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The final days have come! At least that is the feeling users of older Windows version get when they see the Windows 10 countdown. With a little flair for the dramatic, Microsoft uses it to signal that the free Windows 10 upgrade will soon be history. But the question is: Who's really running out of time here since many users (including many of you!) vehemently refuse to upgrade - often with good reason? Maybe the "anniversary update" is reason enough to upgrade at the last minute?
Nothing tastes good if it's force fed
The release of Windows 10 caused a huge uproar and your comments in this blog, among other things, hinted at the various issues that came with it. In early spring, Microsoft disgruntled their user base by having Windows PCs download the upgrade automatically in the background by masking it as an automatic update. Since then, things have quieted down again. Whether this was due to resignation or late insight that this was an inadvisable course of action I cannot say. Today's situation: A meager 360 million devices (includes PCs, tables, cell phones and gaming consoles) are running the new Windows, that figure is way below initial expectations (Microsoft was originally aiming for 1 billion devices). On top of that, there are now a number of programs designed to prevent the installation of Windows 10 at all cost - yes, users were that desperate!
Your horoscope for today: black screen
Many issues still persist and Microsoft isn't solely to blame for that. Various hardware manufacturers have so far been unwilling to update their drivers to comply with Windows 10. This forces many users to either stick to Windows 7 / 8 or buy new hardware. For many older devices (especially notebooks), this is simply not possible or economical. Many programs (including professional applications) are also still incompatible with Windows 10, a core reason why many businesses and government institutions have not made the switch. So the question is no only whether you're willing to upgrade but whether you actually can! The system analysis tool provided by Microsoft proved to be as reliable as a horoscope or a fortune cookie. It essentially comes down to a trial and error approach if you're willing. That wouldn't be so bad if you could easily revert back to your previous system but there have been numerous issues reported concerning the rollback mechanism. Users that didn't perform a system backup prior to their installation attempts where left in the rain with a non-functional system.
The privacy policy hurdle
Aside from the aforementioned issues, the new privacy policy made for emotional discussions. New features such as Cortana led to Windows "phoning home" a lot more, sharing user and privacy-related data with Microsoft. The company must have heard the outcries yet has done very little to sway skeptics. More options for better privacy would have been a surefire hit. Windows 10 itself isn't all that bad (it's been running smoothly for many users) but Microsoft had more than a year to iron out the kinks. Maybe this would have persuaded some users to overlook the missing Media Center, the occasionally annoying Windows Defender or the modified handling. And this time, users cannot simply skip this iteration of Windows since there will be no successor version in the foreseeable future and support for Windows 7 will end in 2020. A three year deadline that many older PCs won't survive anyway, so why switch at all?
Happy birthday!
Microsoft congratulates itself and promises to deliver a big update. We don't know all the details yet but here's what we know so far:
Visuals:
Windows now features a dark skin with bright letters. It looks cool and reminds me of the ill-fated Windows Phone. The start menu has once again seen changes with the list of apps being featured more prominently and slightly shrunken shut down, restart and log off controls. A few fonts have also been modified to make everything appear cleaner. There are now additional settings for more fine-grained control over the look and feel of Windows. Users can apply color accents to individual interface elements such as the window bar instead of the entire window, task bar, start menu or action center.
Features:
Finally, Windows no longer shuts down uncontrollably after updates. This will save you nerves and high-pitched screams. You can now specify an operating time during which the system won't be automatically restarted. A little less patronizing, feels good! If you have the desire and the equipment (digital pen), you can now also paint and write on the screen to your heart's delight. Microsoft has greatly improved support for their Ink technology allowing you to create hand-written notes and paintings in a dedicated working space with ease. The task bar will receive additional features to display action center notifications and the number of pending messages. Once you click the date, you will not only see the traditional calendar but also all scheduled appointments for the day. Notification settings now include the message type (email, Twitter etc.) to filter out unwanted notifications. Nice!
Another enhancement gives me cause for concern: Windows Defender. In the past and even when deactivated, Microsoft's gate keeper service often collided with Kaspersky and other security suites. Now, it is supposed to turn itself on at regular intervals and scan your machine for malware even when other antivirus software is present and active. Time will tell whether this will contribute to more protection or trouble. At least Defender will now be able to launch Windows in a dedicated repair environment to scan for malware more effectively. We'll see.
If you like Messenger, you'll like the new emojis. What leaves me cold may send some users into a frenzy. Cortan a will also be more versatile. If you like talking to your PC, you'll now be able to use her as a DJ, have her search through all of your documents or tell you what's happening on your Windows Phone (if you happen to have one). She will also listen to voice commands on the lock screen - that might irritate a few privacy groups since the system is supposed to be locked. Microsoft Edge will finally be able to do what other browser have been able to do since 2010 - support extensions such as ad blockers or password managers. Welcome to the new decade!
Programs that act up can now be reset to their original post-installation states. That sounds a lot like Android and may turn out to be quite useful. Shame: This only works with Windows Store apps. Another feature known from other systems that has finally arrived on Windows 10: You can now see a detailed view of all past program updates from the Windows Store. Nobody can tell why that feature was missing but now it's coming. Are you a developer? Then and only then will you love the integrated Bash (Bourne-again shell) that has been around on Unix and Linux computers for ages. Microsoft appreciates their nerds!
That and a lot more is in store for you. Convinced? Who of you will upgrade to Windows 10 in the final days of the countdown?
Microsoft just gets worse and worse and becomes more and more arrogant.
as far as i am concerned i still like windows 7 coz its simplistic os like simple os with high credibility so windows 7 should be continued coz i denied the update to win10 many months ago.still win7 rocks for me best windows os ever
I loved doskey (every possible command) = a reboot exe. Ultimate security. The good old days when you had to squeeze that 640 to get ultima 7 to run on a 486 DX. But yo, Eminem is 44.
The old school will remember that we write batch files in Dos to run our programs smoothly. I investigate all Microsoft windows operation systems and find that it still run in DOS 7, they just create new windows as apps, but the core programming still, uses dos batch files and MSDOS. Edit and change it and you can take control of Windows. BUT how many of the younger generation knows how a batch file works? You must be careful edit and safe the new files if you don't know what you are doing. MSDOS rules Microsoft what a shame if you haven't yourself invent DOS yourself!!!!!
C: / dos
C:/dos/run
run/dos/run
:)
Microsoft sucks They offer an upgrade and it does not work will be sticking to windows 7 for now
Not Me...
For me it (W7P SP1 to W10 upgrade) was a co-incidence that I was not prepared for. Ashampoo Uninstaller 5 indicated that there were a few uninstalls that needed cleanup. MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) was one of them. For me, I can't connect to my work network without MSE in place. So when I instructed Ashampoo Uninstaller 5 to cleanup, the MSE got corrupted and after that no matter how much I tried I could not reinstall MSE again. This forced me to do a complete system rebuild from scratch. I first installed W7P SP1 and after that when I tried to download the updates from MS website, I learnt that they have stopped distribution of non-critical updates for W7. This is when I was forced to upgreade to W10. It was a himalayan treck for me. Anyways I wish to tell readers that W10 contains a ton of "telemetry" related things that will spy deeply on everything you do and log it into their support cloud. So please refrain from using Edge or IE11 that is bundled with W10. Also please try to implement some kind of immunization on your W10 so that all "Telemetry" related logging will be curtailed. Unlike earlier, now Patches and Updates are installed when you shutdown the computer and not during startup. However when you power off the monitor will turn off as normal, but the box will continue to work until the patching / updates are done. So you have to keep the box connected and powered on until it shuts down completely. Likewise, after each update / or at regular intervals you should check to see if you are immunization is still in place or not. Because MS can re-enable disabled spying services without warning you. Be extra careful with W10!!!
I was waiting for you to give your insight on the big countdown! I am happy with Win7 after giving Win10 a test drive. Difficult to believe MS is so arrogant to repeatedly stop updates/upgrades from respected software developers. Their latest trick was a slap in the face when MS stopped desktop email. Yet sillier was MS ripping off all but 5 gigs on OneDrive gathered by users over many years. MS said they could not afford to let us have the backup space we earned. However we could always pay a ridiculous price to purchase it from them.
Sven it means a lot to me when companies give rewards to the customer for loyalty. I am happy to tell everyone about a company that listens to its users. We are living in tough economic times for any company such as MS to provoke the customer. MS never listened to any of the suggestions from the users in their forums.
Have a great weekend Sven along with all the people at Ashampoo.
Thank you! It was a wonderful weekend. :)
Tried numerous times to upgrade from Windows 7 but constantly get 'Windows 10 install error C1900101-30018'. I looked it up and if MIcrosoft expect me to, and I quote - remove Graphics Card - Disable USB Devices - ensure I have drivers available for my storage device on a thumb drive etc. etc. and if that doesn't work, I must consider switching to an IDE based hard disk. AND THEN - do a clean boot and try again - and again, if it doesn't work - disconnect the Internet LANor Wi-Fi and proceed. If that doesn't work try using the IOS file to upgrade. Not forgetting that if I am connected to a domain, switch to a local account. After all this I mustn't forget to disconnect all and any external devices attached.
If that lot doesn't work try ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC. it goes on and on and on.
What on earth and who on earth can understand any of that other than a computer expert or a technological genius WHICH CERTAINLY AM NOT - I am a reasonably experienced user and THAT IS ALL.
SO MICROSOFT, IT SEEMS THAT I WILL BE STICKING TO MY WINDOWS 7. THANKS BUT NO THANKS.
I bit the bullet in the last 2 days and tried to update my main computer from windows 7 ultimate after I had upgraded my laptop and my secondary computer previously with a lot of mucking about with several attempts with both. Twice my main computer would get to 76% of the download process over all and 4% of configuring files then it would hang.I had to restart the computer this would lead to the system reverting back to windows 7. It looks like I will be staying with windows 7 for a while on my main computer as the free upgrade has ended.
There will always be a free windows option, as long as it stays a SAAS and has a one time cost, it is as crackable as an android app. Man hours are better spent on exploit prevention and reaction time to said exploits, not DRM. Spotify is Napster in the same way that popcorn flicks is a safe harbour, but not megaupload. The visionaries get rich and infamous, just like every CEO Microsoft ever had. Windows Phone's death and google adds on android today, mark the end of the fair fight. Canary and Java aren't running very well on my WIN 10 insider track...
I was happily running Wn 7, had been for around three years but was constantly being browbeaten into up grading to Win 10 and finally took the plunge.
Win 10 was sort of okay but didn't seem right, I couldn't find System Restore but found something called System Reset so tried that. When it came to "Which keyboard language would you like?" I was unable to choose, the cursor was locked.
After three days of fruitless attempts I gave up and reinserted the Win 7 disk. All was fine until it cane to verification at which point it announced that my copy of Win 7, the one which had verified and been running happily for three years, was a pirate copy.
Ever tried to tell the "Pleasant" young lady manning Microsoft's phone line that you're certain your copy is genuine because it's been running happily for three years? Forget it!
So I then invested in a copy of Win 8.1 and was happy with that until the "Final Warning" came that the last chance to upgrade had arrived and I did so yesterday.
I'd obtained a free version of backup software but never figured out how to use it so now I'm stuck with Win 10 for the second time, let's hope some of its foibles have now been resolved. Fingers crossed.
Not me
Short but sweet :)
5 time I tried to update that and never worked, I have a modern computer as well, but what I object to was this constant of informing me by microsoft to take it, I would be in the middle of something and then I would get messages to restart the PC as Microsoft did about 10 updates this month to try and force your hand just to include Windows 10. I have now to off updates from microsoft and sticking with win 8, now missing some files thanks to microsoft and their win 10 upgrade.
I upgraded (free) from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 not long after W10 was released to market.
I have never regretted this decision. I regard the latest iteration of the OS as vastly superior to its predecessor in every way except one - the Edge browser.
For me, W10 has returned to a familiar interface, with an improved Start menu. It boots quickly, performs flawlessly and seems pretty well bomb-proof. And I have had no problems whatsoever with driver software.
Edge's refusal to accept extensions (principally my password manager) has been a pain, so I have continued to use Internet Explorer. But if Edge is now to resolve that problem, maybe I'll start to use it.
I've heard rumours that W10 will be the last version of Windows as we know it (Jim), so it'll be interesting to see what Microsoft comes up with next.
It used to be that the release of a new version of windows was driven by advances in programming and an accumulation of bugs in the prior version that warranted a replacement.
Now I would say a new release is 70 percent to satisfy the hard ware vendors who want Microsoft to force people to buy new versions of their products, be it PCs, scanners, printers whatever.
It is 20 percent to generate revenue for Microsoft (as if THEY need any more money).
And 10 percent to integrate bug fixes from the prior version and perhaps a new feature or two, The latter 10 percent are the only ones that benefit the customer, the other 90 percent have no positive bearing on the customer's computer experience.
Nice blog but I will never upgrade to Windows 10 and I am done with Microsoft once my current 7 spare OS dies.
You see I have purchased several Windows 8.1 licenses and I have used programs to download all updates to install manually. This way when my current computer dies I can install on new system and in update manually even if Microsoft kills windows updates for it.
But I am done with Microsoft after my spares expire and will be getting an apple system. Since with every new version of windows more and more software stops working. That means i would have to buy new software anyways. So a switch to apple seems the best choice but not for a few more years.
I hate how Microsoft forced so many to Windows 10.
I also hate how much data is mined in Windows 10.
I also hate how slow Windows 10 is compared to other versions.
I only know this as I know people who were forced into Windows 10 and how it affects them and their systems.
So Microsoft can go belly-up for all I care. Never again!
I have now got the best of both. Have a dual-boot system with windows 10 or 7 for those programmes that will not run on 10 like my Canon solutions menu, although My printer works well with 10, just the scanner only works with the windows fax and scan desktop app, and I cannot save my scans as pdf files only jpg or bitmap ones.
A bit annoying, but hopefully Canon will come to the party and make drivers for some of the older multifunction printers like my MX310
Many people are still getting used to Windows 10, and we all know Windows 10 could join the retired operation systems that came before it. I still wonder why some software providers never updated their drivers, rendering them useless. And, as for Windows Defender, I've found it to be more reliable than the other "Best" anti-virus and malware prevention tools I've used. All in all, it's been good to me, but there are still things that bug me. Too many ways to access programs, such as desktop, start menu, taskbar, bookmarks.....remember when Windows was simple? Anyway, I look forward to Windows 2017, or Windows 11, 12, 13.1 or whatever Microsoft will call it next time around.
Mám notebook PB EasyNote TE,asi 4 roky starý.Během roku jsem se pokoušel o upgrade na Win10 třikrát a vždy jsem se vrátil zpět k Win 7.Win 10 jsou podle mne šité horkou jehlou,asi jako svého času Win 8.Jsou nedodělané,vtíravé,protivné a na první pohled odpuzující.Nelíbí se mi politika Microsofu-například automatické aktualizace,v základním nastavení odesílá nejvíce dat,čert ví kam,problémy s nastavením výchozích programů(za každou cenu preferuje svoje programy),jEdge je děs a hrůza a je toho podstatně více.Vrátil jsem se k Win 7,ty zatím jedou bez problémů a pokud Microsoft Win 7 odepíše dříve,než v roce 2020,tak vyhodím notebook z okna,přejdu ke konkurenci-Linux,Mac-a na nesmysl jménem Windows hodně rychle zapomenu.Děkuji Za pozornost a všem přeji krásný den.
You are absolutely right.
More than a comment, I am kind of ashamed to ask this late
how can I upgrade to Windows 10. I clicked on the UPGRADE NOW window dialog and nothing of the kind happened, beyond
this invitation to comment.
Nothing to be ashamed of! It should work just like a normal update. Download, restart - upgrade. I would contact MS support.
To paraphrase the veteran actor and former chairman of the National Rifleman Association, they are going to have to pry my Windows 7 DVD out of my cold, dead hands. Windows 8 sucked though admittedly not as much as Windows Vista or (yikes) Windows Millennium. Window 10? Maybe useful if you have a laptop and want to use touchscreen, but otherwise more of the same old irritating Windows 8 feel. Microsoft used to be famous for creating a stinker for every second version of Windows but since Windows 7 I've gagged on every version they put out.
I have been running win 10 for some time now and have had no problems. Look forward to the next upgrade
Forced upgrades have been v.bad in my experience.
Nov 2015: Win8 laptop failed to update after downloading the upgrade twice...got rolled back without any problems. My son now has this machine for Uni studies, says it works perfectly on Win8.
May 2016: Win7 PC had 3 tries, downloading 3 x 3gb data but would not finalize the update/upgrade (misnomer) so has been rolled back...lucky a backup was stored as the rollback went catatonic. This unit now acts as a media server and runs v.nicely.
Executive summary: no more Win10 'upgrades' for me.
June 2016: Replaced both PC & Laptop mentioned above with new Win10 machines, partner got a new Win10 laptop for work stuff, daughter scored a new Win10 laptop as well for school. All 4 Win10 machines run without issue or problem.
The only issues I have with Win10 are...
1. the impost of extortionate 3rd party virus scanners, which I have disabled and re-activated Windows Defender. I've had a long successful history with MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials on Win7) and Windows Defender and find them adequate & v.capable ...about the only Microsoft product I've found to work properly.
2. no control of system updates and private data under the guise of telemetry being transmitted over the web, even though I specified manual control upon initial system setup, and I now cannot change those 'options'.
3. many other stupid/pointless Win10 routines such as Flight/Airplane Mode, etc.,
On the plus side, I have no problem with Cortana, used with Edge a few times dealing with how stuff works and accessing creature comforts.
In the longer term if things don't go well with Win10, as a consumer Ubuntu looks appealing.
My 5centz worth for now.