Hey guys,
My Wife has a 4 year old Dell desktop that has Win7 on it. We did not do the free Win10 upgrade when it was available from Microsoft. She wants to upgrade it to Windows 10 but I am not sure which route to go. I can purchase the update through the MS site. Or there is plenty of info suggesting that you can still get it for free with a little work. I don't mind doing that if it is going to work. Obviously we will backup any pictures, documents etc so there will not be an issue if something happens during the update.



Her present computer has well more than the minimum requirements for Win10 so it should be fine.



The other option is a new box but she has some hardware for her embroidering machines that needs a serial port and it seems like that is not included on newer boxes.


So . . . has anyone tried the free update lately and did it work out ok ? Or should I bite the bullet and take the safe way out and pay MS the $129 they want for the upgrade ?



Any thought s ?

Glad I got it when it was free.

Yup, I did my laptop but we didnt do hers.

Win10 is bad about not having drivers for legacy hardware especially video cards and the worst part about it is most hardware manufacturers will not code a driver, their excuse is the hardware needs to be upgraded.

Do a search on how to restore your pc back to its factory as new settings. You need to make a copy of all the files and programs you want to save on a cd, memory stick or... and reload after your all done. Once the system is restored as new, you will be able to download the free windows 10 upgrade. Then reload all the files you saved.

Yes, the upgrade is still free and uses the Win 7 product key to activate Win 10. Don't fear the loss of her RS-232 comm port because there are dependable USB-to-Comm (RS-232) port adapters that work fine.

Well . . . fine as long as you stick with an FTDI chipset in the new adapter. It seems that the Chinese have hacked the Prolific chipsets with less than stellar performance as the result. The FTDI-equipped device will be a little more expensive but with way fewer headaches.

Rick

The upgrade to Windows 10 has not been free for over 2 years now. The best way for you to upgrade is to purchase a full retail copy of Windows 10 (if you have Windows 7 Home Premium, purchase Windows 10 Home - if you have Windows 7 Professional, purchase Windows 10 Professional). The reason to get the full retail version (NOT the OEM version), is that it can upgrade your existing Windows 7 installation without losing any of your files or programs. If you purchase an OEM verison, you have to erase the hard drive to install it - not the way to go.

https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-win...82E16832397825

https://www.newegg.com/microsoft-win...82E16832397826

Bill, use Windows10Upgrade24074.exe and you can still get windows 10 for free. i just did a pair of pc's for a buddy yesterday. it must be this exact version though, because i have found that other versions of this file don't work anymore. i would upload it here but they won't let me. james

Also to add while new PCs don't have serial ports, there are USB to Serial Port adapters. I would suggest getting one first, testing with your existing computer before buying a new one with a wish and a hope. They are pretty cheap.
https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=usb+to+serial