Windows ten is no longer a free-upgrade, Windows 10 Home costs £99.99 and the Pro version will prepare you dorsum £189.99. Here we'll outline the system requirements and then you can tell if your PC or laptop is powerful enough to run Windows 10 (it most likely volition exist). Run into also: Windows 10 easily-on review | Should I upgrade to Windows x?

Updated 28 November 2016 with updated information.

Which versions of Windows can I upgrade from?

Outset you need to find out which version of Windows y'all have, open Control Panel and go to System. The precise Windows version will exist listed. It doesn't matter if it's 32- or 64-bit.

Alternatively, click here to come across which version your computer is running.

Only the following versions are eligible for the update (previously the free-upgrade):

  • Windows 7 SP1 (Service Pack 1)
  • Windows 8.1 Update
  • Windows Telephone 8.i

These versions are non eligible (some merely require updating to the versions in a higher place):

  • Windows 7 RTM (this tin exist updated to SP1 for gratis)
  • Windows 7
  • Windows 8 (this can be updated to 8.1 Update for complimentary)
  • Windows 8.one RTM (this tin can be updated to eight.1 Update)
  • Windows RT (the version of Windows used on the Microsoft Surface and Surface ii – cannot be updated)
  • Windows Phone 8.0 (updates may exist available from your mobile operator or Microsoft)

In terms of specific versions, the upgrade volition piece of work on a "like-to-like" basis:

Upgrade from Windows 7:

From Edition

To Edition

Windows seven Starter

Windows x Home

Windows 7 Dwelling house Basic

Windows seven Home Premium

Windows 7 Professional person

Windows 10 Pro

Windows 7 Ultimate

Upgrade from Windows viii:

From Edition

To Edition

Windows viii.ane

Windows x Home

Windows 8.1 Pro

Windows10 Pro

Windows 8.1 Pro Pupil

Windows 8.1 Pro WMC

Windows Telephone 8.1

Windows x Mobile

What nigh Windows 10 Insiders testing the preview builds?

If you haven't reserved your gratuitous copy of Windows 10 prior to 29 July 2016, there might be a slim take chances that you lot've still got a free re-create waiting for you. If you ran the preview/insider builds of Windows x in the past (even on a separate hard bulldoze) yous should be able to get the final version for free.

There are 2 options here: If you clean installed the Windows 10 preview, then you'll have the option to go off the preview/insider builds through the Settings.

If y'all upgraded a qualifying version of Windows 10 preview, you can go the final version straight away, by installing Windows ten through a fresh install and using your Microsoft account or the Windows central to grant your costless Windows 10 key.

As well come across: Windows x Creators update UK release appointment, toll and new features.

What are the system requirements for Windows 10?

Just because your estimator, tablet or phone runs one of the eligible versions of Windows doesn't guarantee it will get the update. There are some hardware and software requirements besides.

These are the minimum hardware specifications needed to run Windows x:

  • Processor: 1GHz or faster processor
  • RAM: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit Windows 10
  • Hard disk infinite: 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit
  • Graphics card: DirectX 9 or after
  • Display: 1024x600 pixels or higher (virtually all devices take this)

Also see: How to install Windows 10.

Will I lose my files and programs past upgrading to Windows 10?

Your files, settings and applications will be kept, but some settings and applications won't exist 'migrated' as Microsoft puts it.

For example, anti-virus software won't be moved. Windows 10 should keep your anti-virus settings and install the latest version of your AV software after the update, bold your subscription is current.

If it isn't, Windows Defender will exist enabled instead.

Other apps which may not be moved include those installed by your figurer manufacturer, likewise as those which aren't compatible with Windows ten.

Equally before, y'all'll get a list of any such issues before beginning the actual update, so y'all can choose whether or not to go on with it. Virtually applications which run in Windows 7 and 8 will piece of work fine in Windows 10, so in that location shouldn't be many problems in this area.

Likewise see: Quick fixes for mutual Windows 10 problems.

Windows 10 upgrade: Which features volition I lose during the update?

Y'all will lose some apps, games and features.

Windows 10 upgrade: Will I get Cortana, Windows Hello and Continuum?

Cortana will be available on Windows 10 for the U.s.a., United Kingdom, Prc, French republic, Italy, Deutschland and Spain. For oral communication recognition y'all will need a microphone of course, but for "improve speech experience" you lot will need a 'high fidelity microphone assortment'.

Windows Hello is a new way to log into the OS using facial recognition or a fingerprint. For that, you lot'll demand either a special infrared camera or a fingerprint reader which supports Windows Biometric Framework.

Continuum is where Windows 10 will switch betwixt laptop and tablet modes. In that location will be a manual switch in all Windows 10 editions, only on some devices it volition switch automatically, or be configurable to switch automatically.