Windows 10 Upgrade Instructions for Sony VAIO PCs

Below are the steps for the Windows 10 upgrade process for VAIO PCs

Step 1 - Prepare your PC before installing Windows 10
Step 2 - Download a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft
Step 3 - Begin the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade process
Step 4 - Install the Windows 10 Operating System
Step 5 - Install drivers, applications and utilities on your PC after installing Windows 10

IMPORTANT: If you have installed Windows 10 before reading this article, you can revert back to your previous Windows OS by looking at the following article: How to go back to a previous version of Windows after Windows 10 has been installed .

Step 1 - Prepare your PC before installing Windows 10

1. Make sure your Sony VAIO PC is supported for Windows 10. Click here and go to the model selector to see if your system is supported.
   
   Please ensure your operating system is updated to Windows 8.1 - click here for update instructions.
   
2. Remove any third party devices and peripheral equipment connected to your PC.
   
3. Make sure your PC is plugged into a working power outlet using the Sony AC adapter. Do not use battery power while performing this process.
   
4. Create Recovery Media (Strongly Recommended)
   a. Recovery media is part of the recommended process to perform the upgrade install.
   b. Recovery media also enables you to return your PC back to the original OS if necessary.
   • Create recovery media
   • Purchase recovery media
     
     
5. Perform a backup of your data.
   
   IMPORTANT: If you back up your files, make sure you copy them onto external media, such as a USB Flash drive or CD/DVD discs, for use during the installation process.
   
   
6. Make sure you have the Product Keys for any of your software that requires one for installation (example: Norton Anti-Virus, Kaspersky, Microsoft Office).
   
7. Connect your PC to the Internet either via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
   
8. Launch "VAIO Update" and this will install the latest VAIO software to your PC.
   
9. Launch "Windows Update" to make sure your PC has all the latest Microsoft OS updates.
   
10. Launch your anti-virus software and check if it needs to be updated prior to upgrading to Windows 10. Your anti-virus software might be uninstalled during the Windows 10 upgrade process if it has not been updated to the latest version. Please visit your anti-virus software vendor's web site to confirm.

Step 2 - Download a copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft

1. Confirm Hard Disk / SSD available space:
   NOTE: You need at least 20 GB of available space on your hard disk or SSD. The required disk space may differ based on your PC configuration.
   
2. Use the "Get Windows 10" app to reserve and download the Windows 10 upgrade.
   a. Click on the Windows icon on the lower right side of your PC task bar to check for the upgrade availability and to reserve your copy.
   
   b. If the Windows icon does not appear on the lower right side of your PC task bar, you can go to the Windows 10 support page and select "Upgrade to Windows 10" icon to download and run Microsoft's tool.
   
   c. If you cannot confirm the availability of the Windows 10 upgrade, please visit Microsoft's website for support:
   i. Windows 10 Support
   ii. Windows 10 Q&A
   
3. If your PC qualifies for the Windows 10 upgrade, reserve your copy of Windows 10 and it will automatically be downloaded in the background. It may take several hours to days or even weeks to complete the download before Microsoft notifies you that the installation is ready.
   
4. Once the download has completed, a pop-up notification will appear stating "Your copy of Windows 10 is ready to install!" You can also confirm the download has completed by launching the "Get Windows 10" app and seeing the "OK, let's continue" button.
   
   IMPORTANT: Do not begin the installation process of the Windows 10 operating system as we have to do some additional steps. The installation process of Windows 10 will be explained in a later step.

Step 3 - Begin the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade Process

1. Download and run the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade tool - VUforWin10_2Upg.exe.
   
2. [VAIO Update is running in "OS Upgrade Mode"] dialog appears, click [OK].
   
3. Click on [Software Update] and confirm all the listed items are checked, click [Update]. This step will insure you have all the latest VAIO software before upgrading to Windows 10.
   
4. VAIO Update dialog will appear, "An update program or software requires a shutdown or restart after installation. This may affect other software that is running or waiting to run. Do you want to start the installation?", click [Yes].
   
5. [Windows 10 Upgrade preparation completed. Please upgrade to Windows 10] dialog appears, click [OK].
   
6. Your Sony VAIO PC will reboot automatically.
   
7. VAIO Update (OS Upgrade Mode) confirmation of successful installation will appear, click [OK].
   
8. Your Sony VAIO PC is now ready to upgrade to Windows 10.

Step 4 - Install the Windows 10 Operating System

1. Launch the "Get Windows 10" app and click on [OK, let's continue] or launch "Windows Update" and click [Get started] to begin the installation of the Windows 10 Operating System.
   Please refer to Microsoft's website for additional information.
   
2. Microsoft's License Agreement window will appear, click [Accept].
   
3. On the next screen, you will have the option to "Schedule it for later" or "Start upgrade now", click on [Start upgrade now] to continue.
   
4. This will begin the Windows 10 installation process which may take a while as it progresses through 3 different phases of copying files, applying Windows and configuring settings.
   
5. Once installation has been completed, you will get to the "Hi there, welcome back!" screen, click [Next].
   
6. On the "Get going fast" screen, it will explain some of the new features in Windows 10. You can either customise your settings or simply click [Use Express settings] to continue.
   
7. "New apps for the new Windows" screen will appear where you can change your default apps for Photos, Music, Microsoft Edge and Movies and TV or simply click [Next] to continue.
   
8. The installation process will continue and finalise your settings. Your system will restart and boot into the Windows 10 desktop. Installation of the Windows 10 operating system is now complete, but you still need to install updated drivers, applications and utilities for Windows 10.

Step 5 - Install drivers, applications and utilities on your PC after installing Windows 10

1. Once you have successfully installed Windows 10, you can begin to install updated VAIO software and drivers.
   a. VAIO Update (OS Upgrade Mode) starts up automatically after the system reboots.
   b. Click [Software Update] and confirm all of the items are checked, click [Update].
   c. VAIO Update dialog will appear, "An update program or software requires a shutdown or restart after installation. This may affect other software that is running or waiting to run. Do you want to start the installation?", click [Yes].
   d. Once all the updated software has successfully been installed, "VAIO Update is leaving "OS Upgrade Mode" message will appear, click [OK].
   e. Your VAIO system will reboot automatically.
   f. After the system has rebooted and boots to the Desktop, VAIO Update confirmation of successful installation window will appear, click [OK].
   
2. Run "VAIO Update" again by clicking on [Software Updates] and install the latest VAIO software to your VAIO for Windows 10.
   
3. Launch "Windows Update" to make sure your PC has all the latest Microsoft OS updates for Windows 10.

NOTES:

• Sony has confirmed the Windows 10 upgrade process after performing a full system recovery of the VAIO factory image.
• Several Sony exclusive store applications might not be able to be installed from the Windows Store on Windows 10 due to a Windows Store limitation . If you are using any Sony apps from the Windows Store, it is recommended not to uninstall these applications as you may not be able to reinstall them.