Final Day of Free Upgrades to Windows 10

Today, 29^th July, is the final day eligible users with compatible devices that are running genuine Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows 8.1 Update, can upgrade their windows operating systems to Windows 10. 

To upgrade to Windows 10, simply follow the onscreen steps from the dialogue box prompting the upgrade, as seen above. If the box does not appear once logged into Windows 7, or 8.1, click on the new Windows logo in the taskbar next to the clock, or go to 'Windows Update' in the 'Control Panel'.
Once you upgrade, you’ll have Windows 10 for free on that device, with a new product license key issued once the upgrade has been installed and running. When you upgrade to Windows 10 for free, the edition of Windows would be similar to the current operating system, for example, Home Premium, or Professional.

The following table shows what edition of Windows 10 you'll receive based on your current edition of Windows upon upgrading.

What if you upgrade and don’t like Windows 10?

While Windows 10 is said to be a great operating system, however it may not suit everyone, and if you find that you do not like the new operating system and want to revert back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. This can be done by uninstalling Windows 10 and downgrading to your previous version of Windows, with license keys still valid for both operating systems on that particular device.

The downgrading process from Windows 10 is pretty straight forward, especially if you've recently upgraded to Windows 10 in the past 30 days.

 

If it has been less than 30 days since you upgraded to Windows 10

 

Simply open up the Start menu and select 'Settings', then 'Update & security'. From there, select 'Recovery' and you'll see either 'Go back to Windows 7' or 'Go back to Windows 8.1', depending on your previous operating system.

Click the 'Get started' button and the process will begin. You may be asked why you're uninstalling Windows 10 and downgrading to your previous version of Windows. Once the process is complete, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 will be back.

If it's been longer since you upgraded, or you performed a clean install of Windows 10

If this is the case, then the process is slightly more complicated. You most probably won’t see the option above, to simply downgrade back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

To downgrade from Windows 10 after the 30 day period you will need to perform a clean install of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

To do this you will either need to have the installation/recovery disc that came with your PC, or when you purchased Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, and the Activation code for Windows. This can usually be found on a sticker underneath your laptop, on your PC casing, or with the installation media.

Microsoft also offers Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 ISO files for legal download on their website, which can then be burned to a DVD or setup to boot from a USB stick for installation.

 Windows download directly from Microsoft here.

 

One thing to note, Microsoft will only provide an ISO download if the license was purchased separate from the PC manufacturer. You can enter the product key on their website to verify if you’re eligible for the download, if not then they advise you to contact the PC manufacturer in order to obtain the media.

Once the Media has been obtained, you simply boot the PC with the DVD, or USB, and follow the onscreen instructions to install Windows, and activate the operating system upon completion using the product key.

What if you don't have a Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 code?
 

If you no longer have the activation code for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, then you will need to buy a new activation code before carrying out the downgrade from Windows 10 back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Sources:

microsoft.com, techradar.com