You’ll either need to do a clean install (if you purchase a valid copy of the Windows 10 Pro edition) or unlock the Pro edition by purchasing it at a later date. You can’t change editions during an update. If you’re running a Home edition, you’ll be updated to the Home edition of Windows 10. If you’re running the Pro edition of Windows 7 or 8, you’ll be updated to the Pro edition of Windows 10. Likewise, the update tool will figure out the appropriate edition of Windows, as well. RELATED: Should You Upgrade to the Professional Edition of Windows 10? RELATED: What's the Difference Between 32-bit and 64-bit Windows? If you’re curious to know which version you’re using before getting started, check out our guide to figuring out if you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. If you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows and want to move to 64-bit, you’ll have to do a clean install instead. You cannot move from a 32-bit installation of Windows 7 or 8 to a 64-bit installation of Windows 10 using the update tool-even if your PC supports it. It determines if your current version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit, and updates you to the same version. The update tool will figure out the right version of Windows you need to update to. One other thing to note before getting started, though. The Windows 10 update tool is pretty straight forward, and you can find the download right here. You can always reinstall a Windows 10 version after the update is done if you want to use something other than Windows Defender.

It’s better to turn them off or uninstall them before performing your update. Some third party antivirus tools have been known to interfere with the Windows update process. RELATED: How to Use the Built-in Windows Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 With a full image backup, you know that you can restore the image and have your PC running again just like it was when you made the backup. RELATED: What's the Best Way to Back Up My Computer?īetter yet, consider making a full image backup of your PC using either Windows’ built in System Image Backup or a third party tool like Macrium Reflect. At the very least, make sure you have your important files backed up. The update procedure is non-destructive (you won’t lose personal files or installed apps), and we don’t anticipate you’ll run into any problems. If not, be sure to make a full backup before you get started. Hopefully, you’re already backing up your PC regularly.

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