Windows 10 is nearing its first anniversary, having been officially unveiled on July 29, 2015. The free upgrade period Microsoft offered many users is also about to end. Many users still haven't made the switch to Windows 10, so this week is expected to be busy with updates.
However, everyone expects Microsoft to extend the free upgrade period to Windows 10, but if they don't, don't worry because today we're going to tell you how to reserve your Windows 10 upgrade so you don't miss out . This way, you can upgrade from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to the new version of Windows whenever you want, without having to rush during this period.
What does it mean to reserve Windows 10 and what it entails
As we have already said on July 29, the period of free update to Windows 10 will end, for all users who have Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed on their device. As of that date, any user, who has the version of the software installed, must go to the cashier and pay a significant amount of money to be able to update.
Fortunately, Microsoft allows us to reserve a copy of Windows 10, making an original license available at any time . This is because when we begin the upgrade, our device receives a digital license, meaning the Redmond-based company registers our computer on its servers and associates it with a valid Windows 10 license.
When this happens you can do whatever you want with your computer, format it or for example install another operating system, but you will not lose your Windows 10 digital license. This means that every time you install this version of the most used operating system worldwide, the Microsoft servers will recognize your computer and activate the corresponding license again.
However, it's important to note that this digital license is currently linked to your computer, not your Microsoft account. Therefore, if you change your motherboard or computer, you will lose the license . Fortunately, Satya Nadella's team has announced that they will soon link this digital license to the user account, not the hardware.
Update and undo the update, the key to everything
In order to acquire the digital license for life of Windows 10, we can resort to several methods, but the safest is to update our device, checking that our copy of Windows 10 has been perfectly insured and then undo everything done to return to Windows 7 or Windows 8.
In detail, first, you'll need to download the Windows 10 update and install it by running it as administrator . Then, wait for the new version of Windows to fully install. Once it's installed, check the "Update & Security" section of the Control Panel to ensure everything is working correctly. You should see the message: "Windows 10 on this device is activated with digital rights."
Sometimes this message does not appear as soon as the update is performed, but it takes a while so you will have to wait if you want everything to go as expected.
Once Windows 10 is activated on your device, you should go to the "Recovery" menu where you will find the different options to return to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 , reserving the possibility of returning to the new Windows 10 whenever you want.
Make a backup before installing Windows 10
If the method we're describing in this article doesn't completely convince you, due to the potential consequences of losing files, important information, or some programs, you can always back up your device before installing Windows 10.
Making a backup in Windows 7 or Windows 8 is something really simple and the operating system itself offers us a wizard that will guide us to do it in a simple way. Of course, the only thing you have to keep in mind is that the support to perform the backup must have enough storage space, greater than 300 GB, to avoid problems in the middle of the entire process.
Once you install Windows 10, you can go back in a simple way and without any problems that may arise. You can also return to Windows 7 or Windows 8, through the official method and keep the backup safe in case a problem occurs and you have no problem restoring your device.
Opinion freely; Windows 10 now or whenever you want
At Microsoft they are still very determined that most users upgrade to Windows 10, and not only have they offered us the software for free for a year, but they also allow us to reserve a legal license so that we can install the new operating system anytime. Of course, without a doubt this is more than interesting and it will allow us to have Windows 10 now or whenever we want.
At the moment, and in my case, I have only updated my desktop computer to the new Windows 10, but I have already reserved a legal license of the new Microsoft operating system for the future, something that you should also do right now and before the 29th guiding you with the simple tutorial that we have shown you today.
Have you upgraded to the new Windows 10 or have you already reserved a legal license for the latest version of Microsoft's operating system? Tell us in the comments section of this post or through one of the social media channels where we're active, and where we discuss this and many other topics.