Introduction: A Personal Story
I still remember the day my grandpa called me, frustrated with his old Windows 10 laptop. He had heard that Windows 10 support was ending in 2025, but he had no idea how to upgrade to Windows 11.
"I just want my computer to work without all these pop-ups!" he said.
That’s when I realized—so many people struggle with upgrading their Windows PCs. Whether it’s finding the right ISO file, checking compatibility, or avoiding unnecessary costs, the process can be confusing.
So, I sat down with him, walked him through every step, and made sure his upgrade was smooth, safe, and hassle-free. Now, I’m sharing everything I learned with you—so you can upgrade your PC without stress.
Windows 10: Can You Still Get It in 2025?
1. Is the Free Upgrade Still Available?
Microsoft officially ended the free Windows 10 upgrade, but some methods may still work. Here’s what you need to know:
You can still download Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft.
If you have an old Windows 7 or 8 key, it might still activate Windows 10.
Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025, so upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended.
If you have an old Windows 7 or 8 key, it might still activate Windows 10.
Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025, so upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended.
If you have an old Windows 7 or 8 key, it might still activate Windows 10.
Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025, so upgrading to Windows 11 is recommended.
2. How to Download & Install Windows 10
If you still need Windows 10, here’s how to get it:
Download the official Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. Check this post to download Windows 10 and 11 ISO
Use the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool for installation.
If installing on a new PC, you may need a product key.
3. Installing Windows 10 on Different Devices
"Can I install Windows 10 on a new PC without a license?" → Yes, but it will run in limited mode without activation.
"Can I install Windows 10 on an old laptop in 2025?" → Yes, but check minimum system requirements.
"Can I install Windows 10 on a new PC without a license?" → Yes, but it will run in limited mode without activation.
"Can I install Windows 10 on an old laptop in 2025?" → Yes, but check minimum system requirements.
4. Windows 10 End-of-Life & Future Upgrades
"Windows 10 end of support date implications for users in 2025."
"Should I upgrade to Windows 11 before Windows 10 support ends?" Yes, you should
"Best time to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in 2025." - This is the time.
"Windows 10 end of support date implications for users in 2025."
"Should I upgrade to Windows 11 before Windows 10 support ends?" Yes, you should
"Best time to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in 2025." - This is the time.
Windows 11: Upgrade & Installation Guide
5. Can My PC Run Windows 11?
Before upgrading, the first step is checking if your PC meets the requirements. Many users struggle with compatibility issues, and my grandpa was one of them. He kept asking me: "Why doesn’t my PC meet Windows 11 requirements?"
I told him: Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements compared to Windows 10. Here's how to check:
Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant – Microsoft’s official tool.
Run the PC Health Check tool – This will confirm if your computer qualifies.
Check Windows 11 compatibility manually – Look at key factors:
TPM 2.0 & Secure Boot enabled (Common issue for older PCs).
Processor generation (Some older models won’t work).
Minimum RAM & storage needed (8GB+ RAM is recommended).
If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, don’t panic! Some users look into workarounds:
"How to bypass TPM 2.0 for Windows 11 install?" – While not recommended, people search for this.
"Install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware 2025." – Some older PCs can still run Windows 11 with manual installation.
6. Downloading & Installing Windows 11
After confirming compatibility, here’s how to install Windows 11 step-by-step:
Option 1: Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
This is the easiest method for those already running Windows 10:
1️⃣ Go to Settings > Windows Update and check if the upgrade is available.
2️⃣ If available, click Download & Install Windows 11.
3️⃣ Follow the prompts, and restart your PC when done.
Option 2: Clean Install Windows 11 from USB
If you want a fresh start, a clean install is the way to go:
1️⃣ Download the official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft.
2️⃣ Use Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
3️⃣ Restart your computer and boot from the USB.
4️⃣ Follow the Windows 11 setup process.
💡 Pro Tip: "How to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive on Linux 2025?" – If you’re using Linux, tools like Balena Etcher can help create a bootable drive.
If you want a fresh start, a clean install is the way to go: 1️⃣ Download the official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft.
2️⃣ Use Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive.
3️⃣ Restart your computer and boot from the USB.
4️⃣ Follow the Windows 11 setup process.
💡 Pro Tip: "How to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive on Linux 2025?" – If you’re using Linux, tools like Balena Etcher can help create a bootable drive.
But keep in mind, Microsoft doesn’t officially support these methods, which may result in lack of updates and security patches.
7. Troubleshooting Windows 11 Installation Issues
Common Problems & Fixes
Sometimes, users get stuck during installation, just like my grandpa did. "The upgrade stopped at 53%—what do I do now?" he asked me in a panic.
I told him: Don’t worry! These are common issues, and they have solutions!
Here’s how to fix the most frequent errors:
✅ "Windows 11 upgrade frozen at [percentage] 2025."
→ Solution: Restart your PC and retry. If it happens again, unplug external drives and disable antivirus software temporarily.
✅ "Windows 11 installation failed error."
→ Solution: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter and check for driver updates.
✅ "My printer/scanner doesn’t work after upgrading to Windows 11."
→ Solution: Go to Device Manager, right-click the printer, and update drivers.
✅ "Where are my files after upgrading to Windows 11?"
→ Solution: If files seem missing, check C:\Windows.old – old documents might be stored there.
8. Windows 11 vs. Windows 10 – Key Differences
When my grandpa first upgraded, he was confused. "Why does Windows 11 look different? Can I make it easier to see?"
Here’s what changed in Windows 11:
🔥 Modern Design & Rounded Corners – Everything looks newer and smoother.
🔥 New Taskbar & Start Menu – The Start menu is now centered by default.
🔥 Better Performance – More efficient use of RAM & CPU, improving speed.
🔥 New Features for Seniors – Large text options, voice control, and easier navigation.
💡 If Windows 11 feels hard to use, here’s how to customize it for accessibility:
"Make Windows 11 easier to see for seniors 2025."
"Adjust font size Windows 11."
"Simplify Windows 11 interface."
System Hardware Requirements for Windows 10 during intital launch of OS:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster.
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
Free hard disk space: 16 GB.
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver.
A Microsoft account and Internet access(not Mandatory).
If your system meets the threshold, then Follow the steps below to Reserve Your Copy Of Windows 10
- You Can reserve Your Copy Using Get Windows 10 App.
- The Get Windows 10 App Will Be Located On the taskbar of Windows...
- Click on the Small Windows Button Located On the Taskbar.
- When you Click you Will Receive the Message as shown in the following picture
- Click on "Reserve Free upgrade"
- Enter Your Email Id and Confirm It..
- That's all, you Will Be Upgraded When Windows 10 is available in your country.
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