I currently use Windows 8.1. Should I upgrade to Windows 10?
Is Windows 8.1 broken for you? Is something you need not working? If the answer to both of these is “no,” AND you don’t want to upgrade, then no.
If you’re just interested in upgrading, then yes. I’d make sure any old software you still use will work in Windows 10, but if you want to upgrade, then upgrade.
Yeah, it’s supported for a few more years, so that’s not a pressing reason to upgrade.
if you get on OK with Windows 8.1, you’ll probably be fine with Windows 10, especially if you previously used windows XP, 7, or Vista and you miss the Start menu.
The fullscreen Start tiles in Windows 10 don’t work quite like they did in Windows 8 - they scroll vertically rather than horizontally - I didn’t enjoy this change when I made the switch
If you want it free - try contacting MS support: Contact Us - Microsoft Support
Or follow this method:
The free upgrade to Win 10 offer officially ended in 2016, but the Microsoft activation servers will still happily validate an upgrade using the official MS tool detailed in the link above.
I just did the upgrade on a windows 8.1 machine about a week and a half ago it was completely free and it worked fine.
I’ve never understood the reticence to upgrade, at least not when there’s a better alternative available.
I mean, I get not upgrading XP to Vista, or Win 7 to win 8/8.1, but not upgrading a known turd to a decent OS is baffling.
Upgrading generally gets you better hardware support, better software support and better compatibility with the modern computing world in general.
I can’t speak for the OP, but every time I’ve upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it’s cost me a crap ton of money to also upgrade Office, Quicken, and whatever other software I was using my computer for in the first place to a version that was compatible with the new Windows version.
Which is why the last time I upgraded, it was to Linux.
And usually much better security.
Really? We’re running an antiquated version of Quicken on Windows 10. All we use it for is keeping up our checkbooks and my wife’s expense tracking, so it doesn’t have a lot of modern features and it works fine.
I used an old version of Office for several OS upgrades too. Never had a problem from the OS version.
Obviously, YMMV. I offered my experience.
[Moderating]
Since this is asking for advice, let’s move it to IMHO.
I don’t have an opinion re: whether it’s “worth it” to upgrade. But I have upgraded and have found that it’s relatively painless to upgrade and to learn W10. (Unlike most other upgrades which have been painful in varying degrees.)
How out of date do you let your stuff get? I’m still running Office 2013, and it works just fine with my up-to-date Windows 10 computer.
I tend to think that if you’re not going to spend the time and effort to keep your software up to date, then you’re probably better off with a subscription service (office 365, for example) and setting Windows to automatically update.
IF it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Every OS upgrade will cause a change in your work habits. Unless you are fascinated with OSes as a standalone product, you probably just want it to enable common programs, some of which may not work anymore after an upgrade. Your workflow may grind to a sudden halt if no program upgrade is available. Your data may become unreadable and not convertible; in sort, disaster.
Not all OS upgrades are a bed of roses.
Do you remember when Sheldon pulled out his enemies list and it was on a 5-1/4 inch floppy disk? That’s the ballpark. 
Wow, I decided to bite the bullet today and try this out (despite really loving Win7) and it worked perfectly. Thank you for posting this! I had already been looking at purchase options for the inevitable Win10 upgrade, so this just saved me a lot of beer money. Cheers!
No problem, Mr Gates! 
I’m finally upgrading from Win 7 pro in the new year for security reasons.
Why not upgrade immediately or delay for a couple of years?
- If it ain’t broke …
- Most important - get the bugs out. Took many many updates to get a stable Win 10. And more than a few PIT threads to get Microsoft’s attention. (They are avid Dopers)
Newbie. My Quicken came on DECTape.
I did upgrade office due to compatibility issues with other people though.