Windows anytime upgrade win 10

Windows Anytime Upgrade is a utility that facilitated upgrades across successive editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Even though Windows Anytime Upgrade was discontinued on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.x, it is still possible to use the tool to activate or initiate existing WAU upgrade keys and discs that were purchased prior to the discontinuation of the tool.

History[edit | edit source]

Windows Vista[edit | edit source]

A user interface prototype for Windows Activation included in Windows Longhorn build 4093 contains a page where the user would have been able to buy a product key online for the current or a higher edition, however, the ability to upgrade across editions hasn’t actually been implemented before the development reset. The first build known to include Windows Anytime Upgrade is Windows Vista build 5219.

All editions of Windows Vista (excluding Enterprise) were stored on the same retail and OEM optical media and they both contained a license key for the edition purchased that determined which edition was eligible for installation. Users could purchase a digital license from an online merchant and use it to initiate the upgrade through components stored on the hard drive by the OEM of the computer, through an Anytime Upgrade DVD supplied by the OEM, or through retail installation media that was compatible with Windows Anytime Upgrade. It also provided an option for users to purchase an DVD online containing the upgrade if none of these options were available.

Microsoft also released retail packaging for Windows Anytime Upgrade alongside the launch of Windows Vista that initially only included a upgrade license but was later modified in May 2007 to include both a DVD and a license. Microsoft would later cease digital license distribution on 20 February 2008 in an effort to streamline the upgrade process and after that date, users were required to purchase the aforementioned retail packaging in order to use Windows Anytime Upgrade and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 would later remove the option to purchase a license online.

Windows Anytime Upgrade performs a full reinstallation of the new edition while retaining the user’s data, programs and settings and can take a considerable amount of time, up to a few hours due to the components for the upgraded editions being only pre-installed on the upgrade disc.

Support for Windows Anytime Upgrade on Windows Vista was discontinued with the release of Windows 7 in October 2009.

Windows 7[edit | edit source]

In Windows 7, Microsoft made changes to Windows Anytime Upgrade to reduce the time to upgrade by pre-installing the components for the upgraded editions in the operating system and it no longer required physical media or additional software and instead, it required the user to purchase a license online for the edition that the user wanted to upgrade to.

Microsoft also released Anytime Upgrade packaging for Windows 7 at retail and unlike the ones produced for Windows Vista, the packaging only included the license for the edition to be upgraded.

Support for Windows Anytime Upgrade on Windows 7 was discontinued on 31 October 2015.^[1]

Windows 8.x[edit | edit source]

In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, the feature was re-branded as Add Features to Windows and was used to purchase an upgrade license for the Pro edition or to add Windows Media Center to an existing Pro installation. Support for Windows Anytime Upgrade on Windows 8.x was discontinued on 31 October 2015.^[2]

Windows 10 and later[edit | edit source]

Windows Anytime Upgrade has been deprecated and removed entirely since Windows 10 build 10114 in favor of the Change Product Key utility (changepk.exe).

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Windows Vista[edit | edit source]

• Icon

• Get started

• Comparison Matrix

• Upgrade to…

• Get started (SP1)

Windows 7[edit | edit source]

• Get started

• Product key

• Verifying key

• License terms

• Confirm upgrade

• Upgrading

• Upgrade was successful

Windows 8[edit | edit source]

• Get started

• Product key

• Ready to add features

• Adding features

• You’re all done

References[edit | edit source]

Does Windows Anytime Upgrade Still Work?

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020 We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft. Windows Anytime Upgrade is no longer available for online purchase in your country or region.

Windows Anytime Upgrade is included in Windows 7 to allow users to upgrade to Windows 7 editions. In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 it was rebranded as Add Features to Windows and was used to purchase an upgrade license for the Pro edition or to add Windows Media Center to an existing Pro installation.

Can you still upgrade to Windows 10 for free?

As a result, you can still upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 and claim a free digital license for the latest Windows 10 version, without being forced to jump through any hoops.

What is Windows Anytime Upgrade Key?

A Windows Anytime Upgrade only includes a product key and nothing else and can only be used to upgrade an existing edition of Windows 7 to a higher edition, example Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate.

Will upgrading to Windows 10 delete my files?

Programs and files will be removed: If you are running XP or Vista, then upgrading your computer to Windows 10 will remove all of your programs, settings and files. Then, after the upgrade is done, you will be able to restore your programs and files on Windows 10.

How much does it cost to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10?

If you have an older PC or laptop still running Windows 7, you can buy the Windows 10 Home operating system on Microsoft’s website for $139 (£120, AU$225). But you don’t necessarily have to shell out the cash: A free upgrade offer from Microsoft that technically ended in 2016 still works for many people.

What is the cost of Windows 10 operating system?

You can choose from three versions of the Windows 10 operating system. Windows 10 Home costs $139 and is suited for a home computer or gaming. Windows 10 Pro costs $199.99 and is suited for businesses or large enterprises.

What are the basics of Windows?

Windows is an operating system designed by Microsoft. The operating system is what allows you to use a computer. Windows comes preloaded on most new personal computers (PCs), which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Can Windows 7 be upgraded to Windows 10?

Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users ended a few years ago, but you can still technically upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge. It’s also really simple for anyone to upgrade from Windows 7, especially as support ends for the operating system today.

How do I check my computer for Windows 10 compatibility?

Step 1: Right-click the Get Windows 10 icon (on the right side of the taskbar) and then click “Check your upgrade status.” Step 2: In the Get Windows 10 app, click the hamburger menu, which looks like a stack of three lines (labeled 1 in the screenshot below) and then click “Check your PC” (2).

Can I upgrade to Windows 11 for free?

On any PC with a properly licensed copy of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 will be free.

Where can I download Windows 10 for free full version?

Windows 10 full version free download Open your browser and navigate to insider.windows.com. Click on Get Started. If you want to get a copy of Windows 10 for PC, click on PC; if you want to get a copy of Windows 10 for mobile devices, click on Phone. You will get a page titled “Is it right for me?”.

What is an upgrade key?

The upgrade key is an internally generated key1 (stored as upgrade_key in the setup information file “. smw. json”) to make a setup (or installation) comparable with a previous instance of the software.

How do I get Windows Anytime Upgrade?

To do this, do the following: Click on Start, and then right-click on Computer and select “Properties” Click on: “Get more features with a new edition of Windows 7”. Click on “Enter an upgrade key” At the upgrade key screen, enter your Windows Anytime Upgrade Key and click Next.

Will there be a Windows 11?

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11, the next major software update, which will be coming to all compatible PCs later this year. Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11, the next major software update that will be coming to all compatible PCs later this year.

Does upgrading to Windows 10 slow down my computer?

Several recent Windows 10 updates are seriously impacting the speeds of PCs they are installed on. According to Windows Latest, Windows 10 updates KB4535996, KB4540673 and KB4551762 could all make your PC slower to boot.

Can you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing files?

You can upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing your files and erasing everything on the hard drive using the in-place upgrade option. It is also recommended to uninstall any software (such as antivirus, security tool, and old third-party programs) that may prevent the successful upgrade to Windows 10.

Will upgrading to Windows 11 delete my files?

If I upgrade to Windows 11, what will happen to my files? By default, all your files and data will transfer. However, we recommend backing up your files before installation.6 days ago.

Can I download Windows 10 on an old computer?

Yes, Windows 10 runs great on old hardware.

Does Windows 10 have better performance than Windows 7?

Synthetic benchmarks like Cinebench R15 and Futuremark PCMark 7 show Windows 10 consistently faster than Windows 8.1, which was faster than Windows 7. Performance in specific applications, such as Photoshop and Chrome browser performance were also a bit slower in Windows 10.

How does Windows 10 differ from Windows 7?

Windows 10’s Aero Snap makes working with multiple windows open much more effective than Windows 7, upping productivity. Windows 10 also offers extras like tablet mode and touchscreen optimization, but if you are using a PC from the Windows 7 era, chances are these features won’t be applicable to your hardware.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows Anytime Upgrade (Add Features to Windows) was a service by Microsoft introduced in Windows Vista that facilitated upgrades across successive editions of Windows Vista.^[1] Prices for upgrades purchased through Windows Anytime Upgrade were lower than prices for upgrades purchased at retail.^[2][3]
Windows Anytime Upgrade is included in Windows 7 to allow users to upgrade to Windows 7 editions. In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 it was rebranded as Add Features to Windows and was used to purchase an upgrade license for the Pro edition or to add Windows Media Center to an existing Pro installation. Support for this feature was discontinued on October 31, 2015.^[4]

Windows Anytime Upgrade was in development prior to the development reset of Windows Vista, then known by its codename «Longhorn.» A preliminary version of the feature can be seen in build 4093.

On February 26, 2006, Microsoft announced the editions of Windows Vista to be released to retail and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).^[5][6] After this announcement, various technology-related outlets reported that Anytime Upgrade would enable users to upgrade to successive editions.^[1][7][8]

All editions of Windows Vista (excluding Enterprise) are stored on the same retail and OEM optical media—a license key for the edition purchased determines which edition is eligible for installation.^[9] When first announced, Anytime Upgrade enabled users to purchase a digital license from an online merchant to upgrade their edition of Windows Vista. Once a license had been purchased, a user’s product license, billing and other information would be stored within a user’s digital locker at the Windows Marketplace digital distribution platform; this would allow a user to retain this information at an off-site location for reference purposes and to reinstall the operating system, if necessary.^[10] A user could then initiate an upgrade to the edition for which the license was purchased either through components stored on the hard drive by the OEM of the personal computer, through an Anytime Upgrade DVD supplied by the OEM, or through retail installation media compatible with Anytime Upgrade.^[11] If none of these options were available, Anytime Upgrade provided an option for a user to purchase a DVD online and have it delivered by mail.^[2][3]

Microsoft also released retail packaging for Anytime Upgrade. The retail products were made available during the consumer launch of Windows Vista on January 30, 2007.^[10] The initial version of these products included only an upgrade license, but this was later modified in May 2007 to include both a DVD and a product license.^[12] In an effort to streamline the upgrade process, Microsoft announced that digital license distribution would cease on February 20, 2008; licenses purchased prior to this date would not be affected. As a result of this change, users would be required to purchase the aforementioned retail packaging in order to use Anytime Upgrade functionality^[2][13] and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 omitted the option to purchase a license online.^[14] DVDs for Anytime Upgrade were only produced for Windows Vista.

Anytime Upgrade in Windows Vista performs a full reinstallation of the new product edition while retaining the user’s data, programs, and settings.^[15] This process can take a considerable amount of time, up to a few hours.^[2]

Anytime Upgrade in Windows 7 no longer performs a full reinstallation of Windows. Components for the upgraded editions are instead pre-installed directly in the operating system; a notable result of this change is that the speed of the upgrade process has been significantly increased. Microsoft stated that an upgrade should take approximately 10 minutes.^[14] Anytime Upgrade also does not require physical media or additional software.^[16][15] Instead, Windows 7 requires a user to purchase a license online, in a manner similar to the initial functionality that was later removed from Windows Vista starting with Service Pack 1.^[14] Microsoft would also release Anytime Upgrade packaging for Windows 7 at retail. The packaging, however, would only include a license for the edition to be upgraded, as Anytime Upgrade in the operating system does not require physical media.^[17]

In Windows 8, the process has changed. Users will need to go to the Control Panel and search for Add Features to Windows. In Windows 10, this is located in Settings > System > About > Change Product Key or Upgrade Your Version of Windows.

This process works the same way as in Windows 7, with a few exceptions:

• If a user purchases a new PC with Windows 8 or later preinstalled, and then the user upgrades that PC with a Windows 8 Pro Pack, Windows 8 Media Center Pack, a volume license edition, or a retail edition, he/she will no longer be able to install apps that are provided exclusively from the OEM through the Microsoft Store.
• On Windows 10, when upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Pro or from Home to Pro for Workstations, in addition to the above consequence, the upgraded PC will no longer be supported and is no longer entitled to receive firmware updates from the OEM, even though it will still get Windows operating system updates. Damages that occur due to Windows edition upgrades are not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. However, if the user buys a PC with Windows 10 Pro installed and later upgrades that PC to Pro for Workstations, these consequences do not apply.
• On Samsung Galaxy Book devices starting with the Galaxy Book 4, there is an exception. Like with many other Samsung Galaxy devices, Samsung runs a Knox verification scan to check for a signature match on all operating system elements before booting in the main operating system. If an unauthorized change is detected, even in a Windows edition upgrade (Home to Pro), the eFuse is tripped and the device status changes from Official to Custom. This is because newer Galaxy Books run the custom One UI Book skin instead of stock Windows. When this happens, any warranties and Samsung Care plans associated with the device are void, and some Samsung apps may not work as expected. Re-imaging the device using recovery tools will not revert the eFuse state.

When first announced, Anytime Upgrade was available in the United States, Canada, EMEA, European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan, with Microsoft stating that availability of the program would expand after launch of Windows Vista.^[11] English version retail packaging for Anytime Upgrade was made available at the consumer launch of Windows Vista for North America and Asia-Pacific regions.^[12]

In 2009, Ars Technica reported that Anytime Upgrade retail packaging for Windows 7 may only have been available in regions without broadband Internet access or where retail packaging was ineligible to be offered.^[17] Anytime Upgrade was available for Windows 7 in select regions.^[18]

• Windows Easy Transfer
• Windows Vista editions
• Windows Ultimate Extras
• Windows 7 editions