Upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 10 or 8.1?

I couldn't do anything because no website or action works because of outdated Internet Explorer. I went to Hewlett-Packard community and was able to get help from there. I'm running Firefox now and maybe I will try Windows 7 but I would rather try Linux. Thanks anyway.

Hello Killmenow50

     Sorry, but you cannot preform a straight upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. You will need to install Windows 7 first, then you can upgrade. Besides, you computer may be to old for Windows 8.1/10 because Windows Vista was released in 2007 while Windows 8.1 was released in 2013, and Windows 10 was released in 2015. That is a 8 year difference.

read my earlier reply:

Follow these steps before you buy and Upgrade (clean install) to Windows 8.1; extended support ends January 10, 2023 .

Microsoft no longer sells 8/8.1.

Try amazon.com, etc.

This is a HP Pavillion Desktop not a laptop. It is model #a6700y. If I am able to bring this back to factory settings but HP no longer supported drivers for any version (7,8 or 10) then this computer would be useless, correct? i dont think they support 10 for this model but possibly 7, I would need to contact HP which is not that easy by the way. Its hard to connect to some of the links you sent me. i think its because of the outdated IE.  Thanks once again.

If you pay for 7 and then try for a free upgrade to 10 you may not get it as that offer expired in 2016.

And 10 is cheaper than 7 to buy.

But check everything first::

It depends on the hardware requirements of later operating systems and also whether the computer/laptop manufacturer supports and supplies drivers for the later operating systems as to whether it is possible or feasible to upgrade or not.

There is no free upgrade from Vista to 7, 8.1 or 10.

Follow these steps before you buy Windows 7; extended support Windows 7 SP1 until January 14, 2020 .

Microsoft no longer sells 7; try amazon.com.

Go to your Computer / Laptop Manufacturer's website and see if Windows 7 Drivers are available for your Make and Model Computer / Laptop.

If not available, Windows 7 will not work correctly for you.

Run the "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor"

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

Check to see if your System Specifications are compatible for Windows 7:

"Windows 7 system requirements"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements

Windows 7 Upgrade paths:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd772579(v=ws.10).aspx

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Follow these steps before you buy and Upgrade (clean install) to Windows 8.1; extended support ends January 10, 2023 .

Microsoft no longer sells 8/8.1.

Try amazon.com, etc.

Check to see if your Computer/Laptop Manufacturer has Windows 8.1 Drivers available for your Model.

If not available, Windows 8.1 will not install and work correctly for you.

"Windows 8.1 system requirements"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/system-requirements

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How to buy Windows 10:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en\_US/cat/Windows/categoryID.70036700

But first make sure that you have the correct system requirements and that your Computer Manufacturer supplies the correct Drivers for 10.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/windows-10-specifications#sysreqs

"Windows 10 System Requirements"

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3884/windows-10-system-requirements

"Windows 10 FAQs"

http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/windows-10-faq

"How to Clean Install Windows 10"

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

Cheers.

Thank you for your response. I have to get a hold of Hewlett Packard to see about windows 10 compatibility. How can I do a clean install of my system running Vista? I want to remove all files and go back to factory settings.I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do or what  I want to do. The system came preinstalled with Windows Vista. Thanks again for your help.