How can I upgrade from Win 7 to win 10 safely?

[netrate]

I have been reading that there is still a way online to upgrade from windows 7 to windows 10. I would like to do this, but I need everything on my system and cannot go without it (errors, crash etc).
Is there a step by step to upgrading that is safe?

 

[Brink]

Hello netrate,

The method in the tutorial below is safe to use to upgrade to Windows 10.

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free | Tutorials

Of course, I would always recommend to create a system image backup first to be safe.

 

[netrate]

What is the best way to do a system backup? To an external hard drive.?

 

[Brink]

Correct. Saving to any separate hard drive would be best in case something should ever happen to the Windows drive.

 

[netrate]

When is the last date I can do this?

 

[Brink]

The official free upgrade to Windows 10 for the public has already expired.

While Microsoft still allows the free upgrade unofficially, there is no set date. It could be stopped whenever Microsoft decides to.

 

[Bree]

When is the last date I can do this?

As Brink says, Microsoft have not officially said that the upgrade was still available, so they are hardly likely to officially announce its end.


If they're going to end it, then end of support for W7 on 14th January is a possibility.

 

[netrate]

What is the preferred backup method? I know I cannot just copy the files to an external harddrive, how do I make sure that the entire operating system is backed up as well?

 

[SIW2]

You could use windows built in system image program or a 3rd party program such as aomei backupper ( free standard edition)
Type sdclt.exe in start search box for windows system image

Free Backup Software for Windows - AOMEI Backupper Standard

 

[Brink]

I like to use the free version of Macrium Reflect.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect | Tutorials

 

[netrate]

I did download and backed up using REflect. I am procrastinating because I don't want to lose my windows 7 files and folders when upgrading or worse yet, the entire computer crashes!

 

[Brink]

You should be good to go now. You have a system image to fall back on if it should go sideways on you.

When doing the steps below to upgrade, pay attention at step 9 to see if any issues are reported. This is the last chance step to cancel if needed before it starts the actual upgrade.

Upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 for Free | Tutorials