

- GET WINDOWS 8 SERIAL NUMBER FROM OLD HARD DRIVE HOW TO
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(Though some older computers were eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 7, and some Windows 8 computers were sold downgraded to Windows 7 because of Windows 8’s significant user interface changes.) Windows 7 PCs were typically sold between 20, and Windows 8 PCs were sold mostly between 20. PCs running Windows 7 and Windows 8 are a little harder, but not impossible, to repurpose.

GET WINDOWS 8 SERIAL NUMBER FROM OLD HARD DRIVE INSTALL
Older Windows 7 and Windows 8 PCs: install Windows 10 But that has risks, so we recommend reading this guide from Ars Technica to decide if you want to upgrade or if you’d rather just keep using Windows 10.
GET WINDOWS 8 SERIAL NUMBER FROM OLD HARD DRIVE PC
If the PC Health Check app says your laptop isn’t supported, you may still be able to upgrade to Windows 11 depending on how exactly your laptop falls short of the requirements. If it isn’t, then you need to follow Microsoft’s instructions on this page to either download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or create a bootable flash drive to install from. If the option to upgrade is available in Windows Update, do that it’s the quickest and easiest option. If your laptop is supported, you have a few different ways to upgrade to Windows 11. Most laptops sold after late 2017-with an 8th-generation or newer Intel Core processor or an AMD Ryzen 3000-series or newer processor-should support the latest version of Windows.

First, download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to see if your laptop is officially supported. The next step is to upgrade to Windows 11 if you’re able. Memory installation is one of the easier DIY computer upgrades, so if you can’t bring your computer to a professional to install the memory for you, try looking up instructions on iFixit, searching for “ memory upgrade,” or following Crucial’s generalized instructions. Our guide to solid-state drives (SSDs) has advice on replacing a slow spinning hard drive. Use the Crucial System Advisor to find extra memory that’s compatible with your system we recommend 8 GB for new computers (for most people). After that, it’s safe to go online and start downloading whatever apps you need to use.įour- or five-year-old computers may be worth upgrading if they feel a bit slow but you want to keep using them. Wait for the reset process to complete, then install all Windows updates-this step may take two or three reboots depending on how long your PC has been out of commission.
GET WINDOWS 8 SERIAL NUMBER FROM OLD HARD DRIVE HOW TO
Microsoft has a page walking you through how to reset Windows 10. 1 A computer that has been off the grid for even a year or two will be missing all kinds of security and application updates, and one that was used for a few years before being put away might have strange software-configuration problems that are more trouble than they’re worth to track down. The best way to make a computer of this vintage feel new again is to totally reset Windows, which wipes all files and applications from the operating system and returns it to a like-new state. Microsoft still supports the operating system with security updates, and apps and web browsers like Chrome run without complaint. Windows 10 PCs: reset and start freshĬomputers running Windows 10-that is, most laptops sold between late 20-are fairly easy to get up and running if they have no major hardware problems.
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If you do have an old computer collecting dust but don’t know how old it is, do a Google search for the manufacturer name plus “serial number lookup.” The manufacturer’s support site may let you enter the serial number (often in the fine print somewhere on the computer) and show you its model name and number, when it was made, and what operating system was originally installed on it. We’ll go through a few different scenarios-the newer the computer you’re trying to revive, the easier it will be to reuse, but even eight- or nine-year-old computers can be useful if you’re just trying to get by. We’ll walk you through updating an old computer that has been sitting in a closet for years, and we have advice on how to shop for a decent laptop even if you can’t find our picks in stock anywhere. Whether you need a computer for your child to use for schoolwork and distance learning, entertainment, or a combination of both, or you want to save some cash and keep a laptop out of a landfill by resurrecting an old one, you have a few options. New laptops have been in short supply, and prices have steadily risen over the past couple years due to a combination of increased demand, supply-chain issues, and inflation.
