Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users ended a few years ago, but you can still technically upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge. Assuming your PC supports the minimum requirements for Windows 10, you'll be able to upgrade from Microsoft's site.
Windows 8 has reach end of support, which means Windows 8 devices no longer receive important security updates. We recommend making the free upgrade to Windows 8.1 to continue receiving security updates and support.
Instead of releasing an entirely new and different version of its desktop OS every few years, Microsoft is taking an Apple-like approach to subsequent Windows releases, standardizing on Windows 10 as its Cupertino-based rival has done with OS X.
But many users and businesses found Windows 8 a step too far: the changes to the look and feel of the OS -- in particular the removal of the familiar Start button and the inability to boot to the desktop -- was met with horror by many. The design changes introduced in Windows 8 persist in modified form in Windows 10.
When Windows 8.1 was released in October 2013, Microsoft made it clear to Windows 8 customers that they had two years to upgrade. Microsoft said then it would no longer support the old version of the operating system by 2016. Windows 8 customers can still use their computers.
While you can no longer use the “Get Windows 10” tool to upgrade from within Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, it is still possible to download Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft and then provide a Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 key when you install it. If it is, Windows 10 will be installed and activated on your PC.
Windows 8.1 is supported with security updates until the end of extended support on January 10, 2023. You must have updated to Windows 8.1 to get updates—the original version of Windows 8 isn't supported with updates anymore. Windows 10 is supported with security updates until October 14, 2025.
As it's quickly become the new Windows standard, like XP before it, Windows 10 gets better and better with each major update. At its core, Windows 10 combines the best features of Windows 7 and 8 while ditching some controversial features, like the full-screen Start menu.
There might be a chance you can upgrade to Windows 10, but you'll probably run into storage and other hassles. If you're running Windows 8 or 8.1 on a tablet: Probably best to stick with 8.1. If you're running Windows 8, move to 8.1. Windows 10 might work, but it might not be worth the risk.
This is something like the Office 365 model, with the one exception, Windows 10 feature updates are free and there is no subscription . Unless Microsoft changes its mind, there will never be a Windows 11. New versions are called Windows 10 versions.
Windows 12 has arrived! Surrounded by expectations, the new version of Microsoft's operating system is already in full swing. Part of a new company strategy, Windows 12 is being offered for free to anyone using Windows 7 or Windows 10, even if you have a pirated copy of the OS.
Solutions to use Windows 7 Forever. Microsoft recently announced an extension of the January 2020 “end of life” date. With this development, Win7 EOL (end of life) will now fully take effect in January 2023, which is three years from the initial date and four years from now.
For a conservative business, Windows 8.1 is even better than Windows 8 — it offers an improved interface for keyboard and mouse users along with the return of the Start button. Even if they're using tablets, Windows 8.1 is a huge improvement with a more powerful Snap feature and new apps.
The good Windows 8.1 adds many useful tweaks and fixes, including a new version of the missing Start button, better searching, the ability to boot directly to the desktop, and a much-improved app store. The bottom line If you're a dedicated Windows 8 hater, the update to Windows 8.1 isn't going to change your mind.
Windows 8* or 8.1* Minimum System Requirements for Intel Education Resources
| Operating system | Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 |
|---|
| Processor | Intel® Celeron® Processor 847, 1.10 GHz or faster |
| RAM | A minimum of 512 MB, 2 GB is recommended (amount depends on the language version you are using.) |
Windows 10 was released in July 2015, and extended support is slated to end in 2025. Major feature updates are released twice a year, typically in March and in September, and Microsoft recommends installing each update as it is available.
The company on its support page confirmed Windows 10 1903 will reach the end of service on December 8 2020. This applies to 1903 versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro Education, Windows 10 Pro for Workstation, Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows 10 Education, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise.
What Will Happen When Windows 10 Support Ends? Once extended support ends (or support ends for a particular version of Windows 10), that version of Windows is effectively dead. Microsoft won't offer any updates---even for security issues---except in rare circumstances.
May 10, 2022(Windows 10 Home 1909 and Windows 10 Pro 1909 exhausted their support a year ago.) The most suitable replacement will be Windows 10 21H2, the refresh released in October 2021 that also offered two-and-a-half years of support.
