Over recent months I have received many queries about Microsoft Windows 10, this blog addresses many questions such as… Is it right for me? How do I upgrade? How much does it cost? Will I be better off?
Who can upgrade?
Anyone with computer with sufficient spec and the price of a licence.
Thanks for that, but what are the specs and how do I know what my computer has?
Ok the specs are Processor:1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor RAM:1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver Display: 800x600
And to find out the info…
For Windows XP Click Start > Click Run > Type msinfo32 > Click OK
For Windows Vista Click Start > Type msinfo32 (in the Start Search box) > Hit Enter
Who can upgrade for free?
Users currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, if you use Windows 8 you will need to do the FREE upgrade to Windows 8.1 first. And you will need to do this before the 29th of July 2016.
So why Windows 10, what happened to Windows 9?
The proposed reasons range from the number 9 is considered unlucky in Japan, to ‘because 7 8 (ate) 9’, to the official Microsoft line that… Windows 10 represents such a leap forward we missed out 9. My opinion is that the Apple operating system is OSX ‘X’ being the roman numeral for 10, and naming it Windows 10 is little more the keeping up with the competition.
What’s in it for you?
Support for Windows XP has been and gone and support for Windows Vista ends April 2017. Mainstream support for 7 ended in January 2015 and extended support will end in January 2020 less than 3 ½ years, extended support for window 8 will go on 2023.
Windows 10 is a ‘lighter’, more efficient operating system than its predecessors, is has a good look and is easy to get the hang of.
But I like Windows 7…
Good Windows 10 is much the same as 7 with a prettier interface and slightly updated language (e.g. ‘All Programs’ has become ‘All Apps’). All this and it uses less system resources leaving more power for your hungrier Apps.
But I like Windows 8...
Try Windows 10… enough said!!
I have heard bad things about Windows 10...
Back in 2001 I clearly remember very similar gripes and groans about XP and again in 2009 about 7. When Microsoft retired XP 14 years later it was like sending off an old friend!
So… do you think I should upgrade to Windows 10?
Yes. Since I can remember updating your computers OS has been rule one of keeping your computer safe and running well and although the Windows 10 download is the best part of 4 Gig (unpacked) most of it is security related.
Is upgrading hard?
No, to Microsoft’s credit the do really seem to have put some thought into it and made it as straight forward as posable, if you are upgrading from 7 or 8 all your files folders pictures music etc.. will NOT be lost and they will be where they usually are.
Do I have to upgrade my MS Office package?
No I have personally upgraded computers with Office 2000 on them that are continuing to work as anticipated. However, if you are using a version that is very old, my advice would be to have a look at office 365, it is without doubt the best version I have ever used and it is available from £37.20 annually or £3.70 monthly. More on Office 365 >
Will I need to get a new printer?
This is highly unlikely! I have hooked up some really old printers to Windows 10. Here is a useful guide >
Is Windows 10 spying on me?
Windows 10 is designed to collect anonymous data on the usage and crashes of the OS and apps for the purposes of improvement and development in much the same way Google, Apple and many others do. With Microsoft well on its track of having Windows 10 installed on 1 billion devices in the 1st 12 months, I am sure they have little interest in your holiday snaps or the letter you wrote in protest concerning your parking ticket 3 years ago! In fact, your Tesco Clubcard collects more information specific to you personally.
So in conclusion...
I like Windows 10, it feels like Microsoft have listened to the people that will be actually using it day-to-day, not just a small group of us geeks! It also feels like it has some longevity and is versatile across many devices.
Who can upgrade?
Anyone with computer with sufficient spec and the price of a licence.
Thanks for that, but what are the specs and how do I know what my computer has?
Ok the specs are Processor:1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor RAM:1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver Display: 800x600
And to find out the info…
For Windows XP Click Start > Click Run > Type msinfo32 > Click OK
For Windows Vista Click Start > Type msinfo32 (in the Start Search box) > Hit Enter
Who can upgrade for free?
Users currently running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, if you use Windows 8 you will need to do the FREE upgrade to Windows 8.1 first. And you will need to do this before the 29th of July 2016.
So why Windows 10, what happened to Windows 9?
The proposed reasons range from the number 9 is considered unlucky in Japan, to ‘because 7 8 (ate) 9’, to the official Microsoft line that… Windows 10 represents such a leap forward we missed out 9. My opinion is that the Apple operating system is OSX ‘X’ being the roman numeral for 10, and naming it Windows 10 is little more the keeping up with the competition.
What’s in it for you?
Support for Windows XP has been and gone and support for Windows Vista ends April 2017. Mainstream support for 7 ended in January 2015 and extended support will end in January 2020 less than 3 ½ years, extended support for window 8 will go on 2023.
Windows 10 is a ‘lighter’, more efficient operating system than its predecessors, is has a good look and is easy to get the hang of.
But I like Windows 7…
Good Windows 10 is much the same as 7 with a prettier interface and slightly updated language (e.g. ‘All Programs’ has become ‘All Apps’). All this and it uses less system resources leaving more power for your hungrier Apps.
But I like Windows 8...
Try Windows 10… enough said!!
I have heard bad things about Windows 10...
Back in 2001 I clearly remember very similar gripes and groans about XP and again in 2009 about 7. When Microsoft retired XP 14 years later it was like sending off an old friend!
So… do you think I should upgrade to Windows 10?
Yes. Since I can remember updating your computers OS has been rule one of keeping your computer safe and running well and although the Windows 10 download is the best part of 4 Gig (unpacked) most of it is security related.
Is upgrading hard?
No, to Microsoft’s credit the do really seem to have put some thought into it and made it as straight forward as posable, if you are upgrading from 7 or 8 all your files folders pictures music etc.. will NOT be lost and they will be where they usually are.
Do I have to upgrade my MS Office package?
No I have personally upgraded computers with Office 2000 on them that are continuing to work as anticipated. However, if you are using a version that is very old, my advice would be to have a look at office 365, it is without doubt the best version I have ever used and it is available from £37.20 annually or £3.70 monthly. More on Office 365 >
Will I need to get a new printer?
This is highly unlikely! I have hooked up some really old printers to Windows 10. Here is a useful guide >
Is Windows 10 spying on me?
Windows 10 is designed to collect anonymous data on the usage and crashes of the OS and apps for the purposes of improvement and development in much the same way Google, Apple and many others do. With Microsoft well on its track of having Windows 10 installed on 1 billion devices in the 1st 12 months, I am sure they have little interest in your holiday snaps or the letter you wrote in protest concerning your parking ticket 3 years ago! In fact, your Tesco Clubcard collects more information specific to you personally.
So in conclusion...
I like Windows 10, it feels like Microsoft have listened to the people that will be actually using it day-to-day, not just a small group of us geeks! It also feels like it has some longevity and is versatile across many devices.
RSS Feed
