Upgrade your laptop from a 7th to a 10th model.
Upgrade your laptop from a 7th to a 10th model.
So my stepdad's laptop is finally ready for a 10 upgrade because seven updates are missing. Usually I’d perform a clean boot and back up my important files, but since he’s quite... selective about changes, it’ll be tricky for him. I’m considering a free upgrade path anyway. I just need some confirmation: most apps like Firefox, Google Earth, and others still function with their settings intact. His bookmarks and auto-login features should remain. After the upgrade, will files and folders on his desktop stay visible or disappear? I’m planning to use Macrium Reflect to create a backup, but maybe ask someone who’s done it before for advice.
I upgraded numerous devices using software from Microsoft's website and experienced no issues. Occasionally, some unexpected programs might be removed, but overall there were no problems. Just remember to consider an SSD later or add more storage if your device has 4 GB.
I think you’re using that USB installation tool. He just searches the internet and already has an SSD ready—perfect for his laptop. Just hope Firefox and other programs keep his preferences in mind, since I don’t remember them well and I’m not sure he really cares... (that’s the thing I keep telling myself to remember your passwords)
It's crucial to know that the SSD uses MBR, not GPT, and it runs a legacy BIOS. For the upgrade, you should select the legacy option in the boot menu—it matters whether you choose it or UEFI.
You've just upgraded to Windows 10 without any problems. It seems the update stripped out three features: Microsoft Security Essentials (now handled by Defender), Intel WiDi (the wireless adapter that often comes with a dongle or laptop), and the Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller. I don’t know the purpose of these components, but they were present before. Let me know if you need help understanding their role or why they might have been removed.