If there is an existing version of Windows and you’re moving to a new version, you can either do an upgrade or an install. With an upgrade, all your files are kept in place. With an install, you’re basically starting over completely fresh from scratch. An install may be necessary if an upgrade path is not available.
Upgrading maintains consistency. You’ll be able to keep all of your customized configurations. All of your local user accounts will also remain. Upgrading can save time because you won’t have to reinstall applications and data. Upgrading can be done by running the upgrade from a DVD-ROM, USB flash drive, or other installation media.
An in place upgrade will upgrade the existing OS, and will keep all of your applications, documents, and settings in place. You can start an in place upgrade setup from inside the existing OS.
With a clean install, you’re wiping everything and will need to reload everything. Make sure you backup your files before doing a clean install. You would start a clean install by booting from the installation media.
Upgrading to Windows 10
There are downloadable versions of Windows 10 available on the Microsoft website. Microsoft also includes a media creation tool that will install the Windows 10 upgrade on a USB drive.
You can’t upgrade from a 32 bit (x86) version to a 64 bit (x64) version or vice versa. This rule applies to all Windows versions. If you wanted to convert from x86 to x64 or vice versa, you’ll need to use a migration tool to copy off your information, perform the upgrade, and copy back your information.
Windows 7 to Windows 10 Upgrade Path
| To Windows 10 Home | To Windows 10 Pro | To Windows 10 Enterprise | |
| From Windows 7 Starter | Upgrade | Upgrade | Install |
| From Windows 7 Home Basic | Upgrade | Upgrade | Install |
| From Windows 7 Home Premium | Upgrade | Upgrade | Install |
| Windows 7 Professional | Install | Upgrade | Upgrade |
| Windows 7 Ultimate | Install | Upgrade | Install |
| Windows 7 Enterprise | Install | Install | Upgrade |
Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Upgrade Path
| To Windows 10 Home | To Windows 10 Pro | To WIndows 10 Enterprise | |
| From Windows 8.1 Core | Upgrade | Upgrade | Install |
| From Windows 8.1 Professional | Install | Upgrade | Upgrade |
| Windows 8.1 Enterprise | Install | Install | Upgrade |
Windows 8 to Windows 10 direct upgrade is not possible.
A step by step Windows 10 installation can be seen in the video below:
The general upgrade path goes as such:
- You can’t cross platforms 32 bit to 64 bit or vice versa. This requires a clean install.
- There’s no upgrade path if you are going backward edition-wise. For example, you can upgrade Windows 7 Ulmate to Windows 10 Home. You’d have to do a clean install.
