Windows 10 – the newer version of windows has virally trending over the past few days. Microsoft offers technical preview of Windows 10 for free to all the windows users of windows 7 and windows 8, but it seems there is no support for windows vista!
The core benefit of upgrading via Windows Update is convenience. You don’t need to download the ISO image of Windows 10, don’t need to burn it to DVD or copy it to a USB Flash Drive, and don’t need to run it afterwards on your system.
The upgrade process
The first thing you need to do is downloaded a small program from Microsoft which prepares your Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system for the upgrade. If not doing so, you will not be eligible for the upgrade.
It is a small file that runs automatically on your computer after you execute it. It requires a restart of the PC so that the changes it made take effect.
What is Technical Preview?
It means a beta OS, along with an emphasis on testing and feedback to Microsoft. The new preview expires on October 1, 2015. Most scenarios should have users directly updating from the Technical Preview to the final OS in mid-to-late-2015.
Before you charge ahead, there are a few things you will want to consider. First and foremost, this is a just preview, and along with that comes all of its flaws and imperfections, as well as what will surely be tons of updates to follow. For that reason, it probably isn’t a good idea to install Windows 10 on your primary computer.
Computers running Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.0 and Windows 8.1 can all take the Technical Preview.
During the installation, you can choose to wipe clean your current OS and start new with Windows 10, or just update the OS, keeping all of your files and settings. Most of us have done the latter with no installation problems.
Getting Started
- First, you need to sign up for the Windows Insider Program. It’s quick and easy. Just follow the link, sign in with your Microsoft Account and accept the terms and conditions.
- Once you’re in, you will be directed to download the ISO file. This is just under 4GB, so make sure you download it well before you are ready to start the installation.
- From the below screenshot, find the appropriate download links and download the file.
- Next, you need to either burn the ISO image to a DVD, extract the files from the image or mount the image as a virtual drive. In Windows 8, you can mount an ISO file simply by right-clicking and choose Mount. From our experience, it is best to keep the ISO on the C:\ drive for installation, instead of using a USB device.
- Now click on the downloaded file to get started with the installation process.
- The installation wizard will start installing your Windows 10 as per your command.
- After the installation is complete, you will get a whole new look of Windows 10!
