Windows10

As a very non tech person, I am kinda torn about the new Windows 10. I've learned to use what I need from 8.1 and I'm not sure this is necessary for me. But it IS free for a year and I'm worried that if I don't do the upgrade I'll be stuck w/out much support for 8.1 all too soon. The rumour is 10 will be the last iteration and it will all be update /tweaks prob on subscription basis. ( please don't tell me get a MAC- they r loverly just not for me) Any other Windows OS folk out there? What are u doing?

I downloaded the "Get Windows 10" app to my PC weeks ago; in other words, reserved it, which at the same time ran a check on my computer to confirm that it is compatible, which it is. If reserved before July 29, 2015 (updated to correct) If installed between July 29, 2015 and July 29, 2016, Windows 10 is completely free forever (or at least until the next version of Windows comes out), not just for the first year. Just need to save the product key.

Sometime after July 29, when my upgrade is ready, I'll receive a notification that it's ready to install.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/may/28/five-questions-about-free-upgrade-microsoft-windows-10

Updated On: 7/24/15 at 01:42 AM

sabrelady, yes, that's true. My understanding from what Microsoft says is that I have to install the upgrade within the first year of release for Windows 10 to be free. It's the upgrade that has to be installed within the year.

I was wrong earlier that it has to be reserved by July 29, 2015. It *can* be reserved now (as I said, I reserved weeks ago and am merely awaiting the "green light," so to speak, to install). Windows 10 will be available starting July 29, 2015 and will then be free if installed within a year after that date. From the faq:

I'll admit that my comprehension skills are not always the very best, so forgive me, but let me make sure I am understanding what you're saying. Are you saying that your understanding is that Windows 10 is only going to be free for one year, period, and then after that, I'd have to pay to keep using it? If so, that's not how I'm understanding what Microsoft is saying.

For some reason the Forbes site was going sort to crazy on my computer and making it hard for me to fully read the entire article. (Could be a Comcast or Firefox thing and not that site; who knows!) From what I was able to get there and from what you posted, the writer there may end up being right about subscription service and all, but for now at least, I'm going with what Microsoft itself is saying about the Windows 10 upgrade.

Maybe we're saying the same thing in different ways. I'm almost confusing myself at this point. lol

From the faq (basically just a rewording of the quote you posted). Again, I am reading it as saying that as long as the installation takes place between July 29, 2015 and July 29, 2016, Windows 10 is free, period, for those who install it during that time frame:

Is the upgrade really free?

I signed up for the free upgrade a couple of weeks ago and will most likely do a deep dive into Win10 later today, on a spare laptop. I was never really a fan of Win8/8.1 on the desktop but a hardcore fan of Windows 8 Mobile on my smartphone. Hated the charms and those live tiles so much so that I reconfigured Windows to launch in the classic desktop mode. Best of luck to anyone willing to take the plunge.

On second thought, I'm going to hold off for a spell and wait for the initial reviews to come in. I always have either Linux or FreeBSD as options on the desktop.

I guess I'm just naturally suspicious. Free from one of the biggest multi national corporations

They want it on as many computers as possible. Both Windows 8 & Vista performed horribly and never ended up taking over the majority of Windows computers simply because nobody wanted them. While Windows 8 sat at 13%, Windows 7 say at 60% of Windows computers. For a company trying to push out the latest products that's not good. Apple has been doing Mac OS updates for free since they'd introduced the OS, this is just Windows begrudgingly joining the trend while still dragging its feet with the whole year time frame.

So, I've thought it through and- I'm not gonna. IF they really going to offer support til 2023 for windows 8.1 AND this is the last numbered Windows- the final version should be already installed when it's time for me to buy a new puter. ( whatever it will be called then) Never put of till tomorrow what you can put off today.

Also, give me time to see the pros/cons as well. Lemme know what happens w those of u who take the big jump.

Installed it (for free) last night and so far am loving it! Big improvement! Love Cortana! If you're not a fan of Win 8.1 (hated it!), don 't hesitate to upgrade.

Windows 10 Review #1

Windows 10 Review #2

Windows 10 Review #3

Windows 10 Review #4

Updated On: 7/30/15 at 08:26 AM

Sorry you're having trouble with the upgrade, artscallion. I didn't have any of the issues you're having. I was able to start-up and sign-in into my computer the same way I've been doing since upgrading to Win 8. Maybe it's because my home page is set to MSN.com. I know my password, but I have it set to not have to enter it every time I logon. I don't use Hotmail, however, (I have a Gmail address), and hardly ever use Internet Explorer (now Edge). I prefer Mozilla Firefox, although I plan on checking out Edge when I have more time. Hope you're able to get things resolved!

Just upgraded to Windows 10 on this machine. OMG...I <3 it so much. It's the desktop os that I've always wanted from Microsoft. One nit...the upgrade didn't pick up a proper driver for my turbo-charged ATI display adapter card instead defaulting to the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver. I had to manually request that Windows search for an updated video driver post-install. After that, everything was perfect. One down, two more machines to go!

"Know what? In 8.1 world, apps is the new name for programs. I lost ALL of my important programs. They all have to be reinstalled."

I learned that the hard way, as well, several months back, JerseyGirl. Took me a week to get everything back the way I had it before. I feel your pain!

The only issue I had was having to rename my wifi network to protect it from going out to my contacts automatically. Other than having to do that, and reset the wifi name for my devices and printer, it was pretty seamless (so far).

wi-fi-sense-in-windows

Installation went pretty smoothly. All in all it took roughly Disney's animated Cinderella length of time, plus maybe a few extra minutes, to install. :)

Had to get Avast firewall back on, but that only required a reboot.

After that, just some tweaking of desktop (all of us -- husband, son, me -- use in desktop mode, did with 8.1, will with this, personal preference), turned off tiles we don't need, etc. All our previous individual user desktop wallpapers still there. So far everything works. In a nutshell, compared to 8.1, I'd say it's a lot the same but also different, in ways that I like so far.

I don't know if it's because it's a fresh install of a new OS or my imagination or what, but it seems to me like everything is working faster than before. Also, may be completely unconnected, but at this time of night, being online, my internet connection would have normally dropped at least once if not two or three times in the past hour or so (thanks, Xfinity/Comcast!), but "knock wood!" -- so far, so good there too.

JG2, while I didn't experience the problem you did this time, we've had similar happen in the past under various Windows incarnations. I hate you're having to go through all that hassle.