Windows 8 > 10

[Kilage]

I have a friend that lives about 5000 miles away and she wants windows 10 on her laptop. It currently has windows 8 (gross). She knows absolutely nothing about computers. Would it be as easy as hopping on teamviewer, putting in a windows 10 key instead of 8, and letting it update? Or would I have to make a win10 usb and all that?

[Lurick]

There are a few options but I think the easiest would be to download the latest Windows 10 boot media and update with that and just select keep all files during the process and it will upgrade from 8 to 10

[Kilage]

4 minutes ago, Lurick said:

There are a few options but I think the easiest would be to download the latest Windows 10 boot media and update with that and just select keep all files during the process and it will upgrade from 8 to 10

Would she need to make a USB? Or can she just download and mount the iso? I've only ever installed via usb so idk lol

[5x5]

2 minutes ago, Kilage said:

Would she need to make a USB? Or can she just download and mount the iso? I've only ever installed via usb so idk lol

Yes. You are highly advised to use a bootable USB drive. Else she will be screaming at you cause her laptop is constantly blur screening and is generally unusable

[samcool55]

6 minutes ago, Kilage said:

Would she need to make a USB? Or can she just download and mount the iso? I've only ever installed via usb so idk lol

I haven't done it but it seems like you don't because you do it on the same pc. There is an option that says "upgrade this PC" and that doesn't require a usb or cd.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Seems as easy as downloading the tool, telling it you want to upgrade the system and off you go!

 

Just, PLEASE, make a backup,

[5x5]

2 minutes ago, samcool55 said:

I haven't done it but it seems like you don't because you do it on the same pc. There is an option that says "upgrade this PC" and that doesn't require a usb or cd.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Seems as easy as downloading the tool, telling it you want to upgrade the system and off you go!

 

Just, PLEASE, make a backup,

That usually results in massive issues - blue screens, freezes, driver crashes. It's a really bad idea to use the windows in-OS tool

[samcool55]

5 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

That usually results in massive issues - blue screens, freezes, driver crashes. It's a really bad idea to use the windows in-OS tool

I dunno tho, issues are usually only the case when you change an already installed OS from an intel-based system to an amd-based system or the other way round.

The OS itself in this case is a fresh install in this case with new drivers and everything. Apart from maybe a few outdated programs breaking I don't see anything that could cause problems here.

[5x5]

Just now, samcool55 said:

I dunno tho, issues are usually only the case when you change an already installed OS from an intel-based system to an amd-based system or the other way round.

The OS itself in this case is a fresh install in this case with new drivers and everything. Apart from maybe a few outdated programs breaking I don't see anything that could cause problems here.

Have tried, ended up reinstalling both times. The system becomes basically unusable

[GoodBytes]

1 hour ago, Kilage said:

Would she need to make a USB? Or can she just download and mount the iso? I've only ever installed via usb so idk lol

You do not need a USB flash drive. It is called an in-place upgrade, which your setup supports.

The only issue is that you are taking all past issues or simply system tweaks software with you under Windows 10, which may cause other issues.

• Select corrupt system files or registry, can break the upgrade process from being successful.
• Registry issues can be carried over.
• If the system had a virus or malware, some of the changes they have done to the system (remember that the anti-virus/malware is all about prevention. It can remove an infection if it failed to early detect, and got executed, but it won't fix modified system files and registry changes. So, some of those might be carried over.
• If the system has a third party anti-virus solution, and it has been fully updated, some of them, under specific versions, have been identified to cause issues with the upgrade process, and end up with a corrupted install. It is best to remove all security software before upgrading, and re-install them after upgrading them (if the user still wants them).
• If the user has a Start Menu replacement program, issues can occur during the upgrade process, depending on the the version and which program was used.
• Fragmented HDD will be even more fragmented after the upgrade. This will seriously impact the experience. A simple defrag won't do. You'll need to defrag and have the files physically sorted on the drive, at the very least by access time so that the drive head doesn't need to move all over the place to read all the different files for when loading the OS or programs. Not as perfect as a clean install, but the closest you can get. If the system has  an SSD, then this issue is non-existing. From experience, this process typically takes 8h-12h (all depending on how much data is on the system.. it can be 5h if there is little data). So definitely an overnight, keep the system awake, situation. (and hope the drive is in good shape to not crash after being under intense load for the duration)

My suggestion, if you go remote, is

1. Remote all junk software/bloatware, any additional software that is not needed under Windows 10, if any.
2. Do a virus and malware scan, and clean all junk. Make sure the system is clean, including Temp folders, browser cache, etc. Empty recycling bin (all these this will help accelerate step 3). you can keep web browser cookies.
3. If the system is on an HDD: If the system isn't crazy fragmented, and doesn't have much data, do a simple defrag. Windows utility will do a fine job. If not, then you may be potentially looking at doing a deep defrag as noted in my last point after you upgrade to Windows 10. If the system is on SSD, then there is nothing to do.
4. If the system is all clean, backup all critical information in the case something goes wrong. Pictures, Documents, etc. Do this, in the case the drive fails during the process due to bad luck. Never hurts, in any case.
5. If the system is on wireless, make sure you have the wireless connection name and its password, in the case you need the person to enter again to go back online and so you can connect again.
6. Perform the in-place upgrade with Media Creation Tools.
7. Help her get started with the wizard. Don't assume settings for her. If it is a laptop, then maybe she wants location service for a "Find my PC" protection, weather and news.
8. Make sure everything works. Including playing videos, DVD's and Blue-Ray (if the person does use this feature) and so on.