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It's a bizarre situation: Microsoft offers a free upgrade to the latest operating system to its users - and they just say no! Or more precisely: They do upgrade but not in droves as Microsoft had planned. Windows 10 was supposed to run on more than one billion computers soon, that was the goal. At the beginning of 2016, roughly 200 million have installed it. And then Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo's current CEO who used to be a reliable ally, made the situation worse by openly criticizing the many issues especially users of older machines were facing with Windows 10. But Windows 10 still has a lot to offer and runs, to sum up the many tests, quite smoothly. Read on to learn about what you can expect from Windows 10, who really needs the new operating system and what risks are involved!
What Windows 10 has to offer
Let's look at the highlights first: Number one - the return of the start menu - will have many breathe a sigh of relief. Yes, the tiles are still there but everything feels familiar. A new addition is Cortana, the personal assistant that listens to your voice and can handle appointments, navigation and web searches for you. For this to work, she needs to know a lot about you and have access to various system areas, a thorn in the flesh of privacy advocates. The new Edge browser looks nice, runs fast - and also happily collects data so make sure to get your privacy settings right. Nice: Multiple (virtual) desktops allow you to assign your windows to dedicated work spaces (work, private matters, gaming) to keep things organized.The boundaries between devices are blurred - if you're using a Windows cellphone, an XBOX or Windows tablet. You can now use apps on all of your devices, run an app on one device and have it send its output to a different one. Gamers can get more gaming performance out of their hardware with DirectX 12, certainly a welcome benefit to that target group. A new email application with news support has also been added, both very usable and comfortable to use. As far as overall performance is concerned, Windows 10 launches faster, performs slightly better than previous versions and supports USB 3.0 out of the box. Small caveat for Media Center fans: That program is now gone.
Data privacy - the sore spot
The release of Windows 10 met with a lot of distrust. It was quickly called a data hog and, indeed, Windows 10 phones home a lot when the express settings are used. The reason for this is that many new features such as Cortana or the handwriting and voice recognition need to "get to know" you first to work properly. If you don't plan on using these features you may either adjust the privacy-related Windows settings manually or use third-party applications such as Ashampoo® AntiSpy for Windows 10. But make no mistake, Microsoft's privacy statement is pretty clear in terms of the commercial use of your data. It openly states that data will be used to personalize ads and make them more relevant to you. Once it became known that your location could also be determined (either using your IP address or GPS, if available) discussions heated up a little more. That Windows has always been collecting usage data (but never to this extent) in the past didn't really help to defuse the situation. Since this is a complex topic it deserves a separate article that will arrive soon, I promise.
Windows 10 upgrade risks
Since there are no official figures I've pored over a dozen forum posts, hunting for problem descriptions and calls for help on this topic. My estimate is that 90% of users did not experience any notable issues, 5% had to deal with (solvable) driver issues and the rest were faced with serious problems. From a computer scientist's view, this is a respectable achievement, a mammoth project like this will never work out flawlessly. But let's not forget that each case in which a PC no longer boots up may still pose a catastrophe for the affected individual. Microsoft and various web sites provide users with hints and advice but a few users were still doomed to reinstall their systems. I chose to backup relevant data to an external hard drive for the 5 upgrades I did (they went well), just in case. It may only be a minority that experiences serious issues with the upgrade but problems do happen.
Who should upgrade
According to Microsoft, everyone. If you ignore the marketing buzz, things will start to look different. Sure, if you really need all the latest features you should definitely upgrade. Then again, I know many users that love Windows 7 and simply don't want them. Why should they install Windows 10 when Windows 7 will still be supported by Microsoft until January 2020? Future-proofness may be a reason but, let's be honest, nobody knows what the IT landscape will look like 3 years from now, it's all just speculation. Windows 8.1 is a special case, some love it and many hate the dominant tiles and the missing start menu. The latter may find salvation in the more traditional look of Windows 10. Gaming enthusiasts that want to profit from DirectX 12 for faster and better graphics also don't have a choice, Windows 10 has a monopoly in this area. And to all those who are disappointed: Is your current system unstable and annoying? Here's your chance for redemption. Everyone else can choose more or less freely since Microsoft has began putting more pressure on users.
The forced upgrade
I can understand Microsoft, they believe in Windows 10 and they want to minimize support efforts for older versions. They also want to make money which is why they're pressuring users to upgrade. I get it. But if this means silently downloading the upgrade in the background or hiding it among essential Windows updates things start are starting to get ugly. Users have the right to refuse the upgrade. They might have purchased an older version and it's their decision to continue using it even if that might collide with Microsoft's interests. And they might have good reason to do so. Maybe they're using an application that is incompatible with Windows 10 or rely on (mostly older) hardware for which there is and won't be a Windows 10 compatible driver? Or (most importantly) perhaps they simply do not want to upgrade? Whether it's the fear of upgrade risks or just fondness of the current system (yes, that does happen!), Microsoft has to respect that. And if they don't, they'd better start selling annual licenses or turn Windows into a subscription model, which may be what they're going for in the long run. At least, that would be a transparent approach for buyers.
If you're still running Windows XP or Windows Vista, here's a tip for you: You can obtain a valid Windows 7 license for as little as $20 on Ebay or through other online sources that will even make you eligible for the free Windows 10 Upgrade.
Now, it's your turn!
What I'd like to know: What are your experiences? Did you upgrade, did you experience any issues?
I did upgrade but rolled back to Windows 7 after issues with loss of my Wifi, printer ports not detected webcam didn't work and microphone also does not work even now so I rolled it back older laptop compaq presario CQ60
I currently use Windows 7 and it meets all my requirements.
I have two concerns related to Windows 10 upgrade.
1. It is free and Microsoft says it will remain free. How then do they make any money? And is there plans down the track to turn it in to a subscription licence .... even though Microsoft is now saying NO?
2. I run a number of Windows 3.1 programs in XPmode virtual computer. My employer also runs a vital program in XPmode. This runs seamlessly under Windows 7. It is possible but not as easy using VMware on Windows 8 but Windows 10 in stepping into the unknown!
Have upgraded 4 x W7 machines now, all went well after I removed Avast, but having problems since last (v1511) update on one - it's lost the shop and other tiles - seems a common issue which I have yet to solve.
Don't like the fact you cannot turn off updates, I brought an Asus Chrombook 11 at Xmas, with a 32GB SSD drive, after windows slapped the v1511 upgrade on it I ended up with 3GB left. Fortunately I know about the Windows.old folder so recovered back to 10GB. Who knows what will happen when it forces me to install the next updated version ??
I’m running a Dell APX500 desktop PC on MS Windows 8.1 Pro in 64 bit configuration with MS Office 2010 as well as other Non-MS Applications. I was very happy with this system that has operated extremely well and very reliably for me for several years with one huge exception. I did accept and reserve the free MS Windows 10 upgrade offer but I’m still not ready to proceed with this upgrade until I’m happy and totally convinced that MS has eliminated all their Windows 10 OS bugs. However, I now find that commencing about three months ago, although MS continued to provide their ongoing software security upgrade patches for their Windows 8.1 OS and their other MS applications I had purchased originally with my PC, I can’t download and install about 80 of these important MS security software patches unless I first install the MS Windows 10 upgrade. Whenever I attempt to download and install any of this growing number of software security patches my PC immediately starts to first commence installing the ‘free’ MS Windows 10 upgrade that I immediately cancel. Consequently, I’m now quite concerned that my single PC has become increasingly vulnerable and exposed to all kinds of attack threats and this vulnerability will grow as more time goes by. I feel outraged and disgusted with this MS strategy of forcing their customers to install their ‘Free’ Windows 10 upgrade in accordance with their scheduled desires. Surely this MS customer stand over strategy cannot be legally acceptable.
Please advise your thoughts to me at jnix0041@optusnet.com.au
I upgraded as soon as it became available. I am a techie, I like to build and repair computers. I like everything new that comes out and I have to at least try it.
I had no problems installing windows 10, I installed it on my laptop and desktop. Since the install, I have not experienced any problems or issues. I really like all the new features that come with Win10. I do recommend it to everyone, it is very useful and comes packed with good features. At the very least, give it a try and compare it to the windows version you are using now. Good Luck.
Ed
Yes I upgraded two PC's, one after the other. They are different motherboards ECU's and memory and both had problems with printer drivers and one with a video card driver. Apart from that I have had no real problems.
No! No! No! Something doesn't sound right about this offer of Microsoft, so I am waiting to see where all of this is going. There is no reason not to allow other OS to be allowed in on their offer; so why not? They charged an arm and a leg for people to purchase an upgrade to Vista for both 32 and 64 discs, BUT that offer has never been offered at all to anyone that I am aware of as yet for an upgrade to 10.
So I am just either waiting for the hammer to drop or decide to
change or stay with the software I am using now. Aftey er all, did they not say that we had till October of 2016 to agree to download the upgrade??? So then, why are they in such a
hurry for everyone to change now? I've learned not to be so trusting from their past dealings....
No I did not upgrade. In fact I was advised not to by my IT expert. My only hiccup is I need more storage space. WIndows 10 won't solve that. To solve that factor I simply need more external storage drives and am working on doing just that. Once I get past working out how my new 256Gb SDD Drive works and learning to flick between C and D Drives for speed and then for storage, I will be happier. But it is only necessary until I get my "H" Drive which will be a minimum of 4Tb or even as much as 8 Tb as prices come down on this level of media storage.
A friend of mine upgraded to W10 - then had problems, then attempted to revert to WIndows 7 and had to call in a computer expert to sort out the resultant confusing mess. He was not happy.
Microsoft made it sound easy - a free and simple upgrade. It probably was for some. But I figure I am happy with W7 so why change. Especially if it is supported up to 2020 ish.
When or if my IT guy recommends it as safe I will consider WIndows 10. Probably by then WIndows 12 will have come out!!!
It great just get rid of that old machine I need a name spell or am in a hurry windows 10 takes care of that need
I updated from windows 7 64 bit to windows 10 in the first month that it was released. Everything went well until the first update. Then my machine became unstable and continuously crashed to the blue screen of death. I tried everything to fix it, even reinstalled it three times, but each time the automatic updated was downloaded the machine became unstable. I even asked Microsoft for help, but got little satisfaction. In the end I uninstalled windows 10 and reloaded my windows 7. I have not had a single problem since going back to Windows 7 and have no further intentions of going to windows 10, unless they give you a choice on what updates you can receive.
When Microsoft came out with Windows 7 I was reluctant to buy it, and therefore held off for quite some time. After getting Win7, I regretted having waited, because it was the first and only Windows os that I was happy to tell people about, and about how great it was! I've been using it ever since, except....
...when I fell for Windows 8! What a foolish move on my part! I discovered that Windows 8 was the worst crime Microsoft had ever perpetrated on its customers; I was so angry that if I could have found a Microsoft throat to shove it down, that's what I would have done. Alas, no MS throat in sight, so I bought Windows 7 again, installed it, and have been happy ever since.
I don't trust Microsoft, and haven't for many years. If not for the fact that they are a--more or less--necessary evil,, I would never give them another dime. At one point I switched to Ubuntu Linux, which I found to be quite good. The only drawback was that certain of my important software would not run on it, which sucked.
When I became a victim of Win8, I went back to Ubuntu, but found that it had been degraded (i.e., not nearly as good and/or user friendly) compared to the first time I used it. Oh well, such is the way of the world.
okay I was one of the first to activate my windows 10 as I reserved a copy upon release. I love the ease and the access features... I've only have had a few minor incidents, 1- edge runs a little slow but that's proably my cheap computer. 2- I haven't been able to use it for movies or reading disc, I can make disc just not use it for watching movies. That in my opinion is a great sign for a new program. I have recommended it to several of my family members and friends that love it
I have personally upgraded from Win 7 to Win 10 and the transition was seamless in my case. Win 10 does exactly as you report, start faster, is more stable, but I am still using Chrome as my Browser due to past ramifications and flaws. Maybe I should give it another chance. Overall I am very pleased with my decision to move into this version of Windows.
Since I went from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 my HP laptop doesn't shut down anymore when I click shut down. I have to manually click and hold the power button.
I learned that Uninstalling KB3035583 got rid of the upgrade to Windows 10 garbage plus changing settings to "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates". That stopped that window 10 upgrade from coming back on my Windows 7 Pro laptop with a dying motherboard. I have a new 8.1 Pro computer I am getting ready to fire up as soon as I get it ready and I hope I do not have to deal with that KB3035583 pain but hopefully if I do I can get rid of it the same way.
I upgraded to Windows 10 and hated it at first. It would not play video. It lagged and buffered or locked-up playing video, no matter the browser or application! But wait, there's more! Turns out it Comcasts problem and a few buttons pushed by a helpful customer service rep and voila! video is now working fine.
WIndows 10 seems to be stable and supported on my system with it's current hardware and software (Samsung Pro SSD HD, Asus Intel i5 motheboard and Asus GTX 550ti graphics).
Overall, I like WIndows 10 and do not regret doing the upgrade, for now . . . we will have to see what Microsoft does with it in the future.
I understand Microsoft wanting everyone to have just the one operating system, its called standardization and it is easier to support and yes it is offered free to entice you to upgrade.
It also makes it easier for others to target a single system, thereby almost crippling the entire web without having to write multiple code.
Jump on board so that we can charge you for an annual licence later - wait for it (It is how we make money).
Is the new system better, well its like the wife shifting the furniture around, sure it looks different, but is it any better, no it will all be shifted yet again later - just like annual updates to other software where it is mandatory to change the look for no apparent benefit. They would like to fool you into thinking that it is better. What ever happened to using something that actually works and staying with it?
Reminds me time to change the wife.
Vote for Windows 10, yep 1.0. Oops the decimal place appears to have shifted.
I listed for an upgrade from 8.1 and waited 6 months for the go ahead. That amount of delay is not encouraging. Were there really that amount converting, else could the system not handle the change-over?
With all software have you noticed any that offer a discount for a valid pensioner, else are we supposed to be smart enough by that stage to use a pirated copy, because not all of us can afford the supposed new benefits of an upgrade.
My windows journey includes DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and of two weeks ago Windows 10. I missed ME, 2000 and all versions of Vista - mainly in remaiing compatible with what my employer was using at the time. Retired 8.1 and 10 have both been my choice and apart from a short learning curve I have not regretted any of my upgrade decisions. Microsoft is never going to let Windows fail and in any blip the way to move is always forward rather than backward. Of course with any new software it is sensible to let enthusiasts iron out the inevitable early issues - I waited until 2016 to perform the free upgrade and the less cautius will wait until the end of the offer is in sight. It is far too early to judege the success of their, in my view, generous offer
1. Quote "...Windows 10 phones home a lot when the express settings are used. " - Therefore, without your explicit permission to do so and operating at your privilege level, what PRIVILEGE LEVEL does that subsystem possess (system / admin) ?
2. If the subsystem exists in the system kernel or operates at a driver level, then what port number does it use to communicate with Microsoft's servers dedicated to the task?
3. Given 1 above, what potential is there for another entity to "piggy-back" or emulate the Microsoft sub-systems and/or its data channel back to its server(s) by close monitoring of the data communications channel?
we upgraded with win 10 but found we could not play some of the older games etc they went to big or just would not play and we lost our WiFi Sig all the time that's when we went back to win 7 and surprise everything work and come back how it should be ...
I like win10 only hassle I have is some drives won't install
I have avoided the upgrade, but I know 3 people low on IT skills who inadvertently upgraded and all 3 had trouble. At least one had to resort to professional assistance to get the system back. The automatic updates (including drivers) is a serious concern to me. I wish you had written more about that concern in the article. I have been hoping to hear that Microsoft changed Windows 10 to at least make the driver updates optional, but I've not yet heard such news.
I didn't upgrade because I can't be bothered learning new stuff.
Windows is a tool. I need simple access to my data, my programs, an Internet enquiry language and my emails.
Everything else is an irrelevance.
I don't want it to speak to me, and unless I'm using a tablet a keyboard is the quickest and most efficient form of data entry.
Windows 7 lets me get on with my computer use, Windows 10 just gets in the way, like Windows 8, with irrelevant presentation styles, when I simply want to easily access my files and programs.
Windows 10 doesn't have the one element of Windows 7 I actually use - Windows Media Centre, which controls my TV Tuner and is far better than other such programs. Only when the Media Centre EPG listing are discontinued will I even think of 'upgrading'.
I remember when spreadsheets started, they were straightforward and easy to use. But software houses don't make money that way and soon they were offering such complexity of features that 99% of users didn't need, at an ever increasing price - and that's the way Windows has gone.
I can't jump the Windows ship because the software writers have standardised on it, but sometimes I wish developments would come to a halt, and just let me use the programs i need in a stable straightforward operating environment.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent my spleen.
I have win 10 workeing well on one desktop where as two others don't like it they have told me that Firefox will not work with this system. As a rule I use ninite.com. to download various programs on computers I've built for myself. But I still can't get Firefox to work
on two win 10s I use from time to time.
It must be me, I think I'll work it out in the near future.
Or maybe at 81 years old I shouldn't be too fussy.
Norm