Report abuse. Hi, Once a Windows key is used on a certain machine, it will be permanent on that specific machine. Windows 8.1 can no longer be used to upgrade your computer to Windows 10. The Windows 10 free upgrade through the Get Windows 10 (GWX) app ended on July 29, 2016. Creating an installation media is only allowed once you already have Once you’ve got that confirmed, head over to the Windows 10 software download page. When you’re there, download and open the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and select the option to “Upgrade Level 22. 11-04-2021 09:21 AM. OK, so what I would do is to upgrade now to W10 on the mechanical hard drive. That way it is activated with a digital license. Then you can clean install W10 for free on the new SSD. To clean install W10, you will have to select the edition of W10 that you upgraded to (probably W10 Home). 1. Some people report they don't get the free upgrade and want to reinstall 7, 8, or 8.1 depending what you attempted to upgrade from.. 2. If you don't do the system checks and 10 is incompatible with your device and it becomes inoperable. These are quite good programs to use for Complete PC Backup and are 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 Microsoft says Windows 10 users can still upgrade to Windows 11 for free—at least, if their Windows 10 PCs meet Microsoft’s relatively stringent system requirements for Windows 11. If you are upgrading to 10 at least make a system image backup for two reasons. 1. Some people report they don't get the free upgrade and want to reinstall 7. 2. If you don't do the system checks and 10 is incompatible with your device and it becomes inoperable. Officially you can either keep your files and let Windows make a standard upgrade or you can choose a clean install. The second one creates a "windows.old" folder on your hard disk drive. It will contain all your user files, program files, etc. Furthermore, if you simply upgrade, Windows 10 will try reinstall your softwares' Windows 10 Perform the upgrade: Step 1 - Prepare your PC before installing Windows 10. Step 2 - Confirm available space. Step 3 - Begin the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade process. Step 4 - Install the Windows 10 Operating System. Step 5 - Install drivers, applications and utilities on your PC after installing Windows 10. If you still have a product key from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. All you need to do is download the Windows Media Creation Tool to get started. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and select Run. You need to be signed in as an administrator to do so. From the License Terms page, select Accept . Ov86h.