I finally did it...Windows 10 free upgrade on the last day!

[Kaido]

Windows 10 2022 Update | Version 22H2

Download Windows 10

Direct link:

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=799445

Also, for the Windows 10 installation media link, they actually offer an option now to "upgrade this PC":

View attachment 76903

Just upgraded a Windows 8 PC today, still works! Did an older 32-bit Atom mini PC.

View attachment 76904

Windows 11 upgrade path:

Also, if you're feeling brave, Tiny11 is available: (requires free archive.org account)

tiny11 : NTDEV : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

With a new, easier to understand naming scheme and a number of major improvements, tiny11 2311 is finally here! Based on the *actual* 23H2 release of Windows...

archive.org

The correct image is: (note that Win11 is 64-bit only, so really old 32-bit hardware is out of luck!)

tiny11 b2(no sysreq).iso (3.6gb)

This is a stripped-down version that removes Edge (you will need a Chrome or Firefox or whatever installer as you can't get online otherwise), TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and only needs 2GB RAM & 8GB of space to install, which is great for older & low-end devices. It activates like normal, so you'll still need either a Windows 10 key, Windows 11 key, or digital activation on Windows 10 (available with the 7/8-to-10 free upgrade path; note that 10/11 keys are interchangeable). I don't do this for business clients for obvious reasons, but for friends & family who have older computers, it's a great way to upgrade to Windows 11 to play with! I did a couple older PC's today, including a 64-bit Stick PC. Working great so far! The dev is on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/NTDEV_

If you're adventurous, he has a video on how to replicate the latest beta to build your own Tiny11-from-scratch ISO:

I tried Tiny11 on an older laptop. Went from HDD to SSD, so I had to do a fresh install anyway. It defaulted to un-activated Windows 11 Enterprise. You can get Windows 8.1 Pro keys for cheap these days, so I tried that, and it activated into Windows 11 Pro! With Tiny11 & an SSD, that laptop is good for another 5 years, haha!

 

[VirtualLarry]

party might be over

 

[Puffnstuff]

That's a shame not to mention that its rumored that 12 will be a subscription OS.

 

[Kaido]

party might be over

I tried a Windows 8.1 Pro key on a fresh 11 install today & it didn't work. That explains it!

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Microsoft is just looking to move their cattle into a space where they provide less and demand more manure. At my age I can only accept a Windows 11 environment if it is regulated to a single task--gaming. Otherwise, everything else can, and will, be done in Linux.

 

[mikeymikec]

That's a shame not to mention that its rumored that 12 will be a subscription OS.

I wonder how that would work for the average user, I guess new PCs would come with 1 year Windows usage for free?

The idea of Windows becoming subscription only would have seismic effects in the industry IMO. The only alternative would be to make the subscription so cheap (e.g. 1UKP/month) that the amount of users seriously considering alternatives (such as 'piracy') would be so low that they would barely factor in to revenue. Otherwise the amount of people who would just say "I'll use my phone / tablet" really would cut into MS's bottom line (and PC OEMs would be extremely annoyed with MS), as well as loss of MSO revenue. How many small businesses could make do with a tablet connected with a keyboard and mouse for a lot of their employees, for example. Or Linux becomes a common alternative for PC OEMs to peddle, which is basically MS's worst nightmare.

I suspect Microsoft would go about things in a different manner, for example keep Windows S-mode as subscription free and basically everyone else pays. Maybe push an Windows Education licence for free to "catch them while they're young".

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I wonder how that would work for the average user, I guess new PCs would come with 1 year Windows usage for free?

The idea of Windows becoming subscription only would have seismic effects in the industry IMO. The only alternative would be to make the subscription so cheap (e.g. 1UKP/month) that the amount of users seriously considering alternatives (such as 'piracy') would be so low that they would barely factor in to revenue. Otherwise the amount of people who would just say "I'll use my phone / tablet" really would cut into MS's bottom line (and PC OEMs would be extremely annoyed with MS), as well as loss of MSO revenue. How many small businesses could make do with a tablet connected with a keyboard and mouse for a lot of their employees, for example. Or Linux becomes a common alternative for PC OEMs to peddle, which is basically MS's worst nightmare.

I suspect Microsoft would go about things in a different manner, for example keep Windows S-mode as subscription free and basically everyone else pays. Maybe push a Windows Education licence for free to "catch them while they're young".

I think they’ll go the apple route. There will be yearly updates and those updates will cost money. Good news is the updates would be good as in add functions or greatly improve functions.
Just a guess but that mode serves apple well

 

[mikeymikec]

I think they’ll go the apple route. There will be yearly updates and those updates will cost money. Good news is the updates would be good as in add functions or greatly improve functions.
Just a guess but that mode serves apple well

AFAIK Apple updates have been free for several years (ten?).

The only thing that anyone actually *needs* from Windows (apart from resolving feature regression with each new version) is security updates. The only time I recall selling a Windows upgrade for reasons other than end of support dates was a few customers who had the poorly-performing Vista and I sold them Win7.

Having said that, the same is true of Microsoft Office for at least 90% of users and MS made a rental system work (for MS that is). It certainly would be good news for people in my line of work if people perceive being forced into renting Windows when they can still buy it outright thanks to someone like me cluing them in to the system, but it looks like MS is getting rid of standalone MSO in the next few years (I expect 2025/2026). At least with renting MSO there are some niche scenarios that make it worthwhile, I wonder if they'll do a similar system with Windows (a personal rental scheme for one user with several devices, Family edition 5 users 1 device each, etc); if that's the case though, business users are going to be bending over once again as business Office 365 costs are insane.

One thing I do find a bit curious though is that back when Windows 10 was released and MS talked about it being "the last version of Windows", the official product lifecycle MS website still listed the end of support as being October 2025. I assumed at the time that this was some kind of quirk of a website geared to expect a value for every product so MS put something in there in order to satisfy db requirements but then obviously it turned out that it really was the Win10 EOL date. On this point, Win11 does not yet have an EOL date; it ought to be approximately October 2031 (ten years of support from the initial release), but I wonder if something is going different on in this respect.

 

[WilliamM2]

It's just a rumor, just like it's been rumored since Windows 7 that they are going to require subscriptions.

No, of course 'Windows 12' won't require a subscription to use it

Rumors that the next version of Windows will require a subscription are greatly exaggerated.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[tcsenter]

I tried a Windows 8.1 Pro key on a fresh 11 install today & it didn't work. That explains it!

I believe if you install as an upgrade over an activated install of W8.1 it will still work but not certain.

 

[Kaido]

I believe if you install as an upgrade over an activated install of W8.1 it will still work but not certain.

That's what the new info-update is for...Windows 7 & 8 to 10 no longer works. Windows 10 to 11 still works as a free upgrade path, however.

It's too bad, because I was able to save a LOT of old computers from the landfill thanks to that path & saved a lot of people a lot of money over having to get a new computer. My new path for people's old home computers is:

1. Add an SSD in (1TB is $40 on Amazon these days, amazing!) to boost the performance on old HDD-based laptops & desktops
2. Install Tiny 11 to get them a newer operating system, along with Malwarebytes for security. You'll still need an 11 Pro license, but you can find those cheap online if you look around.
3. Setup Google Drive to automatically backup their files to the cloud

It mostly depends on what people want to do & what their budget is. Tiny11 & an SSD is a pretty great way to save an old PC from the junk heap. However, you can also get a pretty nice slim refurb PC for like $115 these days:

Amazon.com

And if you have a bit more of a budget & just want something super tiny & power-efficient, you can get little boxes like this one for around $160:

Amazon.com

Pretty decent laptops are under $400 these days:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gateway-...Fingerprint-Scanner-1MP-Webcam-HDMI/654399212

Or for mobile use, Walmart sells basic new-stock last-gen iPads for $279, so you don't have to shell out $500+ for a new one anymore:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2021-Apple-10-2-inch-iPad-Wi-Fi-64GB-Space-Gray-9th-Generation/483978365

Also, Rufus allows you to easily modify the Windows 11 ISO for older 7 slower computers, if you want to go with a fuller install:

How to create bootable USB drive for Windows 11 with Rufus (2025) - Pureinfotech

Rufus lets you create a bootable Windows 11 USB for supported and unsupported hardware. Also, it offers the option to download the ISO file.

pureinfotech.com

 

[tcsenter]

That's what the new info-update is for...Windows 7 & 8 to 10 no longer works. Windows 10 to 11 still works as a free upgrade path, however.

Inputting a key during or after clean installation that isn't for W10 isn't quite the same as upgrading from within an already (legit) activated installation of Windows?

 

[sdifox]

Use DISM to change the product key

Hi it’s me Al, This is a quick post how to use DISM Online to change the product key of a Windows Server 2012 R2. Sometimes you’re not able to change the key using the GUI. This is how …

blog.alschneiter.com

It's in win10 as well.

 

[mikeymikec]

It's just a rumor, just like it's been rumored since Windows 7 that they are going to require subscriptions.

No, of course 'Windows 12' won't require a subscription to use it

Rumors that the next version of Windows will require a subscription are greatly exaggerated.

www.windowscentral.com

I love how that article starts with an assertion backed up with no evidence and a lot of "almost definitely", "unlikely" and "suspect".

 

[igor_kavinski]

With Tiny11 & an SSD, that laptop is good for another 5 years, haha!

How does software compatibility look? Ran into any software that refused to work due to some dependency on a missing Windows component?

 

[igor_kavinski]

It's too bad, because I was able to save a LOT of old computers from the landfill thanks to that path & saved a lot of people a lot of money over having to get a new computer.

Keep up the great work. We need more people like you!

 

[tcsenter]

Inputting a key during or after clean installation that isn't for W10 isn't quite the same as upgrading from within an already (legit) activated installation of Windows?

I think I have a couple motherboards around here onto which Windows 10 has never been installed and activated previously. Might take a few days to test out.

 

[Kaido]

Inputting a key during or after clean installation that isn't for W10 isn't quite the same as upgrading from within an already (legit) activated installation of Windows?

It's both, unfortunately:

You can't upgrade to Windows 10 for free anymore

Microsoft originally said users would have a year to upgrade from Windows 7 and 8 to Windows 10. Seven years after that, the company has begun enforcing its decision.

www.pcworld.com

Per Microsoft:

1. The upgrade path from Windows 7 & 8 to 10 is now gone
2. The upgrade path from Windows 10 to 11 is still available

In addition:

3. I tried using a Windows 8.1 Pro key to activate Windows 11 Pro, but it no longer works as of last week (it worked last May when I tried it, however)

I'll try using a 7 or 8 key to do a fresh install of 10 just for haha's. If that works, then we can do the 10 to 11 upgrade for free. But in my testing last week, old keys no longer work for 11.

How to Activate Windows 11 With a Windows 7 Key

Bring your Windows 7 key into the modern era by using it to activate Windows 11.

www.makeuseof.com

Microsoft's post from September 20th:

Windows Ends Installation Path for Free Windows 7/8 Upgrade

Windows 7/8 Free Upgrade Ending

devicepartner.microsoft.com

 

[Kaido]

I think I have a couple motherboards around here onto which Windows 10 has never been installed and activated previously. Might take a few days to test out.

The 10 to 11 path is still available for free!

 

[igor_kavinski]

It's a pity they decided to end the Win7/8.1 upgrade path. Some new idiot there must have drawn up a cost benefit analysis of getting rid of old keys and their authentication and the uptick of a few million dollars in new Win10/11 key sales, just for a vacation bonus. Most wretched human.

 

[Kaido]

How does software compatibility look? Ran into any software that refused to work due to some dependency on a missing Windows component?

So far, no. Tiny11 has some purposely built-in limitations (they remove a lot of Microsoft account stuff, which you can usually re-add through the Microsoft Store, if needed...I did a buddy's old laptop the other day & he wanted Phone Link on it for texting & picture sync, so we just redownloaded it from the store), but if you use Rufus, you can edit the full Win11 ISO while writing to a bootable USB so that it only takes away the basic 11 limitations (4GB RAM minimum, Secure Boot BIOS/UEFI requirement, and TPM 2.0 chip requirement). Link here:

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

Rufus: Create bootable USB drives the easy way

rufus.ie

You can download the Windows 11 installation media here:

Windows 11 herunterladen

Direct Win11 ISO link here:

https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2156295

The most recent Tiny11 ISO is now available (you can also build it yourself, if you want to), which is nice if you need to put a slimmed-down version on older hardware, like on a machine with 2GB RAM:

Tiny11 ISO updated to Windows 11 23H2 - Pureinfotech

You can now download the Windows 11 23H2 Tiny11 ISO to perform clean installation or in-place upgrade without bloatware or unneeded features.

pureinfotech.com

At some point, Microsoft may lock things down, but I doubt it would be retroactive because they make money on the later operating systems through advertisements:

I paid for Microsoft Windows. Why does it push ads on me?

Windows 11 is doubling down on alerts that promote features and services it wants you to adopt. But it should buzz off.

www.pcworld.com

There are, of course, ways to disable that:

Tired of ads in Windows 11? Here’s how to block every last one of them

Ads? In MY File Explorer? You bet.

www.laptopmag.com

 

[Kaido]

Keep up the great work. We need more people like you!

To me, if you have a quad-core machine with an SSD & 8GB RAM, you're still good to go for another 5 years. Stuff like Tiny11 lets you throw a SATA SSD into a dual-core machine with 4GB RAM (technically it can do 2GB & a HDD, although I've tested it & it's not a very fun experience LOL) & get a pretty decent machine for Youtube, paying bills, single-tab surfing, etc. Sometimes I'll get machines from people's grandparents who are on a fixed income, so for like $40, we can pop an SSD in there & the computer will literally last them the rest of their lives, you know?

Developing Countries: Electronic Waste Landfills of America - Chicago Monitor

Since the introduction of personal computers in the early 1990's, our standard of living has continued to rise. With this, companies discovered how to build better and more efficient models of pre-existing products. This development spurred the consumer need to always upgrade and stay at the...

chicagomonitor.com

There are trade-offs to everything, including the environmental impact of a higher electricity usage on old computer towers vs. modern slim laptops & mini computers, but imo, anytime we can keep things running for a few more years & keep them out of landfills is a Good Thing™

 

[VirtualLarry]

Everything since Core2, or maybe 2nd-gen Core (Sandy Bridge), has been fairly power-efficient, regardless, all things considered, compared to older, larger nm procs.

 

[igor_kavinski]

Everything since Core2, or maybe 2nd-gen Core (Sandy Bridge), has been fairly power-efficient, regardless, all things considered, compared to older, larger nm procs.

I used to have a Toshiba Protege Nehalem i5 laptop. It seemed super responsive to me even with an HDD. Sold it at a loss to a girl to win some place in her heart. That didn't happen. Offered to buy it back from her for about $100 more. She cut off all ties with me :S

 

[Kaido]

Everything since Core2, or maybe 2nd-gen Core (Sandy Bridge), has been fairly power-efficient, regardless, all things considered, compared to older, larger nm procs.

What's crazy is that Apple's new M2 ARM chip has a TDP of 20 watts & goes up against i7's just fine:

Apple M2 Processor - Benchmarks and Specs

Benchmarks, information, and specifications for the Apple M2

www.notebookcheck.net

The M2 Macbook Pro is hitting 18 hours of battery life in real-world testing. Bonkers!

MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023 battery life tested: This is the longest-lasting laptop ever

The M2 Max-powered MacBook Pro is the new battery life champ

www.tomsguide.com