Windows 10 Upgrade Instructions for Sony VAIO PCs

Hello Sony VAIO® PC Users!

We are pleased to provide you with these upgrade instructions for the Windows® 10 operating system. Please read and follow these instructions carefully, to start enjoying Windows 10 on your Sony VAIO PC.

Things to know before you upgrade:

• Click here for the list of applications that may not function as usual or will be removed upon installation of Windows 10 and using the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade tool.

Perform the upgrade:

• Step 1 - Prepare your PC before installing Windows 10
• Step 2 - Begin the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade process
• Step 3 - Install the Windows 10 Operating System
• Step 4 - Install drivers, applications and utilities on your PC after installing Windows 10

Step 1 - Prepare your PC before Installing Windows 10

1. Make sure your Sony VAIO PC is supported for Windows 10. If you have not already done so, go to our Windows 10 Upgrade page to check your model number.
   
   The system will tell you whether or not your model is supported for Windows 10 and, if it is supported, present you with options to get Windows 10 drivers, applications and utilities.
   
   IMPORTANT:
   • Any files presented for download on the Drivers & Software page for your model are also available through the VAIO Update tool installed on your PC.
   • If you download your files from this web site, make sure you copy them onto external media, such as a USB Flash drive or CD/DVD discs, for use during the installation process.


2. Disconnect 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. Make sure you have Recovery Media for your PC model. (Strongly Recommended)
   1. Recovery media is part of the recommended process to perform the upgrade installation
   2. 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 using the File History feature. (Strongly Recommended)
   1. This enables you to recover your personal data in case of loss
   2. How to set up and use the File History feature to automatically backup personal data files.
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 install all the latest VAIO software to your PC.
9. Launch Windows Update and install all the latest updates 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.
11. Confirm Hard Disk / SSD available space
    1. You need at least 20GB of available space on your hard disk or SSD
       1. The required disk space may differ based on your PC configuration.
    2. How to increase disk space:
       1. Remove unnecessary files from the hard drive using the Disk Cleanup utility.

Step 2 - Begin the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade Process

1. Download and run the VAIO Update for Windows 10 Upgrade Tool - VUforWin10_1Upg_a.exe (3.00MB).
2. At the message VAIO Update is running in OS Upgrade Mode, click OK.
3. Click on Software Update and confirm all the listed items are checked, then click Update. This step will ensure you have all the latest VAIO software before upgrading to Windows 10.
4. At the message, 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. At the message Windows 10 Upgrade preparation completed. Please upgrade to Windows 10, click OK.
6. Your Sony VAIO PC will restart automatically.
7. When the message VAIO Update (OS Upgrade Mode) confirmation of successful installation appears, click OK.
8. Your Sony VAIO PC is now ready to upgrade to Windows 10.

Step 3 - Install the Windows 10 Operating System

Step 4 - 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
   1. VAIO Update (OS Upgrade Mode) will start up automatically after the system restarts.
   2. Click Software Update and confirm all of the items are checked, and then click Update.
   3. At the message, 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.
   4. Once all the updated software has successfully been installed, a VAIO Update is leaving "OS Upgrade Mode" message will appear. Click OK.
   5. Your VAIO system will restart automatically.
   6. After the system has restarted and boots to the Desktop, a message VAIO Update confirmation of successful installation message will appear. Click OK.
2. Run VAIO Update again by clicking on Software Updates and install the latest VAIO software for Windows 10.
• Note: In case you need to re-download a file later, the files installed through the VAIO Update tool in this step are the same files that are presented on the Drivers & Software page for your model for Windows 10.
3. Launch Windows Update and install any updates to make sure your PC has all the latest Microsoft OS updates for Windows 10.

Congratulations, you have successfully upgraded to Windows 10 with the latest Sony and Microsoft updates.

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 because you may not be able to reinstall them.