(Several common installation errors can be traced to the Setup program being confused by these additional drives.)

Finally, disconnect any unnecessary external devices, especially USB flash drives and external hard drives.

You can reinstall those programs after the upgrade is complete.

Temporarily uninstall third-party security software and low-level system utilities that can interfere with the upgrade.

Just run the command Sdclt.exe, and then choose the Create A System Image option. Consider doing a full system backup to an external hard drive using the Windows 7 backup program, which is also available in Windows 8.x and Windows 10.

Back up your data files to an external hard drive or cloud storage (or both).

Download and install any available BIOS updates for your hardware this step is especially important for systems that were originally designed in 2017 or earlier, when hardware makers were still shaking out issues with Windows 10.

Check for any recent driver updates, especially for network and storage hardware.

This is especially important if you recently reinstalled Windows.

Confirm that your copy of Windows is activated.

Soon, you’ll have even less choice about which operating system you’ll use.How to manage your security questions for a local Windows accountīefore getting started, I recommend a few preliminary tasks that can head off potential problems: The bottom line, though, is this is bad news if you’re a system builder or enthusiast, a fan of Windows 10 and someone who doesn’t want to upgrade to Windows 11. Fortunately, PCWorld’s guide to buying Windows for cheap still holds valid - and will become more valuable as time runs out on Windows 10. Otherwise, Microsoft’s decision means that you’ll have to buy a Windows 10 license from a third-party retailer. Make sure to check our Home and Pro listings before settling for full price-at the time of publication, we were selling them for $50 and $70, respectively. Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 also remains in place, for now.ĭeal alert: The PCWorld Software Store frequently sells Windows 10 editions at reduced prices. OEM copies of Windows 10 are still available at Amazon, although the Windows 10 product listing lacks any indication that Microsoft itself will soon stop selling Windows 10 licenses. The alternative for those wishing to buy a Windows 10 license will be to turn instead to third-party retailers.

Windows 10 digital license