Issue 32.15
Well the big day finally arrived. On July 29, Microsoft started downloading Windows 10 to computers that had requested the update. It is not automatic even if you requested it. You actually have to request the installation which is a good thing. This article is an attempt to help you decide if now is the time to take the plunge.
Windows 7 users may want to skip down because the question for them is more complex. Buying a new computer with 7 is still a great idea, especially if you can find it for a good price because you can stay in your comfort zone a little longer but still upgrade for free when you are ready.
If you are buying a new computer and the choice is between Windows 8 or 8.1 and Windows 10, I strongly recommend 10. Most of the glaring mistakes in Windows 8 have been corrected or removed and 10 has a number of new features that I like and that can improve your experience. I also strongly recommend that Windows 8 users upgrade to 10. There are a few new product glitches but they are far outweighed by the improvements 10 has made over the unpopular 8. The support for touch screens and tablets designed for 8 are still there, but the attitude of forcing you to do it “their” way has been abandoned by Microsoft. Instead, they have restored the START menu and added the ability to view and access your apps from there while retaining the traditional lists of most used programs and folders.
Now for the pros and cons of 10 for the rest of us. If you are still using XP or Vista, you will likely want to buy either a Windows 7 or 10 computer soon. Support for XP ceased last year and Vista will “die” next year. Some of these older computers can be upgraded, but the cost and trouble is becoming less financially reasonable since you have to pay $120 for the software plus the time involved or the technician’s pay for doing it for you. You will also likely have to upgrade the memory and/or the CPU (Central Processing Unit or main chip). Many of your programs (if you are using older Windows versions) will not transfer or even work on the new computers. Compatibility with Windows 7 is much more likely than with 10, but if the programs are that old you may want to look at replacing them as well since support for the software is likely ending as well.
Windows 7 will be supported until 2020 and is so far compatible with most programs but not some of the new apps. For those with Window 7 my suggestion is to upgrade to 10 unless you have software you need to use that is not compatible with the new system, BUT wait a few months. There are glitches as with most new programs. When I tried to upgrade one of my laptops to test Windows 10, the upgrade failed twice before I got it to work. Then the computer locked up three different times as the changes were completed and some of the functions still are not working right. Cortana (the digital assistant similar to Siri or Google) works but is not totally complete as is the case for the new browser, Microsoft Edge. Again, they look good for the future, but I am still pretty sold on Google Chrome for the time being. Internet Explorer has been discarded because of all the problems with security and crashes.
Windows 10 is not faster than 8 and only slightly faster than 7. It does have improved game play for intense gaming with DirectX 12 and is very touch screen friendly but supports mouse and keyboard work much better than 8 did and will be much more comfortable for those who are upgrading from 7. They did not restore the popular games still available on 7 such as Solitaire, Freecell, Spider Solitaire, etc. You have to buy apps now. Finally and more importantly than ever – make sure you have a backup of anything important before you upgrade because some users have reported crashes during installation that wiped out their data. I will bring you more info on Windows 10 as I have time and space in future articles. It looks like PC users will be going this direction, but there is no hurry since the upgrade is free through July of 2016.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 33 years, 26 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.