Upgrading Windows

I have an Acer laptop PC that is at least nine years old but it works perfectly well. In fact it works very well. The only problem with it is that its version of Windows (XP) is no longer supported by Microsoft. I would like recommendations, with reasons, as to which version of Windows I should update it to. I cannot decide between 7 or 8.1. My preference would be 7 because I liked it and found it very stable. However, I do not know for how much longer Windows 7 will be supported by Microsoft.

I do not want to pay a large sum to upgrade the PC's version of Windows. Is it possible to upgrade to either of the two versions in which I am interested free from Microsoft? I am in the UK and state this because I know different options are provided by Microsoft in different countries.

 

It wont be possible to upgrade it higher than Vista but whatever you do you need to search for and run the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor Tool.
There is NO free upgrade at all anywhere, including here in the UK.
Only Linux is free.

Vista Upgrade Advisor Tools
Win 7 Upgrade Advisor Tool

You definitely couldn't upgrade to Win 8.1 and I doubt you could to Win 7 but those tools above will tell you.

NB: Regarding your malware forum thread - read these threads about MalwareBytes and Advanced System Care:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index....ivirus-prevents-download.316151/#post-1989842
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/index.php?threads/advanced-system-care-and-malwarebytes.316180/

 

My wife uses a Medion I bought in Dec 1996, originally with XP Media Centre. It has been successively upgraded to Vista HP 32 bit, Win 7 HP 32 bit, and currently to Win 10 Pro 32 bit. All versions have run without significant issues so I'm not sure how Max can be so definite about what is and what is not possible. The upgrade advisors are certainly helpful up to a point but I wouldn't accept them as being definitive. This doesn't help you much I'm afraid as in my opinion only a test install of a version will comprehensively answer your question and that requires an installation file or DVD and a licence key. My hunch is that Win 7 would probably be OK and it is supported until Jan 2020 so if you could find a cheap one on an auction site you might consider it worth a try. 8.1 and 10 are more likely to present problems so although it has worked for us it may not for you.

 

@Earthling
If someone is PAYING to buy a new Microsoft OS Licence Key, then using the Upgrade Advisor Tools - which I have linked to - is sensible advice or it could be money down the drain..
Also read Microsoft's OWN ADVICE about checking that carefully before opting to try and upgrade.
A 'test install' can't even be done without a PAID FOR key.

 

I meant to add Mark that it would be worth checking the Acer support site to see what, if any, drivers are available for that machine post-XP.

 

Sorry I only just noticed that odd date. XP wasn't released for retail sale until October 2001. It's development only commenced in 1999.

 

Sorry - mental aberration. S/b Dec 2006. Came with a free Vista upgrade in Jan 2007.

 

An upgrade to Vista is definitely technically possible but since Vista was as crap as Windows 2000 and ME it would really be money down the drain.

 

My Dell Precision M70 came with XP Pro SP3. I tried Win Vista, 7 and 8.1. Win 7 was a problem with device drivers but Vista worked and 8.1 hums along just fine. I tried Win 10 on it too but, that ran at a snail's pace.

My suggestion for your Acer would be 8.1.

 

Windows 8.1 can be installed and tested without a key. There will be a "Water Mark" in the lower right of the Desktop though. If mark59 likes the way 8.1 runs on his Acer, he can then purchase and enter a Key. He can get an ISO for free from MS by using the Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool or the Microsoft Windows ISO Download Tool from MajorGeeks.

Some people, for whatever reason, wish to continue to use their existing equipment (like outdoorgal and her 17" Toshiba laptop for one). I'm going to continue using my Latitude E6400 (ca. 2005) until it can no longer be repaired — it still works great even under Win 10.

 

There are upgrade advisor tools for all the OSs Vista through to 8.
All is academic until they are run.

 

I, like Earthling, don't trust those "Advisors". They've said my machines aren't capable of running the OSes but, they do — without issue. Microsoft is neither God nor Gospel.

 

Earthling never actually said that. But then if it really is possible to genuinely test all these Operating Systems for FREE the OP can do that. Give the OP the links to them.

 

Download tool for all iso files from Windows 7
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_windows_iso_download_tool.html

 

If you read it, that tool doesn't work on any OS before Win 7. The OP would have to use it only on their Win 10 system. But they could use it to create a USB drive (or burn a bootable DVD if they manage to resolve their DVD problem).

 

Or, on a friends system- Max-

The links are for all the iso's which can be downloaded (using one's intuition........) I simply supplied the links.
Also Windows 7 can be installed without a key- just skip putting one in, - and tried for up to 30 days-Saving buying a key until needed.

All make sense.

 

If you read my post more carefully that refers to it, and the posts of the OP, they have a Win 10 system as well as this XP. So no need for a 'friend'

 

I have, and did, Max - I did even look at the post about the other system with the dvd problem, through the profile, before posting.
Nit picking again , Max- You are becoming a bore.

 

You didn't need to read the OP's other threads. Just this post of mine.
I was just letting the OP know they couldn't use this XP system with that tool.

 

mark59 - I hope some of this banter was helpful- and helping you in your decision on what to do.
My apologies for some side tracking-

I don't think it is in anyone's interest to say any more