Microsoft doesn’t offer a direct upgrade path from Windows XP lớn Windows 10 or from Windows Vista, but it’s possible lớn update — here"s how to vị it.
Although Microsoft doesn’t offer a direct upgrade path, it’s still possible khổng lồ upgrade your PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista khổng lồ Windows 10. However, you’ll need lớn perform a few extra steps to lớn create a bootable installation media, back up your data, và perform a clean installation of Windows 10 on your system.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know before upgrading lớn Windows 10 and the steps to lớn perform a clean installation of the new operating system.
How to lớn upgrade to Windows 10 without losing files and apps
Alternatively, users who want to lớn migrate their files, apps, and settings can purchase a copy of Windows 7, upgrade their current installation, and only then upgrade khổng lồ Windows 10. However, a clean installation will save you time và money and help you start with a fresh installation.
Windows 10 system requirements
Before upgrading, you’ll need lớn ensure your computer is compatible with Windows 10. Here’s the các mục with the minimum hardware requirements:
| Processor | 1GHz or faster CPU or System on a cpu (SoC). |
| RAM | 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit . |
| Hard drive space | Existing installations: 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit.Clean install or new PC: 32GB or larger. |
| Graphics | DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver. |
| Display resolution | 800×600. |
| Networking | Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. |
If your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements, you’ll need to lớn purchase a copy of the OS. You can find Windows 10 home for $139, while Windows 10 Pro costs $199.99, but it includes additional features, such as the ability khổng lồ join your computer to a corporate network, remote desktop, and Hyper-V.
There is no direct nâng cấp path for Windows Vista (or the much older Windows XP) lớn Windows 10. As such, you’ll be doing a clean installation of the operating system, which will wipe your computer clean, deleting your files, apps, và settings khổng lồ start from scratch again.
How to lớn create a full backup on Windows XP or Vista
Before moving forward with the upgrade, you want lớn back up your files lớn an external drive và ensure you have the installation files & product key lớn reinstall any software after the upgrade.
You could also try lớn make a full backup, but Windows XP or Windows Vista don’t feature a “reliable” backup tool. However, you could try third-party software, such as Macrium Reflect. It costs a little bit of money, but having a backup will ensure you can go back if anything goes wrong.
How to lớn upgrade Windows XP or Vista lớn Windows 10
You cannot use the media Creation Tool on Windows Vista or XP to download and create a bootable media. This means that you’ll have khổng lồ use another computer running Windows 7/8.1/10 for the installation truyền thông media creation, or you’ll need a third-party tool such as Rufus to lớn create a USB bootable truyền thông with the Windows 10 ISO file.
Creating Windows 10 bootable media
To create a USB bootable truyền thông to install Windows 10 to upgrade XP or Vista, use these steps:
Under the “Download” section, click the liên kết to tải về the latest version.
Double-click the executable to launch the tool.
Click the Settings button (third button from the left) a the bottom of the page.
Under the “Settings” section, use the “Check for updates” drop-down menu và select the Daily option.
Click the Close button.
Click the Close button again to close the app.
Reopen the Rufus tool.
Under the “Device” section, use the drop-down menu, và select the USB flash drive to create the bootable media.
Quick tip: You will need lớn connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB of storage to download the install files to upgrade lớn Windows XP or Windows Vista. You may need to lớn restart the tool if you do not see the device on the list.
Under the “Boot selection” section, use the drop-down menu and select the Disk or ISO image option.
Click the down arrow button on the right và select the Download option.
Select the Windows 10 option.
Click the Continue button.
Under the “Release” section, select the latest version of Windows 10 khổng lồ download.
Click the Continue button for the “Edition” setting.
Select the language for the installation.
Click the Continue button.
Select the operating system architecture (x64 or x86). (If the XP or Vista device supports it, you should select the x64 option.)
Click the Download button.
Select the location lớn save the Windows 10 ISO automatically.
Continue with the default settings after the download.
Click the Start button.
Click the OK button to confirm the deletion of the USB flash drive data.
Once you complete the steps, you can proceed with the clean installation of Windows 10.
Clean installation of Windows 10
To upgrade khổng lồ Windows 10 from Windows XP or Windows Vista using a clean installation, use these steps:
Important: Before you can boot from the USB media, you may need khổng lồ update your device BIOS settings khổng lồ start from USB. This process usually requires pressing one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the ESC, or the Delete key. For more accurate instructions, visit your PC manufacturer’s support website.
Press any key lớn continue.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install now button.
Confirm the sản phẩm key to lớn activate Windows 10 as you nâng cấp from Windows XP or Vista & click the Next button.
Select the edition of “Windows 10” that your license key activates (if applicable).
Check the “I accept the license terms” option.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option khổng lồ perform a clean install.
Select each partition in the hard drive you want lớn install Windows 10 and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains Windows Vista or XP thiết lập files.)
Warning: Deleting a partition also deletes all data on the drive. Also, it is not required khổng lồ delete the partitions from a secondary hard drive.
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to lớn install Windows 10.
Click the Next button.
Select your region setting after the installation on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE).
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you vì not need khổng lồ configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to lớn the network using an Ethernet connection. If you have a wireless connection, you must set up the link manually (a security key may be required).
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 10 Pro. (The “Home” edition does not have this option.)
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email, phone number, or Skype identification lớn create an account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the “Create a PIN” button.
Create a new pin password.
Click the OK button.
Confirm the privacy settings best suit your needs by turning on or off the toggle switch for each option.
Click the Accept button.
(Optional) On the “Customize your device” page, select one or more ways you plan khổng lồ use the device lớn allow the thiết đặt to suggest tools and services customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button lớn continue. Or click the Skip button lớn skip this part of the setup.
Click the “No, thanks” button khổng lồ skip linking your phone to lớn your PC. (You can always bởi vì this from the Settings app.)
Click the Next button to lớn allow OneDrive to lớn automatically upload your Desktop, Pictures, and Documents folders lớn the cloud. Or click the “Only save files to this PC” option khổng lồ skip this step.
Click the “No, thanks” button to skip the Microsoft 365 setup.
Click the Decline button to lớn skip the OneDrive storage offer.
Click the “No Thanks” button lớn skip the trò chơi Pass offer.
Click the “Not now” button lớn disable Cortana.
After Windows 10 is completely installed, you’ll be presented with the new desktop & all the new features. At this time, it’s a good idea to go lớn Windows Update using the Settings tiện ích to kiểm tra for updates. Also, go lớn Device Manager to confirm if the computer hardware is working correctly & you don’t need to reinstall any driver.
Finally, install the applications you used on your previous installation và restore your files from the backup.
