If it still performs ok, then you might be ok simply upgrading to Windows 10. If a Windows 7 driver exists for your particular model, it should work in Windows 10. It’s worth checking online to see if there’s any information about their compatibility with Windows 10. There’s no guarantee that all your programs will be compatible with the new version of Windows, nor your old peripherals – specifically printers and scanners. Then and only then can you begin the actual installation of Windows 10. If you keep your e-mail inbox or any archives, be sure to back these up as well, and export Internet bookmarks and other settings that you want to keep. If you have misplaced the keys, use a free program such as Magical Jellybean Keyfinder to search the Windows registry for these codes, and then write them down. Here’s how to install Windows 10 on a PC or laptop running Windows XP.īefore you begin you will need to copy everything you want to keep to an external hard drive, USB flash drive or a cloud storage service such as Dropbox or OneDrive.Īlso, find your software installation discs and licence keys. So, it is possible to install Windows 10 on an old PC, but it’s not as convenient as upgrading and keeping your files, apps and settings. Essentially, you have to wipe your hard disk and start from scratch. Sadly, it’s not possible to do an ‘in-place’ upgrade as you can with Windows 7 and 8. If there’s a program you can only run in XP, then you can create a virtual machine in Windows 10 and run Windows XP, and your legacy program, in that instead. You can’t use Google Chrome on XP now, either. There are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t run Windows XP: it’s no longer supported and could be vulnerable to hackers and viruses. If you have a machine that’s over seven years old, it may be a better idea to save the money on a Windows 10 licence (and an SSD) and put the cash towards a new laptop or PC. Solid-state drives are much, much faster than traditional hard disks and can give a new lease of life to a PC you thought was destined for the scrap heap.

Starting from a clean hard disk means there’s no build-up of programs that start with Windows, slowing it down and using up precious memory.Īnother great upgrade for an older PC or laptop is an SSD. You’ll be surprised at how much your computer appears to speed up when you install Windows fresh. There are also cheaper ways to get Windows 10. However, if you don’t mind waiting for delivery, you can buy Windows 10 Home from Amazon for £68.

Windows 10 Home costs €149.99 from Microsoft. It isn’t a limitation of Windows 10 but of XP: even if you wanted to upgrade to Windows 7 from XP you’d have to wipe your hard disk and start again. You’ll have to do a clean installation as there’s no way to upgrade and keep your files, settings and programs. However, if you can’t afford that, you might be able to install Windows 10.

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