The only legal way to get a completely free copy of Windows 7 is by transferring a licence from another Windows 7 PC for which you didn't pay a penny - perhaps one that's been passed on to you from a friend or relative or one you've picked up from Freecycle, for example. If you’re still unsure about the merits of Windows 10, then it’s worth checking out our Windows 7 Vs Windows 10 comparison review to see whether now might be the time to make the change. Regardless of what you may have heard, Windows 7 isn't like Windows 10, which is available as a free upgrade until summer 2016. Neither should you be fooled by the suspicious sites that claim to offer a free download for Windows 7 - even if you can get the software for free, you will still need an activation code to use it.
Read our Windows 10 review.Īs with all software programs, there are ways to get hold of the installation files free, such as through illegal file-sharing sites like The Pirate Bay. We won't advocate going down that path, however.
Windows 7 may be getting a little long in the tooth now, but it’s still an excellent operating system with legions of fans, many of whom aren't ready for Windows 10 or even Windows 8 just yet.
