Which Windows 10 OS to get?

EINREB

Member
I have been running Windows 7 on my laptop, and now have to obtain Windows 10 for 2020. I am confused by the many versions available and the question is: can anyone advise me what to buy? I do not need any fancy OS, just an ordinary one to surf the Internet, get email, play YouTube, etc. The Windows 7 Home that came with my Laptop served me well and I never had any need for an Upgrade over the years, so I am looking for an replacement for it. (I will keep an older W7 computer around for programs that do not require Internet access, such as my old Excel, Office, Movie and Pagemaker programs).
Any suggestions are appreciated.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
You really don't need to buy anything. The upgrade from windows 7 to 10 is still free.
 

EINREB

Member
I read that somewhere, but can not find the website. Any link I run into giving me an address to do so misdirects me, and I get a message that the link is not valid. I found one on this forum that did so. Can you give me a link that I can try? (That hopefully will work.)
 
I have been running Windows 7 on my laptop, and now have to obtain Windows 10 for 2020. I am confused by the many versions available and the question is: can anyone advise me what to buy? I do not need any fancy OS, just an ordinary one to surf the Internet, get email, play YouTube, etc. The Windows 7 Home that came with my Laptop served me well and I never had any need for an Upgrade over the years, so I am looking for an replacement for it. (I will keep an older W7 computer around for programs that do not require Internet access, such as my old Excel, Office, Movie and Pagemaker programs).
Any suggestions are appreciated.

On your Windows 7 computer, If you upgrade via https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10 and select: update now you should get the similar version of Windows 10 for free…

It is usually better to perform a proper NEW installation to get rid of old crap like malware or corrupt files etc..
But initially a upgrade will do... so you get a free Windows 10...
 

beers

Moderator
Staff member
Here's a comparison, Home is fine for most workloads unless you specifically need one of the features listed in a more robust version like Pro. As per others you can just use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade or install new, use your Windows 7 key when installing and it will install with 10.

If you want to fresh install, make sure you back up your data first.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_10_editions#Comparison_chart
 

lccrocks

New Member
Home version is fine for you. If you want additional security, use the Pro version, which has bitlocker encryption in default
 

EINREB

Member
Thanks for the replies, gents. It looks like a free version will do for what I need. I think I wait with downloading it until I really need it, no use if I start using it now before I need it. BTW - In anticipation of this whole problem I bought a laptop an 1/2 year ago using 10 and tried to use it....got very frustrated and hated it. Still do. Bought recently also a used desk computer with 10, and promptly took the HD out, and replaced it with a other HD loaded it with 7 home. Have now a spare HD with 10 on it when 7 is no longer supported for that computer! Unfortunately have to use it pretty soon.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
You can make 10 look just like 7 by downloading a program called classic shell to give you an actual start menu like 7 has. You can also enable the quick launch tool bar by the start button.
 

EINREB

Member
You can make 10 look just like 7 by downloading a program called classic shell to give you an actual start menu like 7 has. You can also enable the quick launch tool bar by the start button.
Thanks for the tip, Johnb35, looks that would be the way I like to go, for the time being at least.
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Home version is fine for you. If you want additional security, use the Pro version, which has bitlocker encryption in default
Bitlocker is MUST must if you secure your drive and keep your updates current
I used to use veracrypt but i need to decrypt everytime windows releases a new version :/
Won't make that mistake again
 
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