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title, manager, ms.author, description, ms.prod, ms.localizationpriority, author, ms.topic, ms.collection
| title | manager | ms.author | description | ms.prod | ms.localizationpriority | author | ms.topic | ms.collection |
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| Windows 10 upgrade paths (Windows 10) | dougeby | aaroncz | You can upgrade to Windows 10 from a previous version of Windows if the upgrade path is supported. | w10 | medium | aczechowski | article | highpri |
Windows 10 upgrade paths
Applies to
- Windows 10
Upgrade paths
This topic provides a summary of available upgrade paths to Windows 10. You can upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or a later operating system. This includes upgrading from one release of Windows 10 to later release of Windows 10. Migrating from one edition of Windows 10 to a different edition of the same release is also supported.
If you are also migrating to a different edition of Windows, see Windows 10 edition upgrade. Methods and supported paths are described on this page to change the edition of Windows. These methods require that you input a license or product key for the new Windows edition prior to starting the upgrade process. Edition downgrade is also supported for some paths, but please note that applications and settings are not maintained when the Windows edition is downgraded.
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Windows 10 version upgrade: You can directly upgrade any General Availability Channel version of Windows 10 to a newer, supported General Availability Channel version of Windows 10, even if it involves skipping versions. Work with your account representative if your current version of Windows is out of support. See the Windows lifecycle fact sheet for availability and service information.
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In-place upgrade from Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 General Availability Channel to Windows 10 LTSC is not supported. Windows 10 LTSC 2015 did not block this in-place upgrade path. This issue was corrected in the Windows 10 LTSC 2016 release, which only allows data-only and clean install options.
You can upgrade from Windows 10 LTSC to Windows 10 General Availability Channel, provided that you upgrade to the same or a newer build version. For example, Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB can be upgraded to Windows 10 Enterprise version 1607 or later. Upgrade is supported using the in-place upgrade process (using Windows setup). You will need to use the Product Key switch if you want to keep your apps. If you don't use the switch, the option Keep personal files and apps option is grayed out. The command line would be
setup.exe /pkey xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx, using your relevant Windows 10 GA Channel product key. For example, if using a KMS, the command line would besetup.exe /pkey NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43. -
Windows N/KN: Windows "N" and "KN" SKUs (editions without media-related functionality) follow the same upgrade paths shown below. If the pre-upgrade and post-upgrade editions are not the same type (e.g. Windows 8.1 Pro N to Windows 10 Pro), personal data will be kept but applications and settings will be removed during the upgrade process.
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Windows 8.0: You cannot upgrade directly from Windows 8.0 to Windows 10. To upgrade from Windows 8.0, you must first install the Windows 8.1 update.
Windows 10
✔ = Full upgrade is supported including personal data, settings, and applications.
D = Edition downgrade; personal data is maintained, applications and settings are removed.
| Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro Education | Windows 10 Education | Windows 10 Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Pro | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Education | D | ||||
| Enterprise | ✔ |
Windows 8.1
✔ = Full upgrade is supported including personal data, settings, and applications.
D = Edition downgrade; personal data is maintained, applications and settings are removed.
| Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro Education | Windows 10 Education | Windows 10 Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Core) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Connected | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pro | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pro Student | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pro WMC | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Enterprise | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Embedded Industry | ✔ |
Windows 7
✔ = Full upgrade is supported including personal data, settings, and applications.
D = Edition downgrade; personal data is maintained, applications and settings are removed.
| Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro Education | Windows 10 Education | Windows 10 Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Home Basic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Home Premium | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Professional | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ultimate | D | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Enterprise | ✔ | ✔ |
Related Topics
Windows 10 deployment scenarios