How to Upgrade Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 or Windows 11
Updated by the Software Recycling support team
Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 can upgrade in place to Windows 10 and keep your files and apps using the Media Creation Tool. Windows 11 needs a clean install from these versions, or an upgrade to Windows 10 first. The old free upgrade has ended, so you need a new Windows 10 or 11 product key.
You can still upgrade an old Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 PC to a current version of Windows, but the route depends on where you want to end up. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 can upgrade in place to Windows 10 and keep files and apps. Windows 11 only upgrades in place from Windows 10, so from older versions you either go through Windows 10 or do a clean install. Either way you need a new product key, because the free upgrade offer has ended.
Supported upgrade paths from Windows 7 and 8.1
| Starting version | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 | In-place upgrade, keep files and apps | Clean install, or upgrade to Windows 10 first |
| Windows 8.1 | In-place upgrade, keep files and apps | Clean install, or upgrade to Windows 10 first |
| 32-bit Windows 7 or 8.1 to 64-bit | Clean install only | Clean install only |
You cannot change from 32-bit to 64-bit with an in-place upgrade. If the processor is 64-bit capable and the PC has at least 2 GB of memory, it can run 64-bit Windows 10, but you need a clean install to switch.
Which edition will you get?
| Current edition | Upgrades to |
|---|---|
| Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium | Windows 10 or 11 Home |
| Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate | Windows 10 or 11 Pro |
| Windows 8.1 | Windows 10 or 11 Home |
| Windows 8.1 Pro | Windows 10 or 11 Pro |
Buy a key for the edition you will be running after the upgrade. If you start on Home and want Pro later, see our guide to upgrading Windows Home to Pro.
Windows 10 or Windows 11: which should you choose?
Choose Windows 11 if the PC meets its requirements. Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, so Windows 10 no longer gets regular security updates. Windows 10 is only a sensible target for hardware that cannot run Windows 11, or as a stepping stone to keep your files on the way to Windows 11.
Windows 11 hardware requirements (TPM 2.0 and more)
Most PCs built for Windows 7 do not meet these requirements. Check each one before you buy a Windows 11 key.
| Requirement | Windows 11 minimum |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster, 2 or more cores, 64-bit, on Microsoft's supported CPU list |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally |
How to check TPM and UEFI on an older PC
- Press Windows key + R, type
tpm.mscand press Enter. Look for Specification Version: 2.0. If it says no compatible TPM was found, TPM may be disabled in the firmware settings or not present. - Press Windows key + R, type
msinfo32and press Enter. Check BIOS Mode. It should say UEFI, not Legacy.
On Windows 10 you can also run Microsoft's PC Health Check app, which checks all requirements at once.
If the disk uses the older MBR layout, Windows 10 includes Microsoft's MBR2GPT tool to convert it to GPT so the PC can boot in UEFI mode. Back up first, and only do this if you are comfortable with firmware settings.
Before you upgrade
- Back up your files. An in-place upgrade keeps them, but a backup protects you if anything goes wrong.
- Install all updates for Windows 7 or 8.1. Windows 7 must have Service Pack 1.
- Free up space. Leave at least 32 GB free on the system drive.
- Uninstall old security software that may block setup. You can reinstall it afterwards.
- Have your product key ready. Keys from our store appear on screen and by email after payment, and in My Account > Orders.
How to upgrade Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 and keep your files
- On the Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool and accept the license terms.
- Choose Upgrade this PC now and click Next.
- When asked, enter your Windows 10 product key. It must match the edition you are upgrading to.
- On Choose what to keep, select Keep personal files and apps.
- Click Install. The PC restarts several times. Do not turn it off.
- Sign in when setup finishes. Your files, apps and most settings are where you left them.
If an older program is not compatible with Windows 10, setup lists it before installing so you can remove it.
How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Once the PC runs Windows 10 and meets the requirements:
- Go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows11.
- Under Windows 11 Installation Assistant, select Download now and run it.
- Accept the terms and follow the prompts. Files and apps are kept.
Clean install instead
A clean install is the better choice if the PC is slow, if you are switching from 32-bit to 64-bit, or if you are going straight to Windows 11. It erases the system drive, so back up first. Follow our step-by-step guide to a clean install of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
How to activate Windows after upgrading
Keys from Windows 7 and Windows 8 no longer activate Windows 10 or Windows 11, so use the new key you bought.
- Open Settings.
- Windows 11: go to System > Activation. Windows 10: go to Update & Security > Activation.
- Select Change product key, enter the 25-character key and select Activate.
- The page should show Windows is activated.
If online activation fails, run slui 4 to activate by phone. Every key we sell is a genuine Microsoft product key, and activation is guaranteed. If it will not activate, we send a working replacement free of charge.
Need help?
Upgrades from older Windows versions can stop on old drivers or software. Open a ticket at /support or call +1-888-470-5516. Our free tech support runs 7 days a week and will help you finish the upgrade and activation.
