Hey all you computer gurus.......Windows 10

[Overbrook]

Looking for some informed opinions here.


I run Windows 7 Professional and I'm very happy with it. I was not even aware of the hybrid Windows 10 until the icon popped up in my task bar a couple days ago.


So, what do you know about this. Should I be reserving my free update now? Do I want to update from 7?

[Two Gap Penetrator]

Here's all you need to know

My company (the largest industrial gas company in the world with 50K+ employees) uses Windows 7. What that means is that they trust it to not f*ck up. (corporate communications' words, not mine)

[TerpEagle]

Looking for some informed opinions here.


I run Windows 7 Professional and I'm very happy with it. I was not even aware of the hybrid Windows 10 until the icon popped up in my task bar a couple days ago.


So, what do you know about this. Should I be reserving my free update now? Do I want to update from 7?

Eventually Windows 7 is going to become obsolete. The benefits of upgrading to Windows 10 are the following:

1) For the first year it's free to upgrade if you already have Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 (legitimate versions or not). This doesn't mean it's a free year of a subscription, just that they want people to sign up so they're letting anyone do it for free in that window.

2) It's supposed to bring back some of the features that were lost/changed in Windows 8.

3) Because it's the newest version of Windows, it'll have the longest future support and improvement schedule.

Disadvantages:

1) It's a new OS and there will likely be differences from Windows 7 that you may or may not like.

2) It's a new OS so it may be buggy.

3) Microsoft is giving it away so they clearly are trying to become more of your overlord and harvester of your soul.

I don't know what you're using your PC for, but I'd guess that most problems that will be encountered by early adopters will be for more "complicated" or demanding operation such as networking, possibly gaming, driver issues, etc.

I just got a new PC within the last month with Windows 8.1 (which isn't as bad as I was told) but I'll likely upgrade during the free year period. I may not do it immediately just to see if there are release issues that need to get fixed.

[TerpEagle]

My company (the largest industrial gas company in the world with 50K+ employees) uses Windows 7. What that means is that they trust it to not f*ck up. (corporate communications' words, not mine)

That's why people stuck with Windows XP for so long. It's tried and true. Eventually Windows 7 support is going to end. Mainstream support already ended in January. Extended support is supposed to end in 2020 so there's no big rush to upgrade in a large setting.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

[Joegrane]

Looking for some informed opinions here.

I run Windows 7 Professional and I'm very happy with it. I was not even aware of the hybrid Windows 10 until the icon popped up in my task bar a couple days ago.

So, what do you know about this. Should I be reserving my free update now? Do I want to update from 7?

I agree with the other posts.

Other thoughts:

Newer versions of Windows often require more memory. If you currently have 4GB you'll probably be fine.

There is a chance of incompatibility with applications you currently run in Win 7 but probably less of a chance of that than 10 yrs ago.

I'm a systems support professional so will take advantage of the upgrade to learn. I also usually rebuild my computers every year so it is not a big deal for me. If you don't need any new features, you'll probably do well to sick with Win 7. It is a very solid OS. I hate Win 8 but use it because I have to know it. I wish I could be running 7.

I suspect the upgrade will be around $100.

[TerpEagle]

I suspect the upgrade will be around $100.

For the first year it's free.

[Kelly Green]

OK -- What's This Mean For Joe Computer User?

I have a home computer that I use to stay in touch with my friends and family, including all the reprobates who frequent this place -- the average, everyday things that are part of life in this day and age.

I also use it for my job so I can write my stories and other assignments from home, but that's the only "professional" aspect of my daily life for which I need a computer. Should I wait until the Windows 10 bugs are ironed out? Buy it as soon as I can? Download the free version -- and if I do am I going to be socked with a bill in 365 days?

My ever-aging gray cells want to know!

[TerpEagle]

I have a home computer that I use to stay in touch with my friends and family, including all the reprobates who frequent this place -- the average, everyday things that are part of life in this day and age.

I also use it for my job so I can write my stories and other assignments from home, but that's the only "professional" aspect of my daily life for which I need a computer. Should I wait until the Windows 10 bugs are ironed out? Buy it as soon as I can? Download the free version -- and if I do am I going to be socked with a bill in 365 days?

My ever-aging gray cells want to know!

There isn't supposed to be a bill after the first year. It's just a window (no pun intended) when you can upgrade for free. If you choose not to upgrade during that first year it will then cost you money to do so.

Other than the interface possibly changing I doubt it'll have much of an effect on you. Supposedly, aspects of the interface like the start button/menu are going to revert to something more like Windows 7 rather than Windows 8.

I wouldn't say you need to rush to download it but I'd probably do it while it's still free because why pay for something that's free.

Unless of course you're still using XP/Vista in which case I don't think you can upgrade for free.

[Susquehanna Birder]

Possibly the easiest path: wait until your current Windoze version barely works, and then just go and buy another e-machine with Win10 preinstalled.


(I'm not sure about anybody else, but I'm quite amused by the thought of KG downloading and installing an OS upgrade. You just know it's going to go well.)

[TerpEagle]

[Kelly Green]

Upon Further Review, I Am Running...

...Windows 8.1 and by now about the only thing I don't like is not having the old start up menu you used to have in the lower left corner of the screen. You clicked on it and you got a nice "tower" with a ton of info included, places to go, things to see...

[Susquehanna Birder]

Can you imagine how many of those you'd need for a Win10 install? And how many NoDoz you'd have to pop?

[TerpEagle]

...Windows 8.1 and by now about the only thing I don't like is not having the old start up menu you used to have in the lower left corner of the screen. You clicked on it and you got a nice "tower" with a ton of info included, places to go, things to see...

Windows 10 is supposed to bring the old start menu back. At least that's what I've heard.

[TerpEagle]

Can you imagine how many of those you'd need for a Win10 install? And how many NoDoz you'd have to pop?

I think the largest disc install game I ever had was about 12. And it took FOREVER.

[Riccardo]

Same here