Re: Microsoft Surface
I haven't any experience of going from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 on a Surface but have done it on an HP laptop computer. This was after the 'free upgrade' period was over too but it still installed and activated OK. I don't think the procedure would be much different on a Surface computer. The
Microsoft site says it all about updating but it is a bit more involved now that the 'free update' period is over. All I can do is put it in other terms.
The official free upgrade offer ended in July 2016 and the files that made the update possible by clicking the update option on the computer disappeared at about that time. However, it still could be installed freely after that date using Microsoft's '
Media Creation Tool'. Although this way was supposed to have stopped working at the end of last year, I read an article dated April 15th 2018 that said it still works. However, another dated 23 days ago says it doesn't, so it seems you would have to buy a new Windows 10 licence to activate the system.
If you decide to go ahead with the update anyway, it would be good to have the Windows 8.1 key written down on paper (just in case it works), plus your Microsoft account number. Also, it would be best to do your back-ups before starting.
A sticking point could be that the hardware and/or installed software might not be suitable for Windows 10. That's something else that would need looking into.
Staying with Windows 8.1 seems a lot easier if it is running OK but if you decide to go ahead and install Windows 10, a way of proceeding is to download the
Media Creation Tool to a USB stick, boot up from it and follow the upgrade instructions. Here's how to boot the Surface from the 'Media Creation Tool'. It's not your exact model but the method should still apply:
https://www.cocosenor.com/articles/s...usb-drive.html
Firstly however, you could try running the 'Update Assistant' (located in Microsoft's Media Creation Tool page) to see if that will let the update go ahead. Clicking the button downloads a small program that, when run, should let you know if the computer is compatible with Windows 10. If all is found to be OK, it will download the update and install it. More about that here:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/window...rade-assistant
It will hopefully also inform you if a new license is needed.
Another point is the length of time the download and installation of the update can take. This depends on a number of factors. These being:
* The speed of your Internet connection.
* The specifications of the Surface.
* The speed at which the Microsoft server delivers the update.
* How busy the Internet backbone is.
Just be aware that the update will most likely take many hours and the computer can appear to be doing nothing for long periods of time. Don't be tempted to turn off or restart it thinking that the procedure has hung or gone wrong. I most likely hasn't. Keep the charger plugged into the Surface while the procedure is going on.