# Is it possible to upgrade a Windows 7 computer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [January 17, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235 "2024-01-17T19:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/1 "2024-01-17T19:48:27Z")
I have a Window 7 computer. Some of the programs on it (most notably, Steam games) are starting to not work on it. I want to make them work. From what I understand, this means that I need to upgrade to Windows 10 (the computer almost certainly can’t run Windows 11). But everywhere I look to try to find information on upgrading leads me eventually to a Microsoft site, and the only information Microsoft offers on how to upgrade is “Buy a new computer with Windows 11”. Do there exist any other options? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/2 "2024-01-17T19:53:23Z")
What you have is a computer with a Windows 7 operating system. What make and model is your computer? It may be that it won’t be able to run Windows 10. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/3 "2024-01-17T19:57:23Z")
Almost all computers that run Win7 should run Win10. Win11 is the Operating system that won’t work on older machines. At this point to get Win10 on the computer, you would probably need to back everything up and do a clean and full Win10 install. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/4 "2024-01-17T19:58:54Z")
Microsoft really doesn’t want you to stay on 10 (11 has a bunch more crapware and ads), but you SHOULD be able to download the Windows 10 [installer / media creation tool](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10%20), upgrade, and then buy a license after it’s installed. Some instructions: [https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/](https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/) Probably back it up first because who knows what parts of the upgrade would still work, this many years later. Or just give it a shot if you don’t mind losing your stuff. But the price of a Windows 10 license is probably going to cost nearly as much as a low-end laptop ($100+), unless you get a license from… questionable sources. If you’re primarily interested in Steam games and don’t want to upgrade to a newer version of Windows, you can also consider: - Putting SteamOS on there and using Proton to play your games: [SteamOS](https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/buildyourown) (free) - [GeForce Now](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce-now/), which lets you stream some (not all) Steam games from Nvidia’s cloud (free to $20/mo for a RTX 4080) - You can manually bypass the Windows 11 requirements and see how well it runs on that hardware: [How to Bypass Windows 11's TPM, CPU and RAM Requirements | Tom's Hardware](https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/bypass-windows-11-tpm-requirement) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/5 "2024-01-17T20:08:51Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Microsoft really doesn’t want you to stay on 10 (11 has a bunch more crapware and ads), but you SHOULD be able to download the Windows 10 [installer / media creation tool](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10%20), upgrade, and then buy a license after it’s installed. Some instructions: [https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/](https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/) Can I buy the license through the media creation tool? Because that’s one of the pages I saw, and when went looking for a license, it just redirected me again to the “buy a new computer instead” pages. Alternately, where can I find out about Proton? I assume that’s a Wine-like Windows emulator? How well does it work, and how can I tell what games it does and does not support? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/6 "2024-01-17T20:10:55Z")
Reply covered everything while I was reading up on some things that have changed. So I’ll just add this additional info: It seems that the free upgrade path has finally been closed off as of September 2023. Before then, any activated version of Windows 7 would automatically be activated on Windows 10. But now people are reporting this is no longer the case.\* That said, unactivated Windows isn’t that limited. It just prevents some customization options (basically setting colors of windows and stuff), makes it a bit more tricky to change your wallpaper, and will display a white watermark in the lower left corner if you leave Windows on for a certain period of time. \*I haven’t read anyone trying another option: actually using the Windows 7 code on the side of your computer to activate after installing Windows 10. I wouldn’t count on it working, but I guess it’s still a possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/7 "2024-01-17T20:15:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Can I buy the license through the media creation tool? Because that’s one of the pages I saw, and when went looking for a license, it just redirected me again to the “buy a new computer instead” pages. I don’t believe so, but it seems like you can buy a license AFTER Windows 10 is already installed (by trying to activate it). **But I am not sure about this.** > [@Chronos](#): > > Alternately, where can I find out about Proton? I assume that’s a Wine-like Windows emulator? How well does it work, and how can I tell what games it does and does not support? Yeah, it actually works in conjunction with Wine to make Windows games playable on Linux. Wikipedia has some background: [Proton (software) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proton_(software)) and the actual code is [GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components](https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton) I think there is a crowdsourced DB of compatible games here: [https://www.protondb.com/](https://www.protondb.com/) Or on Steam, you can look for Steam Deck verified status: [Steam Deck :: Deck Verified](https://www.steamdeck.com/en/verified) (but this is a superset of Proton status, because it also includes things like controller support). If you don’t want to risk wiping everything on your laptop quite yet, I think you can also install (or live boot) some Linux non-destructively and try Proton there first? [How to Play Windows-only Games on Linux with Steam Proton](https://itsfoss.com/steam-play/) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/8 "2024-01-17T20:24:03Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > Can I buy the license through the media creation tool? Because that’s one of the pages I saw, and when went looking for a license, it just redirected me again to the “buy a new computer instead” pages. ⁢ > > I don’t believe so, but it seems like you can buy a license AFTER Windows 10 is already installed (by trying to activate it). **But I am not sure about this.** This is what Microsoft themselves say on [their “Activate Windows 10” page](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227): > If you don’t have a digital license or a product key, you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license after installation finishes. Here’s how: > > 1. Select the Start button. > 2. Select Settings \> Update & Security \> Activation . > 3. Select Go to Store > > This opens the Microsoft Store app where you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/9 "2024-01-17T21:32:53Z")
You can also buy Windows 10 on eBay cheaper than from Microsoft. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/10 "2024-01-17T21:38:40Z")
I upgraded my old computer from Win7 to 10 a ew years ago. It was an HP, so should have used the OEM license. Instead, it has a bit on the bottom corner of the screen telling me to Activate Windows which I ignore. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/11 "2024-01-17T22:50:10Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > You can also buy Windows 10 on eBay cheaper than from Microsoft. FYI, a lot of these are semi-pirated keys (like resold enterprise or educational licenses). Not that Microsoft is hurting for money, and they probably rely on these, er, “alternative purchase paths” to keep people on Windows instead of moving to Linux anyway… but just so you know. That said, they’ve always worked fine for ~~me~~ my, uh, ethically and financially challenged friends. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/12 "2024-01-17T23:15:22Z")
[Moderating] Just to be clear, pirated options are not on the table, here. If I go the upgrade route, it’ll be with a legit license, and if that’s not possible, I’ll find some other legitimate option that is. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/13 "2024-01-17T23:22:50Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > legit license, and if that’s not possible, I’ll find some other legitimate option that is. I found Windows 10 to be hungrier than 7 in respect to RAM so that’s something to look at before upgrading. You might be able to buy a used Windows 10 computer and find one with the amount of memory you require. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/14 "2024-01-18T00:03:11Z")
Assuming you have backed up your system, have you tried downloading the Windows 10 installer from Microsoft’s web page and running it? About activation, if it somehow got de-activated in the process, someone on this forum > **[Free Activation from Windows 7/8 key or upgrade to Windows 10/11 Ends](https://www.tenforums.com/windows-10-news/207931-free-activation-windows-7-8-key-upgrade-windows-10-11-ends.html)** > > Windows Ends Installation Path for Free Windows 7/8 Upgrade Created Date: 2023-09-20 | Last Modified: 2023-09-20 Applies To: Publicly Available Microsoft's free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain... appears to have successfully activated it using his Windows 7 OEM key. Windows 10/11 can also run in a virtual machine; also most (though not 100% of) games and utilities run fine under Wine and Proton, as mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/15 "2024-01-18T02:03:49Z")
I’m gonna suggest that launching Win10/11 in a VM under Win7 running on Win7 era hardware will not be a satisfactory gaming experience. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/16 "2024-01-18T03:29:32Z")
He never mentioned what hardware. If properly configured, the performance of a VM should be basically the same as that of the host. However, you are right that there may not be much of a case here to run Windows within Windows; if he wants Windows just upgrade it. I was thinking more along the lines of keeping the windows VM around under Linux just in case some games will not run under Linux (seems to be around 70% compatibility). ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/17 "2024-01-18T05:41:51Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > If properly configured, the performance of a VM should be basically the same as that of the host. There’s probably a memory consideration here, too, especially on an older laptop. Running two operating systems at the same time might be fine on beefy new machines, but older computers can struggle with that, especially while also trying to play a game. Strict performance aside, you’d also have to deal with things like trying to translate DirectX calls, video drivers, mouse acceleration, etc. between the guest and host, as well as properly configuring CPU and GPU allocation for the guest. It all gets pretty messy pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/18 "2024-01-18T05:52:13Z")
Unless something has drastically changed in the last few months, you can definitely buy a license direct from Microsoft after installation of Windows 10 using the media creation tool. I built six or so computers last year and used that option. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/19 "2024-01-18T06:22:24Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Just to be clear, pirated options are not on the table, here. The sites in question (which I won’t link to) are not (typically) piracy. They’re selling legitimate licenses–neither stolen nor counterfeit. Ethically, they occupy the same space as buying a candy bar labeled “not for resale” because it originally came in a 12-pack. Maybe that still crosses a line for some. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2024, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235/20 "2024-01-18T06:50:05Z")
-Download W10 (with the media creation tool). -Backup everything, make a backup of that. -install w10 -check everything works (a computer sold with W7 is eligible to vote) -maybe the license (on your hardware) transfers -If you are really happy and the license didn’t transfer consider buying a W10 license. Giving money to Microsoft is the last step. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-upgrade-a-windows-7-computer/996235.md?page=2)