How to upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1

To upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, open the Media Creation Tool, select “Upgrade this PC now,” and click Install.
You can also download and mount the Windows 10 ISO file to Windows 8.1 to proceed with the upgrade process.
Although files and apps will be preserved, you still want to create a backup of your computer.
You will also need a new Windows 10 product key since you can no longer use the Windows 8.1 product key.

UPDATED 1/3/2026: Windows 8.1 support ended on January 10, 2023, which means you should upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible. Fortunately, you can upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 without losing your files and apps using the Media Creation Tool or an ISO file, both of which are also available for upgrading Windows 7 machines. However, you must ensure that the hardware meets the minimum requirements.

Before proceeding with the upgrade, it’s recommended that you uninstall any software (such as antivirus or security software, or legacy third-party apps) that may prevent a successful upgrade to Windows 10. In addition, disconnect any peripherals (including printers, phones, cameras, external hard drives, and other USB devices). Sometimes, this can be the reason why your system fails during the upgrade.

Also, the upgrade can fail, so you should create a full backup to roll back if anything goes wrong. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 include the System Image Backup tool to back up your entire computer, so you don’t need third-party solutions.

In this guide, I will walk you through upgrading from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, minimizing the risk of issues during the process.

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 from Media Creation Tool
Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 from ISO file

Important: These instructions have been revised, and they still apply in 2026. However, remember that support for Windows 10 also ended in October 2025. You can continue using the operating system if you enroll the device in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, but it’s recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 instead.

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 from Media Creation Tool

To easily upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, use these steps:

Open the Microsoft website.
Under the “Create Windows 10 installation media” section, click the Download Now button.
Double-click the MediaCreationTool22H2.exe to launch the Windows 10 setup wizard.
Click Accept to the licensing agreement.
Select the “Upgrade this PC now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button again.
(Optional) Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the “Keep personal files and apps” option. Alternatively, you can click the “Change what to keep” option to upgrade without preserving your files and apps (if applicable).
Click the Install button.

Once you complete the steps, you will have to complete the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to finish setting up your preferences. Then, you’ll see your familiar desktop and every new feature that is included with Windows 10.

Upgrade Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 from ISO file

To upgrade to Windows 10 from an ISO file, use these steps:

Download the Windows 10 ISO without using the Media Creation Tool.
Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option.
Select the virtual drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup.exe file to begin the Windows 10 installation.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button again.
(Optional) Click the “Change what to keep” option.
Select the “Keep personal files and apps” option. Alternatively, you can click the “Change what to keep” option to upgrade without preserving your files and apps (if applicable).
Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the computer running Windows 8.1 will upgrade to the latest release of Windows 10.

Additionally, make sure to use “Device Manager” to check that every piece of hardware is installed correctly on your computer, and reinstall your antivirus and any other software you uninstalled before the upgrade.

Windows 10 hardware requirements

To install Windows 10, the device must meet the minimum system requirements:

Processor: 1GHz or faster processor or SoC.
RAM: 1GB for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS and 20GB for 64-bit OS.
Graphics Card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
Display: 1024×600.

On Windows 8.1, you can check the system specifications with the Settings app and use the “PC info” option. You also need to be running the Windows 8.1 Update release, identified as KB2919355.

Microsoft no longer supports using a Windows 8.1 or 7 product key to activate Windows 10, so you’ll need to purchase a new license after the upgrade.

You can also upgrade to Windows 10 by performing a clean installation and then restoring the files from a backup.

Update January 3, 2026: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.