

On your keyboard, press and hold the Windows key, then press the letter R. Most people should stick with using the much simpler Upgrade this PC now option, though. This can be done in one of the following ways: Open ' Control Panel ' from the start menu and select ' Change date, time, or number formats ' under ' Clock and Region '. How To Geek’s article walks you through the process step-by-step. If you want to take a more complicated route, you can also use the “Create installation media” option to clean install Windows 10, inputting the Windows 7 product key you dredged up earlier when you’re asked for your Windows 10 license. After several reboots (and potentially a long wait), you’ll be on Windows 10, which is still being supported for years to come. Click Install and wait for the tool to work its magic. Run it, select the Upgrade this PC now option when prompted- not “Create installation media”-and choose to keep your apps and files. The Media Creation Tool will download to your computer.

Next, head to Microsoft’s Windows Media Creation Tool page and click the Upgrade Now button. Whatever method you use, just make sure your data’s backed up somewhere safe. We’ve got guides to the best Windows backup software and online backup options, but even stashing your most valued files on a USB key or external drive works. Update now Privacy Create Windows 10 installation media To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10. Upgrading to a new operating system is a major task, and you don’t want to lose your precious photos and files if things go wrong. The Update Assistant can help you update to the latest version of Windows 10. While they can still work on Windows 10, you can expect that in the near future, they will start requiring gamers to have Windows 11.With that done, back up your data. Games that use anti-cheat tools are starting to rely on Windows 11 security features to provide better and fairer gameplay.

If you’re a gamer, you might lose out on your favorite games and any new games that will be introduced in the future. This will leave your apps more vulnerable to security exploits since you won’t be able to update to their latest version. In addition, after a few years when support for the OS has ended, some applications may also stop providing support and updates.

Running an outdated version of Windows will make your PC more susceptible to a plethora of viruses malware that will track your activity, worms that damage your data, ransomware that will hold your sensitive information hostage, RAT software that gets access to your webcam, and more. This lack of updates will mean your system will become more vulnerable to attacks. If you don’t update the system before the support ends in 2025, your computer will face several risks.įirst, you will miss out on the latest system features, security updates, patches, and compatibility for upcoming security features and programs. Are There Any Risks for Not Upgrading to Windows 11 After 2025?
