It is also a good idea to uninstall any security software (such as antivirus, security tools, and old third-party programs) that may prevent the successful upgrade to Windows 10. In addition, you want to ensure that the “Windows 7 Service Pack 1” is installed on the computer. However, before proceeding, you must confirm the hardware is compatible, purchase a Windows 10 (if applicable) license, and create a backup to roll back in case something goes wrong. You can quickly perform this task with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool, available for Windows 7 and 8.1. UPDATED : Using the in-place upgrade option, you can upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 without losing your files and erasing everything on the hard drive.