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General discussion

Windows 10 free upgrade: Should I go for it or not?

Jun 5, 2015 4:55PM PDT
Windows 10 free upgrade: Should I go for it or not?

Since Windows 10 is coming out soon and I believe it is a free upgrade for people using Windows 7 and 8, I think, please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm currently on Windows 7 and happy with it. But since it's a free upgrade, should I get it? How would I know if all my programs will be compatible with Windows 10 and if my hardware is compatible? I'm kind of on the fence about it. My classmate tells me never to upgrade operating systems until it is released for a while since there will be bugs and to let the company work out most of the bugs before buying. However, since this time it is a free upgrade, I'm tempted to upgrade when it is available at no cost. Am I crazy for doing this or should I hold off and pay for it later? What would you do in my situation? Are you doing the free upgrade? Looking forward to reading your advice and suggestions! Thank you.

--Submitted by: Marlon C.

Discussion is locked

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Yes is it really Free?? what does MS term as Free??
Jun 12, 2015 9:14PM PDT

Excellent points here yes is it free for life or only 1 year, as a lot of the bigger players are now offering their software on a 12 month or a monthly leasing option. Some do offer the leasing option ad when there is an upgrade you are supplied it at no additional charge above the leasing charge. If it is leased, how much do we pay seeing as how we are actually doing the testing work for Microsoft (I know we always do anyway) but if we are going to test the Beta Version then we should be allowed some form of remuneration for "our" services...

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What does "Free" mean?
Jun 13, 2015 4:34AM PDT

I have posed the same question (in different words) a few minutes ago.

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windows update,10
Jun 6, 2015 9:32AM PDT

Hi everyone,i have posted this already but it seems to be missing,you cant turn off windows automatic update in windows 1`0,this means your comp will install updates when you are working,then it will restart without telling you and you will loose all your work you have not saved,if you want to turn off windows update you have to buy the pro version which is not a (free update),something to think about?

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I Just Saw Your Previous Post
Jun 6, 2015 11:42AM PDT

I think there is a review period before your post actually shows up. However, not having tried Windows 10 yet (my computer is very old), I really can't speak to the issues with Windows Update. Since Win 10 is not even in beta testing yet, what you see now may not be what you get when it gets closer to the release date. In previous releases, there were control panel apps for Windows Update so you could change exactly how it operates.

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The Preview is the beta
Jun 13, 2015 8:00AM PDT

The preview that is out now for people who want to try Win10 is the beta. It is being tested and evaluated on many thousands of computers.

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Get the WIN 10 free upgrade and see what it offers.
Jun 6, 2015 10:15AM PDT

I have been running the insiders fast ring since October and I have gotten a very good idea of where 10 is going and I like it. If you are using WIN 7 and have never used 8, I think it would be a really good idea to try it . WIN 7 does not have much life left and there would be a significant cost and learning curve to go from 7 to 8. I think most people will settle in with 10 OK, it has a very small footprint and is agile and I find I like it better than 8. I have used Windows both at work and for home use since WIN 95 and have eagerly looked forward to each upgrade and new version since then. The way I dealt with using 10 and keeping 7 and 8 was to buy a 240GB SSD (a cheap one in a deep discount sale) and clone my WIN 7 OS. If you only have one computer and it is a laptop, you can clone the disk and set it aside while you put the WIN 10 disk into the laptop. I do not think one should risk losing or contaminating their only activated OS disk. I did this and have been running WIN 10 freely as much as I like and the frequent WIN 10 downloads dont bother me. I am fortunate enough to have several computers of various vintages, so I can dedicate one to WIN 10. When the July 29 release drops, you will have a separate hardrive all ready to put it on. By then, many will be liking WIN 10, whether they intended to or not. WIN 10 will be free if you act soon enough, you will need it eventually, so try it and get used to it now, before you have to and are not really ready. I still have old XP machines running, but I never use them I just use it to scare the neighborhood children. I run VISTA ultimate daily on my email machine so I will not be tempted to mix anything else with my email. I have three WIN 7 computers and my wife has one. I have two WIN 8 machines used only when my other computers are busy. I have a WIN 10 ssd in each PC now that is capable of selective booting and that has room and when I have a few spare minutes I may boot into WIN 10 and see what is going on. I have a very fast game machine that I do this on mostly, and I find that I play my games in WIN 10 now. (FPS games and multiplayers like Battlefield, Titanfall, etc.) I may be 70 and slow, but I still enjoy gaming as much as I did 25 years ago. I enjoy computers themselves much more, because you dont have to stop and wind up todays PCs. The point is not XP, VISTA, 7, 8 or 10. The point is fun and learning. Someday people will say "Windows 10, what was that!? and someone may say, it was FREE."

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re windows 10
Jun 6, 2015 12:17PM PDT

Hi,esp Hforman,i got this from a microsoft relese,you can only turn off auto update in the pro version,i may seem to be bitching but ive had loads of problems with the updates over the years,i dont see this is going to change so i wont be upgrading because of this reason,you wont be able to change this in the crontroll centre,the option has gone,,,ask windows,its there already in the releases,auto update is a real pain,can cause problems with booting,blue screen etc and anyway its up to me when i update,not windows and not when i am halfway through a days work,,, please think,,you dont get anything for (free),,,,,,,,,??????

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Should I install Windows 10 on July 29?
Jun 6, 2015 12:19PM PDT

This is a more specific question related to timing, and here that pat phrase works well. If you’re seriously wondering whether Windows 10 is good enough, stable enough, or reliable enough to install on day one, then please wait. Windows 10 will only get better over time, and while millions of people supposed tested this OS, hundreds of millions of people will be using it on their real daily-use PCs within a year. And when that happens, we’ll know more about how well it really works. And Microsoft will have fixed any serious issues that didn’t come up during testing. Which, by the way, happens every single time Microsoft releases a new version of Windows.

https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/4026/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-10

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Not Using Windows 10 It's A Scam
Jun 6, 2015 8:02PM PDT

I believe the clear, obvious and fundamental process of Microsoft giving "free" Windows 10 is that it's a scam.

Microsoft have had about a decade of experiencing people just won't upgrade at their exorbitant, rip off prices e.g. buy Win Ultimate instead of Professional and it costs $19 more, upgrade Win Professional to Ultimate 1 day later and it costs $115 more even though Win Ultimate is the version you have installed, only the serial number, sent by email, is different.

Can I suggest Microsoft had a board meeting to address their failure to get people to upgrade and some bright executive said: "Hey, let's give it free for 1 year then, at the end of that year, people won't want to spend days reinstalling the old version and reconfiguring it so they'll buy Win 10."

Cheers of excitement.

Not falling for it!!!

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It really is free
Jun 13, 2015 8:04AM PDT

There will be no new fees after one year of use. This has been confirmed many times by Microsoft. You will get updates (which will not just be security and bug fixes, but new features) as long as you own the computer Win10 is installed on. Some future updates may not be able to be installed on your computer if your hardware won't support them.

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Make sure you are right, then go ahead
Jun 6, 2015 10:06PM PDT

As with ANY Windows release, there will probably be some devices that will be orphaned by lack of drivers. Microsoft has gotten better about this over the years, not changing a lot of internals that relate to hardware drivers. But it is still worth making sure that ALL your hardware is compatible with Windows 10, or, maybe it's time to replace some old balky device anyway.

Unless you want to be on the front lines of dealing with software bugs, there is no hurry to upgrade. Probably it's not a bad idea to wait for a number of months to upgrade, and, in the meantime, see how early adopters of Win 10 are doing. Windows 10 did get/is getting huge exposure to beta testing, which favors a stable product with few bugs when released.

Finally, see if software features you currently use are missing, and, make sure your paid-for software will all work.

In summary, I cannot advocate jumping headlong to Windows 10. I prefer to look before I leap.

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There are no bug-free OSes
Jun 13, 2015 8:06AM PDT

There is no software, except for some really simple stuff, that I am aware of that is 100 percent bug-free. All OSes have bugs. If you expect anyone to deliver a bug-free OS, dream on.

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All OSs Are Bug Free
Jun 13, 2015 8:23AM PDT

It has been my experience in over 40 years in the software field that all software is bug free...once it is retired!

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If it works, why fix it?
Jun 8, 2015 6:37AM PDT

its free BECAUSE IT IS NOT FINISHED!

The same goes for much of today's software.

I will wait until the x.2 upgrade.

Then again Win7 is working very well for me....

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Define "Finished"
Jun 8, 2015 11:09AM PDT

You are basically correct. If you are looking at the "preview" it is not only not finished, it is not cast in stone as to the design or function. If you have the beta test version (that is, not the preview), it might be closer to the finished state but still might not be bug-free. Personally, I need a new PC so I'm just going to wait until the OS comes out on OEM systems and, even then, I might just wait until SP1 comes out. As far as "free" goes, you might want to read flautist59's post. While there is no evidence of any of that happening, it is always a possibility. My guess would be that they are going to go to an advertising-based structure, which I would hate, personally.

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SP1
Jun 10, 2015 4:28AM PDT

There will not be a SP1. Updates are on the fly now and updates will include security fixes, bug fixes and features which used to be called service packs.

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Re: SP2
Jun 13, 2015 8:22AM PDT

Microsoft announced they will go to a more continuous development and release path. So it's quite doubtful if there ever will be full-fledged service packs with new features, except for company use. The Long Term Support versions for that will show greater differences between them, but i doubt if they will be called service pack, and i even doubt if they will be available for consumers like you and me.

Kees

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Windows 10 - upgrade for free...at first....
Jun 8, 2015 8:22AM PDT

On our local computer experts' radio program, they were discussing this very thing.
One thing they mentioned that stopped me cold was the mention that Windows 10 would be a subscription service...they may be giving that first year away for free but after that you will pay a subscription fee every year.

I've not seen any mention of that in this discussion, but if that's the case I may become a non-Windows O/S user....

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subscription was a rumour that has been dispelled
Jun 13, 2015 4:14AM PDT

I believe the principal reason for the free upgrade is to drive adoption of the latest version by private users who are a small percentage of their overall market. Even if it were their intention to charge subscriptions to get windows updates (highly unlikely) it is something that they could easily apply to earlier versions 7 and 8 as well as they are under no legal obligation to provide free updates for any software. The fact is that ultimately (whether now or in several years time) you will one day need to upgrade to windows 10. The only thing you have to decide is whether to do this now or later. Bear in mind that you have a year from the release date to make up your mind, you don't have to decide in the first couple of months. (if they haven't ironed out the main bugs by then it will not be a pretty picture for Microsoft)

Microsoft are still a highly successful company but they are aware that over recent years bad press about windows 8 (mostly unjustified in my view) has damaged their market and they want to adjust this perception. At the moment the problem seems that if they charge for the upgrade people will say its a rip off and people still say its a rip off if it is offered free for a while - impossible to win!

My advice - watch for a few months - then make the upgrade. To be on the safe side I will be making an image back up of my system drive (something I do routinely every week) so that if something goes wrong I can simply restore my hard drive in less than 2 hours.

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The Bill Gates Vision
Jun 8, 2015 6:18PM PDT

Before Bill Gates stepped down as CEO of Microsoft, he made the statement in which his vision of the future is where no one will have applications on their computers (client devices), rather would run applications from microsoft super servers. "That way everyone would have the latest software all the time."
In other words, off-line is out of time, old fashioned, ******** thinking?
Every online terms of service agreement I've ever read has the clause somewhere, "the right to Change the Agreement".
Reminds me of an out of time saying about the fox guarding the hen house.

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Given you don't have to use Windows at all.
Jun 8, 2015 6:24PM PDT

I put it to you that what you wrote is simply old fashioned thinking. You have choices. We have choices.

What is your choice for your next OS?

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NO!!
Jun 9, 2015 6:05PM PDT

I posted the question "Windows 10 Technical Preview users, what do you think of it?". If you have only one computer do not "upgrade" to Windows 10 right away. Wait and see what others think about it. Better yet find someone you know who has it installed and try it out.

How old is your computer? Consider that when making your decision. Older machines mean older hardware and if the drivers cannot be updated some of your hardware may not function. Are you prepared to deal with the potential problems that may occur if you have to roll back to Windows 7? Do you have a recovery disc(s) for your current machine? Do you know how to use them or do you have someone who can help you if Windows 10 does not work out for you?

I have 4 computers and Windows 10 preview is installed on one of them (it is a spare machine so all the Windows 10 problems are not urgent for me). I will NOT be installing it on my 2 Windows 8.1 machines anytime soon. There are just too many problems and missing features in Windows 10. Overall I think working with Windows 10 has been an interesting experience that at times has been aggravating and extremely frustrating. The one saving grace is that it is NOT installed on either of my main computers.

I think one of the reasons that the upgrade will be free is that Microsoft knows this OS is not any where near as easy to use as the wonderful Windows 7. If people don't have to pay for 10 they really can't complain about it too much.

Windows 10 is reportedly going to be free for a year. There is no need to rush into a decision that may have you wanting to throw your computer out the window.

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You Have A Year To Decide
Jun 10, 2015 6:53AM PDT

Hi Marlon

I’m writing this without reviewing the other 42 + posts given thus far as I don’t want my opinion to be sub-consciously influenced. I’m sure there are some really excellent ones to read. So please excuse any repeat of comments/opinions already offered.

This debate occurs every time Microsoft releases a new OS (i.e. should I or shouldn’t I). Before I get into this…let’s answer your questions.

“Since Windows 10 is coming out soon and I believe it is a free upgrade for people using Windows 7 and 8, I think, please correct me if I'm wrong”

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for users of Windows 7 and all versions of Windows 8.

“How would I know if all my programs will be compatible with Windows 10 and if my hardware is compatible?”

Assuming you have installed all the recent Windows 7 updates via Windows Update you should see a Windows icon in the lower right corner of the task bar (that wasn’t there before). If you have not installed the updates…then do so. Reboot and wait for the icon to appear (it may not appear instantaneously so be patient….maybe go play a video game and come back later). Here’s a link that explains how to get your reserve copy of Windows 10 and check for compatibility issues

http://www.intowindows.com/download-windows-10-upgrade-advisor/

“My classmate tells me never to upgrade operating systems until it is released for a while since there will be bugs and to let the company work out most of the bugs before buying.”

Your wording in the above statement leads me to believe you may be a college student using a laptop. If so, most colleges have an IT Department that requires that proprietary software be installed on personal computers to allow remote (VPN) access to their servers and/or direct access (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) when in a lab or any class that requires network/server access.

I suggest you check with the college IT Department to determine if any of the proprietary software installed on your computer and/or programs they make available to you are going to be Windows 10 incompatible. That may be prove to be the one determining factor as to whether or not you upgrade to Windows 10 immediately (or at all).

“Are you doing the free upgrade?”

Yes. In any event I recommend you reserve a copy of Windows 10 for your system.

Now stay with me as I try to bring your concerns about upgrading to Windows 10 into perspective by examining Windows 8 (8.1).

Windows 8 IMO overall is not a bad OS. Certainly, not to the extent as were Windows Millennium and Vista. You probably don’t know much about Windows Millennium, but IMO it was a major disaster…probably more so than Vista.

What gave Windows 8 such a bad rap IMO was the following:

Microsoft thought they could change the landscape (primarily the traditional desktop) to “Tiles” and no one would notice. Now that’s arrogance to the” Nth” degree.

Most people don’t like change…especially not to the degree that Microsoft tried to change the look and feel of their OS with Windows 8 (suggested reading “Who Moved My Cheese” by Spencer Johnson).

Microsoft introduced two versions of the new OS those being Windows 8 (full functionality) and Windows RT (limited functionality). Without getting into the specifics let’s suffice it to say that the latter was a major flop.

Given the pitfalls associated with Windows RT the public for the most part IMO did not see the distinction between the two OS’s and associated every bad aspect of Windows RT with Windows 8. The latter suffered because of the sins of the former.

I’m not saying that Windows 8 didn’t have its own issues as an OS in general. However, IMO they were no more than those aligned to Windows 7 upon its initial release…because it wasn’t perfect. I think that had Microsoft introduced Windows 8 with the traditional desktop look and made “Tiles” an option to be associated with the “touch screen” (as well as ditched the RT version) people would not have maligned Windows 8 to the degree that they did.

Sure it takes a bit to get use to using “charms” but I think the acceptance factor would have been tolerated better had some of the traditional UI features of Windows 7 been migrated to Windows 8.

Obviously, Microsoft has seen the error of its ways and has tried to bring back some of what the general public wants with Windows 8.1 and now Windows 10. From what I have read/researched this new OS should accomplish that by giving end-users look and feel options (i.e. Traditional or Tile) as well as search parameters upfront.

In closing, I hope I’m not taking a trip down the “rabbit hole” by migrating to Windows 10. My only life saver is that I have two Windows PC’s so I can use one as a test unit. So the advice given by your friend to wait awhile may be something to consider. You have a year to decide from July 29th. Good luck and safe computing!

Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM)

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No Media Center support
Jun 12, 2015 6:03PM PDT

No way. I use Windows Media Center and the idiots at MS have decided to kill it. Unless someone comes up with a full function replacement compatible with Win 10 I'll be staying with Win 7.

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I agree!!!
Jun 13, 2015 1:03AM PDT

This is my issue as well. The loss of my beloved Media Center and the DVR function (as a cord cutter, I have four OTA tuners running) is something that will be the reason for me delaying this as long as is possible. That, and the possibility that Windows will be a subscription service. I'm looking at the possibility of moving to MediaPortal, or if Windows goes subscription, one of the Linux Distros. I am concerned that even if I don't upgrade, the DVR function will stop working if they stop updating the guide. MICROSOFT, THE ONLY WAY YOU GUARANTEE THAT I'LL STAY IS IF YOU KEEP MEDIA CENTER. I know I'm only a small portion of their customer base, but I still have hope they'll come to their senses. They never did a good job of advertising the DVR capabilities, and with the world of cord cutters growing daily, you'd think they'd value this feature. They remain ever short sighted. No wonder Apple has eclipsed them!

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Can the upgrade be reversed?
Jun 12, 2015 6:11PM PDT

Can the upgrade be reversed?
If I am not overjoyed with Windows 10, can I revert to Windows 7?
(I am assuming the answer is no.)

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If you created
Jun 12, 2015 6:16PM PDT

the System Image disc's , you can re-install Win 7
Digger

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Reply to itsdigger
Jun 13, 2015 6:54AM PDT

That is the problem...I do not want to re-install 7, I want to "REVERT" back to 7 as if 10 were never installed keeping all my original data files, programs, settings, etc. If that is possible, then why not try 10?

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Re: not reinstall
Jun 13, 2015 7:01AM PDT
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Win 10 no dvd........
Jun 12, 2015 6:17PM PDT

Win 7 WMC, 10 no longer working dvd. Win 10 is a cash grab through windows store. Office 360 subscription, no thanks. Win 7 is good through 2020.