Yes, I have it too and have used it to pre-register my request for a free upgrade in July. I’ve installed the Windows 10 Evaluation version on another old PC and it’s great, so much better than Windows 8.1 and easier if you’re a confirmed Desktop user rather than a start screen icon user. Even then, you can easily install something like Classic Shell to get back to an XP/Vista/W7 start button and menu.
Windows Vista brought Windows much better security than XP and previous versions and 7, 8 and now 10 are building on that to make it more robust and more easily updated. Essentially Windows 10 will be the last MAJOR update to Windows and from then on more regular & smaller patching will be done all the time, so once you have W10, you’ll never need to upgrade the SW again.
if you have windows 7 then I cannot see the advantage of installing windows 10 but if you have windows 8(.1) then I think you are best to ditch that dud as soon as you can.
when your windows 7 machine kicks the bucket (or microsoft abandons it) then your new machine will undoubtedly use the latest operating system but as a rule of thumb upgrading to the latest operating system just means a slower computer.
We have two computers in everyday use, one is currently on Windows 7 and the other is on Windows 8.1. I prefer to use the computer running Windows 8.1 but both will be upgraded to Windows 10 when it is released.
As regards upgrades slowing a computer down, I think this can sometimes be noticeable, perhaps depending on the condition or specifications of the computer being upgraded. Maybe best to do a clean installation of the new OS where possible.
Could you explain to me what a “Clean Installation” is, I hate having to do this kind of update, when I went to 8.1 my laptop stalled somewhere along the way and I had to get someone in to repair and get it up and running again.
I also had the offer of a free “upgrade” to Windows 10 pop up on my taskbar but I’m going to wait until i can find out if it’s actually worth “upgrading” to before I do anything.
Marj I think it means wiping the old system off your PC first before installing the new one which is what my son usually does after saving all the important stuff on to a backup device. I think this helps to prevents any odd bits of the old system affecting the new.
I know he will also advise that I upgrade from W8.1 to 10 too because he says once a new system is out the old one doesn’t receive the same support from the manufactures and it is important to be as updated as possible from the point of view of having the latest security.
Yes you could stay on W8.1 but it may not be supported with updates indefinitely.
I would like to stay on it for now till any bugs with W10 have been ironed out…
ETA I haven’t had the icon on my PC yet I hope they haven’t forgotten me
Thanks Meg, its not something I would do myself, will have to see when my daughter does the W10 update and then when she is up and running she will do it for me.
She wont do it though for some time as like you she says to never update till all bugs are ironed out.
I have only got the W10 icon up on my laptop its not on my Note Book I think you call it and that is only a few months old.
How-To Geek, a generally well-respected site when it comes to advice, explains the difference between upgrade installations and clean installations. Although this article refers to the Windows 8 upgrade, Windows 10 is likely to offer the same options. I’m not certain about this however, so just have to wait and see how it goes at the time.
The upgrade is certainly the easiest option and maybe Microsoft will have got that just as good as doing a clean installation by the time the new OS is ready for release. If my past experience and the How-To Geek article has it right, then the clean installation might be better but it does mean having to re-install everything.
I’m not sure what all the options will be until actually trying them out after the release. I might upgrade first and clean install at a later date.
I wonder if the main problem at first will be the sheer numbers of people upgrading at the same time. I suppose the Microsoft servers must be geared up to it but slowness might be noticed. It’s likely to be quite a big download too.
Having got it downloaded, the installation probably won’t be that fast on the average computer.
I remember some people aborting upgrade installations of Windows 8 because nothing seemed to be happening. Then getting into problems because of that. With the upcoming upgrade, there could be times when the installation process appears to have hung. I’d say to keep waiting and waiting if this seems to be the case. The installation will eventually proceed.
Yes, it can be best to wait for that reason. Also, there could well be other initial problems.
Despite all the Technical Preview testers giving feedback over the months, I don’t think that’s putting W.10 to the test quite as much as releasing it to the general public. There are bound to be problems cropping up that haven’t been encountered by testers or that haven’t been envisaged by Microsoft. People have so many variations of hardware, software and set-ups that I’d think it must be virtually impossible to cater for everything.
I suppose there has to come a point where software is declared ‘final’ but I’m sure it will continue to receive patches forever. Updates will likely continue even after any service packs are released because nothing is ever perfect. We’re still getting updates and patches for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, even though these operating systems have been released for years (especially Windows 7).
This is not something that only happens to MS Windows. Mac and Linux operating systems get their regular patches and updates too, as does other types software. Examples being art programs, audio programs and security programs (not just virus definitions) …almost anything. I think it’s just the nature of software.
I will be installing the new OS as soon as it becomes available because that’s an interest for me. I’ve got disk images to hand and backups of backups. I could even cleanly revert to a previous OS if things were too bad (but I’m sure they won’t be). I know most just want a working computer but I think if waiting for all bugs to get squashed, it could mean waiting a long time. A few weeks to a couple of months wouldn’t hurt though
My upgrade from 8 to 8.1 took hours, and yes even I thought the PC was just hanging. It showed the percentage of progress, but stopped at a figure (35% I think) I left it and went back into the lounge and popped back at some time to see it had shot up to around 81%. Then when it does get to 100% it hovers there forever, then it has to install/configure etc. it really is best to walk away from an upgrade, allow yourself all day and certainly start first thing in the morning!
I need to read up on 10 before making a decision as W8 is relatively new to me and just about getting the hang of it.
Think I will just stay on 8.1 I rarely download anything, I never play any games all I do is Bank/read and type emails/ come on here for a short time each day and thats it 8.1 gives me all I need.
My computer doesn’t have that little symbol that allows you to reserve it. Checked the website and it may be because it is awaiting an update from Microsoft.
I think it means wiping the old system off your PC first before installing the new one which is what my son usually does after saving all the important stuff on to a backup device. I think this helps to prevents any odd bits of the old system affecting the new.
