Buying Win 10 upgrade online

Wondering what to look for when buying software upgrade from W7 to W10 on a certain best-known website that rhymes with flea bay.  There are so many that are confusing or misleading, looking like the real thing but just a "how to" or something with no product key.

 

There are DVDs,flash drives, digital downloads, etc. etc..  Some claim to be "full retail" others are "reinstall," "upgrade disks" or " "bootable flash drive no key" etc.

 

I'm looking for a legal full version with a product key and whatever else I need for installing a trouble-free W10 system.  Probably pro version but only because my other versions of W10 and W7 in other computers occasionally lack a feature.

 

Which is question #2:  in ordinary everyday use, do the differences between W10 Home and Pro matter?

Thx.

 

 

Edit:  I should say that I have the same concerns about stuff online that is not on flea bay.  It is very confusing and no one wants to begin installing something that does not load properly or leaves you without a license or whatever will be needed to reinstall, upgrade, or get support and updates in the future. 

 

How do you reinstall when you buy something that is just a digital download?  Can you even create a backup disk that could it be trusted to do the job several years down the road when desperately needed?  I would not expect to be able to locate the seller at that point and obtain something for reinstalling, whereas an old original installation disk would probably be able to do the job.

Edited by !@@**##, 26 December 2023 - 02:34 PM.

Hi:

Alas, you're a few months too late. For several years, MS offered a FREE legal upgrade from 7 to 10.
They finally closed that pathway a couple of months ago. My only advice re: purchasing a Win 10 license - especially from eBay and similar sites - is "buyer beware". If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Re: HOME vs. PRO, here are some explanations from reputable sources:

https://www.lifewire.com/windows-10-home-vs-pro-4177144

https://www.howtogeek.com/871831/windows-10-home-vs-pro/

For me, I've ALWAYS used Pro/Ultimate/Enterprise SKUs on all Windows version for home & work, primarily to have the Group Policy editor in order to have granular control over Windows Updates and certain other features. But the choice depends on your personal computing needs and practices.

Update

See here for a great deal:

https://deals.bleepingcomputer.com/sales/microsoft-windows-10-pro

(I have no financial interest in this deal - mentioned for information only, "as is")

Hi, again:

It's getting a bit confusing, because your edits are asking several new questions.

But TMALSS, you're buying a Windows LICENSE.
You will obtain the OS itself - for free - by downloading it from MS (not from the company selling you the license).
Once you install Windows 10, you will activate the license via MS activation servers.
Windows CDs and DVDs we got years ago with new, name-brand computers are a thing of the past.

This tutorial, among others, explains the basic upgrade procedure:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/139745-upgrade-windows-10-windows-7-free.html

You certainly can (& should) create a repair disc or "rescue media" at some point. But this is usually done with a USB flash drive these days, not CDs or DVDs.

HTH

This topic came up in August, I did upgrade for free from windows 7 to 10, did this on several computers, no problem. Here is link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10%20

The legal, free upgrade path was closed by MS in late September.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/its-official-no-more-free-windows-10-upgrades/
(And many articles just like it)

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/139745-upgrade-windows-10-windows-7-free.html