An upgrade moves your PC from a previous version of Windows—such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1—to Windows 10. An upgrade can take place on your existing device, though Microsoft recommends using Windows 10 on a new PC to take advantage of the latest features and security improvements. This FAQ is intended to answer questions about upgrading to Windows 10.
An update ensures you have the most recent features and security improvements for your current version of Windows. If you want to update your device and need more info, see Windows Update: FAQ.
Notes
- If you’re looking for info on a specific error code or having problems with product keys, see Get help with Windows activation errors. There, you can press CTRL+F and type or paste the error code or "product key" into the search box to find specific information about your code and how to resolve it.
- If you need info on installation errors, see Get help with Windows 10 upgrade and installation errors.
For some answers to questions you might have about the upgrade to Windows 10, select any heading below. It'll open to show more info.
If you're still in the process of upgrading to Windows 10, select any heading below. It'll open to show more details.