Upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 questions

Megahertz said:

I don't think you did the right choice. A USB drive is very slow.
You should have bought a SATA SSD like BX500
A SSD is almost 6 times faster than a HDD. It boots in seconds rather than in minutes and open programs at a blink of an eye.
Install the SSD on the computer and with Macrium Reflect, clone the current HDD into the SSD.
When done, detach the HDD and do the downgrade to Win 10 on the SSD.
If successful, clean the HDD (delete all partitions) and use it as a backup drive.

Okay, I've attempted to cancel my order for the USB. However, I'm beginning to realize that the whole thing is way beyond my level of understanding. It may be best if I just forget about having a computer. If I get a financial windfall at some point in the future, maybe I can pay someone to do the W10 upgrade for me, but in the meantime, I'll just stop using it.

Don't give up.
You have a desktop so replacing the HDD is very easy. It won't take more than 1/2 an hour.
We will give you step by step instructions.

dalchina said:

Can anyone of the respondents here explain to me why what was meant to be the backup drive for Macrium images has become a swap for an internal drive? The point was to have a means of saving image files. Will those who have dissuaded Kenneth7379 from doing that please review this. Thank you.

The thread is to downgrade from win 7 to win 10
I see the big picture.
He has a small HDD drive (256G). Instead of buying a backup drive, i suggest him to buy a 480G SSD to improve his computer, clone the current drive on the SSD, downgrade to win 10 and then use the current drive as a backup drive.
I think I suggested a good option.

I've acquired a 3TB external hard drive on loan with the idea of proceeding with the upgrade to Windows 10. I've spoken with dalchina by PM about this, and he's given me some information, part of which I'm pasting here.......

"The primary question here is whether your old PC can actually run Win 10 successfully. I provided evidence which suggested it may not. I suggested putting in a spare (blank) disk and simply clean installing Win 10 as a way to see if it would.

Why? Because upgrades can be very problematic. I.e. If you can't succeed with a clean install there's no point trying to upgrade....

Removing the existing disk and putting in any working spare HDD means you keep your Win 7 disk untouched. If the clean install succeeds, then put back the Win 7 one, create a disk image, then attempt the upgrade."

I'm willing to try the clean Windows 10 install as dalchina suggested. I'm a little foggy on what exactly is meant by removing the existing disc......Are you referring to actually opening up the tower, unplugging and removing the existing hard drive and operating the computer on the external 3 TB hard drive I've acquired? I need a bit more information to know how to proceed to do the clean Windows 10 install that's been recommended.

Thanks, SIW2. I had a quick look and it appears that I have the same unit that's in the video. When I get back from a pending appointment, I'll go through the video in detail to see what I can see.

he shows win10 is fine
HP Elite 8200 Budget Gaming with GeForce GT 1030 - YouTube

I've looked at all the information provided and I'm completely out of my depth. I think, if it was just a question of having to load my files onto the external hard drive as a backup, I might be able to do it and would give it a try. However, the process of having to load Windows 10 onto the external drive is way beyond my capabilities. I hate to have gotten this far and feel stymied, but I know when I'm beaten. I think I'm going to just have to wait a few months until I can afford to buy a different computer that's already loaded with Windows 10. Thanks for the advice that's been offered.....It would probably be adequate for someone with more basic computer knowledge, but I'm so lost just trying to follow the directions on loading W10 to an external drive that I know I'm not capable enough to do it.