Yes, Windows 8.1 can be upgraded to Windows 10, but the official free upgrade offer has ended, so you will likely need to purchase a license. You can perform an in-place upgrade by downloading the official Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website, which allows you to keep your files and apps, but you should back up your data first.
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Back up your data:
Create a backup of all your important files to an external drive or cloud storage. This is a crucial step in case the upgrade fails and you lose data.
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Check system requirements:
Ensure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 10, including RAM, processor speed, and storage space.
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Obtain a Windows 10 license:The free upgrade period is over, so you will need to purchase a Windows 10 license if your current 8.1 key doesn’t activate it automatically.
- Go to Microsoft’s download page for Windows 10 and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the Media Creation Tool and select the option to “Upgrade this PC now”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Choose to keep your personal files and apps when prompted to perform an in-place upgrade.
- After the upgrade is complete, activate Windows 10. You may be able to use your existing Windows 8.1 license, or you can enter the product key you purchased.
- Run the Media Creation Tool and select the option to “Upgrade this PC now”.