Forum Discussion
garland
Nov 13, 2025Iron Contributor
Can I upgrade my windows 8.1 to windows 10 for free?
It seems Windows 8.1 is too old to run modern apps. This causes issues frequently and I need to upgrade to Windows 10 as it is much better based on the observation of my colleague's Windows 10 comput...
IndigoRiver
Nov 13, 2025Iron Contributor
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Windows 10 Installation Assistant to upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10:
Step 1: Check System Compatibility
Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 10:
- 1 GHz or faster processor
- 2 GB RAM (for 64-bit)
- 20 GB free disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- Most Windows 8.1 PCs are compatible, but it's good to double-check.
Step 2: Download the Windows 10 Installation Assistant
Step 3: Run the Media Creation Tool
- Launch the Media Creation Tool.
- Accept the license terms.
- Select Upgrade this PC now and click Next.
- The tool will start downloading Windows 10 and prepare the upgrade.
Step 4: Follow On-Screen Instructions
- The tool will check for updates, download necessary files, and then prepare the upgrade.
- Follow prompts to proceed.
- When asked, choose to Keep personal files and apps (recommended) or customize your installation as needed.
Step 5: Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10
- The PC will restart and go through the Windows 10 installation process.
- It may restart multiple times.
- Once finished, you'll be prompted to set up Windows 10.
Step 6: Verify the Upgrade
- After setup, go to Settings > System > About to check that Windows 10 is installed.
- Update drivers if needed via Windows Update.