How to force start Windows 10 free upgrade

The final version of the much publicized Windows 10 has been out for quite some time now with more than 270 million active devices are already using the redesigned operating system from Microsoft. The three major reasons Microsoft gives for you to upgrade to the latest windows version are:

1. That it is easy to use and familiar. It brings back the "Start Button" which omission in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 respectively were considered as a major blunder by many tech analysts.
2. It boots fast, resumes fast, and comes with more security features built-in to protect you from viruses, malware, and phishing attacks.
3. Windows 10 also features innovations like the all new Microsoft Edge browser, features that makes it easy for you to stay organised and work fast and great apps like photo editors, cortana (your personal assistant), maps and music and an improved app store.

The software giant brought smiles to the faces of millions of computer users around the globe when it announced that getting Windows 10 is not only via purchasing a new computer or purchasing an OS, but via a FREE upgrade from select older operating systems as well. The free Windows 10 upgrade offer is not for ever however, as it ends on July 29th, 2016. The upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. The free offer is available for qualified and genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices. This means that if you are using a machine with a genuine Windows software you are good to go.

But a challenge many windows users are facing is the long wait for the phased roll-out of Windows 10. If you have not received any notice to upgrade or schedule an upgrade, all hope is not lost as you can force your windows to download and install the upgrade. 

Windows 10 Upgrade App

Alternatively, you can download the free Windows 10 upgrade guide app by visiting the Microsoft website, run it and follow the onscreen walk-through. If it fails, like mine did, you may reschedule for download at a later date. You can still force upgrade as we shall see in a moment.

How to force start Windows 10 Upgrade

If you have not received the FREE Windows 10 upgrade notice or if you encountered errors or long download waiting time if you downloaded the upgrade app from Microsoft website and are requested to reschedule, you can upgrade easily by following the steps below:

1. Turn off automatic windows update
2. Navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download, delete all its content
3. Run cmd.exe in administrator mode. If you are using windows 8 or 8.1, right-click on the start button and click on "Command Prompt (Admin)

   

   Note the highlighted start button and command prompt option 
4. Once the command prompt instance is running, type the following command "wuauclt.exe /updatenow" but do not hit "enter" just yet.

   

   Type the update command but do not strike "enter" key

5. Go back to windows update option and turn it back on, setting it to check for and install updates automatically.
6. While it is running, return to the command prompt window and press the "enter" key.

If all steps, above, are followed, you should see windows update downloading Windows 10 setup files. You windows should display the window similar to this screenshot I took at the time of writing this post.

Windows 10 Downloading after steps executed

Heads up, back up your files before any major system change. Microsoft stated that the update size is 3GB. But a look at the image above shows 5,712.1MB (5GB+). You may refrain from cancelling if you do not mind the size. The reason for that is because the file size includes some necessary files for older versions deleted when you emptied the content of the "SoftwareDistribution". If there was a way of identifying the core files not to be deleted, I guess that will go a long way to reduce the required download size. Once update download is complete setup and installation will commence if all goes as planned. Your machine will be running Windows 10 on you next boot.

A word of caution
Neither Microsoft nor the author of this blog will be held liable for any damage to you device or loss of data. Microsoft recommendation is implicit in their decision for users to wait for their scheduled update/upgrade schedule. Hence, we strongly recommend that, if you are not a risk taker or if you are not willing to take responsibility on any unforeseen event, do wait for a notice from Microsoft. However, a scan across the web, you will find that, alongside failed stories many have succeeded in migrating from older windows version to Windows 10. The above worked for me after giving it a shot.

Once download is complete, you should see the "download ready" screen notification.

Installation ready screen as displayed by windows update

Installation ready screen as displayed by windows update app

You then proceed to either schedule installation for later or immediately. See other screenshots of the successful installation of Windows 10 on my HP machine.

My desktop

My system info

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