Upgrading to Windows 8 or 8.1

[ukthesis]

I have Windows 7 home edition but I want to upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1. Is this easy? for example, do I first uninstall Windows 7 through the Control Panel? Or do I attempt to instal Windows 8 on top of Windows 7?

Is there also a way of moving my Windows 7 related files, such as MS Word, across to the new Windows 8 account?

 

[DavidE]

You should be able to upgrade to Win 10 for free in the near future.
To upgrade to Win 8.1 now, you would need a license that might cost you $.

Why do you want to upgrade (now) ?
Does $ cost matter to you ?

Your thread title is Upgrading to Windows 10 but your question is for upgrading to Win 8.x ???

Here are SF sister sites where you can get more info for Windows Eight and Windows Ten.

Windows 10 Forums
Windows 8 Forums

 

[ukthesis]

Sorry, I mean to Windows 8 or 8.1. I was thinking when I wrote the title of a change I also need to make from Office 7 home edition to Office 10.

 

[AddRAM]

You don`t want Windows 8 or 8.1

But if you really want to, backup your data first then you just install 8.1 over 7, you simply format the install partition.

There`s no uninstalling involved.

 

[ukthesis]

How is that achieved? It sounds complicated.

As an aside. I have Office 7 home edition. But I think I will only upgrade to Office 10. The reason is that I need Office put on two computers. In this case, if I go for Office 13, it means I have to keep on paying after the first year of using it (there is only 1 license given for the once-only Office 13 payment mode). Why I think Office 10 is better for my requirements than Office 13.

 

[DavidE]

So, is your real question to keep your yearly license costs to the minimum ?
That's what it sounds like to me, and that's fine.
And you are a home user ?
This is not a business setup, right ?

You have 2 PC's, using Office 2007, and your concern is avoiding annual fees for updating Office ?

If that is your concern, you might still be able to buy Office 2010 legally somewhere, but you need to purchase 1 license per PC.
I looked on Newegg and didn't find any Office 2010 available.
I wouldn't buy on Ebay, it may be a pirated license.
I would only buy from a reputable reliable legal reseller.

 

[ukthesis]

I need a license to two computers, and I see that to do that with Office 13 is not going to be cheap (keeping on paying over a few years). So this is why Office 10 comes to mind, as a once only payment. I mostly only use MS Word anyhow.

However, if I don't buy Office 10 off EBay, to get a good deal, where do you propose I look for one?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I need a license to two computers, and I see that to do that with Office 13 is not going to be cheap (keeping on paying over a few years). So this is why Office 10 comes to mind, as a once only payment. I mostly only use MS Word anyhow.

However, if I don't buy Office 10 off EBay, to get a good deal, where do you propose I look for one?

https://www.buycheapsoftware.com/ms_cat~manufacturerID~15.asp

Above outfit is legit as far as I know based on feedback I've heard.

I've never used them and can't personally vouch for them.

I bought the 3 license DVD Home and Student version of Office 2010 from another source a couple of years ago for 160. The above link has it for 170. It's quite difficult to find from standard sources nowadays.

Microsoft Part #: 79G-02144

I've heard that there are still non-subscription versions of newer Office versions--either 2013 or 365, I don't know. The company I linked has several versions, but it's up to you to sort them out and find out which, if any, are non-subcription.

 

[DavidE]

Would you consider some free Office suites as an alternative MS Office ?
You would have some learning curve, and perhaps find some missing functionality you can't live without.
But, you can try these for free.

There is Libre Office, and they have a portable version so no installation is needed.
Home | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Fun Project - Fantastic People
I prefer MS Excel, because I've been using it for many years.

There is WPS Office (formerly Kingsoft)
WPS Office 10 Personal Edition - For Home and Student
For me the problem with the free version of this is after the 30 day trial period i can't save Excel .xlsx files.
I can save them as .xls, and i can open/read .xlsx

This is just 2 examples you might consider, I'm sure there are more.
Also, there are probably free Word Processors you could try, if you only need MS Word.
I'm just pointing this out in case you're not aware of these options.

Also, from what I know Office 2013 is not a subscription/annual license.

 

[GokAy]

There is also Apache Open Office (formerly Oracle Open Office). Free for use.

https://www.openoffice.org/

It has Word/Excel/Powerpoint/Access alternatives and a few more.

 

[ukthesis]

Buycheapsolfware seems to be American. All the prices are in dollars.

I may try the free apps. I already have Open Office. But for the moment, it seems more sensible to stick with Microsoft - while avoiding those expensive yearly subscription offers.

Office 13 for 1 PC is not subscription but I need it for 2 computers. I have to say that Microsoft are looking towards increasing their profits over offering alternatives. Like those smartphones where you keep on paying but never actually "own" the device, you can easily end up paying a lot more for a Office product you never actually own. Smart business move, no doubt!

 

[genet]

I have Windows 7 home edition but I want to upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1.

If you want to keep Windows 7 applications, then you need to first install Windows 8 and then install Windows 8.1.

Upgrade Install to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

Upgrade from: Windows 7 To: Windows 8
- You keep your Windows settings, personal files, and applications



Upgrade from: Windows 7 To: Windows 8.1
- You keep your personal files only

 

[ukthesis]

Sorry, as I explain before, I got the products mixed up. Actually, I was asking about upgrading from Office 2007 home edition to Office 2010. That was the last Office app I am aware of that you can purchase for over one user and that is not subscription based, so you don't have to keep shelling out.

As a matter of fact, though, I am getting a laptop with Windows 8 installed. Are there are problems in transferring files I created using this Office 2007 app on a Windows 7 operating system across to the Windows 8 operating system on the laptop? How is this achieved please?

 

[GokAy]

You can use a USB memory stick. Sorry, if I misunderstood though as it is getting late.

 

[ukthesis]

Please explain. I am sure there is an easier and quicker way.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Please explain. I am sure there is an easier and quicker way.

Attach an external hard drive to the Win 7 PC and copy the files to it. Re-attach the external drive to the Win 8 PC and copy the files from the external to the Win 8 PC.

Or upload the files from the Win 7 PC to a server in the sky, then download them to the Win 8 PC.

Or use a USB flash drive.

Or burn a series of DVDs.

Or remove the hard drive from the Win 7 PC and attach it to the Win 8 PC by a cable or dock and copy the files to the Win 8 PC.

Simplest would probably be USB flash drive unless you have hundreds and hundreds of GB to copy.

 

[AddRAM]

Please explain. I am sure there is an easier and quicker way.

There`s no quicker way then using a flash drive, are you saying you don`t know how to use one ?

 

[ukthesis]

I know.

Are there any technical problems in using documents created with Windows 7 and with Office 2007 with a Windows 8 operating system? I can just move them across, no problems?

 

[DavidE]

I moved data files from Win XP to Win 7 to Win 8.x without problems.
I can't remember all the versions of Office and other programs I used over the years.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Flash drives are great = straight forward as it gets and they are pretty cheap and reusable.

No problems I ever saw with 2007 doc files in win-8 or 8.1 or even 10tp
Although I still had office 2007 installed on all of the above
Never tested using a newer office version as far as I know .doc files are compatible with all office versions even .docx files are,

Some may have limitation of newer features but do not hamper the older features that exist in 2007 version,
Cheers.