Need advice upgrading from, WIN 7 PRO OEM (64bit) to WIN 11 PR0, or HOME?

[PP Mguire]

HHMMMM let us know how you get on with that OP because I tried it that way and it failed although I will freely admit that it could well have been my fault. I cannot try it again as I binned that Win 7 pc when I failed to upgrade it.

That method isn't meant for Windows 7, there's a second tab for Win 7 or older.
I don't use this method for anything less than Win 10 or Server 2019 anyways. Way simpler to just use something with Dazloader built in for the older stuff except XP which just uses a corp key.

 

[rivrbyte]

HELLO ALL....Again!
About ten years ago, (2014) I posted several posts regarding a second build from WIN 7 OEM , with a MSI P35 Platinum, (2007) which I changed out, a years later with my current, MSI B85-G41 PC MATE MOBO. Now that I had missed the opportunity to have Microsoft help me get the free upgrades to WIN 10, I was in and out of the hospital with multiple surgeries, when this was going on, with a rare carcinoid tumor cancer. When I was ready to Upgrade, unfortunately, Microsoft had their retail versions @ $199.00. I am now, very low-income, a lot older now, and re-building a system just seems too daunting for me, but since Spectrum does not support Win 7, I am stuck having to do this upgrade, while suffering around the clock, with my associated cancer nausea.
Yesterday, I went to Micro Center, to ask the "tech guys," if I could use my present specs, to upgrade to WIN 11, One guy said, he thought so, but was not sure, and anther said YES, but I had to include a security protocol, and I could go to Microsoft, and be able to get a FREE VERSION? Really?
PC World, a year or two ago, said that anyone could get the free upgrade, but I missed that too!
All day today, I unplugged all cords, took my Cooler Master case outside, opened one side, (the side with the CPU, Mobo) used canned air, and blew out all of the accumulated dust. I was able to make sure the Mobo was indeed, the MSI B85-G41 PC MATE.
My version of WIN 7 PRO IS A OEM, so would I have any issues with that?
With me now much older, more sicker that I've ever been, I seriously do not think that I would still have it in me, to attempt all that is required to set up a new O.S., with me with being older, and not as quick as I used to be, afraid I may miss something in updating the new WIN 11 drivers, firmware, taking a ISO image of a boot drive to do the new install?...You see? This will be crazy, if I can actually do this.
Now that I still have the following, ATX Case, MSI B85-G41 PC MATE MOBO, PSU 700w, INTEL i7 4770 CPU, more fans (5)....IT'S A BIG CASE. Total Memory 16384 MB, 27" Viewsonic Monitor, GeForce GTX-750, Internal HDD's - (1) Samsung Solid State/250GB......(2) Western Digital/2TB....External HDD's
(3) Seagate 3TB.....(4) Western Digital 250GB.......(5) Seagate 1TB Portable Back-Up hard drive, so plenty of room.

......CAN ANYONE WITH CERTAINLY, ADVISE ME ON WHAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO, TO BE ABLE TO UPGRADE.
JUST THINKING ABOUT LOCATING, SAVING, ALL THE WIN 11 DRIVERS, HARDWARE AND FIRMWARE IS A BIG JOB IN ITSELF!
IF, the consensus is, to have to upgrade my CPU, and/or the RAM, which is, 16 MB Kit, (Ballistix-Crucial) DDR3-1600 (PC-12800) then I will have no choice. maybe, Micro Center or the Geeks @ Best Buy, can do anything to help complete this build for me, without paying them an arm, and a face! I feel, (I hope) that this will be far cheaper to have someone else to the upgrade, IF WARRANTED, and since I already have the majority of things needed, it would be cheaper, that the $1,500, that I spent the last time, replacing all the aforementioned hardware.

That would be a huge relief, just to have WIN 11. I've used PRO all these many years, so I'm not sure if the HOME version would suit me, OR, it's back to the PRO version. I used to do a lot of high end graphics, Photoshop, Illustrator, Video editing, Music Files, but not as much these days, but would still want this, just in case, this is needed in the future.
I've said this before on my last post here, back in 2014.....How can I have a huge headache, when I have no brains!!!
I added a few photos of my system.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to reply.
Thank You, All! I greatly Appreciated!

Okay big post with a lot of waffle which someone else can deal with. Bottom line is that The Win7 to Win 11 automatic upgrade finished a long time ago so you will probably have to buy a licence. As for drivers if you have a fairly modern computer then Win 11 will put the vast majority of the drivers in. They may not be the best, although I haven't had any problems with the generic drivers, otherwise you will have to get the drivers from the appropriate web sites. Of course if your computer is as ancient as a Windows 7 machine then the appropriate drivers may not be available from the various web sites.

Thanks Pete, Yes, at my old age, I do seem to waffle alot. I have received many ways to do this, some tell me I can upgrade to 11, from 7, but Microsoft site stated that I can not upgrade unless it is a 8th i8, GEN CPU, which to me sounds daunting, as I really do not feel like going through all the motions of a new MoBo, etc. I need to find out if my MSI MoBo could work along with a new i8 processor, install all drivers, firmware, hardware, and call it a day. I am 70, and not as keen, as most of you are in here, I need this process to be easy, or I may just give up and buy another Desktop. Thanks.

 

[tehnokraat]

Thanks Pete, Yes, at my old age, I do seem to waffle alot. I have received many ways to do this, some tell me I can upgrade to 11, from 7, but Microsoft site stated that I can not upgrade unless it is a 8th i8, GEN CPU, which to me sounds daunting, as I really do not feel like going through all the motions of a new MoBo, etc. I need to find out if my MSI MoBo could work along with a new i8 processor, install all drivers, firmware, hardware, and call it a day. I am 70, and not as keen, as most of you are in here, I need this process to be easy, or I may just give up and buy another Desktop. Thanks.

There are several issues why you can't upgrade this computer to Windows 11, while you can upgrade it to Windows 10, but it will only get one year security updates. The license is not a problem, you don't actually have to buy it, there are other (alternative methods) completely legal options to activate Windows 10 and also Windows 11.
With this motherboard, upgrading to a compatible processor is not possible. It means you need to replace the entire motherboard, which basically means a new computer.
If You'll install Windows 10, you'll get one more year to think abot the future. I think, this time may be enough to find any good option.

 

[PP Mguire]

Thanks Pete, Yes, at my old age, I do seem to waffle alot. I have received many ways to do this, some tell me I can upgrade to 11, from 7, but Microsoft site stated that I can not upgrade unless it is a 8th i8, GEN CPU, which to me sounds daunting, as I really do not feel like going through all the motions of a new MoBo, etc. I need to find out if my MSI MoBo could work along with a new i8 processor, install all drivers, firmware, hardware, and call it a day. I am 70, and not as keen, as most of you are in here, I need this process to be easy, or I may just give up and buy another Desktop. Thanks.

Follow my advice and you don't have to change anything. The most work is following a Youtube video or guide to use Rufus outside of getting an 8GB or larger flash drive.

 

[DeanBowden]

Thanks for sharing this thread here. I already upgraded my windows from 7 to 10 a long ago. The first time, it looked uneasy to use but right now it seems good to use. And now I am getting automatic windows updates. Now I am happy with everything now. Good day!