One year after the release of Windows 10, the promotional period that allowed everyone to update the computer's operating system by switching for free from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10 will have expired on 29 July 2016. Those who have not yet done so still have 3 days to update to Windows 10 by clicking the icon on the right next to the clock or proceeding with the download and installation of Windows 10 from scratch.
As already written, after July 29 Windows 10 becomes paid so you can no longer update your PC for free.
Although I personally think it is a good idea to update, in this article we will see what happens if we do not switch to Windows 10 and if the decision is made to stay with Windows 7, with Windows 8.1 or with other versions .
The important point to consider for those who do not want to update the Windows system to the latest version is related to the duration of the support .
The Windows license on a PC has no expiration and can be used for life or, at least, until the computer breaks.
The problem, however, is that when the manufacturer's support runs out of a system, security updates are no longer released and the PC becomes vulnerable to any new bug discovered and leaving the doors wide open to hacker access and the effect of malware or viruses.
This is equivalent to saying that that computer can no longer be used with that operating system and will have to be changed or updated.
What if you stay with Windows 8.1
If it is true that those who have Windows 8.1 should not really find any valid reason not to switch to Windows 10 (because very similar), it is equally true that Windows 8.1 is a young system, which will continue to receive extended support security updates until January 2023.
What if you stay with Windows 8
Those who are still using a PC with Windows 8, not even updated to Windows 8.1, better to hurry to download and install Windows 8.1 because support for Windows 8 (not 8.1) was interrupted in early 2016 and no longer receives updates safety.
The update from 8 to 8.1 is always free.
What happens while staying with Windows 7
Windows 7 users are perhaps the most undecided whether to switch to Windows 10 or not.
We have seen what changes in Windows 10 for those who have Windows 7, with important differences especially for the start menu and significant improvements especially for the task manager and PC security tools.
On the other hand, if you use a very old computer or with programs that have not been updated for some time, there may be incompatibilities with the risk of not being able to use it as before.
My advice is to check the compatibility of the PC with Windows 10 and then to perform the update anyway and see if everything is fine.
In case of problems or if you don't like it, you can always go back to Windows 7 from Windows 10, within a month of installation.
If you still want to stay on Windows 7 it's important to know that this system will continue to receive security updates until January 2020, which is only three to half years from now.
For this reason, those who have a relatively new and in any case good PC should not miss updating to Windows 10.
PS In my experience, upgrading to Windows 10 works even if you have pirated Windows 7.
What happens to those who use Windows Vista or XP
Versions prior to Windows 7, i.e. XP and Windows Vista cannot be updated for free to Windows 10 and must purchase a license anyway.
Keep in mind that Vista will stop receiving updates in April 2017, while Windows XP support has ended since 2013.
I therefore refer to the guide to update Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7, 8 or 10.
The cost of Windows 10 from 29 July 2016
We have already said how much the Windows 10 license costs and, precisely, from July 29th 2016 it will be for everyone of 130 Euros for the Home version.
Of course, Windows 10 will continue to be pre-installed on most PCs for sale and, in the case of a new computer, the Windows 10 license will be included in the price.
The fact remains that after 29 July 2016 you can download Windows 10 for free and you can do the automatic update without losing any programs or files from Windows 7 or 8.
For any other questions, I refer to the article with the answers to all the questions about Windows 10 .
