Can you upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 for free? How to make Windows 10 upgrade from Windows 8.1 without data loss? If you are trying to figure these questions out, then this post of MiniTool is worth reading.

A lot of users want to upgrade from Windows 8.1/7/XP to Windows 10 without data loss. Here’s a true example from the answer.microsoft forum.

How do I upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 Home without losing installed programs, data and files?https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-81-to-10/319d102c-d94e-46e5-b9e8-dacc4f5f2915

Can You Upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 for Free

Of course, the answer is “Yes”. You can still upgrade from Windows 8 to 10 and use the digital license for free. This is because the license is still available even if the expiration date comes. So, it’s possible to upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 for free despite the expiration of the free upgrade period.

Tips:
If you’re still running Windows 8.1, upgrading is technically possible, but Windows 8 and Windows 10 have also reached the end of support. If your PC meets the requirements, upgrading directly to Windows 11 is the recommended long-term option.

There are 2 main ways to upgrade from Windows 8 to 10. You can download the Windows 10 media creation tool from Microsoft and run an in-place upgrade, or download the Windows 10 ISO for a clean install.

If you do a clean installation for the upgrade, it will remove everything on the system drive. If you do an in-place Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10, you should lose nothing. But the upgrade is a big and time-consuming process, and things can go wrong.

Before that, here are 2 things to do first:

#1. Back Up Your Data

It’s highly recommended that you back up the system drive or create a recovery drive beforehand. Here, MiniTool Partition Wizard can help you back up the C drive easily and quickly. Let’s give it a try.

MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

The MiniTool Partition Wizard interface with the Migrate OS to SSD HD window shown.

#2. Check Your System

Make sure your PC has at least 16 GB of free space, a 1 GHz or faster processor, and 1 GB of RAM (for 32-bit systems).

How to Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10

How to update Windows 8 to Windows 10? There are 2 available ways for that. You can choose one that works best for you.

Way 1. Upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 via Control Panel

The first way for the Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 upgrade is to use the desktop version of Windows Update. Here’s how to do that.

Step 1. Press Win + X to call out the Start menu and select Control Panel.

select Control Panel

Step 2. In the Control Panel window, select Windows Update.

Step 3. Now, you should see the Upgrade to Windows 10 panel. Click on Get Started.

Note:
If the upgrade fails at first, you can retry it several times before it starts to work.

click on Get started to upgrade to Windows 10

Step 4. Click on Accept to continue the Windows 8.1 upgrade to Windows 10 operation. Then you should see the options to schedule the upgrade or upgrade it now. Select the time according to your demand and continue.

great we will get the upgrade started on Windows 8

Step 5. Once the Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 upgrade starts, it will take a while to complete. During this process, your computer may restart several times, just let it do its things.

installing Windows 10

Step 6. Once the installation is complete, a Welcome Back screen will greet you. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the Windows 10 setup.

Step 7. Then you will get to choose your Windows setting. If you choose the Use Express settings option, your computer will load Windows 10 default settings, which allows you to get up and run a lot faster. Of course, you can click on Customize settings and adjust the settings you like.

Use Express settings

Step 8. When the setup finishes, you can be able to log in with the same credentials as on Windows 8.1. Then Microsoft will set up your apps and get things ready for you.

Way 2. Upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 via Media Creation Tool

Another way how to upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 is to download the media creation tool from Microsoft and run an in-place upgrade. To do so, follow the steps below carefully.

Step 1. Click here to open the Windows 10 download page and click on the Download tool now button.

click Download tool now

Step 2. Once downloaded, double-click the executable file and click on Yes to run the setup tool. Then you will see the Get a few things ready screen.

getting a few things ready

Step 3. Click on Accept to agree with the applicable notices and license terms.

click Accept on Windows 10 setup

Step 4. To upgrade from Windows 8 to 10 directly, select the Upgrade this PC now option and click on Next. Then the media creation tool will walk you through the same setup process as we explained, Step 5 to Step 8 in Way 1.

 
Tip: If you want to upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 from another computer, you can select the Create installation media for another PC option and use it to install Windows 10.

select Upgrade this PC now

Step 5. Once done, you can use the digital license to activate Windows 10. To do so, press Win + I to open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Activation.

How to update Windows 8 to Windows 10? The top 2 methods have been illustrated. Now, it’s your turn to have a try.

How to Downgrade Windows 10 Pro to Home Without Data Loss?
How to Downgrade Windows 10 Pro to Home Without Data Loss?

How to downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 Home? Now, you come to the right place. This post helps you downgrade Windows 10 Pro to Home in 3 ways.

Read More

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10 FAQ

1. How long does the Windows 8.1 to 10 upgrade take?
The total time depends heavily on your internet speed and your computer's hardware. A modern computer with a Solid-State Drive (SSD) will upgrade much faster than an older device.
2. Can I upgrade my Windows 8.1 to 11 for free?
Yes, you can do this, but it requires two steps. First, upgrade to Windows 10 for free using the Microsoft Windows 10 Download page. Next, upgrade that Windows 10 system to Windows 11 for free using the Microsoft Windows 11 Download page. 
Your computer's processor, memory, and motherboard firmware must meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for this process to work.
3. Is Windows 10 still supported?
Windows 10 mainstream support ended on October 14, 2025. However, Microsoft offers a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program. This keeps your PC safe with critical security patches until October 12, 2027.
4. Should I choose Upgrade or Clean Install?
Choose an Upgrade to keep your files, apps, and settings, saving you hours of setup time. Choose a Clean Install if you want maximum speed, better security, and a fresh system that deletes all old junk, errors, and viruses.

Bottom Line

This post offers e methods to upgrade Windows 8.1 to 10. Before upgrading, back up important data, ensure you have enough free disk space, and verify that your PC meets the Windows 10 system requirements.

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About The Author

Vega
Vega

Position: Columnist

Vega enjoys helping people with computer problems, including disk management, data recovery, data backup, and more. She is constantly expanding her knowledge in related fields. And she will continue to bring more easy-to-understand professional articles to help people solve various problems on the PC.

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