Microsoft initially let you upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free. Technically, that offer has since expired, but if you sign into Windows with a Microsoft account, a license should be linked to your account. This will remain in effect after you move from Windows 8.1 to 10.No matter how or whether you pay for it, you can download Windows 10 or download Windows 11 for free from Microsoft.com. And, in fact, you should only download it from Microsoft, as grabbing it from any other site or from a P2P network could give you malware.An upgrade moves your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1—to Windows 10. An upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 on a new PC to take advantage of the latest features and security improvements.

Is Windows 8 to 11 free : Microsoft no longer offers a free upgrade path from Windows 8 to Windows 11. The best way to update a Windows 8 PC to Windows 11 is to install Windows 11 directly or use a virtual machine. Alternatively, you can install Windows 10 first, then upgrade to Windows 11 for free from there.

Is Windows 11 upgrade still free

Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free.

Will Windows 8 still work : Support for Windows 8.1 is discontinued, but the software will continue to function. However, after January 10, 2023, your computer running Windows 8.1 will no longer receive security updates. In addition, Microsoft customer service will no longer be available to provide Windows 8.1 technical support.

7 Still does not come for free. And the computer manufacturer has to support 7 and supply Windows 7 drivers for your exact model number for 7 to install and run correctly. With end of support Microsoft is not telling you that your operating systems won't work.

Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.

What happens if I don’t upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10

While you could continue to use a PC running Windows 8.1, without continued software and security updates, your PC will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. We recommend upgrading to a version of Windows that is still supported.

1. You can boot from a bootable media and during installation ,when it asks you for the product key there will be an option at the right bottom to skip the product key (something like I do not have a product key …).
2. YOu can select that to install Windows 10 without product key.

Can I upgrade for free Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.

There is no direct upgrade from Windows 8 to Windows 11 and you need to perform a Clean Install and take a note that your system must have minimum requirements. Normally systems running Windows 8 won't be able to run Windows 11.

Will Windows 12 be a free upgrade : One of the most notable aspects of Windows 12 is its availability as a free upgrade for devices already running Windows 11.

Is Windows 10 or 11 better : Both operating systems have similar security features, update processes, and compatibility with hardware and software. However, Windows 11 offers improved performance and features compared to Windows 10, making it a better choice for those looking for a more modern and efficient operating system.

Is Windows 8 still usable in 2024

No. Support for Windows 8.1 is discontinued, but the software will continue to function. However, after January 10, 2023, your computer running Windows 8.1 will no longer receive security updates.

Even though it ended support, you can still use it. But there won't be any security updates or any more upgrades to the operating system itself. If you try to load up Windows 8.1 though, it may take some time. Yes, really old (at least 10–30 years old) computers will run a lot slower.1) Can I still use Windows 7 after 2023 Yes, Windows 7 can still be used after Jan. 10, 2023. However, since no security updates will be provided to the OS, it can easily be exploited by threat actors if vulnerabilities arise in it.

Is Windows 10 free if I have Windows 7 : What to Know. The free upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is no longer available. You can still download Windows 10 from Microsoft, but you need a valid license for it to work.