macrium may seem overkill, but it will copy anything. It's what I used for an emergency SSD transplant when my machine's original HDD started to die. The system was successfully transferred to a Samsung 860 EVO which has now clocked up 707 'power on hours' and 4.1TB 'Total Host Writes'.

Just bought a new 4G DDR3 memory stick for my laptop. It cost me only US$14.
Download hwinfo.com. It's a portable, don't need to be installed. Uzip to a folder and run it. Under memory you will find all the memory specs. Buy one from same manufacture and with same specs (same part number code).
My suggestion is to install Win 10 32 bits if you going use with 4G of memory. Win 10 64 bits is mandatory with more than 4G of memory.

I'm using Crucial-BX500. Installed 4 on laptops. They are fast and cheap. So far so good.

You can only "upgrade" to Win 10 Pro if your Win 7 license is Pro or Ultimate.
There is nothing like a clean install. Detach all other HDD leaving on only the SSD. Use the COA sticker Win 7 key. It will activate.
After installation, attach the HDD and copy all your data to the SSD.

Megahertz said:

You can only "upgrade" to Win 10 Pro if your Win 7 license is Pro or Ultimate.

Can I really "upgrade" to Windows 10 Pro for free? I want to do a clean install, enter a product key, then activate a valid license. I don't want to run Windows 10 Pro with cosmetic restrictions. I read that the free upgrade offer is over.

I have a Windows 7 SP1 Pro Full Version 32-bit 64-bit DVDs retail box. (ordered in Jan 2014)

I downloaded the Windows 10 1903 en-US x86 ISO with the Media Creation Tool.

morat said:

Can I really "upgrade" to Windows 10 Pro for free? ... I read that the free upgrade offer is over..

Yes, you can. An activated Windows 7 can be upgraded to Windows 10 and will be fully activated with a digital license.

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free

You should also be able to use a retail W7/8/8.1 key (provided it hasn't already been used) to clean install W10.

Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First


the 'end' of the free upgrade was carefully worded to only apply to the GWX app. Upgrades using the install media continue to get activated to this day.

Microsoft said:

Is the Windows 10 free upgrade offer still available?
The Windows 10 free upgrade through the Get Windows 10 (GWX) app ended on July 29, 2016.

https://support.microsoft.com/help/1...10-upgrade-faq